Why is the Bass Guitar so underrated?

[mermaidia_lol]

In all honesty, I believe that the bass is one of the most crucial elements in forming a song and maintaining a well-balanced sound. And while there are songs that do not consist of that resonant anchor, I find those tracks to be tasteless and lacking a certain fullness much like the mainstream music of today.

One thing I find ironic is that “Seven Nation Army,” The White Stripes' most successful single, is driven by a distinct bass line, yet they don't even hold a bassist in their group.

Also, many people know who Paul McCartney is, but they never realized he was the bass player in the group, The Beatles.

So, why do YOU think the bass guitar is so underrated?

[A Regular Show clip]
https://youtu.be/UZNgxwdJb-A

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+1 y

Boop.

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Bump.

[Glass_Heart]

That video is so funny and also painfully accurate.

My dad is a bassist though he does receive a lot of recognition and appreciation for his talent (family, his bandmates, friends), but not so much from the crowd.

I think it's because the bass is so low in the music that it all kinda just gets mixed in and you can't really tell what's going on. I used to have trouble hearing the distinctions, but now I don't. My dad is the cause of it. He plays everyday, so it just stuck with me.

The bass is not underrated to me. I love it.

[GhettoGirl]

I dont think the bass guitar player in our band is underrated, under par at all. His bass is the foundation of most of the songs we perform in our R&B covers.

[Anonymous]

For the same reason the foundation of a house is overlooked and underappreciated. Bass guitar is crucial but it tends to be in the background where it is not readily noticed unless you are tuned into it.

[Opinion Owner]

Boom

[mermaidia_lol]

That was actually kinda scary in my head.

[Opinion Owner]

Lolol

[CoffeeWC]

I PLAY BASS!!!

[mermaidia_lol]

Lol, thank you for your loud opinion. 😂😂

[CoffeeWC]

I JUST REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR QUESTION ABOUT BASS!!!

[mermaidia_lol]

Aww, 😂 it's no problem! I appreciate your appreciation.

[CoffeeWC]

I'M SO HAPPY I COULD CRY!!!

[mermaidia_lol]

😂😂 well, at least they're happy tears!

[CoffeeWC]

😂😂😂

[mermaidia_lol]

My question just got featured lol

[mermaidia_lol]

I might cry, too.

[Syrian_survivor]

DAVIE504

[loveslongnails]

It's really funny (in a sad, pathetic way) to think "people never realized Paul McCartney played bass in the group... the Beatles". wow

[lightbulb27]

good Q. to me it is boring:) I don't get why anyone would play it, wasn't promoted in school and I never payed attention. It's the background not foreground. Drums are also boring to me, so maybe it is the background support vs foreground?

There are songs where it is distinctive and takes command, like Muse Starlight, Rush songs... are ones I know.
But maybe some people hear and respond better to base than others?

I am impressed by base players who can sing same time... that is all messed up mentally. John Wait, Getty Lee, mcartney, Benjamin Orr... to name a few. It's a special brain that can do that...

[wankiam]

i played bass for years so preaching to the choir with me but what i would say is since edm and drum and bass rellied on electronic bass tones the guitar in general is largely forgetten outside of rock music

[wankiam]

here's some drum and double bass for you
www.youtube.com/watch

[mermaidia_lol]

Can I send you something? Lol

[wankiam]

ofcourse

[mermaidia_lol]

https://youtu.be/2CecsD7QXz4

Start it at 7:00

[mermaidia_lol]

Or you can watch the whole thing.

[wankiam]

thats funk and good... when i played i played fretless in this style... i actually looked like mick khan then too but hey it was the early 80s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhm-EqcPta0

[mermaidia_lol]

😂😂

[wankiam]

when he left japan and went solo he made bass the lead instrument... listen to this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRBcu8nwvh0

[mermaidia_lol]

This is so pretty

https://youtu.be/nsZ_1mPOuyk

[wankiam]

i can here the obvious bass but is the high stuff harmonics on the bass? that would be a real skill

[mermaidia_lol]

Yes!

[Anpu23]

As a bass player myself, and having worked with hundreds if not thousands of bands it comes down to ego. Bass players are layed back people, don't want the spotlight (as opposed to lead guitarists or singers) so without clamoring for it they just kind of get left behind.

[Liam_Hayden]

I was in a power trio where I played guitar and sang lead. People would comment on how impressive that was and I would always respond that I had the easy job. The drummer and the bass player are what made the songs work. The rhythm section is the foundation.

[Bananaman177]

Good bass playing is sometimes invisible because instead of standing out on it's own, it's so complementary to the melody that you can't easily separate it from the whole sound.

If you can always pick the bass out, it might be a sign of amateurish playing.

[AlexanderBrunnrgaard]

I think it's a two part reason, 1, it's relatively easy to learn and play. 2, It often gets a minor role in terms of chords for the rhythm and melody, and a background place role in songs. I don't necessarily agree with any of that, but it's what I think prompts the common view.

[Jamie05rhs]

Thank you for this question! I'm so glad you appreciate my instrument. :)

Most of us just call it a "bass", though.

[mermaidia_lol]

I do, too, but I wanted to clarify because someone once asked me if I was talking about a tuba...

