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der Bassist
bassist
A musician who plays a bass instrument, usually an electric bass or a double bass.
example
Der Bassist der Band legte einen groovigen Rhythmus vor.
The band's bassist laid down a groovy rhythm.
der Bassist
bassist
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word formation with '-ist'
The word is derived from the instrument 'der Bass' (the bass). The ending '-ist' is often used in German to refer to a person who performs a certain activity, often professionally or as an expert.
EXAMPLE
Er ist nicht nur Sänger, sondern auch ein talentierter Bassist.
He is not only a singer but also a talented bassist.
Typical collocations
'Bassist' (bassist) is almost always used in the context of a music group. A typical phrase is 'der Bassist einer Band' (the bassist of a band).
EXAMPLE
Die Band sucht einen neuen Bassisten.
The band is looking for a new bassist.
Context: instruments
A bassist typically plays an 'E-Bass' (electric bass; in rock, pop, funk) or a 'Kontrabass' (double bass; in jazz, classical music). The context often reveals which instrument is meant.
EXAMPLE
Der Bassist wechselte für die Ballade vom E-Bass zum Kontrabass.
For the ballad, the bassist switched from electric bass to double bass.
Compare with
Bassist vs Bass
bass
'der Bass' and 'der Bassist' are closely related, but they do not mean the same thing. 'der Bass' can be an instrument, for example an electric bass or a double bass. 'der Bassist' is the person who plays a bass instrument. Learners may confuse the words because they look almost the same and appear in the same musical context. Remember: 'der Bass' is the instrument, 'der Bassist' is the musician.
Bassist
Für die neue Band suchen wir noch einen Bassisten.
We are still looking for a bassist for the new band.
Bass
Nach dem Konzert stellte Max seinen Bass vorsichtig in die Ecke.
After the concert, Max carefully put his bass in the corner.
In real life
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