Bass or Drums

[SaNa]

I have read several books and listened to several musicians that debate whether the bass is responsible for keeping the time or the drums. What do you think?

[Frank Domico]

As a keys player....the bass and drums are the most important thing to me. If those two things are right...I really don't hear them at all...if they're wrong, I'm dead

[Frank Domico]

and SaNa...your both anyway from playing with you....real solid time keeper

[Tony Westmoreland]

My opinion and observance:
It all sits on top of the drums. It's important for the bass and drums to lock, for sure, but the beat keeps the time. Thus, drum machines, metronomes, keyboards with built in drum machines, etc. How many times, while driving, have you thought of a bass line to the tick of your windshield wipers? Even when you come up with a naked bass line, you usually go back and create a drum line to help you "lock" the line.
In a live band, it should be no different. Now, of course there are always exceptions. There are times when, if the drums are not "confident", another time keeping source "steps up". Usually that is the bass, because of the close relationship, although it doesn't have to be. There are songs that start off with no bass at all. Tempo still needs to be established... who does it then?
... and Frank is extremely right... you, my dear, are a solid player. Bottom Up!!
(Disclaimer: All my opinion)

[Sean O'Rourke]

Depends on the type of music.
Just about all music is driven by the drums with the only exception being Jazz where the bass is the time. IMHO

[SaNa]

Sean, thanks for that reply. I realize now that I read the info in a couple of jazz books. And, I heard the content from jazz players.

I've learned that all drummers are not good time keepers. Sometimes, I have to help them keep the time. And, do it in a way that they don't feel threatened. The ego - real interesting.

[Russell Rodgers]

Bass is responsible for laying down the groove, that is our prime directive. I think the style your playing determines who is more responsible for holding the time steady. - Russ Rodgers

[Tom Young]

Drums definitely have the most "power" over the time, if the drummer drops or adds time inadvertently, it's a wrap, groove destroyed. But everybody should be seeking to keep the time steady, isn't that why we practice with metronomes? Bass players are next most crucial after drums, but I think that higher frequency instruments that have more obvious transients can easily pull time in one direction or the other... if the guitarist is really rushing the rhythm part, the music will tend to speed up, out of a desire to make the groove feel right.

[Buddy C]

As a bass player and working musician for over 30 years, I believe it is everyone's responsibility to keep the correct time. That being said, I believe it is the drummer's job to keep the time. Yes, they are there to accent and flavor the music also, but I believe their main job is to keep time. Unfortunately, as a bass player you will sometimes spend a good deal of your stage time on gigs helping the drummer to keep time. Musicians are notorious party people and we should train like athletes, especially drummers whose job is so physical. Something I wish I had figured out a little earlier in my career. ;>)

We are just fortunate there are so many incredible drummers in the Atlanta area.

[Tommy Dean]

As a bassist who put down the bass for fifteen years to front what has been primarily a dance band, I had much time to think about the role of a bassist and the function bass performs in that situation. Ideally, the bass and drums work together as a single unit. They complete each other-the bass is the drummer's other half and vice versa. When things flow they are in agreement regarding tempo. They are locked in and it is by finding the pulse of the particular groove at hand that they create a solid feel. To me it is absolutely vital the bassist and drummer maintain solid communication.

If there is a question as to who is "keeping time" you will never move beyond keeping time to finding a groove. Finding that groove requires absolute respect and trust in your other half's musicianship and instincts.

[Sean O'Rourke]

Ah yes, Respect. That is so key to a good groove.
There is nothing worse than getting the stink eye from ( oh let's just say......the keyboard player ) because they don't like the fact that you can't read minds as to where "they" think you should put the groove. If the drums and bass are locking, it's gonna groove, trust me..........

[Kenyon Mills]

Yea , Tommy...You nailed it !!!...I couldn't agree with ya more, most especially in playing dance oriented music

[Kenyon Mills]

In my opinion, The drums are generally the principal time keepers, of course it goes without saying that anyone else in the band should be keeping time with the music going on, however in most cases the drummer should be the one to keep the meter & lead the rythmic changes, as a bass player I generally like to lay down the groove, & lock-it-n-the-pocket with the drums.