I find Bassists dont get enough credit [Archive]

louismonette

01-18-2006, 04:01 PM

Jacob6293

01-18-2006, 04:02 PM

No offense but no one really cares about the Metallica bassist.

ebv-dave

01-18-2006, 04:06 PM

i agree, however alot of bassists play bass because it's "the easy instrument" so never play much complicated music. However this is a generalisation, i've seen alot of bassists who are unbelievably talented, and i agree they don't get enough credit. This is probably to do with it being a less obvious instrument, like the guitar is always the loudest, and most noticeable on recordings (again, i'm generalising).

Victor Wooten
Jaco Pastorius
Stu Hamm

^a few bassists that may make people see the huge talent that bassists can posess

Knifeboy

01-18-2006, 04:08 PM

Basses aren't as audible for most people as guitar drum and vocals

Phototropic

01-18-2006, 04:32 PM

Its pretty obvious, most people who aren't into playing music cant tell the difference between which sound is which, and not all bassists play that well, quite a lot of pop bass is root notes

moaner

01-18-2006, 04:44 PM

In the majority of popular music the bassist is less important and used in a less technical way than guitar and drums.

louismonette

01-18-2006, 04:54 PM

In the majority of popular music the bassist is less important and used in a less technical way than guitar and drums.

lol less important...my dear friend the bass is the heart of the song. Provides the beat and essences. This is what i mean. Most ppl think bass is juss a simpler guitar. And some ppl play it cause they cant play electric guitar good enough. And its sad cause bass is one kick *** instrument when u know how to play it.

KKKKKocaine

01-18-2006, 05:27 PM

lol less important...my dear friend the bass is the heart of the song. Provides the beat and essences. This is what i mean. Most ppl think bass is juss a simpler guitar. And some ppl play it cause they cant play electric guitar good enough. And its sad cause bass is one kick *** instrument when u know how to play it.

You're being far too pretentious and whingy.

Go look at the Mona Lisa, the paint used for her skin is one of the key factors of the painting. Without this, the painting would be nothing.

Do you see people saying, 'Wow, look at the paint used for her skin, it's amazing'.

Nope, people appriciate the entire painting.
If people aren't going 'omfg u r teh bassz0r l0rd omg!!!111' then suck it up. Are you in a band to get praised for your bass skills, or are you in a band to make good music?

louismonette

01-18-2006, 05:40 PM

You're being far too pretentious and whingy.

Go look at the Mona Lisa, the paint used for her skin is one of the key factors of the painting. Without this, the painting would be nothing.

Do you see people saying, 'Wow, look at the paint used for her skin, it's amazing'.

Nope, people appriciate the entire painting.
If people aren't going 'omfg u r teh bassz0r l0rd omg!!!111' then suck it up. Are you in a band to get praised for your bass skills, or are you in a band to make good music?

Would be perfect if the hole band would be liked and admired entirely...but thats rarle the case.

KKKKKocaine

01-18-2006, 05:42 PM

Would be perfect if the hole band would be liked and admired entirely...but thats rarle the case.

The music is the whole band.

black guy

01-18-2006, 06:01 PM

Seafroggys

01-19-2006, 01:05 AM

just listen to John Entwistle

delinquent

01-19-2006, 02:44 AM

if youre playing bass to get noticed then youre going to have to do something real good, or somehow get the average person's attention haha

warchief

01-19-2006, 02:50 AM

credit for doing what?

Scooch

01-19-2006, 02:54 AM

Geddy Lee is my personal Jesus compared to Paul McCartney who would be my personal Moses.

Mailman

01-19-2006, 02:56 AM

credit for doing what?
exactly. What do bassist do that deserve credit? Well, they provide the foundation for chords, and grounding for improvisation for other instruments. They also, according to bassists, "hold down tha groov". This is true, but who do you give credit to? The guy riding a bicycle (guitarist/vocalist), or the bicycle (bassist)?

Bad example, I know.

BTW I am a bassist.

Knifeboy

01-19-2006, 05:52 AM

:lol: bad mental imagery of my guitarist riding my bassist :eek:

Akira

01-19-2006, 06:09 AM

the_uber_penguin

01-19-2006, 06:33 AM

The difference between an alright song and a good song is in the bass.

The difference between a good song and a great song in the band as a whole.

Knifeboy

01-19-2006, 06:45 AM

The difference between an alright song and a good song is in the bass.

No.

