bassist

American  

[bay-sist] / ˈbeɪ sɪst /

noun

• bassists
  plural

1. a singer with a bass voice.

2. a player of a bass instrument, especially of the bass viol.

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bassist British  

/ ˈbeɪsɪst /

noun

1. a player of a double bass, esp in a jazz band

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• bassists
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of bassist

First recorded in 1865–70; bass ¹ + -ist

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Explanation

If you're a musician who plays a low-pitched instrument, especially a double bass or a bass guitar, you're a bassist. All bassists play instruments with deep, low tones, and the word derives from a Latin root meaning "low." In a rock band, the bassist usually plays a bass guitar, and along with the drummer, provides the rhythm that forms a song's foundation. The bassist also plays notes that harmonize with the rest of the band's instruments, such as other guitars and keyboards. Classical and jazz bassists do something similar, but they usually play the double bass, the largest instrument of the violin family: It's so big that it is stood upright on the floor while the bassist stands or sits on a high stool to play it.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bassist bassists

He founded the band alongside bassist Rick Stockton, violinist Siegfried Carver and drummer Mike Safron, according to the band’s website.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

With drummer Johnathan Blake and bassist Robert Hurst, the jazz pianist uses a traditional trio setting to craft a distinctive, surprising style.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

As bassist Jack Dolan lost his glasses while headbanging, guitarist Clay Frankel rolled around on stage, and members of the crowd began surfing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026

ZZ top lead vocalist Billy Gibbons, bassist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank Beard in 2009.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

Turns out I will not become a bassist today.

From "Sparrow" by Sarah Moon

But rock-band bassists were in short supply, so I fooled around on the bass.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026

That same year, Rolling Stone ranked him 28th on its list of the 50 greatest bassists of all time.

From New York Times ● Feb. 7, 2024

Wachtel and Browne, who co-produced the album “Excitable Boy,” tried more than 10 different studio drummers and bassists before deciding on Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, and they recorded around 60 takes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 11, 2023

Another exponent of this trend is the group Real Loud: an electrified chamber sextet of dual guitarists, bassists and drummers.

From New York Times ● Aug. 12, 2021

I go up to the fourth floor to meet the other bassists.

From "Sparrow" by Sarah Moon

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