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Bass Players Trivia Quiz

This quiz covers a variety of bass players in musical styles ranging from jazz to rock and roll.

A multiple-choice quiz by wmshipman. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
wmshipman

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
179,500

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
954

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What accomplished acoustic bassist teamed up with violinist Mark O'Connor and cellist Yo-Yo Ma to record the critically acclaimed "Appalachia Waltz" album? Hint

Oteil Burbridge

Sting

Mike Gordon

Edgar Meyer

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Question 2 of 10

2. Les Claypool has made a name for himself as an outstanding bassist, cultivating a musical style unlike any other. Which of these bands did Claypool NOT play in? Hint

The Frog Brigade

Primus

Oysterhead

Pere Ubu

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Question 3 of 10

3. You may have heard of the jazz trio Medeski, Martin and Wood -- but who plays bass for them? Hint

John Medeski

Chris Wood

Billy Martin

Jack Bruce

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Question 4 of 10

4. Despite a stint with the Allman Brothers, this bassist is best known for his long-time work with the Aquarium Rescue Unit. Who is this bass guitar icon? Hint

Nikki Sixx

Oteil Burbridge

Jamo

Neil Jason

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Question 5 of 10

5. This Virginia native rose to fame as part of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, quickly making a name for himself as a bassist extraordinaire. Who is he? Hint

Jack Bruce

Fernando Saunders

Victor Wooten

Stanley Clarke

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Question 6 of 10

6. What bassist held down the bottom end for hard rock iconoclasts Faith No More? Hint

Bill Gould

Mike Bordin

Roddy Bottum

Flea

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Question 7 of 10

7. What bassist created a groove for a whole new generation of jazz fans with his work on Herbie Hancock's landmark "Head Hunters" album? Hint

Bill Summers

Paul Jackson

Steve Swallow

Alphonso Johnson

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which bassist was a member of the band which, under Ornette Coleman's leadership, launched a brand new direction for jazz (avant-garde) in the late 1950s and early 1960s? Hint

Charlie Haden

Mark Egan

Jaco Pastorius

John Patitucci

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Question 9 of 10

9. Who is regarded as being the first important jazz bassist to play an electric bass? Hint

Charlie Haden

Bill Laswell

Tyrone Brown

Monk Montgomery

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Question 10 of 10

10. What bass player and songwriter saw other artists score major hits with songs he wrote: such as "Hoochie Coochie Man" and "Wang Dang Doodle"? Hint

Pops Foster

Willie Dixon

John Kirby

Milt Hinton

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What accomplished acoustic bassist teamed up with violinist Mark O'Connor and cellist Yo-Yo Ma to record the critically acclaimed "Appalachia Waltz" album?

Answer: Edgar Meyer

Meyer also explores a unique amalgam of folk, bluegrass and classical music with Bela Fleck and Mike Marshall on his 1997 album "Uncommon Ritual".

2. Les Claypool has made a name for himself as an outstanding bassist, cultivating a musical style unlike any other. Which of these bands did Claypool NOT play in?

Answer: Pere Ubu

This one may have been a little easy. Claypool first played bass for a band called Blind Illusion.

3. You may have heard of the jazz trio Medeski, Martin and Wood -- but who plays bass for them?

Answer: Chris Wood

Wood is the gifted young bassist for this trio. Their albums "Shack Man" and "Friday Afternoon In The Universe" are fun listens, and their work backing up guitarist John Scofield on "A Go Go" is definitely worth your while.

4. Despite a stint with the Allman Brothers, this bassist is best known for his long-time work with the Aquarium Rescue Unit. Who is this bass guitar icon?

Answer: Oteil Burbridge

Oteil was also part of the interesting jazz project that released the album "Surrender To The Air" in 1996 -- other musicians on the album include Marc Ribot, Jon Fishman, Damon R. Choice and John Medeski.

5. This Virginia native rose to fame as part of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, quickly making a name for himself as a bassist extraordinaire. Who is he?

Answer: Victor Wooten

Wooten first caught my attention with his wonderful bass solo on the song "The Sinister Minister" off of the Flecktones' self-titled debut album. His solo work, such as "A Show of Hands", is also impressive.

6. What bassist held down the bottom end for hard rock iconoclasts Faith No More?

Answer: Bill Gould

Gould was one of the few members of Faith No More to appear on all of the band's albums, and he did an excellent job of tying together all of the various musical influences the other members brought to the table.

7. What bassist created a groove for a whole new generation of jazz fans with his work on Herbie Hancock's landmark "Head Hunters" album?

Answer: Paul Jackson

Hancock did not know Jackson until his producer, David Rubinson, suggested that Jackson play on the "Head Hunters" project. Lucky for everybody that Hancock took Rubinson's advice!

8. Which bassist was a member of the band which, under Ornette Coleman's leadership, launched a brand new direction for jazz (avant-garde) in the late 1950s and early 1960s?

Answer: Charlie Haden

It is hard to believe that the man who would go on to found the Liberation Music Orchestra started out playing country music -- the shape of music to come was changed when he decided to move to Los Angeles and explore a different musical direction.

9. Who is regarded as being the first important jazz bassist to play an electric bass?

Answer: Monk Montgomery

Monk Montgomery started playing the electric bass in 1953. He was also famous jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery's brother. Another brother, Buddy Montgomery, was a vibraphonist and pianist. Monk and Buddy played together as part of the group called the Mastersounds in the late 1950s.

10. What bass player and songwriter saw other artists score major hits with songs he wrote: such as "Hoochie Coochie Man" and "Wang Dang Doodle"?

Answer: Willie Dixon

Willie Dixon was a wonderful songwriter, and an accomplished bass player on the blues scene. Koko Taylor made "Wang Dang Doodle" a hit, and Muddy Waters' famous version of "Hoochie Coochie Man" is unforgettable.

Source: Author wmshipman

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ralzzz before going online.
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