Diatonic Dissonance™

01-19-2006, 07:13 AM

Moseph

01-19-2006, 10:17 AM

Man, this is why I stopped reading the bass forum threads. It's a big can of worms everytime something like this gets asked because everyone thinks they know, and nobody really does for sure: they can only provide their own opinion, based on nothing except conjecture. Then you always get the guitar player that thinks guitar is the greatest thing in the world and that bass guitar is just a dumbed down guitar for people who can't handle 6 strings. That gets countered by the bass player who's got the opinion that bass is the greatest thing ever and counters that a really good bass player will blow away a really good guitar player, yadda yadda yadda. Then, since this is the internet and it's anonymous and the two don't know each other, they immediately assume the other guy is an idiot and they're right and that they probably have bigger balls and so it explodes into this stupid argument that lasts forever because everyone who decides they need the definitive answer is too retarded to realize that there is no single, completely perfect instrument that dominates the others and that music is made with many instruments and timbres for a reason.

Anybody who thinks that players of instrument x don't get the respect they deserve should sit down and find some new musical genres where that instrument does. Anybody who says that any instrument is inherently worthless is probably not much of a musician in the first place.

mikethecoug

01-19-2006, 11:11 AM

Bassists aren't in the limelight, guess why? They aren't a lead instrument, guitarists get to show off and jump about, bassists can join them, but to credit you must do something that is worthy of it. Doing good basslines, nice little fills and the occasional solo will get you this.

Basically, you will only get credit if you do something that deserves it.

Oh and yes.. I'm a bassist too ;)

moaner

01-19-2006, 11:26 AM

lol less important...my dear friend the bass is the heart of the song.

None of my music contains bass guitar and I'm happy with the way much of it turns out.

Any or several instruments can provide the heart of the song.

espf-250htd06

01-19-2006, 12:08 PM

well in most music the bass is mixed already out, and even in music thats not that you can notice the bass, most people lessoning to the song dont really hear it

they might hear it in the song but all they really pay attention to is the guitar or vocalist

just the way it is bass isnt suppose to be the loudest instrament in the track its just there to add to it

ozzfest05

01-19-2006, 12:15 PM

i pay attention to music and i can hear the bass in most songs but the music is the bands so i dont think anyone should get praised just your music, secondly my favorite album for bass is MUdvayne they have a great bass player, its not that people dont appreciate bass its just that u dont have to be good to play bass but if you can its that much better

Knifeboy

01-19-2006, 12:39 PM

^^ he brings up a good point there.. Whenever anyone compliments Mudvayne, it's always the bassist that gets mentioned

Squirellmeister

01-19-2006, 01:08 PM

Or the drummer. But also you dont need to be good at guitar to be noticed. its just mainstream music the bass does not lead, although the bass leads alot of hip hop etc, but only rarely is that an actual bass player.

Jovianknight

01-19-2006, 01:10 PM

Some people here are so horrible at spelling that it saddens me.

-_-_-Phantom_Lord-_-_-

01-19-2006, 07:30 PM

No offense but no one really cares about the Metallica bassist.

I'd dare say more people care about him than you.... :amaze:

-_-_-Phantom_Lord-_-_-

01-19-2006, 07:35 PM

No.

I believe the bass can make or break alot of songs. It's the rythem section (bass and drums) that hold the song together and makes a backbone while guitarists go about there thing.

djs

01-19-2006, 07:54 PM

I see bass as more of a connection between the groove and rythem. It complements the bass drum and stays with the rythem of the drums, but also has pitch, which provides melody and connects it with guitar/melody.

It is needed, but not a lead instrument. I definately respect bassists, cause I suck at it.

slaughteredfirst

01-19-2006, 10:02 PM

You're being far too pretentious and whingy.

Go look at the Mona Lisa, the paint used for her skin is one of the key factors of the painting. Without this, the painting would be nothing.

Do you see people saying, 'Wow, look at the paint used for her skin, it's amazing'.

Nope, people appriciate the entire painting.
If people aren't going 'omfg u r teh bassz0r l0rd omg!!!111' then suck it up. Are you in a band to get praised for your bass skills, or are you in a band to make good music?

Very true.

I play bass in a band where the bass lines are not the most exterme edge of my talent wise but they sound good.

Thats what matters, how it sounds.

powerstripe

01-19-2006, 11:55 PM

Man we bass players never get any credit because of these pple just following guitar, what ever happened to cream damnit!?? tons of bass. Have any of you guys know a man named Billy Sheehan?? freakin god on the bass :D

Diatonic Dissonance™

01-20-2006, 12:03 AM

there is no single, completely perfect instrument that dominates the others and that music is made with many instruments and timbres for a reason.

Except piano :grin:

LostRythym

01-21-2006, 02:01 AM

John Myung!
And my band respects the bassist the most, then the drummer.

