So You Want To Play Bass Guitar?
November 30, 2008
So You Want To Play Bass Guitar?
by: Carlie Marriott
The bass guitar is both the pivot and the drive of many
pop, rock and jazz groups. Most times the bass is what
holds it all together, but then sometimes it just emerges
from the mix and seems to pulse through your whole body.
The bass is one of the most emotive instruments around.
While the bass is versatile, the instrument tends to
take a backseat in a group. Few group leaders play the
bass. Take Paul McCartney, who’s a bassist predominantly.
Also, Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott covered bass duties and
Level 42’s Mark King is the singer and bassist. However,
these examples defy the rule. The role of the bass
guitar in a band in comparison to a regular guitar is
very different since most bass guitars are never heard
solo, except for a few short breaks or in jazz
arrangements. One reason why bass guitar solos are rare
is that most folk singer voices rarely blend will with
just the bass sound.
Offering an exact explanation for preferring a bass
guitar is very difficult for most players. Still, lots
of bassplayers are quick to ID their favorite bassists
since so many great players have influenced their style.
One player often mentioned is The Who’s John Entwistle
who has led many bass solos. Bassist and lead band
member Jack Bruce of Cream is another frequently
mentioned top bass player. Eric Clapton, another famous
guitarist, has recorded with Cream. Red Hot Chili
Pepper’s Flea, Adam Clayton of U2, and (sometimes
vocalists, sometimes bass player) Geddy Lee of Rush are
other bassist popular with young players. On top of
some lists for their funkier bass playing style are
Bootsy Collins and Donald “Duck” Dunn.
These examples of fine bass players are just a sampling
of some great artists who’ve inspired many men and women
to pick up the bass and to influence their techniques.
As with any instrument, if you truly want to be good,
you first have to love the sound (as played by the
greats, which isn’t you just yet). Not only that, you
also have to appreciate the music created by the bass.
These starting points and examples of great players just
scratch the surface. Many more great players come from
the Jazz world and deserve exploration, especially the
greats from early modern Jazz.
This is the point where you get to begin playing. It’s
child’s play to get the notes from an electric bass
since basic bass playing is mostly single-note action.
For this reason, bass is considered one of the easier
instruments to play. So, even though it doesn’t take a
lot to get down the basics, it does take a lot of
practice (like with anything) to make it sound great.
In order to progress in playing the bass, you have to
not only grasp the fundamentals but also possess an
instinctive ability to keep time. This is why it’s so
important to begin bass playing with a great teacher so
your technique doesn’t suffer. If finding a teacher is
out of the question, then get your hands on lots of books
and study their instructions so you can work on your
style. Above all else, observe other bassists whenever
you can and listen to their music. Then, listen to
more music. And, then, listen some more…
