General Music Chat

...or a guitar player or harmonicist, for that matter, Kramer!

I like bassist that can just lay down a good grove with the drummer, I mean really locked in but when the time comes to cut loose can do it. For me its not really genre specific or band specific.

Andy Kunkel has played with me for close to 18 years and he can do that. In fact I used to play bass until I met him, there was no need in me playing bass anymore cause he could do all I wanted to do and more. He can play straight up ZZ Top, go to Rush and then move into Les Claypool songs so I guess Im very fortunate as a guitarist to have a guy playing with me that compliments me yet pushes the hell out of me at times. Every gig we play somewhere the night we get off on some crazy jam deal that is just spontaneaous. I love that sh*t, and he and the drummer can go with it. Its like hooking into the cosmos or something, I cant describe it.

The first step I guess is to learn how to tune your bass!

I really dont think you need a poll to determine how to play, I think you need to get out and play as often in front of live audiences as you can and develop your own voice as a musician and then just go with your gut.

Couldn't answer. All 3 are appropriate at different times, depending upon the needs of the piece.

I absolutely agree. There should be an option on the poll for "play your own style of music." I've found that playing my own style while keeping playing appropriately for the song has always been the best approach, and my studio clients have always really liked the bass accompaniment that I've provided. Hope this helps, and good luck in NYC.

The bass is part of the "rhythm section". As such, playing in sync with the drums is ESSENTIAL. There are times when the bass is used in various ways, but in most genres, it makes up half of the RHYTHM section.

IT MUST be in sync with the drums, or the rhythm is not tight.

This should be a FIRST priority.

But being in time with drums, does not mean it has to be a "basic" bass line, so I don't know why you limited that first choice?

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Yes and no. Playing in sync with the drums can be as intricate and complex as a Van Halen lead guitar solo, or as simple and organic as whole notes. Bass is a rhythm instrument, but bass shouldn't always be "simple." The bass line should fit what the song needs. When you sit back and listen to the song (without playing the bass), when you listen carefully, the song will tell you what bass line to play.