Zjanarhi

01-21-2006, 04:07 AM

That's what's fun about being a bassist. No one expects much from you, but when you do something remotely talented on bass, their jaws drop. It's one of those natural highs when you can make someone smile just by playing Mario Bro's dungeon theme.

pitchfork

01-21-2006, 07:01 AM

Depends what kind of bass you are playing if you are playing lead bass you will get more credit as you aren't just to make the song sound normal but if you are a root note player you will just be because they need a bassist to thicken it up. Same with guitars though lead guitarists get more appreciation than rythm guitarists because they are playing better.

Phototropic

01-21-2006, 08:04 AM

JackG

01-21-2006, 11:01 AM

Xcept the hole metallica bassist revival and the hole wow on a bassist is a frontman in primus....bassists are not as much in the spotligth.
Maybe its the preconception of well its only 4 cords and you dont hear heart pounding solos that its easier to be a bassist then a guitarist that affects the way that bassists are seen.
I really dont get y most of the time the singer or guitarist gets alot more apreciation the a bassit..or even the drummer.
Whats your take on it.

Im a bassist, and i agree with you there, a band just does'nt have the same characteristics without a bassist, but it would'nt with the guitarist and the drummer, although i firmly believe the drummer is the most important memver of the band, they set the time, beat and feel to a song

HitHardDrums55

01-21-2006, 09:19 PM

generally (yes, there are a few exceptions) in rock music, the bass shouldn't so much be so much something you actually hear, but something you feel...not to say it shouldn't be audible, but it shouldn't be very loud compared to the rest of the band.

as for the drum/bass/guitar thing, the bass kind of joins the guitar and drums. while the drummer keeps the time for the band his/her stuff should go along with the guitarist's riffs. the bass should have a pattern that fits what the drummer is doing, and is in the same key the guitarist is playing.

a band is kind of like a tree. the guitar/vocals is like the trunk in that theyre are the most common in rock music. if somebody tells you to get a rock song with guitar and vocals, you will definately get one first try. if somebody says to get one with drums, bass, guitar, and vocals...chances are you will find one easily, but theres still about a 1/4 chance you will pick an acoustic rock song. back on topic, the bass is like a branch, and the drums are like the twigs and leaves. the branch connects leaves to a tree.

ok, so it's not a perfect example, but it's decent.

why bassists dont usually get recognized: they usually just go along with the drummer in the same key as the guitarist, not too much space in there to go all out and get noticed a lot, it wouldn't sound really good if that were the case...as long as the music sounds good, thats all that matters.

moogoogaipan

01-21-2006, 09:48 PM

killfile

01-22-2006, 04:12 AM

One thing I hate seeing is a bass guitarist in a band who's dying to gets noticed and plays overcomplicated basslines that dont fit the song to show off how good he is (happens quite often). As a bass guitarist your role is not to get noticed, you're keeping the groove with the drummer. Lead guitarists and singers get noticed, so if you want for everyone to love you, fill one of those roles. The best bass players play music for music's sake.
Personally, I consider Paul McCartney to be the 'best bass player ever' (only my personal opinion) because instead of 'slappity-fretwank-look-how-great-i-am' he added a hell of a lot to the song without showing off. Not that showing off is bad - a well-placed bass solo or some impressive fills can be fun - but generally a bassist's role is to be in the background.

Or you can play jazz. Everyone likes everyone who plays jazz.

headshrinker

01-22-2006, 06:35 AM

Maybe its beacuse theres alot of people out there who say they play bass but actaully are really ****. They can't really play bass like bass should be played. Take a look at all the old jazz and blues players who started off on upright doubles before moving to electrics to name a few: Bill Cox, Jake Bruce and John Entwhiltse. They play bass how a bass is meant to be played. They don't perticually show off apart from maybe John a little bit, but they add loads to the song. Most bassist today hold the rythum of the songs far more maybe beacuse its needed in modern music but I feel that 3 pecie punk bands are the root of all these problems. They are basically ****ty musicans who cannot play. I guess people like the Sex Pistols and Clash started with say you don't need to able to play to play punk rock or whatever they said. That whole thing seems to have got way out of hand and now we are stuck with ****ty music and little kids who think they are the bollocks cos they know a greenday song.

killfile

01-22-2006, 06:45 AM

Yeah, there's always the other extreme where kids stick to rootnotes, play terribly and think they are the ****. 'keeping the groove' doesnt mean picking straigth 8ths rootnotes through the whole song, that's just boring. There's quite a lot of room for creativity (the jazz guys you gave are a good example). It's ok to groove on the root once in a while, but it's too easy to take a lazy approach to bass and be horrible, like the growing trend is. The key is having knowledge, skill and chops, and knowing when to hold back and when to let loose.

the_uber_penguin

01-22-2006, 08:50 AM

From a composers point of view, when I'm composing for my three piece punk band, I find the bass can to be extrememly versatile.