[Jamie05rhs]

Lol. There is no tuba that is called a bass. (Is there?)

[mermaidia_lol]

Lol, idk!! But apparently that's what he figured I was referring to...

[Jamie05rhs]

Well, the tuba is part of the Low Brass section, which can be considered part of the broader "Rhythm Section", depending on one's perspective.

[mermaidia_lol]

Yea, so that's why I had to specify.

[loveslongnails]

What's funnier is people your age think Kayne (the asshole) West, helped launch that "old guy's career" ... that old guy being Paul McCartney. LMAO. The Beatles changed rock n roll. They had the advantage of being in the game when it was young. Difficult to do that now. I don't agree the bass guitar is underrated, at all. All bands use some form of bass, or bass lines, when recording, whether or not they officially have a bassist in the band.

[donnny2367764]

Bass is underrated in what genre? I will agree that some recorded music doesn't really focus on the bass which I believe is the second most important element in the rhythm section... anyone who a plays bass without a pick is definitely one I would jam with... but if they can play a standup bass or better yet a fretless bass Sign me up.. I'll record with them anyday

[hot70sguy61]

thats easy... in my first band.. I played bass.. its one of the most easiest to play... later I started playing both lead and rhythm guitar.. one thing about the bass... its heavy... some musicans dont like it for that reason... and the bass player is the rhythm... many girls I have known were watching the front man and lead.. not the bass... and it depends on the person... I had a girlfriend once who would "get wild" when I played bass...

[motownplayer2000]

It's not. True artist understand the importance of a bass line. The bass makes a song stable. Musicians when they are composing, producers when they make music always makes sure they establish the bassline. Which can be played with many instruments other than the bass guitar.

[ItsAMeA]

Precisely because it's such a fundamental part of a rich sound. Bass in songs usually don't stand out by design because their purpose is to bind the music together and maintain the rhythm, whereas a guitar for example has more room for creative expression.

[MrHopper]

Lemmy kilmister played bass... I love a good solid bass and play one my self. It's underrated because I guess it's the guitarist who traditionally has the attention and the melodies

[drummerdude25]

As a drummer, I agree... it’s very important in establishing the beat and also has melodic influence. It’s the perfect instrument for writing and structuring a song.

[MysticDevice]

I'd have to agree. You can't have a sick breakdown without the low down and gritty bass. It adds substance and sauce to a song. It's like laying down primer before actually painting.

[PrinceVEGETA64l3]

Bass is highly underrated.
With kit a good baseline the song sucks.
Imagine Alice in chains without bass. Fuck that

[IAMNathanael]

Think of Primus with no bass

[PrinceVEGETA64l3]

Right or as I Lay dying with no bass.

[MoscowMitch]

Well on most songs the bass is in the background. On some you can't hear it at all. Plus people think it's easy to play but it's really not.

[highjinx]

The drums and the bass are the backbone and the timing of a song and that’s why they stay in the back because they consistently play the same thing so everyone else can go wild And solo or if you like virtuoso

[COMMODOREII]

Don't know i like bass guitar. I played trombone in the past and i sang in my varsity choir. 😎

[Jamie05rhs]

Dude, you're like me but just older. Lol

[13IsALuckyNumber]

It just doesn’t make as much of an impression unless you hear a song without bass.

[13IsALuckyNumber]

I feel like your updates are warning us. Warning us for a terrible, terrible thing. Don’t know what yet, but it must be terrible.

Or it’s just a weird thing you do.

[Exorcist_Rampage]

So many people play it so it is no wonder that people overlook how much work it takes to accurately play it.

[CuriousMufuxka]

Proven fact. Bass Guitarists get chicks! I personally like flying under the radar..

[Dark93]

Because they aren't in the spotlight like the lead guitarist or singer are.

[cheesyballs_]

I sometimes can hardly hear it in music because I play it through my phone's speaker.

[TJB1990]

Hey cheesyballs_ you been with anyone with cheeseballs

[ahndeh]

Not sure if you do already, but listen to Black Sabbath. Geezer Butler has one of the best bass tones in metal history! And it's mixed so well.

[zoeadams3]

Add to that Jack Bruce of Cream, Chris Squire of Yes, Lemme from Motörhead, Peter Steele of Type O Negative

[ahndeh]

Yes, yes, and more yes! I'm actually going this weeknd to get a Motörhead tattoo! Rock on! \m/

[Anonymous]

Maybe it's because a guitar can be a bass guitar but a bass can't be a guitar?

[311WasAnInsideJam]

I think just because it doesn't stand out.

[Guyvo]

Ow never knew that was bass guitar.

[GreciaJackson]

I’m not into rock that much so I don’t really know

[RenegadeSailor]

Under rated? Not hardly.

[Samantha_17]

Bass is my favorite instrument :)

[Tyffen]

I dunno. It's pretty sad

[scooogy]

Because you can barely hear it

[Danganronpa_senpai]

Cuz guitar is better 🤣😂

[Nachowedgie]

It's not it's brilliant :3

[ChefCurry]

No it’s not

[nomadroamer]

Its not

[TJB1990]

Its not

[Anonymous]

youd like me then