BASS
WHAT IS A TRUE BASSIST? | Gary Lunn
Here is an interesting scenario that could pop up: Your band or worship team has had a lastminute cancellation in the bass chair. You’ ve called every possible“ sub” down the list and“ no joy.” Someone has GOT to hold down the low end! Could a guitar player do it? Aren’ t the top four strings on the guitar( E A D G) the same as they are on the bass? How hard can it be? It’ s just one note-at-a-time instead of six! He can just play on beat“ 1” instead of beat“ 2!”( I digress …)
Bass is very important! It’ s the foundation. It’ s that devastating affect that occurs when it stops sounding or when it plays the wrong note! It’ s the“ bacon” of music. It’ s the“ SLAP!” It’ s the frequency that singers REALLY tune to!( I’ ve digressed to the dungeon …)
This is a real scenario that guitarists need to be ready for. Not only do they need to know that playing bass is WAY more than“ just bass,” but they also need to know why this is.
Bass and guitar are totally different. In my opinion, there are few guitarists who can really play bass, and yet the opposite is entirely true as well. There are few bassists who can really play guitar like a guitar player. Why is this a thing? My guess is that it comes down to different personality types being attracted to specific instruments, but this is not the discussion“ you are looking for. Move along.”( Name the movie!)
First of all, to play the bass you have to realize that you must play the root note on the downbeat of every new phrase, unless noted that you do not play, and it must be the correct note! I rarely see a volume pedal on a bassist’ s pedal board, because there is no“ swelling-in” allowed. Yep, it’ s a big responsibility, and there is a lot more to it that you thought!
Secondly, you must play in the pocket( a. k. a. the groove). Here is a crash course on the concept of“ thinking” as a bass player:
Tune in closely to the hi-hat. The space between the drummer’ s hi-hat notes is generally where the drummer’ s groove is. You want to get inside the feel that is in his heart, and you can find it in the subdivisions of the drummer’ s hi-hat part, usually.
Pay close attention to what bass drum pattern that the drummer has chosen to play. If you decide not to play exactly what he plays, try not to play too many extra notes than his pattern( unless you are playing a straight 1 / 8 note pattern). This causes confusion!
Listen closely to the click( if there is one) and try to determine the relationship between it and all the different parts that the drummer is playing. You must analyze!
Another important aspect to consider is your note duration as it relates to, not only the style of the song, but also the different sections of the song. For example, if you are going to play a rock song with a big intro, play longer, more connecting notes during the intro, then change the duration of each note to a 1 / 16 note shorter. A 1 / 16 note rest at the end of every note will create spaces between the notes. When the chorus comes along, you might keep the same duration as you did in the verse but dig in a little harder, dynamically.‘“ Choke” it back down for the second verse but then let the notes ring out to their full value in the second chorus. Or you might want to wait until the bridge of the song to really let the notes sustain. Whatever note durations you choose, use the same ones all the way through each section as a consistent pattern.
Always keep your note volume consistent! Try to play as evenly as possible in the dynamic sense. Avoid letting notes jump out or drop drastically in volume in the middle of a pattern.
Lastly, lay back! Think about striking your notes ever-so-slightly-behind the drummer’ s bass drum. You’ d be surprised how much positive effect this can have on the feel. But whatever you do, DO NOT RUSH! That’ s the worst thing a bassist can do to create confusion, unfavorable tension, and instability in the feel of a song.
Melodically, keep the phrase“ simple and solid” at the front of your mind. Remind yourself that you are not a lead instrument. No matter how hard it is, don’ t give in to your“ lead take-off” desires! Seriously, remember that the foundation created by the drummer and YOU has to be solid, consistent, and smooth for the band. Nothing forced. Just easy and authoritative.
Bassists, this is probably a good review for you. Guitarists, keep practicing and experimenting with these tips. You’ ll be able to help in dire personnel situations … with confidence!
Gary Lunn Gary is a session player in Nashville, TN. For recording bass tracks, contracting, producing, or questions, email him at garylunn @ me. com.
106 June 2026 Subscribe for Free...