Re: Help! Bass player wants to move up!
Honestly, it can be boring to be a bluegrass bassist. You play on the downbeats only, and it's a lot of 1-5-1-5 with maybe a few transitional runs in between chords.
But the bass is the heartbeat of the band. A bassist with rock-solid rhythm makes the whole ensemble tick. Also frees up the other instruments to take their breaks, even to play with the beat a bit, since they have a firm ground to stand on.
Does he slap? That's a super technique to use on faster songs, and it can be a show-stopper if done with a bit of flair. (Do gospel groups want a show-stopper? You tell me...) And there's the question of vocals, where a good singing bass player is a vital part of ensemble harmony.
There are tunes where a bass break's not inappropriate, if he's got the technique to pull one off. And developing interplay between bass and guitar in handling rhythm duties can let the bassist step out a bit.
Wouldn't want to discourage anyone from taking up mandolin, but a good bassist is worth preserving. Listen to groups that have good, solid bass lines, and you can see how important the instrument, and its player, really are.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
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