Re: What do you look for in a Bass player?
Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2021 7:05 am
What I look for is someone who I don't have to teach them how to play bass!
.
I may tell them the song I'm playing lilts from B9 to a C9, and then goes to a F7# to a G, and later to a G and an A7.
Then I'll play a measure or two, for them to get the groove of the song, and say "play something that fits THIS."
.
If they can't do it yet, or if they just don't get the groove, or if I have to explain what a 9th is, or show them where an F7# is, or a hammer-on, or octaves, or something else that's kinda basic, then I'm just teaching them how to play, for free.
Either they know how, or they don't.
Hey, I don't mind teaching someone how a song GOES . . .
But if I also have to teach them how to play the BASS for the groove of the song, then it takes 3 times longer.
.
If they understand that stuff, though, then I have two main requirements:
1) Practice: don't screw up the whole song by searching for the notes.
2) Hit the notes ON THE BEAT! - Not just close! If your accuracy is only 1/8 notes, and I'm playing 16th triplits, then you're not ready; you'll have to play simpler songs . . .
If you're good with that, too, then: excellent!
Just use what you know, stay in the pocket, and be solid with the tempo.
.
I may tell them the song I'm playing lilts from B9 to a C9, and then goes to a F7# to a G, and later to a G and an A7.
Then I'll play a measure or two, for them to get the groove of the song, and say "play something that fits THIS."
.
If they can't do it yet, or if they just don't get the groove, or if I have to explain what a 9th is, or show them where an F7# is, or a hammer-on, or octaves, or something else that's kinda basic, then I'm just teaching them how to play, for free.
Either they know how, or they don't.
Hey, I don't mind teaching someone how a song GOES . . .
But if I also have to teach them how to play the BASS for the groove of the song, then it takes 3 times longer.
.
If they understand that stuff, though, then I have two main requirements:
1) Practice: don't screw up the whole song by searching for the notes.
2) Hit the notes ON THE BEAT! - Not just close! If your accuracy is only 1/8 notes, and I'm playing 16th triplits, then you're not ready; you'll have to play simpler songs . . .
If you're good with that, too, then: excellent!
Just use what you know, stay in the pocket, and be solid with the tempo.