good bass playing

  • Thread starter Thread starter JMarcomb
  • Start date Start date
BTW,

The bassist from New Bohemiens is now in a group called Critters Buggin. Everyone must listen to this band if you really like bass. The drummer from New Bohemeins is also in this band and he's awesome.

-Camphead
 
I forgot to mention Robert Trujillo when he played for Infectious Grooves. Obviously not with Metallica... :(
 
Camphead said:
BTW,

The bassist from New Bohemiens is now in a group called Critters Buggin. Everyone must listen to this band if you really like bass. The drummer from New Bohemeins is also in this band and he's awesome.

-Camphead
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hey thanks for the info


im gonna check that out
 
reel buzzer said:
check out Susan Vega if you haven't heard any, I think Edie Brickel copied her singing style perfectly. Although Vega was way cooler to me.
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Suzanne Vega songs have GREAT basslines.
 
I don't think there should be a rule as to whether bass is a lead or support instrument. All instruments in a band should do what the song needs.

Take the old Roger Miller classic King of the Road. That bass line, the melody, and the percussion are all that song needs. You can hear a guitar, but it's waaay off in the background, because the song didn't require it.

I agree with the point on the Beatles, and that reinforces my point on the song's importance. All those guys knew when to amp it up and when to back it off within the song.

Some newer stuff with that theory in mind:

Fiction Plane

Belle and Sebastian

Tom Waits (check out 1999's Mule Variations)

Natalie Merchant (her new one, The House Carpenter's Daughter, has some fine bass work and ensemble playing...try Diver Boy for starters)

This stuff isn't the flashiest, but it's damned well played. Fiction Plane in particular is a study in trading lead parts within song structure.
 
Aaron Cheney said:
the bass is not a lead instrument. That is not its function or purpose. It is a rythmic instrument that plays notes. The kick drum and bass together are the backbone of the song. Intricate, busy bass lines do not necessarily make a song exciting. Playing the bass is about three things: tasteful note choice, playing in the pocket with the kick drum, and tone.
A
www.aaroncheney.com
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I agree with you in that most situations (at least in rock music) the bass guitar is the rhythmic backbone of the song... nothing more. However, some guys just break the mold. You could say the same thing about drums as you did about bass. But I got the chance to see a Terry Bozzio drum workshop a couple months ago and he defies that logic. Bozzio is amazing. He plays melodies on the drums! In fact, a girl in the crowd asked him to play Happy Birthday on his drums-- he did and it sounded cool!

But based on your criteria (tasteful note choice, playing in the pocket, etc.) my vote goes to Flea. His bass lines always seem to be just enough but not too much (OK, maybe not on their first couple albums :D).

Cheers!
 
Doug Pinnick from King's X. I doubt I could even properly look at a 12 string bass, much less play one like he does. And that tone of his is pure beef.
 
MadMinute said:
Anyone ever heard of Chris Squire?
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If you haven't then you need to...His work is amazing. For something more recent, check out his guest spot on Gov't Mule's Deep End Vol. 2..."Sun Dance"- Hell, this thread is about good bass playing- check out (if you havn't all ready) the entire Deep End Vol 1 and 2 releases from Gov't Mule...many of those all ready listed in this thread appear in this tribute to Allen Woody (RIP)whose #1 influence was the aforementioned Paul McCartney.
Go get it.
 
Chuck Levi from My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult.

I saw this guy live once. He plays so effortlessly. Unfortunately, most people have never heard of him.

If anyone is interested, check out the song Blue Buddha, or the whole album 13 above night. It is kinda disco-funk-techno with a phat bass line driving the whole thing.
 
JMarcomb said:
I stand corrected... it does sound like one of those units


I also think the bass could be an acoustic stand up?
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No it's definatly a electric fretless bass
 
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