It's absolutely perfect for turning a "play the chords of the chorus" interlude from just the boring part of the song, to something exciting and interesting.

moogoogaipan

01-22-2006, 10:49 AM

Yeah, there's always the other extreme where kids stick to rootnotes, play terribly and think they are the ****. 'keeping the groove' doesnt mean picking straigth 8ths rootnotes through the whole song, that's just boring. .
there's a more in-depth problem in there. The fact that most kids who play bass don't even understand the word 'root'. Almost every bassist I knew before I went to college could play with great technique, but when I started talking theoreticallly, they would raise their eyebrows in confusion.
Stupid punk music... you guys don't make bass versatile...you make it suck.

the_uber_penguin

01-22-2006, 12:41 PM

there's a more in-depth problem in there. The fact that most kids who play bass don't even understand the word 'root'. Almost every bassist I knew before I went to college could play with great technique, but when I started talking theoreticallly, they would raise their eyebrows in confusion.
Stupid punk music... you guys don't make bass versatile...you make it suck.

What about Greenday? They're strongly influenced by punk, and yet Mike Dirnt has some awesome bass lines.

Or are they the exception to the rule? The problem you're mentioning isn't actually a problem with the role of the bass itself, its the lack of knowledge surrounding the instrument.

I remember hearing John Paul Jones (Led Zepplin bassist) say on a BBC Radio 4 program that punk saved the bassist, because before that it was so often just ignored as an instrument to play root notes to fill out the low end of a piece, whereas punk actually gave the bass player more credibility.

I don't know if I agree with that. I personally think the best bassists are the ones who come from a jazz background (like Mike Dirnt) and know enough theory to build a bassline from the chords implied by the rest of the band into something that provides a strong rhythmical pulse, but also provide the music with some movement.

me_is_p

01-22-2006, 03:47 PM

Atomic Rain

01-22-2006, 04:46 PM

What about Greenday? They're strongly influenced by punk, and yet Mike Dirnt has some awesome bass lines.

Or are they the exception to the rule? The problem you're mentioning isn't actually a problem with the role of the bass itself, its the lack of knowledge surrounding the instrument.

I remember hearing John Paul Jones (Led Zepplin bassist) say on a BBC Radio 4 program that punk saved the bassist, because before that it was so often just ignored as an instrument to play root notes to fill out the low end of a piece, whereas punk actually gave the bass player more credibility.

I don't know if I agree with that. I personally think the best bassists are the ones who come from a jazz background (like Mike Dirnt) and know enough theory to build a bassline from the chords implied by the rest of the band into something that provides a strong rhythmical pulse, but also provide the music with some movement.

Don't get me wrong, I accept that different people have different tastes and tht mine are a little extreme, but the punk I've been unfortunate enough to hear hasn't taken musicianship anywhere for anyone. To my untrained ears, the punk I've heard is just sloppy in all respects.

moogoogaipan

01-22-2006, 05:52 PM

Don't get me wrong, I accept that different people have different tastes and tht mine are a little extreme, but the punk I've been unfortunate enough to hear hasn't taken musicianship anywhere for anyone. To my untrained ears, the punk I've heard is just sloppy in all respects.
I second that. Unless a punk band has the luxury of a producer, all you hear is crap.

Akira

01-22-2006, 06:04 PM

I second that. Unless a punk band has the luxury of a producer, all you hear is crap.
That is a production issue, not a musicianship issue.
:rolleyes:

killfile

01-22-2006, 06:06 PM

I do think Dirnt is an exception to the rule. He's actually a very good bassist, and, like them or hate them, Green Day are a good band who write good pop songs, which is why they are so popular. Personally, I cant stand to listen to most of it, but I dont deny their success comes from musical talent, as simple as most of those songs are.
I guess punk bass gives the bassist more credibility because most punk acts are 3-pieces, and bass is much much more prominent and important in a 3-piece band as opposed to one with 2 guitarists (it takes the role of the 'rhythm guitar' pretty much, only with a bit more freedom). Also, generally bassits playing underneath punk guitarists will have far more freedom to play what they will as the guitarist will often stick to powerchords for whole songs. A good example is an australian rockabilly/punk act The Living End. While the guitarist plays awesome solos most songs, for the verse and chorus he generally sticks to powerchords while the (double) bassist is free to 'walk' everywhere.
The only problem with them, though, and a lot of other bands is that the bass is often mixed too low so you wont hear it at all on ****ty speakers (not the Strokes though! they have prominent bass :) ). That bit sucks about being a bassist.

some jive turkey

01-22-2006, 07:21 PM

Big issue with bass being even HEARD: what percentage of people listen to music at more than just whisper volume, or on anything better (sound quality-wise) than a little boombox at work or their anemic stock car stereo?

excellent point

Most people are only listening to half the music.
Bass is like the balls of the music.

