Bass is a highly underappreciated instrument. On the one hand, most listeners can identify the low frequencies and when they're in tune and in rhythm. On the other, there seems to be a slight predilection against bass players really stretching out nowadays. Sure, the Gospel and R&B players are pretty slamming. Pop and rock players, however, are not doing as much work as they should be.

The extremes of the argument are:

---Too few cats are really using truly great virtuoso bass lines. Some truly wonderous, magical stuff has been composed for bass and cello.

---Not enough cats know how to use empty space correctly.(I am guilty of this more often than not, I'll wager.)

The range extends from one end(Jaco Pastorius, Dominique diPiazza, Victor Wooten)to another(that cat in Radiohead for that first fucking song on OK Computer, James Jamerson, Chris Wood).

Consider bass to be the glue that holds drums and guitars together. Guitars have rhythmic considerations but are more accustomed to presenting chords and their qualities. Drums are tuned but the chief concern is keeping the time down. Bass players must be doing both at all times- they don't get much of a rest at gigs.

In short, practice your bass chops!