mauerkraut wrote:This is just like a talkbass thread a bunch of dudes arguing about a completely SUBJECTIVE topic.
To answer to post...
IMO electric bass guitar is such a weird instrument because it encompasses a lot of different roles and styles. Coming from a very percussive and rhythmic world of the upright bass and fusing it with the chordal, melodic aspects of guitar. "How to" play correctly I would say would be determined by what you find your role in a particular setting. One thing I do find essential though is being able to glue everything together. From Lemmy to James Jamerson, they keep the music together. My favorite bassist is Joe Lally (Fugazi, Ataxia, solo, etc.) He always plays for the music, which is what any musician should do, especially bass. He mixes strong repetitive grooves, melodies, chords, arpeggios, and genius syncopation. Truly bridges melody and rhythm. I always think of it as a conversation between bass and drums. You have to stay on topic and have things relevant. IMO as well you can't go crazy with effects as a guitar player can. One the drums are present crazy delays and reverbs and really washed out sound on guitar can work, but it is (usually) the duty of the bass to keep it locked down.
One gripe I do have is guitarists style with a pick, it's always so scratchy. On bass, you have to push and dig in with a pick, not strum and glide.
Bassists to look into:
Joe Lally - arpeggios, grooves, chords
Jaco Pastorius - melody, melody, groove
Juan Alderete - keeping it locked with a lot of chaos around, melody, syncopation, grooves
Holger Czukay - SYNCOPATION, groove
Colin Greenwood - groove, syncopation, melody
Brian Cook - chords, pick technique
Enjoy the instrument! Most fun to me!
This should be framed and stuck to every rehearsal room's door.
" - smile_man