As a drummer i have a lot of appreciation for bassists. There aren't enought of good bass players in the world.

I'm surprised to hear that Mike Dirnt has a jazz background. Is that true?

moogoogaipan

01-22-2006, 07:40 PM

That is a production issue, not a musicianship issue.
:rolleyes:
no. It's definitely not a producer issue.
Did you even read what I was replying to.
Producers usually have a big musical knowledge so they usually can write some of the musicians' music.
My point was that unless punk musicians have a producer, they usually can't write crap. I know stereotypical, but punk is stupid

himynameistweek

01-22-2006, 08:28 PM

the_uber_penguin

01-23-2006, 03:57 PM

I'm surprised to hear that Mike Dirnt has a jazz background. Is that true?

Oops...he didn't have a traditional jazz background which I now realise is what I said meant.

Pretty much everything on the popular side of the classical/popular music divide stems from jazz, so in that respect Dirnt has a jazz background.

What I meant to say is that his basslines were* very much the sort of basslines that rock and metal tended to leave behind in the 60s/70s, in favour of just following the rootnotes.

Longview, for example, is such a typical jazz bassline its cheesy and corny to us musicians, but to casual listeners its new and interesting. Even looking at songs like She and Welcome To Paradise Dirnt betrays clear skill as a jazz bassist, even if he doesn't come from a jazz background, like I implied. I meant to say he's clearly a jazz bassist.

*were, because the past few albums he's abandoned his cool basslines in favour of just following BJA's root notes. :angry:

louismonette

01-28-2006, 07:25 AM

bump

wicked_child

01-28-2006, 08:04 AM

I believe the bass can make or break alot of songs. It's the rythem section (bass and drums) that hold the song together and makes a backbone while guitarists go about there thing.

true. try to listen to soul to squeeze without the bass.

Akira

01-28-2006, 08:13 AM

no. It's definitely not a producer issue.
Did you even read what I was replying to.
Producers usually have a big musical knowledge so they usually can write some of the musicians' music.
My point was that unless punk musicians have a producer, they usually can't write crap. I know stereotypical, but punk is stupid
If you know it's stereotypical, just don't say it. You will make yourself look a lot better.

KKKKKocaine

01-28-2006, 10:26 AM

Big issue with bass being even HEARD: what percentage of people listen to music at more than just whisper volume, or on anything better (sound quality-wise) than a little boombox at work or their anemic stock car stereo?

Well a large percentage of people listen to music at more than whisper volume, or on more than a boombox.

I think you'll find that the guys who mixed those tracks know a hell of a lot more about where the bass should go in the mix and at what volume than you do. As a general rule, musicians know NOTHING about mixing. The worst thing you can do is give musicians who don't have production experience more than a passing say in how the mix turns out.

I also think you'll find that most people listen at more than a whisper volume. And when people put on a boombox at their work place, they aren't really concerned with picking out the subtleties of the music.

Squidtech

01-28-2006, 01:04 PM

IMO it's because the bassist sucks or just plays root-notes. that they don't get noticed...trust me a bassist worth noticing GETS NOTICED.

Squidtech

01-28-2006, 01:09 PM

Then you always get the guitar player that thinks guitar is the greatest thing in the world and that bass guitar is just a dumbed down guitar for people who can't handle 6 strings.

I play guitar and I think bass is harder...unless you have big huge hands. I can't handle those frets

louismonette

01-28-2006, 01:13 PM

IMO it's because the bassist sucks or just plays root-notes. that they don't get noticed...trust me a bassist worth noticing GETS NOTICED.

wo wait your telling me ..that out of the many bands out there...if you dont really hear that much of the bassist..its cause they suck or dont play root-notes..and not becuase well its better for the selling image to put focus on the singer?

Squidtech

01-28-2006, 01:15 PM

I believe the bass can make or break alot of songs. It's the rythem section (bass and drums) that hold the song together and makes a backbone while guitarists go about there thing.

You see...Guitar can make or break as song ....drums can make or break a song. what's your point?

Squidtech

01-28-2006, 01:18 PM

wo wait your telling me ..that out of the many bands out there...if you dont really hear that much of the bassist..its cause they suck or dont play root-notes..and not becuase well its better for the selling image to put focus on the singer?
Most of the music i listen is metal and has little focus on the vocals. and have prominent basslines. I love bass.. a good song for me needs it all. I agree that bassist don't get as much recognition but when so many songs have the bassist playing root...how can the bass stand out? it has to compete with the squeel of a guitar...

