Looper Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 Can't have a top without a bottom! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simes Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 I was blagged into playing bass by a mate for an acoustic duo which quickly turned into a trio, I now study music, I am learning to read the dots and practice much more with bass than I ever did with guitar and basically rediscovered my love of music through the bass. I wish I had made the switch from guitar years before. The other two can pull off an acoustic gig with 2 acoustic guitars if I can't make it but they have to admit it's not the same without the low end. I do have to shamefully admit to a bout of foot on monitor posturing even though I'm 50 bald and overweight but some mates from work were there who were pissed and it was a good laff. Just for a second I was a ROCK GOD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 I think if you're just playing roots, following the guitar, have the standard "thumpy" tone etc... Well, you are pretty un-noticable. The guitarist might as well stick an octave pedal on. And your job is easy. I'd say at least 80% of bassists fit the above bill, so that's the reputation all bassists get. I don't mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassace Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 I don't regard myself as a hero but I know exactly what the OP means and 'unsung hero' is a well-understood figure of speech. I've been proud to be a bass player for over fifty years now, still average two gigs a week and couldn't think of anything better. I am strictly backline but I have the satisfaction of being the engine room that gives the band its drive and unique sound. I usually get two solos a gig and that's all I need. Louis Armstrong once said that if you're forming a new band always get the right bass player first before any of the other musicians. All bass players should treasure that sentiment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huge Hands Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 I have a drunken theory about this that I normally rant on about when I've had a few jars (and it gets very crude- I'll do my best to keep it clean). Apologies lady members if this sounds chauvanistic, but it's tied in with the question "why do bass players never get the girl?" In my opinion, it is the low bass notes that move the air most, that gets the crowd's body moving, and make women's intimate parts rumble (as per the Howard Stern movie). However, non muso's don't understand this, so when the females look up lustfully, they see a guitarist on his knees shredding away or a charismatic front man and think it must be them causing their feelings. I think front men and guitarists owe us more than they realise. Either that or I'm just making excuses because I'm a ginger fat b*****d.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 My perceived level of importance of members in ANY band FrontMan/Vocalist - 50% (Maybe 40%) Band - 50% (Maybe 60%) I don't play bass to be more or less important than the rest of the band, at the end of the day the band functions as a unit and fails or prevails together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fumps Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 Unsung ? yes definitely .....but I like being a bass player for that very reason. You need a good strength of character to not look for the acceptance of the crowd, you do what you do well & feel good about yourself because of it. In my book short term glory cannot be compared to quite competence. over the years whenever I have been confronted with the "Ho you play bass ? your not a musician" I instantly switch to the "Aww bless you, you don't know much about music....." then go on to patronise them making out that they don't really notice something as important as the thing on there face where their nostrils are. It's very funny how many people "Like music" but know nothing about it. Once I was told that a bass player is not important, I replied "So why does every good band have one?" they didn't have a clue what to say to that. I hope we continue to be under appreciated, it's great playing music & not having the ego, glamour and BS that gets in the way of what you are doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 I play bass cos it is easy and I can drink more that way, don't we all? Admit it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 [quote name='gjones' timestamp='1348173542' post='1810523'] Sometimes I drop out in the middle of songs, just to see how long it takes for the other members of the band to figure out why they sound sh*t all of a sudden. [/quote] or if they are all dithering and farting about take the initiative and just start playing and let them all come in - i did this one time when the drummer and bandleader couldnt organise a pissup in a brewery and decide what was the next song and who was counting in so i just started playing - the brief fleeting look of panic on their faces was priceless - you can get away with it quite often especially if its the sort of thing where it sounds ok and the punters wouldnt realise anyway - something like valerie or gimme some lovin town called malice etc etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 [quote name='silddx' timestamp='1348179224' post='1810641'] I was asked by a woman at a gig last year what instrument I played. "Bass" I replied. To which she asked "Oh, are you a musician?". [/quote] "No, ma'am; I'm halfway between a drummer and a musician" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benthos Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1348212018' post='1810771'] Yep, a few months ago I damaged my arm/wrist, so at one gig our singer (who plays guitar) played bass. He said afterwards how difficult it was, and that he still viewed it as an instrument that went boom in the background, but now realised that keeping that boom where it`s meant to be is a lot more difficult than it seems. He also said that I make it look so easy, which is I suppose a compliment. [/quote] I've been fortunate enough to have that experience too. My band seems to understand what I contribute and it's amazing how quickly things fall to bits if/when I stop playing or (on rare ocassion) have had a gear-related 'moment'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinynorman Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 Guitarist Magazine interviews Yehudi Menuhin: "So, Mr Menuhin, why did you take up violin rather than guitar? Were six strings too difficult?