It’s typically the first question that I ask when starting with a new student. He or she walks in to my office and sits down, gets comfortable, we become acquainted, we plug in and tune up and then I ask them: So, WHY the bass? I find that answering this question tells me a lot of things about them. Based upon their response I know how serious they’re going to take it, how hard they’re going to work, how much they really like it, whether they’re going to be playing for the rest of their lives or if they will quit eventually (and sometimes I can even predict how soon until they do). Obviously, as a teacher this is important for me because it helps me gauge what to assign them and the best ways in which to move them forward. That’s not really what we’re going to discuss today (perhaps another time), but I’m still going to ask you the question anyway.

Why do you play the bass? You could have picked any number of different instruments, and perhaps you do play more than one, but for some reason you consider yourself a “Bass Player.” For instance, I am a bassist by trade but I also play guitar, drums, piano and keys, ukelele, double bass, cello, and I even sing with most of the ensembles I perform with. And of all these instruments that I am capable of playing, I would never refer to myself as a “Drummer” or a “Guitarist” or a “Singer.” I’m a Bassist. To be honest, I don’t even think it’s my choice. The way I see things, this instrument chose me, not the other way around.

Let me tell you why. I think people play the instruments that they play, or gravitate towards them, so to speak, because of two principle reasons:

1) They like the way it sounds (duh)

2) They identify with the role that it plays in the ensemble

Now, my deciding factor in becoming a Bass Player wasn’t solely based (no pun intended) on reason #1. Yes, I love the way the bass sounds. I made the decision to become a Bassist nearly 20 years ago because I thought I just liked how it sounded. Now that I’ve studied music legitimately and spent a lifetime devoted to it I can see more pieces of the puzzle. I now know that I’m drawn to harmony, as I appreciate composers and artists with rich harmonic textures, and the biggest aspect of determining harmony just so happens to be the LOWEST PITCH. I’m inspired by that fact.

I’ll give you an example; Let’s say the whole band is playing the notes C-E-G. The chord is C Major. No question about it. But let’s say that one person decides to play an A as well; now it’s arguably a C6 chord (most people would interpret it that way when you hear it). Cool. It’s still in the family of “C” chords. But if the bass player plays an A? Now it’s an Am7 chord. A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TONALITY ALTOGETHER, even though it’s the same note. The register of the bass has the power to make this change, and I love it! We have the final say in what quality a chord will represent, which is quite a responsibility.

I guess that along with sound goes feel too. I love the “feel” of the bass, and not just of the physical instrument itself. When a good bass player of ANY genre of music is laying into his craft, it just “feels” right. Whether he’s laying down a funky slap groove, chugging away 8th notes with a pick or just locking with the drummer, the bass has a way of putting a smile on my face. Always.

But as I said before, the “sound” of the instrument isn’t the only thing that drives us to it. There’s also the role in which it plays in the band that I believe caters to our senses as well. The bass player is the supporter of the group, the glue between the Rhythm and Melody/Harmony. Take it away and EVERYONE will notice the deficit that it takes up in the sonic spectrum. He may not be doing anything technical, inspirational, or even particularly difficult, but his role is vital. He’s not up-front, in the spotlight or well noticed among the audience; until he stops playing. His job is to hold down the fort so that everyone else can be noticed.

Personally, I’m not that outgoing. I don’t like the spotlight. I’d much rather stand next to or support someone who’s outgoing and standing in the spotlight than be him. I’m pretty mellow, laid back, easy going, and I’d like to believe that I’m rather agreeable as well. My personality reflects the instrument that I play. That’s why I wouldn’t dare call myself a drummer or guitarist or any of the other instruments; I play them. But I am a Bassist. There’s no way around it; to the very fiber of my being I am the instrument that I play. I feel a closeness to it and identify with it on a level that’s almost inexplicable. That’s the reason that I’m a bass player.

What’s your reason?