Prime_BASS Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 That I'm not a real bassist, because I go higher than the 5th fret, and "niggle" I'm obviously aware that it's pure diatribe from some poor misguided padawan. Found it hilarious as well. Discuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmo Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Most people on here go to the 7th fret, from the posts i have read. I have been known to go to the 20th, but i am not a real bass player yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Only fretless players are real bass players. Fretted players are integer bass players. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 (edited) It's a complicated thing this bass playing lark. In most modern styles of music the bass has moved beyond it's traditional role of filling the gap between the beat and the tune and become a melody instrument in it's own right. Personally I like to carry a bit of melody when there is space for it, however.... I am still a bass player... I still need to be providing the bridge between the rhythm and the chords, the glue holding everything together so a band sounds like a band and not a collection of soloists. If the 'niggling' is at the expense of holding the groove you might as well be playing guitar.... Edited February 11, 2014 by CamdenRob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1392104881' post='2364610'] .. I still need to be providing the bridge between rhythm and the chords, the glue holding everything together so a band sounds like a band and not a collection of soloists. If the 'niggling' is at the expense of holding the groove you might as well be playing guitar.... [/quote] Well said, Sir Rob of Camden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 I'm just a drummer with strings most of the time... Unless the guitarist tries to be too flash, then I head beyond the 5th fret and show 'em how it's done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 [quote name='Prime_BASS' timestamp='1392104390' post='2364600'] Discuss [/quote] No need....life's too short to be dwelling on such trivial matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 [quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1392104788' post='2364606'] Only fretless players are real bass players.... [/quote] Unless your intonation is a fraction out ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMG456 Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 I'm a glass half full kind of guy so I don't niggle... I noodle. If noodling is interpreted as niggling by the rest of the guys, it's just their insecurities showing through... anyway, it's not *real* noodling/ niggling till it's above the 14th fret! Niggle away - I've made it my bass playing mission for about 40 years now!! Cheers Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UglyDog Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 [quote name='Prime_BASS' timestamp='1392104390' post='2364600'] That I'm not a real bassist, because I go higher than the 5th fret, and "niggle" I'm obviously aware that it's pure diatribe from some poor misguided padawan. Found it hilarious as well. Discuss [/quote] Ah yes, the old Real Bass Players Don't Go Up The Dusty End theory. I've heard this quite a few times myself actually. This theory actually has a technical title -- it's known as 'A Load Of Complete And Utter BoIIocks'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LITTLEWING Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 I play in a 3 piece covers outfit and if I didn't venture up the neck we'd sound a bit bland. Plus there are times (during a guitar solo) when you really have to fill in the space if you're *musically able. *this part is VERY important. It never hurt that old Cream band........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immo Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Due to the fact I only play EADG 4-stringer softly, I've also been told I'm not a bass player (which actually I ain't, but purely for lack of skill reasons). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 This philosophy inevitably originates with guitarists, to whom the only "real" bassist is by default a guitarist's girlfriend. I have been told I "play bass like a guitar" which, as well as being a load of arrant testicles, is contradicted by having being told by guitarists that I "play guitar like a bassist". I prefer to think that I play music, with a musical instrument. Jon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Quite right. All that matters is if someone likes the result of whatever you happen to be doing with your instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 After my gig on Sunday I was told that I play the bass like a guitar. I don't know how I feel about that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samashton12 Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 [quote name='skej21' timestamp='1392105950' post='2364619'] I'm just a drummer with strings most of the time... Unless the guitarist tries to be too flash, then I head beyond the 5th fret and show 'em how it's done! [/quote] +4 This is me, or so I've been told. Our drummer spends most of his time 2 bars ahead of everyone else, 70bpm faster than everyone else & wired off Pop Tarts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebass84 Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 I spend most of my time outside the band around the 9th fret on the D and G strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 [quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1392126892' post='2365029'] After my gig on Sunday I was told that I play the bass like a guitar. I don't know how I feel about that [/quote] This is because bass players by and large are regarded by everyone who doesn't personally play music (and the vast majority that do) as failed guitarists... it's only got four strings, you don't play chords or widdly solos etc... hence when they see a good bass player you are seen to be playing bass like a guitar (ie. well) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodyratm Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1392131311' post='2365109'] This is because bass players by and large are regarded by everyone who doesn't personally play music (and the vast majority that do) as failed guitarists... it's only got four strings, you don't play chords or widdly solos etc... hence when they see a good bass player you are seen to be playing bass like a guitar (ie. well) [/quote] Dunno - I've seen many a bass player playing as though they were playing massive chords/dreadnought guitars. That looks like playing bass like a guitarist. imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 [quote name='woodyratm' timestamp='1392133139' post='2365128'] Dunno - I've seen many a bass player playing as though they were playing massive chords/dreadnought guitars. That looks like playing bass like a guitarist. imo. [/quote] Well if he was doing that then he's only got himself to blame... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmo Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Perhaps you should have told the person that it is a mistake often made by non musicians Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 I just smiled and said thankyou, they seemed to mean it as a compliment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 [quote name='Prime_BASS' timestamp='1392104390' post='2364600'] I'm not a real bassist, because I go higher than the 5th fret [/quote] You should tell the guitarist he's not real every time he plays an open string, or has his "Bass" knob on anything but nought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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