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bassist

/ˈbeɪsɪst/
/ˈbeɪsɪst/
IPA guide

Other forms: bassists

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.

Definitions of bassist
  1. noun
    a musician who plays the lowest-pitched string instrument such as a bass guitar or double bass
    see moresee less
    type of:
    instrumentalist, musician, player
    someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession)
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