Bass, I need Bass
Yesterday evening at a music concert, we had a long talk about bass players. Being a smart guy, I grabbed my smartphone and asked ChatGPT for a list.
Let me know how many of them you know, your beloved one, and whom I may forget.
Sure, I impressed my friends and we talked about the fun we had with songs from Flea, Sting, The Who, and Marcus Miller.
I didn't know all of them, so today I spent some time to search more information and as well some links to their work.
Hey Hive Family
and let us travel the world again
The Groove Masters: Unraveling the World of Bass Guitar
All about the Bass
The bass guitar, often overshadowed by its more prominent six-string sibling, holds a special place in the heart of music, offering an irresistible combination of power and subtlety. This often-underappreciated instrument plays a pivotal role in shaping the sonic landscape of every genre. To truly understand its complexity, we must delve into the world of bass guitar and explore its history, techniques, and musical significance.
The complexity of playing a bass guitar lies in its multifaceted role within a band or ensemble. Unlike the lead guitar, which often takes center stage, the bass guitar operates primarily in the rhythm section, providing the foundation for the music. A skilled bassist must navigate the delicate balance between rhythmic precision and creative expression.
One of the distinguishing features of the bass guitar is its low-frequency sound, which has a profound impact on the overall feel of a song. It's the bass that gives a tune its groove, its pulse, and its emotional depth. Whether it's the deep, resonant thump of a reggae bassline or the punchy, aggressive attack of a rock bassist, the instrument's tonal versatility knows no bounds.
The history of the bass guitar is a fascinating journey. It evolved from the double bass, often too bulky for modern musical contexts. In the 1930s, the first electric bass guitars were born, paving the way for the iconic instrument we know today. Players like Leo Fender and Paul Tutmarc played crucial roles in developing and popularizing the electric bass. As the decades passed, bassists began experimenting with techniques like fingerstyle, slap and pop, tapping, and harmonics, expanding the instrument's horizons.
Now, let's pay homage to some of the legendary bass players who have left an indelible mark on the world of music:
Paul McCartney (The Beatles): McCartney's melodic basslines elevated The Beatles' songs, turning the bass into a lead instrument with unforgettable lines in tracks like "Something" and "Come Together."
Jaco Pastorius (Jazz-Fusion): Known for his groundbreaking fretless bass work, Jaco Pastorius brought jazz-fusion to new heights with his unparalleled virtuosity, as heard in tracks like "Portrait of Tracy."
Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers): Flea's funky, slap-and-pop style became the backbone of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' sound, exemplified in hits like "Give It Away" and "Around the World."
James Jamerson (Motown): Jamerson's Motown basslines laid the foundation for countless hits, making him an unsung hero of popular music, as demonstrated in classics like "My Girl" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."
**John Entwistle **(The Who): Entwistle's thunderous bass work defined The Who's sound, with intricate solos in songs like "My Generation" and "Baba O'Riley."
Geddy Lee (Rush): Lee's virtuosic bass playing and distinctive vocals were integral to Rush's progressive rock masterpieces, including "Tom Sawyer" and "YYZ."
Les Claypool (Primus): Claypool's eccentric bass lines and offbeat songwriting gave birth to Primus's unique style, showcased in tracks like "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver" and "Wynona's Big Brown Beaver."
Victor Wooten (Béla Fleck and the Flecktones): Wooten's jaw-dropping technique and musicality redefined the boundaries of bass playing, as heard in pieces like "Sinister Minister."
Cliff Burton (Metallica): Burton's iconic bass solos and heavy, melodic lines left an indelible mark on metal music, notably in "Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth)" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls."
John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin): Jones's versatile bass playing spanned rock, folk, and blues, contributing to Led Zeppelin classics like "Ramble On" and "Dazed and Confused."
Bootsy Collins (Parliament-Funkadelic): Collins's flamboyant persona and funky bass grooves defined Parliament-Funkadelic's sound, showcased in hits like "Flash Light" and "One Nation Under a Groove."
Marcus Miller (Jazz): Miller's fusion of jazz and funk on the bass helped shape the sound of contemporary jazz, with standout performances on tracks like "Run for Cover."
Carol Kaye (Studio Musician): Kaye's prolific studio work as a session bassist provided the backbone for countless '60s and '70s classics, including "Good Vibrations" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand."
Chris Squire (Yes): Squire's intricate bass lines and use of bass pedals added a symphonic dimension to Yes's progressive rock compositions, particularly in "Roundabout."
Stanley Clarke (Jazz and Fusion): Clarke's virtuosity and innovative techniques on the bass helped redefine the boundaries of jazz and fusion, as heard in "School Days."
John Deacon (Queen): Deacon's melodic bass lines contributed to Queen's iconic sound, bridging the gap between rock and pop in songs like "Another One Bites the Dust."
Sting (The Police): Sting's reggae-influenced bass playing in The Police created a distinctive blend of rock and new wave, showcased in tracks like "Message in a Bottle" and "Roxanne."
Steve Harris (Iron Maiden): Harris's galloping bass lines and songwriting prowess were instrumental in defining Iron Maiden's legendary heavy metal sound, particularly in "The Trooper" and "Run to the Hills."