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 Much truth in what has been said...what hasn't been said is how good a band is WITHOUT a bassist...imagine what dance music would be without us!! Drum and bass would just be, well, er... drum.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Dave Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 (edited) I don't worry about stuff like this because I long since realised that your average joe or joanne knows very little about music and particularly the way it's made - and they don't want to know, They're happily ignorant. I could get upset about that or I could get on with what I'm doing and to hell with them. I choose the latter. Respect only your audience's reaction to what you do - don't make the mistake of ever respecting their knowledge or judgement. Not ever. I also think that many bass players revel in being the down trodden forgotten man who stands at the back. They like to moan about their lot while blaming others for putting them down. I've no respect for that either. Edited September 21, 2012 by Dr.Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Themrperson Posted September 21, 2012 Author Share Posted September 21, 2012 Someone else said to me why "Why do you play bass in your band?" then the guitarist then shouts me to play Hysteria again. But I think it just because I'm in school I get this sort of response but it doesn't bother me really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 As a salesman in a music store, the most popular phrase is: 'I fancy learning bass, as I've been told it's easier to learn than guitar.' As the bass player in our band, I've had people say they enjoyed the show and have asked if I did, too. They didn't realise I was playing. If you choose to play bass, you must expect to be invisible. You choose to do your job, which is to basically hold the band together. Try stopping playing half way through a song and see the band and audience reaction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinynorman Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 [quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1348250017' post='1811504'] Much truth in what has been said...what hasn't been said is how good a band is WITHOUT a bassist...imagine what dance music would be without us!! Drum and bass would just be, well, er... drum.. [/quote] Careful what you wish for. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luwp5iZD8wQ&playnext=1&list=PLAE3A8471DB3D5F6C&feature=results_video Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 [quote name='Pete Academy' timestamp='1348257882' post='1811633'] As the bass player in our band, I've had people say they enjoyed the show and have asked if I did, too. They didn't realise I was playing. If you choose to play bass, you must expect to be invisible. You choose to do your job, which is to basically hold the band together. Try stopping playing half way through a song and see the band and audience reaction. [/quote] Very true Pete, that`s happened to me a few times. In all honesty, the invisibility rather suits me and my personality, I`ve done lead gtr/lead vocs, and being the centre of attention is not really me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 [quote name='Dr.Dave' timestamp='1348250099' post='1811505'] I also think that many bass players revel in being the down trodden forgotten man who stands at the back. They like to moan about their lot while blaming others for putting them down. I've no respect for that either. [/quote] Good point, I like to take the p*ss about no-one noticing me, but as my post above, it rather suits me, and I find it more than a little funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 I only play covers now (duck) and I get the best of both, regardless which band im with Some songs require very subtle basslines, and others are songs which are built around a prominent up front bass part Yes I agree alot of punters dont understand the bass, but there are always a bunch of people who do love if not know music in every functions crowd Just enjoy your music, thats that I started bass, not because I thought it would be easier than anything else, but because I always picked out basslines for as long back as I remember when I heard music Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 [quote name='Dr.Dave' timestamp='1348250099' post='1811505'] I also think that many bass players revel in being the down trodden forgotten man who stands at the back. They like to moan about their lot while blaming others for putting them down. I've no respect for that either. [/quote] Very true. I've never been the kind of player that does that.Even if you are playing simply it doesn't mean you can't/shouldn't be as much of a personality of the rest of the band.It's the same with the actual playing-you can still be a busy,upfront player while still fulfilling the 'traditional' role of the bass player. Like I said earlier the the thought of the bassist being an 'unsung hero' or whatever is all too often bought on by the players themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 [quote name='spinynorman' timestamp='1348261948' post='1811713'] Careful what you wish for. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luwp5iZD8wQ&playnext=1&list=PLAE3A8471DB3D5F6C&feature=results_video[/media] [/quote] ha ha............ that is truly dismal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyonbass Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 (edited) Edited September 22, 2012 by andyonbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Themrperson Posted September 23, 2012 Author Share Posted September 23, 2012 [quote name='andyonbass' timestamp='1348341411' post='1812646'] [/quote] Even though shows what the modern person thinks of bass players it still made me laugh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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