Bass players

Burny · 1st September 2003, 10:29 PM

Whats everyones thought one what makes a good bass player???? and does it matter if u use a pick or not?????

Ross · 1st September 2003, 10:53 PM

My thought is a good bass player is one who is very adaptable and plays a good melody to go behind a song. I think using a pick is ok, although some will say a proper bassist uses fingers and can do a number of different styles. And they are probably right

Friend of a Friend · 1st September 2003, 10:59 PM

Pick or no pick, depends on the music, certain styles would sound weird without a pick and vice versa. A good bass player needs to be solid with the Drummer and have good rythm but also need to be able to spell rhythm (which is right, man I'm fucked), and also have the ablilty to go a bit melodic and experimental.

Also the ability to jump about like a twat is good.

High or low straps?

: : Scott : : · 1st September 2003, 11:03 PM

never really thought about it... i use a pick in about 90% of our songs though. i suppose something catchy is good? i cant really be bothered with anything too complex unless its fun.

Tommy Sports · 1st September 2003, 11:08 PM

i used to play with my fingers, i can keep a rythm with all 4 plucking, i prefer to use a pick though.
i think kim deal is a really good bassist, her timing is superb.

alien_syndm · 2nd September 2003, 12:11 AM

Its all opinion really. Just as some musicians may excel in one part like say song writing ability but suck balls in another like technical ability. You could judge it on, song writing/bass line writing ability, technical prowess, adaptability/versatility, styles played, jam ability. You dont really have to be decent at them all to be successful really. One person's great bass player is another person's bass wank off shite etc.

Misanthropy · 2nd September 2003, 12:33 AM

Whatever makes a good bassist, the answer is Burny. jesus fucking christ, have you ever seen that guy play?

Afro Joe · 2nd September 2003, 08:24 AM

Just as Matt said, totally solid with the drummer. Good rhythm, timing etc.
Pretty much all has been said already. I prefer playing bass with my fingers cos it's a lot harder than playing with a pick, although different music styles mean different playing styles.

ayearbehind · 2nd September 2003, 08:34 AM

The boy from scud, he's an amazing bassist, solid with some quite funky technique.

Lazzaro · 2nd September 2003, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayearbehind

The boy from scud, he's an amazing bassist, solid with some quite funky technique.

ha ha, so fucking true, how shite did I feel that night after seeing him, man I need to practice some more

Martin-scud · 3rd September 2003, 07:51 PM

fraser (my bassist) has only been playing for about 3 to 4 years. he's done well in that amount of time.

Grantticus · 3rd September 2003, 08:09 PM

i mean i know people think mark hoppus is a shite bassist, and fare enough hes more or less a rythmn guitarist with 4 strings, but i like his style and so does my bassist whos really tallented and can pick up most styles pretty easily, and is a good singer too, sounds like a punked up 40 year old man.

njw · 3rd September 2003, 08:15 PM

grant, that was a joke right?

youre bassist, whilst being pretty good, sounds like a 2 year old with a good voice! lol... cute

Ally G · 3rd September 2003, 10:40 PM

the thing that impresses me the most about good bassists is the way they play with the drummer, accenting beats, playing with the kick drum and so on. It's about knowing when not to play as well as when to rip in my opinion. People dont realise how subtle good bass playing is i think.

paul engage · 14th September 2003, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ally G

the thing that impresses me the most about good bassists is the way they play with the drummer, accenting beats, playing with the kick drum and so on. It's about knowing when not to play as well as when to rip in my opinion. People dont realise how subtle good bass playing is i think.

that's true.
When I learned to play bass (my main instrument in the Broccoli years, although I do vocals only for Engage), I was taught jazz and funk for a couple of years. Like Jaco Pastorius and Marcus Miller.. played with fingers.
So technical competence is one thing to learn.. Its good being able to play amazingly complex runs...but knowing when and *when not* to use it is the mark of a truely good bass-player.
I would cite the Rancid bass-player as the classic example of someone who over-plays..

