bassist

American  

[bey-sist] / ˈbeɪ sɪst /

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of bassist

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

Explanation

If you're a musician who plays a standup 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 and drummer provide the rhythm that forms a song's foundation — and the bassist also plays notes that harmonize with the guitar, keyboards, and any other instruments. Classical and jazz bassists do something similar, but they have to stand up while they're playing.

Example Sentences

Flea, bassist: Every time Miles changed it up, he destroyed everything that came before.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2026

Porter formed close friendships and musical connections with saxophonist Kamasi Washington, multi-instrumentalist Terrace Martin, bassist Thundercat and the key players that would later form the West Coast Get Down.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

The beaming face of Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist Gary 'Mani' Mounfield has been turned into a giant mural on the side of one of his favourite pubs.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

The jazz virtuoso has an unusually, appealingly laid-back sound on a new archival release, recorded with bassist Ray Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen in Detroit in 1960.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

Flea, the bassist, was phenomenal, and the front man, Anthony Kiedis, was a cyclone, lunging and pacing and whirling in every direction, belting out the lyrics.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx