The bass guitar is both the pivot and the drive of many pop, rock and jazz groups. Most times the bass is what holds it all together, but then sometimes it just emerges from the mix and seems to pulse through your whole body. The bass is one of the most emotive instruments around.
While the bass is versatile, the instrument tends to take a backseat in a group. Few group leaders play the bass. Take Paul McCartney, who's a bassist predominantly. Also, Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott covered bass duties and Level 42's Mark King is the singer and bassist. However, these examples defy the rule. The role of the bass guitar in a band in comparison to a regular guitar is very different since most bass guitars are never heard solo, except for a few short breaks or in jazz arrangements. One reason why bass guitar solos are rare is that most folk singer voices rarely blend will with just the bass sound.
Offering an exact explanation for preferring a bass guitar is very difficult for most players. Still, lots of bassplayers are quick to ID their favorite bassists since so many great players have influenced their style. One player often mentioned is The Who's John Entwistle who has led many bass solos. Bassist and lead band member Jack Bruce of Cream is another frequently mentioned top bass player. Eric Clapton, another famous guitarist, has recorded with Cream. Red Hot Chili Pepper's Flea, Adam Clayton of U2, and (sometimes vocalists, sometimes bass player) Geddy Lee of Rush are other bassist popular with young players. On top of some lists for their funkier bass playing style are Bootsy Collins and Donald "Duck" Dunn.
These examples of fine bass players are just a sampling of some great artists who've inspired many men and women to pick up the bass and to influence their techniques. As with any instrument, if you truly want to be good, you first have to love the sound (as played by the greats, which isn't you just yet). Not only that, you also have to appreciate the music created by the bass. These starting points and examples of great players just scratch the surface. Many more great players come from the Jazz world and deserve exploration, especially the greats from early modern Jazz.
This is the point where you get to begin playing. It's child's play to get the notes from an electric bass since basic bass playing is mostly single-note action. For this reason, bass is considered one of the easier instruments to play. So, even though it doesn't take a lot to get down the basics, it does take a lot of practice (like with anything) to make it sound great. In order to progress in playing the bass, you have to not only grasp the fundamentals but also possess an instinctive ability to keep time. This is why it's so important to begin bass playing with a great teacher so your technique doesn't suffer. If finding a teacher is out of the question, then get your hands on lots of books and study their instructions so you can work on your style. Above all else, observe other bassists whenever you can and listen to their music. Then, listen to more music. And, then, listen some more...
