Bass player?

[Tomriddle]

Hey, im probably gonna start a band pretty soon but we kinda dont have a bass player, but we sound alright jus' jammin without one, so i was gonna ask...does a band really need a bassist?

[Rob]

Alot of punkish-style bands don't have a bass player.

If your drummer ever wants to go off in the context of a song, he'll need an anchor. It can be done with good rhythm guitar playing, but a bass is most often the best solution.

Additionally, when you play as a band through a good PA, you might sound unbalanced without a bass.

[JG2121]

bass blends the guitar and the drums together. I always find rock bands with out them seem to sound a bit hollow, just my opinion though.

[boredtotears]

Yeah, you probably need a bass player, its gonna sound empty for the most part. Especially if there are any guitar solos in it

[saloman]

Simply, yes. But then again music is about creativity so if you can find a way to get around it all the power to you!

[werkinsnake]

If you can find a good pianist who can walk a bassline with his left hand, you should be ok. Actually, I believe that Soulive does this with all of their songs. Zepplin's John Paul Jones and Rush's Geddy Lee would occasionally take off their bass guitars and use keyboards instead.

Can you have a great sound without a bassist? Absolutely!

Can you have a great sound without a bass line? NO!!!

[marlin1805]

There are no rules with music ... if you can find your own groove w/out a bass, then that works too.

I've had some pretty sweet sessions with and without a bass. Its all a preference I guess

[gonzostockton]

The Doors didn't have a bassist, and they did OK.

You can have whatever combination of people you want. Hell, a band doesn't HAVE to have a vocalist or a drummer, right? Listen to Luther College- just two guitars and a voice. It's not about what you play, it's how you play it.

Really, if you look at the modern musical landscape, who's playing with an acoustic guitar, bass, drums, sax, and violin (besides the obvious)?

On the other hand, a bass will fill up your sound. Kinda like why DMB plays live w/ Butch- it's not just 'cause he's a great musician, the band wants a fuller live sound. Outdoor venues don't have great acoustics.

Play how you want, but play like you mean it!

/bassist.