Nothing wrong with playing with a pick though- in fact its a lot more suited for punk/hardcore because it provides a crunchier tone with more attack. The right tool for the right job etc... fingers for funk.. pick for punk.
What impresses me about a bass player is keeping it tight with the bass-drum.. especially important in hardcore.
Rythmically tight is the number one rule, and knowing when and when not to use runs. Tight, punchy and subtle is the best way. see Pegboy.

1st September 2003, 10:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
Burny Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: , Dundee Posts: 2,093	Bass players Whats everyones thought one what makes a good bass player???? and does it matter if u use a pick or not?????

3rd September 2003, 08:15 PM	#13 (permalink)
njw Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: DD1 Posts: 8,204	grant, that was a joke right? youre bassist, whilst being pretty good, sounds like a 2 year old with a good voice! lol... cute __________________ You can put a cat in the oven, but that doesn't make it a biscuit.

1st September 2003, 10:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ross Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Lenzieshire Posts: 3,613	My thought is a good bass player is one who is very adaptable and plays a good melody to go behind a song. I think using a pick is ok, although some will say a proper bassist uses fingers and can do a number of different styles. And they are probably right

1st September 2003, 10:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Friend of a Friend Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miles away Posts: 1,440	Pick or no pick, depends on the music, certain styles would sound weird without a pick and vice versa. A good bass player needs to be solid with the Drummer and have good rythm but also need to be able to spell rhythm (which is right, man I'm fucked), and also have the ablilty to go a bit melodic and experimental. Also the ability to jump about like a twat is good. High or low straps?

1st September 2003, 11:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
: : Scott : : Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Dundee Posts: 7,131	never really thought about it... i use a pick in about 90% of our songs though. i suppose something catchy is good? i cant really be bothered with anything too complex unless its fun.

1st September 2003, 11:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tommy Sports Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 3,662 Band: Juliet Kilo	i used to play with my fingers, i can keep a rythm with all 4 plucking, i prefer to use a pick though. i think kim deal is a really good bassist, her timing is superb.

2nd September 2003, 12:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
alien_syndm Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: dundee Posts: 1,435	Its all opinion really. Just as some musicians may excel in one part like say song writing ability but suck balls in another like technical ability. You could judge it on, song writing/bass line writing ability, technical prowess, adaptability/versatility, styles played, jam ability. You dont really have to be decent at them all to be successful really. One person's great bass player is another person's bass wank off shite etc.

2nd September 2003, 12:33 AM	#7 (permalink)
Misanthropy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Dundee Posts: 4,101	Whatever makes a good bassist, the answer is Burny. jesus fucking christ, have you ever seen that guy play?

2nd September 2003, 08:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
Afro Joe Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Glasgow Posts: 7,284	Just as Matt said, totally solid with the drummer. Good rhythm, timing etc. Pretty much all has been said already. I prefer playing bass with my fingers cos it's a lot harder than playing with a pick, although different music styles mean different playing styles.

2nd September 2003, 08:34 AM	#9 (permalink)
ayearbehind Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dundee Posts: 681	The boy from scud, he's an amazing bassist, solid with some quite funky technique.

3rd September 2003, 07:51 PM	#11 (permalink)
Martin-scud Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Burrelton Posts: 1,174	fraser (my bassist) has only been playing for about 3 to 4 years. he's done well in that amount of time.

3rd September 2003, 08:09 PM	#12 (permalink)
Grantticus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Perth, Scotland Posts: 2,611 Band: Four Star	i mean i know people think mark hoppus is a shite bassist, and fare enough hes more or less a rythmn guitarist with 4 strings, but i like his style and so does my bassist whos really tallented and can pick up most styles pretty easily, and is a good singer too, sounds like a punked up 40 year old man.

3rd September 2003, 10:40 PM	#14 (permalink)
Ally G Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 2,506	the thing that impresses me the most about good bassists is the way they play with the drummer, accenting beats, playing with the kick drum and so on. It's about knowing when not to play as well as when to rip in my opinion. People dont realise how subtle good bass playing is i think.