A bassist is a musician who plays the bass guitar or double bass in a band or orchestra. There are several synonyms for the word bassist, including bass player, bassist guitarist, bassist musician, bass guitarist, and bass instrumentalist. Depending on the specific type of music they play, these individuals may also be referred to as a jazz bassist, rock bassist, funk bassist, or blues bassist. The role of the bassist in a musical performance is to provide the low-end foundation of the music, usually in collaboration with the drums. Regardless of what they are called, a skilled bassist can make a huge impact on the overall sound of a musical group.