The bassist of any group or ensemble is the core, the foundation, the ‘rock’, one who stabilizes the unit when it becomes shaky and the individual that everyone depends on dearly ‘to always be there!’ If this is true, we as bassists must not ask questions as to how should things go. Bassists must take charge and state confidently the tempos when given and maintain them at all cost. If you study consistently and are thorough, you should know when you are in control. All members in the group desire a positive, confident and consistent posture by the bassist. The desired musician has what everyone wants and needs to make the ensemble the best. Let’s explore the necessary aspects that will make you that desired bassist.

There are many assumptions as to what is the role of a respective musician when becoming part of a performing ensemble. Along with those assumptions there are expectations too. The bass player is that individual who has the unique ability to sabotage completely any and all ensembles immediately when not fulfilling the necessary musical attributes to make that band swing. It could be said that everyone in the ensemble has that same ability of destruction, but bassists do it better than anyone! The motto of every bassist should be: Always assume that you are the only rhythmic and harmonic substance. This will erase the dependence one thinks is needed from the drums or chordal instruments to clarify the music. The bassist doesn’t need them at all to sound good. Ultimately, none of the group members need anyone else either. This independence will guarantee a higher percentage of success on the musical journeys of the group.

There is a particular mindset that a bassist must have to produce an environment that will make the group unified. The job description of a great bass player is to make the rhythm section swing. There is a hierarchy that is not usually spoken but does exist, to be sure. The bassist’s primary concern is to become one with the drummer’s pulse. The PULSE is that huge entity that allows personalities the ability to find that compromising place to meld together as a unit.

For example, the bass player’s right hand producing the walking bass line must synchronize with the drummer’s ride cymbal beat and vice versa. This can be done strictly aurally, but for the novice player it is recommended to use the both aural and visual senses to achieve this goal. When this happens correctly, the respective players should feel the unity obtained as a very special sensation that we call ‘swing’. Now that the bass and drums have become ‘one’, the pianist or guitarist does not have a choice but to join them or stay out of the way. These three individuals working together now becomes a single unit, ‘the trio’.

The trio is now that single entity that makes the frontline feel and sound better than ever. That is the sole job description of a rhythm section. Once this feeling of the pulse is established and confirmed with visual agreement, the rhythm section can become freer and more rhythmically interactive. The style of the music will dictate to what degree this interaction can be explored. No matter what the degree of rhythmic variations attempted, the ‘pulse’ must not be severed at all cost. Now the horns or whomever is in the frontline of the group have no choice but to blend and ride on this carpet of swing that the rhythm section creates. Now we have a solid unit, ‘the band’. It is the responsibility of each group member to keep confirming to each other to maintain the desired feeling that has been established. That being said, the bass player usually gets the blame if something goes awry, even if it isn’t their fault. This isn’t fair, but true. All the more reason the bassist must be well-grounded and equipped with the necessary ingredients: concept, confidence, concentration and consistency to defend one’s position as the true catalyst of the group.

When you tell people you are a jazz musician, you are actually saying you have myriad attributes well under control. Whether you do or not, that is the assumption. When one says they are a jazz bassist, it is assumed they know how to ‘swing’, can play the ‘blues and rhythm changes’, know numerous standards and jazz tunes, can play fast, can play in any key well, etc. Those attributes become crystal clear rather quickly if they are, in fact, under control. Your musical savvy is known immediately or not.