Today I thought I'd share my insights on being an excellent bass player in a handy do's and dont's form. I consider myself an excellent bass player, even though technically I'm probably relatively rubbish. That's mostly because of lack of practice. But I've given quite a lot of thought to what makes bass playing excellent and what sucks. And around here I'm the authority (when my wife's not around), so sit down and listen.
1) Do play with your fingers. Most excellent bass players use their fingers instead of a plectrum. It is more difficult, at least in the beginning, and especially if you're used to playing the guitar (with a plectrum), but it's way cool and it enables a more rhythmic playing style and all kind of neat tricks like slapping and popping, eventually. But there's no need to be phanatic, using a plectrum is ok, if the song requires it. Some rhythms just are more natural with a plectrum. Examples of players who use their fingers: Geddy Lee (Rush), Steve Harris (Iron Maiden). And Fieldy (Korn). The bass is a percussive instrument.
2) Do improve your sound. This means investing on equipment, experimenting with settings to find great sounds, and fighting other members of the band and the producer when mixing recordings, to make them understand that the bass should get the main role. Well, not always, but sometimes you need to take a stand to prevent the guitarist from burying the bass under ten guitar tracks. Usually, excellent bass sound has some (but not much) distortion, and enough treble. Examples of a great bass sound: Andy Rourke of The Smiths. Man, what a guru bass player! And Geddy Lee again, especially on Moving Pictures.
3) Do play interesting stuff. The boring way to play bass: do what the rhythm guitarist does, i.e. play the main notes of the chords (with a plectrum). The excellent way to play bass: invent your own melodies, and always think of something interesting. If you play the main notes, then at least make it rhythmically interesting. Examples: Peter Hook (New Order), a true Bass Hero. And Geddy Lee again.
4) Do have a lengthy shoulder strap. The bass looks cool when it hangs low, and it looks silly if you have it under your chin. All great bass players have lengthy straps. Examples: Paul Simonon (The Clash), Peter Hook again.
5) Don't be the boring one in the band. The bass player is stereotypically the dumbest member of the band. And people who are not music enthusiasts probably aren't really aware what the bass player actually does, except there seems to be a kind of a low, thumping noise in the background, but that might be just the bass drum. When used properly, the bass is an equal instrument in the band. And don't let the guitarist step on your turf. Demand an equal number of tracks on recordings. Examples: well... the guy... in the band... you know, the boring one. Actually, most great bands have great bassists. You can't have a truly great band without a great bass player.
6) Don't overdo it, and do have style. It's okay to have great technique, sure. But it's not required. Examples: Peter Hook, Paul Simonon. There are hundreds of tens of thousands of videos of super-fast slap bass players in YouTube, but who cares about these nobodies. You've got to have style. You must know when to play, and when not to play. You must make it matter. Fast technique is irrelevant to music. Sure, it can be a fun part of it sometimes, but not without a song. Example of great technical playing: Yyz (a song by Rush, Geddy Lee again).
Ok, this should do it. Now go out and be excellent bass players. Not better than me, though. And here's a picture of Hooky for you to enjoy:
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