Larry Graham (Sly and the Family Stone): Graham's pioneering slap and pop bass technique revolutionized funk music, influencing generations of bassists, as heard in "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)."
Mike Rutherford (Genesis): Rutherford's bass work in Genesis provided a rich foundation for the band's progressive rock compositions, with standout moments in "Dancing with the Moonlit Knight" and "The Cinema Show."
List of TOP 20 Bass player and their music
Here we go with 20 Links and
| # | Bassist Name | Style | Best Song | Link to Song |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul McCartney | Rock/Pop | "FourFiveSeconds" | Link |
| 2 | Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) | Alternative Rock/Funk | "Californication" | Link |
| 3 | Jaco Pastorius | Jazz Fusion | "Portrait of Tracy" (Representative Song) | Link |
| 4 | James Jamerson | Soul/Motown | "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye | Link |
| 5 | John Entwistle | Rock | "My Wife" | Link |
| 6 | Geddy Lee | Progressive Rock | "Fly by Night" | Link |
| 7 | Les Claypool | Alternative Metal/Funk | "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver" | Link |
| 8 | Victor Wooten | Jazz/Bluegrass Fusion | "Amazing Grace" | Link |
| 9 | Cliff Burton | Heavy Metal | "Orion" | Link |
| 10 | John Paul Jones | Hard Rock | "No Quarter" | Link |
| 11 | Bootsy Collins | Funk | "One Nation Under a Groove" | Link |
| 12 | Marcus Miller | Jazz | "Scoop" (Representative Song) | Link |
| 13 | Carol Kaye | Various | Multiple influential songs in various genres | Link |
| 14 | Chris Squire | Progressive Rock | "Roundabout" | Link |
| 15 | Stanley Clarke | Jazz Fusion | "School Days" | Link |
| 16 | John Deacon | Rock | "Another One Bites the Dust" | Link |
| 17 | Sting | Rock/Pop | "Every Breath You Take" | Link |
| 18 | Steve Harris | Heavy Metal | "The Trooper" | Link |
| 19 | Larry Graham | Funk | "One Nation Under a Groove" | Link |
| 20 | Mike Rutherford | Rock/Progressive Rock | "Invisible Touch" | Link |
All the videos to feel the BASS
Paul McCartney
Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Jaco Pastorius
James Jamerson
What's Going On by Marvin Gaye
John Entwistle
Geddy Lee
Les Claypool
Victor Wooten
Cliff Burton
John Paul Jones
Bootsy Collins
Marcus Miller
Carol Kaye
Multiple influential songs in various genres
Chris Squire
Stanley Clarke
John Deacon
Sting
Steve Harris
Larry Graham
Sly & The Family Stone Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
Mike Rutherford
Summary
In summary, the bass guitar is the unsung hero of the music world, often overlooked but indispensable in shaping the character and groove of songs across various genres. The bass player's role is to provide a steady rhythm and infuse the music with emotion, dynamics, and complexity. As demonstrated by the iconic bassists mentioned above, the bass guitar is a versatile instrument with the power to elevate any musical composition.
Whether it's the melodic sensibilities of Paul McCartney, the virtuosic prowess of Jaco Pastorius, or the funky grooves of Flea, each bass player on our list has left an indelible mark on the world of music. They have shown us that the bass guitar is not just a supporting instrument but a force to be reckoned with—a source of innovation, creativity, and sonic richness. So, next time you find yourself tapping your foot to the rhythm or feeling the groove of a song, remember to tip your hat to the bassist, the true heartbeat of the music.
Have a great day everybody
and let us travel the world again
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Etwas erstaunt nehme dabei zur Kenntnis, dass man sich auf der Suche ganz auf das männliche Geschlecht beschränkt hat. Da existieren nämlich eine nicht zu geringe Anzahl von »Ladies«, die den Umgang mit den 4 Saiten perfekt beherrschen. Hier nur ein paar wenige Beispiele:
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Danke - sehr gute Ergänzung.
Das ruft fast nach einer Top 20 oder so
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Great list, but I miss a few names. Most of all, there was Eberhardt Weber, possibly the greatest Jazz bass player ever:
Another one that comes to mind is Tal Wilkenfeld:
But there are more, I'm sure. Often bass players are kina background geniuses... :)
Great description of what bass is. This post is a tribute to that instrument that, as you say, is often relegated to the background. Greetings.
Wow, bass guitar indeed adds color to music and the list are great legends of bass.
I would also have added Billy Sheehan, master of the bass and virtuoso member of Mr. Big and The Winery Dogs, to the top 20
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Cool one - many thanks.
What is his best / well known song?
the best ballad is To Be With you by Mr Big (also the soundtrack of my wedding 😍)
Bass players can be under-appreciated, but they play a vital role. We have a few bassists on Hive.
Maybe Lemmy should be on that list too.
Look what I have in my pick collection! Someone gave it to me.
Wow - one from Carol!! Top
Oh, I used to play bassguitar when I was young...
I thing AI missed some great names like Tom Araya, David Ellefson, Billy Sheehan or John Myung... But I understand, you ask for twenty only 🤔
BUT
Why not grow the list in an update to 30 or 50??
I like to add