I can quite enjoy listening to some of those kind of bass players but I've never had the desire to play that way, nailing a technical peice just isn't what blows my goat, especially live. One of our songs had a melodic bassline in 5/4 which covered the whole neck, despite it not being that technical I'd spend half the gig thinking damn, I've got to play THAT song in 3 songs time, 2 songs time etc.
I'd much rather play root notes and little runs and focus on filling or leaving space in the timing, I think thats where a bass can really bring a song to life.
I once had a big arguement in the pub with a guitarist who was convinced that Les Claypool was the best bassist in the world, he may be one of the best bass technicians (although that isn't my opinion) but he doesn't PLAY BASS as I see it. The obvious middle ground would be players like Flea, excellent technician on the bass but an also excellent bassist. In my opinion.
That must be about a months worth of posting for me!
Tim.
Possibly some of the longest sentences ever posted too, sorry!
I can quite enjoy listening to some of those kind of bass players but I've never had the desire to play that way, nailing a technical peice just isn't what blows my goat, especially live. One of our songs had a melodic bassline in 5/4 which covered the whole neck, despite it not being that technical I'd spend half the gig thinking damn, I've got to play THAT song in 3 songs time, 2 songs time etc.
I'd much rather play root notes and little runs and focus on filling or leaving space in the timing, I think thats where a bass can really bring a song to life.
I once had a big arguement in the pub with a guitarist who was convinced that Les Claypool was the best bassist in the world, he may be one of the best bass technicians (although that isn't my opinion) but he doesn't PLAY BASS as I see it. The obvious middle ground would be players like Flea, excellent technician on the bass but an also excellent bassist. In my opinion.
That must be about a months worth of posting for me!
Tim.
Possibly some of the longest sentences ever posted too, sorry!