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In Learning any instrument – your sound is partly formed as a result of those who have inspired you. For example the widely known and esteemed guitarist Eric Clapton bears a lot of the hallmarks of those that inspired him to play guitar – BB King, Robert Johnson, Albert King. Therefore having a good and varied “musical diet” is necessary no matter what instrument you play – this is surely unfeigned of bassists – but from a immense array of bass players who must you listen to? Well to start out with we’d suggest a wide range of music – sure listen to your favorites but don’t limit yourself just to that genre – to help you with this we’ve put together a list of the top ten bass players that have been an inspiration to a heap of who have picked up the bass guitar – get yourselves numerous CD’s and learn a good deal of of their chops – you’ll soon see the benefit! 1/ Paul McCartney The former Beatle – famed for his thoughtful modern phrasing, was one of the firstborn unfeigned rock bassists – intrinsically melodic – he has a assortment of proficiencies from playing with his thumb to playing with a plectrum – one of the most influential players of all time 2/ Pino Palladino Renowned session player – known for fretless playing – he’s played with humans from Eric Clapton to Jeff Beck – lately joining The Who replacing the late John Entwhistle – Pino appears on the new Who album. 3/ Flea Innovative Red Hot Chilli Peppers bass player – with a distinguishable souped up funk style with a great deal of slapping and improvisation – Flea is likewise a famous session player and has played with the likes of Tracy Chapman to Alanis Morisette 4/ Jaco Pastorius The bassists choice – widely called the most innovative bass player ever – with his self made fretless bass (a de-fretted Jazz Bass) Jaco has influenced a generation of bassists – with a tone coloured from effects and his distinctive “Jaco Growl” sound – his talent is still widely known and esteemed closely 20 years after his death. 5/ Mark King 1980′s Bass player with English band Level 42 – extrapolated funk and slapping – one of the most immediate players around – he used a mix of percussive effects that gave him a distinguishable tone 6/ Tony Levin Another widely known and esteemed session player – Tony Levin has played with everyone from Peter Gabriel to Carly Simon – perhaps most widely known and esteemed for his “funk fingers” – Levin used drumsticks taped to his fingers to develop an progressed sound. Levin is also one of the players best known for using the Chapman Stick. 7/ Geddy Lee Bassist for the band Rush – Lee has proven a huge influence with rock bassists – effortless technique – pure style – and outstanding tone – if you want to be a metal bassist – get started here. 8/ Bootsy Collins King of funk – Bootsy has influenced innumerable bassists and initiated the funk sound – oftentimes mimicked but never matched. 9/ Charlie Haden Superb Jazz double bassist – one of the most valued Jazz bassists ever – having played with the likes of Ornette Coleman through to Pat Metheny. 10/ John Paul Jones Legendary bassist with Led Zepplin and a widely known and esteemed session player prior to that – Jones along with the rest of the band – inspired a generation and helped construct innovative rock and roll – with a powerful sound and a rich appreciation of timing. |