Bassist facts for kids

Jaco Pastorius (1951–1987) was an influential American jazz bassist, composer and big band leader. He is best known for his work with Weather Report from 1976 to 1981, as well as work with artists including Joni Mitchell, Pat Metheny, and his own solo projects.

A bassist is a musician who plays a bass guitar or a double bass. These instruments create the deep, low sounds in music, which are called the "bass." In many popular music styles like rock, pop, country, metal, jazz fusion, and funk, bassists usually play the bass guitar. However, in some types of jazz, rockabilly, bluegrass, and in symphony orchestras, bassists play the larger, upright double bass.

How Bassists Learn to Play

Many professional bassists in rock, pop, country, metal, funk, rockabilly, and bluegrass music learn by playing in bands for many years. They also often take private lessons with experienced bass teachers.

Learning in Music Schools

Bassists who play in symphony orchestras, or who play jazz or jazz fusion, often learn their skills in a special music school, college, or university. These schools offer degrees in playing the double bass. For example, a Bachelor of Music degree usually takes four years to complete, and a Master of Music degree takes two more years.

Is Bass Harder to Play?

There are fewer bass players compared to guitar players. Some people think the bass is harder to play, even though it usually has fewer strings than a guitar.

Earning a Living as a Bassist

Like many other musicians, bassists generally earn less money than people in other jobs, such as accountants. While a very small number of famous bassists become rich, and a few bassists have full-time jobs in bands or orchestras, most bassists do not earn a lot of money. Many bassists need to do other music-related jobs, like teaching bass lessons, to make enough money to live.

Other Pages to Explore

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Images for kids

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  Black Sabbath's Geezer Butler performing with Deadland Ritual in 2019

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  Jaco Pastorius (1951–1987) was an influential American jazz bassist, composer and big band leader. He is best known for his work with Weather Report from 1976 to 1981, as well as work with artists including Joni Mitchell, Pat Metheny, and his own solo projects.

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  Bootsy Collins in 1998

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  Geddy Lee

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  John Deacon in 1979

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  Flea

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  Lemmy in 2011

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  Pino Presti in 1978

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  Eddie Gómez