I wrote this for my son Ethan, who early in his career asked me if I had any helpful tips for bass players. He hasn’t asked me for advice about his bass playing since. I’m not quite sure what that says about my treatment of the topic.

I. The bass goes with the kick drum. In an ideal world, they would not be available for purchase separately.

II. Play to make the drummer sound as good as possible. Let him set the rhythmic agenda. If he feels he has to fight you, the band can’t sound good.

III. Make the singer or lead instrument comfortable. If they’re happy, chances are that everybody else will be, too, and the music can go forward.

IV. Stay out of other people’s registers. (This should be easy for you to do because your instrument goes lower than anybody else’s.) If the first seven frets were enough for James Jamerson, they probably should be enough for you.

V. Cheerfully repeat the same notes over and over and over, if necessary. (It’s often necessary.) If you can’t do this graciously, find another instrument to play and spare the rest of the band the agony of listening to you.

VI. Think before you play something extra, then think again. No one ever complained about the bass player not playing enough fills.

VII. Learn how to sing at least well enough to hold a harmony part. At some point in your career it will get you a gig you really want.

VIII. If there is a keyboard player, always be aware of what his left hand is doing and play to complement it rather than making it muddier. Sometimes a full and frank discussion of the issues is necessary.

IX. Know the melody, harmony, and lyrics of the song, but don’t feel overly compelled to display your knowledge at any given moment.

X. Bass players are like referees; if nobody notices you and everybody is enjoying themselves, you’re doing your job.

Inspired by the brilliance of my first effort, I continued to pontificate.

I. Think rhythm before lead. Even Eddie Van Halen spends 90-95% of his time playing rhythm (very well, I might add), and you’re not Eddie Van Halen.

II. Don’t play too loud. (If you can’t hear the vocals, no matter what the situation, you are too loud. End of discussion.) Nobody else cares if your amp doesn’t sound right at lower volumes. Bring a smaller amp in the first place if you need to turn it up.

III. The great Greek philosopher Socrates said, “Moderation in all things.” Distortion, reverb, modulation effects, and the treble and presence knobs on guitar amps definitely fall into the category of “all things.”

IV. Have a tuner and use it often, but get it out of your signal path when you’re finished.

V. Don’t step on the singer’s vocals. Wait until you see their mouth close before you play a fill. (If you wait long enough, it will happen. Trust me.) When playing rhythm, make sure the top voice of your chords does not double the vocal melody.

VI. If there are two guitarists, and you find yourself consistently playing the same chord at the same time in the same position, the chances are good that at least one of you is wrong.

VII. If you are playing with a keyboard player, same thing.

VIII. Make sure your stage sound complements everyone else’s sound. What people perceive (and what the sound man has to mix) is the whole band, not just your “tone of death.”

IX. Effects pedals have on/off switches and controls for a reason. Don’t be afraid to use them.

X. When playing rhythm, listen to the drums but phrase with the bass. Time is everyone’s responsibility.

How do I know these are commandments? Because I have broken most of them! Forgive me, leader, for I have sinned.

I. Be prompt, dress appropriately, and be ready to play when requested. No one cares how great you sound if you’re missing when it’s time to hit the stage.

II. Make sure you know who is supposed to pay you, how much you’re getting, and when you’re supposed to get it.

III. If possible, learn the music first. Nobody ever got fired for knowing the tunes.

IV. Have all necessary music and equipment with you in working order.

V. Tune early and often, but don’t let anybody hear you.

VI. Don’t drink more, smoke more, or play louder than the bandleader.

VII. Don’t solo unless requested to do so. If asked, don’t wear out your welcome.

VIII. Watch the leader, the singer, and the drummer as much as possible, especially near the end of a tune.

IX. Don’t assume your musical opinions are of interest to the bandleader or artist. It’s their gig, not yours.

X. Don’t assume your humor is welcome either. Not everybody thinks you’re funny.