What People Want In Their Bass Player

[BassoRidiculoso]

Do you ever wonder what all those other people on stage with you are thinking? You know those other musicians, the ones that have to actually use our bass playing and [b]do[/b] something with it? Sing or solo or something?

Well, it is time for another episode delving into the minds of those people that are playing those other instruments, called - What Do People Want In Their Bass Player - Episode 2 - Saxophonist Bob Reynolds.

Bob plays sax with this guitar player named John Mayer, and I guess he has sold a few records, I hear. Bob has done world tours with that band and has been a featured soloist on many other peoples albums, (including Janek Gwizdalas!) as well as his own records playing his own compositions.

What does someone who has played with jazz bass players, rock bass players, electric bass players, upright bass players, funk/soul bass players, good bass players and bad bass players, thinks separates the good from the bad from the ugly?

Find out here:

[center][size=4][url="http://bassoridiculoso.blogspot.com/2011/02/what-people-want-in-their-bass-player.html"]http://bassoridiculoso.blogspot.com/2011/02/what-people-want-in-their-bass-player.html ://http://bassoridiculoso.blogspot.com...ss-player.html [/url][/size][/center]


This is one you are gonna wanna print out and keep, I predict.

Check out all manner of other bass shenanigans at Basso Ridiculoso as well.

[chris_b]

[quote name='BassoRidiculoso' post='1126559' date='Feb 13 2011, 11:31 PM']....Do you ever wonder what all those other people on stage with you are thinking?....[/quote]
No, because I ask them. Not every time, but on many of the gigs I ask what they think about the balance, feel and sound. I ask the drummer if he's happy with my volume.

You've just got to talk to each other.

[BassoRidiculoso]

[quote name='chris_b' post='1126568' date='Feb 13 2011, 03:45 PM']No, because I ask them.[/quote]

Also an effective strategy.

It's not just about volume, and Bob talks about that also. Sometimes guys are not going to say "Hey I hate slapping, don't do that" for a variety of reasons, they don't really know you, they don't want to get into a thing...whatever, so sometimes people have preferences that go unsaid.

But you are of course correct - communication is key and vital in any situation.

[Wylie]

Thanks for the link. Very interesting stuff.

[steve]

made for an interesting read, thanks for that

[CrackerJackLee]

Thanks for an interesting post. Santana says that tone is one's "face"...
We expect time and groove, but not everyone has a warm tone... it takes extra effort and constant attention...

[Pete Academy]

I think that guy is spot on.

Great post.

[Muzz]

"If I am turned off by your tone you've lost me for good...Your tone should be like a warm blanket that I want to be wrapped up in. "

Yeah, and if you sound like Kenny G, pal, you can do one too...

Bloody honkers, who do they think they are?

[paul_5]

[quote name='BassoRidiculoso' post='1126559' date='Feb 13 2011, 11:31 PM'][url="http://bassoridiculoso.blogspot.com/2011/02/what-people-want-in-their-bass-player.html"]http://bassoridiculoso.blogspot.com/2011/02/what-people-want-in-their-bass-player.html ://http://bassoridiculoso.blogspot.com...ss-player.html ://http://bassoridiculoso.blogspot.com...ss-player.html [/url][/quote]
This link wound me up a bit. This clearly states what [i]one[/i] person wants in a bass tone. reminds me of a lead guitarist who wanted me to run all bass, no mids or treble, as it got in the way of his soloing. We shan't work together again...