Editing Bassist

{{Short description|Musician who plays a bass instrument}}
{{Redirect|Bass player}}
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|image1=Motörhead - Rock am Ring 2015-0343.jpg
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|image3=Bernie Worrell on Little Phatty, NAMM 2013 (cropped).jpg
|image4=Mansur Scott Harlem Quartet feat Howard Johnson - INNtöne Jazzfestival 2013 02.jpg
|footer=Clockwise from upper left: [[Lemmy|Lemmy Kilmister]] playing a [[Rickenbacker 4001|Rickenbacker guitar]], [[Eddie Gómez (musician)|Eddie Gómez]] with an upright bass, [[Bernie Worrell]] with a [[Moog Little Phatty]] synth, and [[Howard Johnson (jazz musician)|Howard Johnson]] playing a tuba
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A '''bassist''' (also known as a '''bass player''' or '''bass guitarist''') is a musician who plays a [[bass instrument]] such as a [[double bass]] (upright bass, contrabass, wood bass), [[bass guitar]] (electric bass, acoustic bass), [[keyboard bass]] (synth bass) or a low brass instrument such as a [[tuba]] or [[trombone]]. Many [[musical genre]]s tend to be associated with at least one or more of these instruments. 

==Overview==
Since the 1960s, the electric bass has been the standard bass instrument for [[funk]],{{sfn|Cook|2014}} [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], [[soul music|soul]], [[rock music|rock]], [[reggae]], [[jazz fusion]], [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]], [[Country music|country]] and [[pop music|pop]]. The double bass is the standard bass instrument for [[European classical music|classical music]], [[Bluegrass music|bluegrass]], [[rockabilly]], and most genres of [[jazz]]. Low brass instruments such as the tuba or sousaphone are the standard bass instrument in [[Dixieland]] and New Orleans-style jazz bands. Tuba players are sometimes conflated with bassists, due to the instrument being used to double a part for the double bass in early music recordings.{{sfn|Meyer|2004}} Tubists who tend to fill the role of a bassist include [[Howard Johnson (jazz musician)|Howard Johnson]], [[Herbie Flowers]] and [[Steve Brown (bass player)|Steve Brown]] among others.{{sfn|Chinen|2021}}{{sfn|Gross|2021}}{{sfn|Williams|2024}}{{sfn|Sammut|2011}}

Despite the associations of different bass instruments with certain genres, there are exceptions. Some rock bands and bassists used a double bass, such as [[Lee Rocker]] of [[Stray Cats]], [[Barenaked Ladies]] and [[Tiger Army]].{{sfn|Ulibas|2015}} [[Larry Graham]], Bernard Edwards, Mick Hogan, Andy Fraser, and Mel Schacher used an electric bass guitar.{{sfn|Grand Funk Railroad|2013}} Some funk, R&B and jazz, fusion groups use [[synth bass]] or keyboard bass rather than electric bass. [[Stevie Wonder]], [[Bootsy Collins]], and [[Bernie Worrell]] have used a synth bass.{{sfn|Gluckin|2017}}{{sfn|Watson|2016}} Some traditional jazz bands use double bass or electric bass instead of a tuba; [[William Manuel Johnson|Bill Johnson]] and Steve Brown was one of the earliest double bassists in the New Orleans traditional jazz genre.{{sfn|Chevan|1989|p=78}}{{sfn|Sammut|2011}} In some jazz groups and [[jam band]]s, the basslines are played by a [[Hammond organ]] player, who uses the bass [[pedal keyboard]] or the lower manual for the low notes. Keyboard driven bass also occurs occasionally in rock bands, such as [[Atomic Rooster]], and [[the Doors]] whose keyboardist [[Ray Manzarek]] notably used a [[Fender Rhodes]] piano bass with his left hand.{{sfn|Hall|2011}}{{sfn|Del Barco|2013}}

== Electric bass players ==
{{See also|List of bass guitarists|List of female bass guitarists}}

Electric bassists play the bass guitar. In most rock, pop, metal and country genres, the [[bass line]] outlines the [[Chord progression|harmony]] of the music being performed, while simultaneously indicating the rhythmic pulse. In addition, there are many different standard bass line types for different genres and types of song (e.g. blues ballad, fast swing, etc.). 

Bass lines often emphasize the root note, with a secondary role for the third, and fifth of each [[chord (music)|chord]] being used in a given song. In addition, [[pedal point|pedal tones]] (repeated or sustained single notes), [[ostinato]]s, and bass [[riff]]s are also used as bass lines. While most electric bass players rarely play [[Chord (music)|chords]] (three or more notes all sounded at the same time), chords are used in some styles, especially [[funk]], [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], soul music, [[jazz]], rock, [[Latin]] and [[heavy metal music]]. [[Phil Lesh]], a bassist for the rock band [[Grateful Dead]] was known for treating bass lines as counterparts, rather than emphasizing the root note.{{sfn|Donovan|2024}} [[Lemmy Kilmister]], bassist for rock bands [[Hawkwind]] and [[Motörhead]], was described by some musicians and writers to have a playing style reminiscent of an acoustic guitarist, sometimes using chords.{{sfn|Roberts|2024}}{{sfn|Ling|2015}}

== Double bass players ==
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The double bass is the standard bass instrument for [[European classical music|classical music]], [[Bluegrass music|bluegrass]], [[rockabilly]], and most genres of [[jazz]].

=== Classical double bass players ===
See the [[List of contemporary classical double bass players]].