I think it comes down to the nature of the insturment

onion540

01-28-2006, 03:15 PM

i think they kind of get left out at the mixing stage =/ their volume gets set so low that you really have to try to hear anything

KKKKKocaine

01-28-2006, 05:33 PM

i think they kind of get left out at the mixing stage =/ their volume gets set so low that you really have to try to hear anything

:rolleyes:

Jacob6293

01-28-2006, 07:43 PM

I'd dare say more people care about him than you.... :amaze:

That was harsh. But really, if you're a bassist and/or if you like the Metallica bassist, sorry I offended you or whatever. But seriously, nobody cares about Metallica's bassist.

Jacob6293

01-28-2006, 07:46 PM

Some bassists make a song famous. Like the killer riffs for "Longview" and "Feel Good Inc", for example.

Orange Fog

01-29-2006, 01:10 AM

This topic brings up alot of mixed emotions, especially from bassists.
I am a bassist... I see it a few ways. If the bass player really wants credit, they'll go out and get it.
Example: Flea. This guy stands out, uses lots of fills, and solos. Guess what? He's given alot of credit, and I'm positive every RHCP fan (even casual) know this guy and what he does.

At the same time, many bassists also just play root notes and stand there. Who are these guys? Nobody knows, because nobody cares. Their nothing special, so why give them credit.

irtehmitchell

01-29-2006, 10:58 AM

those of you bashing punk bassists obviously haven't heard anything decent. just listen to any of matt freeman's work in rancid or operation ivy. he is a great bassist when he isn't just trying to show off.
edit: i lied, just listen to axiom or maxwell murder and try to say matt freeman or punk bassists are bad.

DougJI

01-29-2006, 01:05 PM

Jazz + Blues = Bassist's dreams.

Mainstream music doesn't tend to focus on the instruments, they tend to focus on the lead singer(s). For example, John Lennon was a very good guitarist, but how often do you hear of his guitar playing abilities? Jim Adkins (Jimmy Eat World) is an exceptional guitarist, but again, it's focused on ihs voice.

I guess it's that corrupt age old logic of "well, if I wanted to learn guitar I could, but not everyone can sing". Of course, we all know that with enough effort, nearly anyone can learn to sing, and with enough effort anyone can learn how to play guitar, and that every skill/instrument/whatever will have people who are natural at it. It's just that the media doesn't recognise the skills of those who can't sing. You don't see "guitar idol" on tv now do you? :p

Shaft!

01-29-2006, 07:46 PM

The bass can give a song a stronger sense of the genre it fits in to. Funk doesn't really sound great without a good bass.
But...to say that the bass is the heart of the song? I don't necessarily think so. I think that it's an excellent addition to any song, as long as it fits and is played with relative skill.

Worrpigs

01-29-2006, 08:32 PM

wow this is really cool to see. im a bass player, but i do agree with Revolver, bass isnt necessarily the heart of any song, unless its just a bass song. i feel as though drums are the heart of a song.

KKKKKocaine

01-30-2006, 05:38 AM

moogoogaipan

01-30-2006, 06:06 AM

If you know it's stereotypical, just don't say it. You will make yourself look a lot better.
no, that's cool. I like my opinion... be it for better or worse. I don't care about looking bad in front of you guys.

1030

01-30-2006, 12:19 PM

Bass is important, but very few people notice it. Just live with it. The only famous bass players are those who also front the band and/or die. Plus, a band should be seen as a whole not as individuals. Look at the White Stripes they have no bassist and they sould great!

RNR

01-30-2006, 01:08 PM

We're forgeting that a lot of bassists are terrible at bass. The ones who are actually good get plenty of credit.

Mr_Bounce

01-30-2006, 09:08 PM

BassFish

01-30-2006, 09:37 PM

I don't know, I'm a bassist I love playing bass and all that. But when I listen to a crazy metal song or something I love to listen to the guitar and I'm fascinated by it.

In ska and funk I'll listen to the bass usually because it bounces around everywhere.

I'm thinking of just taking a break from bass and learning some blues guitar or something.

DougJI

01-30-2006, 09:46 PM

I disagree with the voice thing. I honestly believe anyone can become extremely good at an instrument if they put the time in. If you're a vaguely intelligent human being, and play as many hours as it takes, you can become a prodigy. Look at people like John Petrucci on guitar, he supposedly played 6 hours a day in high school, and now he's a genious. However, no matter how hard you try, I think if your voice sounds naturally bad, you can't get the kind of glorious tones that superstars can produce.

No one is tone deaf, and everyone can learn how to sing if they apply themselves, and follow good technique along with a good teacher. Lots of singers have spent hours and hours and hours and hours (Etc etc) practicing. You don't think opera singers could sing like that from birth do you? Everyone has a pair of vocal chords, everyone can use their vocal chords to change the note. There are naturally good singers, just like there are those that are naturally good at math, those naturally good at music, etc etc.

