what makes a good bass player?

Answer 1

Rhythm, timing (it IS different) and tonal discretion. Oh, and it really helps if he shows-up for audition with a Fender fretless. How cool is that?

Answer 2

I'm pleased you asked the question what makes a good bass player and not a great bass player, because the two are very different.

1) It sounds very dull, but you must firstly know the scales and where all your notes are in relation to the key you are playing in. You must also know what effect the playing of each bass note will have on the overall chord inversion of the band.

2) You must have a good sense of rhythm. It is good for a bass player to practice with a drum machine if a real drummer is not available, otherwise you can start developing your own solo sense of rhythm (speeding up the passages you like and where you think you shine, and slowing down difficult parts)

3) You must appreciate that lots of notes do not always mean good bass playing. Leaving notes out (playing the holes) creates interesting rhythmic patterns. Simple bass lines can be more powerful.

4) You must learn to tune your ear to what other bass players are doing and be able to emulate and adapt their runs and style to your own playing.

5) You must be prepared to practice for many many hours for several years.

Good luck. Hope this helps

Answer 3

EARS !

By that, I mean how good their 'musical ear' is. Assuming you WANT to play bass you need to learn the techniques of playing. It takes time.

How long ? That is up to you because more than that, it takes EFFORT and COMMITMENT. These last two qualities needn't be a problem if you are actually enjoying the process. When you get a bass - as with any string instrument - ONE of the first things you learn to do is TUNE UP the goddam thing. You tune either one string to another on the instrument or tune up to another instrument (pitch pipes, piano etc..) You could buy an electronic tuner but that way you would NEVER develop your 'ear'. When I got my first guitar (I also play bass) I couldn't hear the difference between two notes that were supposed to be the same pitch but in time I began to hear more clearly whether a note was sharp (raised in pitch) or flat (lowered in pitch) As the ear develops you begin to hear harmonies, scales, chords more easily. You begin to pick out music from recordings or other players better and better. Any one who knows will tell you a good musician has a well developed, or 'good' ear.

Also a good musician is one who NEVER stops leaning or has the vain belief that he has arrived at the pinnacle of mastery.

Answer 4

O.K. I read the answers you have received already and I may be wrong but I think only one of them came from an actual bass player.
A good bass player has got to have a good sense of timing because its up to him and the drummer to lay down a solid enough foundation for the song to be built on. you have to have
strong fingers.
and learn how to read and write music
and worship at the altar of RUSH

Answer 5

Anybody can be a good bass player,even though some people have a god given talent to play someone who practices and works at playing can be just as good.

Answer 6

I have only ever played the french horn and piano, but passion is what makes a good bass player (or any other instrument). Passion is what drives you to learn to play, accepting the fact that it takes lots of practice to get good.

So. The answer is it takes passion and practice.

Answer 7

a bass

Answer 8

someone who can play the bass guitar

Answer 9

You have to be determind and a lot of practice and the ability to read and write music.

Answer 10

Rhythm and thick finger tip callouses.