Bass players are every other musician’s best friend?

[E Joe]

My first teacher told me this at my first lesson and I think they were right.

I might be a bit myopic, but in pickup bands I feel like I instantly have to connect on some level with the other instrumentalists to do my job right more than they do with each other.

I think we share a lot of physical technique and gear with guitarists, we need to be harmonically in sync with keyboardists more than any other instrument does, and the rhythm section of bass and drums has always been the closest relationship in bands to me.

And finally lead singers aren’t threatened by us.


Just my thoughts!

 

[Marko 1]

We make whatever they do sound better,

without drawing any/much spotlight.

What more could anyone ask for?

 

[Bass Viking]

We make whatever they do sound better,

without drawing any/much spotlight.

What more could anyone ask for?

Well said! We have to be team players and good listeners, a skill not all musicians possess.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

My OCD habits make me my bandmates best friend. I'd rather do things myself and know they're done "right" than cause squabbles when I complain about other's attempts. So I own the PA and lights and run them at gigs, create posters, business cards, manage our band page, do most of the bookings.

The cost for all this is they have to let me sing though.

 

[Michedelic]

We may be perceived as friends, perhaps courted as allies, as we supposedly pose no threat to any other instrumentalists. Little do they know…

 

[Krakmann]

Salud!

Maybe this relates to the fact certain instruments attract certain kind of people (with lots of exceptions, of course). We bass players maybe tend to be less "imposing" (as in diva-like), less boisterous, more... "cerebral", and tend to be regarded as allies, good listeners, problem solvers, team players and practical, useful people.

 

[Micha84]

I feel like I instantly have to connect on some level with the other instrumentalists to do my job right more than they do

Yes and no. I am in a newly founded originals band and we are working on getting our songs straight. The singer and drummer, unfortunately, have canceled some rehearsals each, and the guitarist says we can practice anyway. I disagree. I can't really get my parts straight without knowing what they are doing.
But I think the other instruments would do well to adapt some of that mindset as well. I don't expect the guitar player to adapt his solo to the bassline, but a good guitarist doesn't just play a cool riff during the verses, regardless of what the singer does. A good drummer listens as well, so he can adapt his intensity, his fills etc. Once you get together as a band, you have to listen and work as a group, regardless of your instrument.

 

[Nashrakh]

We may be perceived as friends, perhaps courted as allies, as we supposedly pose no threat to any other instrumentalists. Little do they know…

That's why I always make sure to bring my six string. Keeps them on their toes a little.

 

[ShadowGroover]

The ensemble I play in is vocal centric. The BL / main vocalist also plays keys. All of my bass lines sync to that.

The drummer, who is not always a great listener, or much interested in dovetailing with bass, tends to get too busy with kick, and ends up pushing the beat.

Unfortunately this happens while rest of band sticks with beat-1-accented click, and several Ableton fill tracks. I usually pare my lines when this happens, waiting for drums to get back on track.

It's ebb and flow for me doing what I can to best serve the songs and music. That's where I find most of my friends.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

In my band, it's Drummy and Me Against The World.

 

[Geddyfleaharris]

Little do they know…

Ha!!

At a band rehearsal before Xmas, I kicked on my fuzz and rolled off a bit of noodling with my wah while we were waiting on one guitar player to set up. The other guitar player said "Jack, why don't you just play guitar?" I responded by telling him....because I play lead bass.

 

[Michedelic]

Ha!!

At a band rehearsal before Xmas, I kicked on my fuzz and rolled off a bit of noodling with my wah while we were waiting on one guitar player to set up. The other guitar player said "Jack, why don't you just play guitar?" I responded by telling him....because I play lead bass.

Nothing keeps guitar players in line like showing them their parts on a cover song I’ve chosen, and I came to playing guitar after I’d been playing bass for a few years.

 

[Kevan Campbell]

Maybe it’s because we’re considered a “support” position by guitarists who think “anyone can play bass since it’s just the same four strings as on a guitar” and they don’t feel threatened by us since we’re not typically solo instruments?

I’ve noticed that it’s important to my onstage experience to have a good musical AND personal connection with the drummer; we don’t have to become best friends but we do need to genuinely enjoy playing with each other and hanging out before/after shows as well in order to have the best chemistry onstage.

From what I’m told from IEM/monitor guys I’m not sure most singers even know we’re onstage with them…

 

[2cooltoolz]

Drummers love me.

 

[Pocket Dave]

All I have to do is learn the material, suit up, show up and shut up. For some reason, other players seem to mostly connect with that.

If I were to open my mouth and reveal what an a****** I can be, well that might be a different story.

Actually, these guys I've started working with are all pretty chill and seem to genuinely enjoy the gig and each other's company. They're easy to hang with and I hope to return the good karma.

And I suspect they may be just happy at this point to have someone who can keep it reasonably solid without running off to join other bands.