But anyways, too much emphasis is on the skill of the singer being a natural talent when the reality is HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS of practice went in. A good example of this is George Harrison. When he first joined the beatles, his voice was attrocious, but after a year of touring every night, singing back up, he became a pretty good singer.

Everyone has some amount of potential.

Mr_Bounce

01-31-2006, 02:12 PM

But can anyone develop incredible tone from practise? Is that learned?

Beebles

01-31-2006, 02:43 PM

at times like this I like to remind people that a keyboard player can fufill much the same role as a bassist using only his/her left hand.

Not to be argumentitive or anything.

timetorock

01-31-2006, 03:54 PM

this is true. i think it is the fact that unless you really listen and search for the bass in a song. its practically impossible to tell which is which so most people assume it is just guitar playing.

Atomic Rain

02-01-2006, 08:59 AM

practically impossible to tell which is which so most people assume it is just guitar playing.

This is blatantly untrue. I'd say I could tell 95% of the time.

at times like this I like to remind people that a keyboard player can fufill much the same role as a bassist using only his/her left hand.

Although you CAN replace the role of a person with one hand, it's just not the same, is it?

the_uber_penguin

02-01-2006, 03:26 PM

This is blatantly untrue. I'd say I could tell 95% of the time.

May I point out that you have a musical ear and are aware that almost everytime you hear guitar and drums there will be a bass in there as well.

To test this, try (using normal settings) set a CD player with some rock on it, and stop people on the street and ask them which instruments they can hear in the mix. I'm fairly sure more people will miss the bass then any other instrument.

Atomic Rain

02-01-2006, 04:17 PM

May I point out that you have a musical ear and are aware that almost everytime you hear guitar and drums there will be a bass in there as well.

To test this, try (using normal settings) set a CD player with some rock on it, and stop people on the street and ask them which instruments they can hear in the mix. I'm fairly sure more people will miss the bass then any other instrument.

ok, fair game. I am a musician.

Mr_Bounce

02-02-2006, 12:25 AM

This is blatantly untrue. I'd say I could tell 95% of the time.

Well, yes, you, or I, or most of the people on this forum could. Then again, even the mere fact that you take time out of your day to post here about music suggests that you would not be in the majority of music listeners in terms of listening detail. I would agree that MOST people that listen to music don't actively say "oop there's the bass".

DougJI

02-02-2006, 06:00 PM

But can anyone develop incredible tone from practise? Is that learned?
Everyone has their own tone.

Majic

02-03-2006, 01:32 AM

What I Learned From This Thread

Jazz 4 teh w1n! :thumb:

deathscreamingsheep

02-05-2006, 11:31 AM

I think that a bass in rock music is more noticed when it isn't present than when it is. My bassist didn't turn up for practice for the first time for a long time last week and it left a gaping hole in the sound: everything just seemed somehow thinner.

E_man

02-06-2006, 01:17 PM

Xcept the hole metallica bassist revival...

Cliff been ressurected?

PurpleHaze420

02-06-2006, 01:55 PM

I totaly agree dude.

I think its easier for people to like vocals cause they can hear them clearly, and you can sing along of whatever. Then with guitar, it takes up half the sound, and solos are always awesome. But usually people dont understand bass guitars all that much, and cant really hear it.

RobJones

02-06-2006, 02:09 PM

possibly because i find unless i turn the bass up I 'feel' bass rather than hear it. it's more of a subconscious groove thing for me, I'm a rocker mostly, but I've got a fairly large collection of northern soul/motown etc. cds and it's given me a good knowledge of basslines. and the sitar.

I can also dance. Yeah.

louismonette

02-07-2006, 07:42 AM

i wich cliff be resurected!..i migth be the most popular bassist. U dont always here ones name and emidiatly associate it to bass.

Harmonic_Wave

02-07-2006, 09:16 AM

I agree as well. I hate when people say bass is easy to play. Yes, it can be fairly easy if you simply stick to root notes but even then the bass is still the link between the drums and guitar and is important. But to write and play a bassline that is solid and technical takes skill and some people just don't understand that or like others have mentioned, don't even really hear the bass.

Salpointe

02-07-2006, 12:51 PM

As a bassist I don't really look to stand out to the crowd. I play in a progressive/alternative band in which I'm an integral part of the song writing, and am in a couple church (worship) bands. I wouldn't say I'm the best bassist or anything but I do groove extremely well with the drummer (of the worship band) and when I'm not there, the band feels it despite playing with a replacement who knows the songs well. As far as the Prog band goes; the crowd can ogle the guitarist and singer all they want but my allegiance is to the band, and my sense of importance comes from the bands appreciation for me and their need for my contribution. Just my two cents.