=== Jazz double-bass players ===

See the [[List of jazz bassists]], which includes both double bass and electric bass players.

=== Popular music double bass players ===
See the [[List of double bassists in popular music]], which includes blues, folk, country, etc.

=== See also ===
*[[List of double bassists in popular music]]

== References ==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}
===Sources===
{{refbegin|30em}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/20342-on-bass-what-the-funk|title=On Bass: What the Funk?|website=premierguitar.com|date=11 February 2014|access-date=27 September 2016|last=Cook|first=Steve|archive-date=2 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002033518/http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/20342-on-bass-what-the-funk|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite web |url=https://www.axs.com/double-bassist-lee-rocker-is-still-jamming-and-touring-46181 |title=Double bassist Lee Rocker is still jamming and touring - AXS |access-date=16 August 2019 |last=Ulibas |first=Joseph|date=March 26, 2015|archive-date=16 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016032656/https://www.axs.com/double-bassist-lee-rocker-is-still-jamming-and-touring-46181 |url-status=live }}
*{{Cite web|url=https://www.grandfunkrailroad.com/bios/Mel_bio.html|title=Mel Schacher Bio|website=www.grandfunkrailroad.com|access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=20 June 2019|last=Grand Funk Railroad|date=2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620092520/https://www.grandfunkrailroad.com/bios/Mel_bio.html|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=https://guitar.com/news/music-news/david-ellefson-lemmy-played-like-acoustic-guitar-player/|title=David Ellefson says Lemmy played “more like an acoustic guitar player” than a bassist|last= Roberts|first=Rachel|access-date=2025-02-19|date=August 21, 2024 |website=guitar.com|publisher=Guitar.com}}
*{{cite web|url=https://americansongwriter.com/how-phil-lesh-reimagined-the-electric-bass/|title=How Phil Lesh Reimagined the Electric Bass|last=Donovan|first=Thom|access-date=2025-02-19|date=November 1, 2024|website=americansongwriter.com|publisher=The American Songwriter}}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/robert-trujillo-why-lemmy-is-one-of-the-true-greats|title=Robert Trujillo: Why Lemmy is one of the true greats|last=Ling|first=Dave|access-date=2025-02-19|date=25 November 2015|website=loudersound.com|publisher=Classic Rock Magazine}}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.wnyc.org/story/on-parliament-funkadelic-and-a-less-squeaky-clean-picture-of-blackness/|title=On Parliament-Funkadelic And A Less 'Squeaky-Clean Picture' Of Blackness|last=Watson|first=Walter Ray |access-date=2025-02-19|date=June 24, 2016|website=wnyc.org|publisher=[[National Public Radio]]}}
*{{cite web|url=https://mmusicmag.com/m/2012/02/ray-manzarek/|title=RAY MANZAREK|last=Hall|first=Russell   |access-date=2025-02-19|date=November 2011|website=mmusicmag.com|publisher=M Music & Musicians Magazine}} 
*{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2013/05/21/185619707/the-doors-keyboard-counterpoint-goes-silent-remembering-ray-manzarek|title=The Doors' Keyboard Counterpoint Goes Silent: Remembering Ray Manzarek|last= Del Barco |first=Mandalit |access-date=2025-02-19|date=May 21, 2013|website=npr.org|publisher=[[National Public Radio]]}}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-ca-tuba17-2009may17-story.html|title=The tuba, a.k.a. the bass of the brass|last=Meyer |first=Constance |access-date=2025-02-19|date=January 18, 2004|website=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|publisher=[[The Los Angeles Times]]}}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.wbgo.org/music/2021-01-15/howard-johnson-pioneering-tuba-virtuoso-and-a-fluent-baritone-saxophonist-has-died-at-79|title=Howard Johnson, Pioneering Tuba Virtuoso and a Fluent Baritone Saxophonist, Has Died at 79 |last= Chinen |first=Nate |access-date=2025-02-19|date=January 15, 2021 |website=wbgo.org|publisher=[[WBGO]]}} 
*{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/13/arts/music/herbie-flowers-dead.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240914094323/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/13/arts/music/herbie-flowers-dead.html|archive-date=2024-09-14|title=Herbie Flowers, ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ Bassist, Dies at 86|last=Williams|first=Alex|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 13, 2024|publisher=[[The New York Times]]}}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/01/22/959579707/remembering-jazz-tuba-player-howard-johnson|title=Remembering Jazz Tuba Player Howard Johnson|last=Gross  |first=Terry|access-date=2025-02-19|date=January 22, 2021|website=npr.org; Fresh Air (program)|publisher=[[National Public Radio]]}} 
*{{cite web|url=https://www.premierguitar.com/artists/bootsy-collins-bass-from-outer-space|title=Bootsy Collins: Bass from Outer Space|last=Gluckin|first=Tzvi|access-date=2025-02-19|date=November 23, 2017|website=premierguitar.com|publisher=[[Premier Guitar]]}}
*{{cite journal|title=The Double Bass as a Solo Instrument in Early Jazz|last=Chevan|first=David|work=The Black Perspective in Music
|volume=17|issue= 1/2|date=1989|p= 73-92}}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/steve-brown-atlas-slapped-steve-brown-by-andrew-j-sammut|title=Steve Brown: Atlas Slapped |last=Sammut|first=Andrew J.|access-date=2025-02-19|date=June 7, 2011|website=allaboutjazz.com|publisher=[[All About Jazz]]}} 
{{refend}}

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{{Bass (sound)}}

[[Category:Occupations in music]]
[[Category:Bass (sound)]]