The Best 2010s Bassists Of All Time Ranked
Electric bassists play the bass guitar. In most rock, pop, metal and country genres, the bass line outlines the harmony of the music being performed, while simultaneously indicating the rhythmic pulse. In addition, there are many different standard bass line types for different genres and types of song (e.g. blues ballad, fast swing, etc.). Bass lines often emphasize the root note, with a secondary role for the third, and fifth of each chord being used in a given song. In addition, pedal tones (repeated or sustained single notes), ostinatos, and bass riffs are also used as bass lines. While most electric bass players rarely play chords (three or more notes all sounded at the same time), chords are used in some styles, especially funk, R&B, soul music, jazz, Latin and heavy metal music. Here are the best 2010s bassists ranked.
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10. Stanley Clarke
“A bass soloist who works with his band, lets them play too. Saw him live. Mind blowing. Technically brilliant, musically creative and expressive. Stanley Clarke did music for MOVIES like Boyz in the Hood and What’s Love Got to Do With It?. Go listen to School Days and educate yourself to some real bass playing.”
9. Geddy Lee
“Geddy’s ever-evolving bass throughout the band’s career shows his superb musicianship, even if radio in the US seems to only feature his screechy songs from the early 80’s instead of the band’s fantastic recent albums. You really ought to check out his solo album “My Favourite Headache” for a full tour of his abilities not just as a bassist but as a singer as well.”
8. Esperanza Spalding
“Esperanza Spalding took the world by storm once again with a smash hit album, a Grammy nomination, and an a new PBS Show announced. This woman is amazing!”
7. James Jamerson
“James Jamerson was not only the best, funkiest, most talent bassplayer ever, but he reinvented the way the instrument was played and its role in pop music. Said to have “a metronome in his head” by fellow musicians from the Funk Brothers Band, the guys behind all of Motown greatest hits, his use of intervals, complex timing and impressive tone and precision make him on of the most influential and most successful musicians of all time”
6. Flea
“Playing with speed is something anyone can do with practice. I mean look how many metal guitarists there are who just shred. The real talent comes when a person can create a feel and atmosphere with their ability. Flea projects life, beauty, and rhythm with his incredibly talented playing. You want fast? “Nobody weird like me. ” “Stone Cold Bush. ” basically any song off mother’s milk is quick by flea, but look at the stuff he does on Californication.”
5. Victor Wooten
“This guy is one of the absolute best bass palyers I’ve heard. His technique is one of a kind, so is his feeling for harmony and romance within music. He can make the simplest groove sound divine. If you haven’t heard this man playing. I strongly suggest that you do.”
4. Marcus Miller
“I have only been to two concerts that have blown my mind and put me into a state of musical ecstasy: one by Meshuggah, and the other by, go figure, Marcus Miller. His technique, the sound he tickles out of his bass, the way he is shifting through genre nuances, the encore improvisations he unleashes, I could keep rambling about this for a while.”
3. Rhonda Smith
“Rhonda Smith joined Jeff Beck for his 2010 tour and Live And Exclusive From The Grammy Museum release, taking over for Tal Wilkenfeld. A video featuring Rhonda taking a solo during that tour was one of the most viewed on No Treble in 2010, as was the news of the tour itself via Google and elsewhere.”
2. Jaco Pastorius
“Pro bassist ever knows jaco has the most unique sound and basically paved the way for modern bass playing. He wrote a whole song exclusively with harmonics, he was the first bassist ever to be a bass virtuoso and not just the bassist in a band. He was the first to have a solo album as a bassist and ontop of all that he has the best groove and rhythmic feel ever. He was the first to write bass melodies.”
1. Tal Wilkenfeld
“This girl is really generous player, working hard to make the rest of the band sound good. A great soloist, she really sparks off of Jeff Beck and he sounds better with her around. I think that she is up there with Les Claypool for talent. All she needs now is the experience.”