NastyNate

02-08-2006, 11:10 PM

I think the only reason why bass is "the easy instrument" is because all these bassists were origionaly guitarists and most bassists now aren't very good. I think bass is harder in some respects than guitar because the frets are farther apart, but then again uprights have no frets and those are harder than guitar. I think music today just isn't good enough and the guitarists aren't good enough to give the bassists any chance to do anything good. When guitarists are soloing, the bassist has to keep the beat which is usually harder than the solo because of the timing which now solos are just eight and sixteenth notes that can just be any note.

Phatstrat

02-09-2006, 06:55 PM

In most of our songs, if there's a guitar solo, there's usually some wicked bass "solos" invovled so the guitarist and bass player gets some spotlight. It's pretty fun trading licks with a bass! The only problem was we had no rhythem for all this, so we strapped a guitar to our singer to give some rhythem. It's been working so far. So to make an exception, our bass player is actually appreciated and is heard.

Samick

02-09-2006, 08:19 PM

i agree with the thread starter. I think it's because bass is so quite on the radio via: ****y sound quallty. I dont know, I think it is credited more in a live setting.

nopicks4me

02-09-2006, 09:52 PM

Bassist are not credited enough. Bassists CAN play lead. Pop bassits stink.....
Music sucks without bass. give more credit to bass

Kapura

03-10-2006, 10:40 PM

lol less important...my dear friend the bass is the heart of the song.

I'm not trying to hog the spotlight from the frontman, but basses don't get enough attention.

when I went to see the Stones, their unofficial bassist didn't even have a spotlight! i no he might be unofficial, but still, the guy atleast needs a spotlight!!

And on bullet in a bible by greenday, i swear, there was more jason freese than mike dirnt! and freese isn't even part of greenday, or atleast not yet..:naughty:

and to the quote that was seemingly up there for no reson:
The bass isn't always the heart of song. yes it may hold down the beat, but it IS praticlly the frontman itself in songs like longview, hitchin' a ride, and st. jimmy, but even though these songs have loads of bass, on st. jimmy, like i'm watching rite now, theres way more billie joe than mike dirnt. heck there's probaly more trey, and there's barely a drum part!

on a review i read somewhere, in international superhits, mike at alot of excellent 'bass songs' but billiejoe made them 'guitar songs' I think billiejoe must be instrumentist (prejudice against an instrument different than one's own) or something.. :angry:

i'm not saying that bassists should be frontmans, guitars should can have their fair share of glory, but seriously ppls! there should be more bass!!
But then again, as greenday says: "Down with the moral guitarist(majority)!! Cuz I wanna be the bassist(Minority)!!"
just for the record, I do play bass.
I'll shut up now

~KN~

TheJarve

03-11-2006, 01:28 AM

bass is a great instrument if you play it because you like it, and not because you aren't as good as the other guitarist in the band and you need a bass player. i am guilty of the latter i am afraid. i play rhythm or bass, depending on which is more prominent in the song. i also sing, which may sorta excuse me (bass player wanted in band btw).

but i think that if you want to be recognised for a long time for anything, you need to be really good at it. freddy mercury had a thing for writing lyrics, (and songs, and everything, he was really a talented bastard all round), hendrix revolutionised the guitar, flea is a mad bassist, i hate to be an ignoramous but i can't think of a drummer atm, schumacher is a great driver, the list goes on. there's always an elite, and you can't expect to get anywhere near there without a helluvalota work.

pitchfork

03-11-2006, 04:41 AM

I second that. Unless a punk band has the luxury of a producer, all you hear is crap.
All the punk bands with producers are crap, the ones without producers are ace, if you have a producer you stray from your original point and what you set out to do usually resulting in sellout corporate drivel.

Bassists are unappreciated usually because they believe what guitarists believe, bass shouldn't be heard well and it should be just roots. BULL ****. Bass is as important if not more important than guitar to a band.
If you play well you get appreciation, if not then people think oh he's just the bassist i'll go lick the guitarists shoes.

Phototropic

03-11-2006, 05:32 AM

From the past 2 weeks experience I have to say that most bassists are pricks

They only deserve credit if they actually do something different :p

Alive

03-11-2006, 05:28 PM

Let us draw analogy from a house:

The 'core' elements of the house are the walls and the ceiling. Without the you don't have much of a house.

Likewise, bass and percusison are the foundations of music, but you don't sell a house on the fact that it has a floor, you sell it on the basis that it has a new kitchen (guitar), period fireplace (trumpet) or a thatched roof (electric sitar).

People pay attention to the most prominent parts of something, not the most important bits.