A Mel Bay Publications, Inc. Webzine
April 2006 · Bimonthly
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In this issue: Dumptruck, Blue Men, and ... Pink Sweatshirts! | What Do You Look For in a Bass Player? | Chat With a Drummer | The Harmonic Minor Scales(Keys) | Angel Band |
Walkin' Through the Jazz 'hood (Without Gettin' Lost) Print this Article (PDF) Email Article to a Friend 
What Do You Look For in a Bass Player?
by Kenn Smith
Hello all! In this section I ask some of the best what they look for in a player. To give you some ideas on what some band leaders expected. It is my hope that this information helps you not only to become a better bassist, but also to help you get that next great gig!! "I'm a Bass player myself, but on occasion, I have had another bass player playing with me. The bassist has to have a pocket, stamina and continuity." JAUQO III-X - Bassist http://www.jauqoiii-x.com "Just groove and do not talk too much!" Marco of Marco Schoots Productions/ European Bass Day http://www.european-bassday.com "What I look for is the ability to play the right feel and support what other musicians play when needed instead of always trying to impress as a soloist". John Nam - pianist, the leader of John Nam Quartet http://www.johnnam.com "Let me see now hmm. There are so many different styles of playing, and music. So I guess first of all I would find someone (very good) with a respectable attitude and who would fit the style of music that I'm doing for that moment". Wil Harris - Guitarist http://www.wilharris.xbuild.com "I like a player who is IN THE POCKET!! With a jazz/rock drummer, it's the key to tight chemistry on stage. I like the bassist to be as melodic as the vocalist, as rhythmic as the drummer, and to not have any cocky attitude. Having chops does NOT necessarily mean that you are a tight player and good for the music. I love a player that can know when to apply the chops, and know when to just sit and groove with the song. Most of all, I like a positive attitude in my project, someone who's on the same page as everyone else and wants to be in it for the music and for the experiences with the other musicians. I appreciate my band members more than anything and it's the best feeling to get into a groove, both musically and personally, and be able to exude a great energy on and off stage. (Check out my bass player, Geoff Kraly, who is amazing)" Cheryl B. Engelhard - Singer/songwriter/pianist http://www.cbemusic.com "I try not to be right in anyway, because no two people are alike, but hopefully someone who knows what a pocket is and can hold it down it's cool to do some fills as long as you get back one unfortunately in the drum machine age a lot of younger players don't have a clue and don't seem to think on their feet!" Ron Gray - Guitarist for Bushoong http://www.myspace.com/bushoongguitar "What I look for in a bass player? In my group, I need someone who can think outside their 'safety zone'. You know, think outside the box. All players should always observe timing, taste, and tone!" Adrian "Turbo" Trbovich - TurboPro Project http://www.turboproproject.com "I like bassists that have a strong since of swing. In jazz, we like to call that 'hump'. I also like bass players that can read and have very good intonation." Jaleel Shaw - Sax http://www.jaleelshaw.com "As a drummer, I look for a guy that's versatile, and open-minded. Too many times have I ran into guys that are fixed on one style of music, or one type of drummer they want to use. They figure they should play like their boy at church, or what they grew up thinking is right. Some bass players, depending on the musician, feel they need only foot for everything, and tend to use drummers that are foot heavy; not understanding that the drummer should be versed in legs and hands. Depending on the style of music, I like playing with a bass player that understands what the style of music is supposed to be played like. If it's a bossa nova, play it; if it's funk, play it; etc. Don't come to me saying how you play it with others". Glover Washington - Drummer for Bushoog http://www.myspace.com/dragon1125 "Placement and timing of the note release means everything. Those are subtle but the most important things that can't always be taught. It's like fitting molding into corners of the ceiling, and making it fit comfortably. Music is 3-dimensional. The bass has to be like family with the drums". Will Champlin http://www.willchamplin.com Kenn Smith Solo Performer/ Clinician/ Instructor/Author 20 Years as Professional Touring & Session Bassist & Guitarist. Kenn has performed with many great artists such as: Tower of Power, Stanley Turrentine, Stanley Jordan, Wynton Marsalis, members of the Miles Davis Band, and many more...... He has written and performed in various styles ranging from Classical to Jazz, Funk to Progressive Rock and World Music. He has released two guitar discs, BLUE and TWO and a solo bass CD titled Short Stories. Kenn is currently performing bass clinics and writing articles for bass related books and magazines. Visit his site at: http://www.kennsmith.com[ top ]
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