"Double" "Acoustic" "Upright" Bass -- You're makin' me nervous

[BassGuyNL]

Originally Posted by Chasarms

(Actually to 99 % of the world, it's a fish, but I digress)

Actually, I think 99% of men in the UK probably think it's a brand of beer...

Anyway, FWIW, in Dutch, if you're speaking about a "contrabas", most people will picture this big, woody violin-shaped object of which the sound magically disappears when other musicians start playing.

[bassbaterie]

My great-grandma used to call it "your big thing". Gramma! Yikes! Don't go there!

Anyone got any good retorts to "Don't you wish you played the piccolo?" "Need any help with that?" et al from the public?

Everyone seems to think they are the first one to impress us with that particular witicism.

Like..."This IS a piccolo bass - you should see the big ones!"

I personally find the smarty-pants remarks tick me off, but I don't much care any more what name people choose to call the bass.

When I tell people what instrument I play, I just keep running through the names until I hit one they understand! (around these parts the list usually ends with "bass fiddle", and there's no point in even bringing up "bass viol". "Contrabass" is either seen as some sophistcated kind of fish lure, or belonging in the 'adult services' section of the Yellow Pages).

[Wil Davis]

Well, I was carrying my bass (in its bag) downstairs recently, and two of my neighbours were coming up, and one of them remarked "Wow! that's a big package…!!" to which I replied "…yep - that's what most women tell me…"




…later, I got to thinking, and realised that she may have been referring to the bass…



- Wil

[PhatBasstard]

Originally Posted by blue flame

Anyone got any good retorts to "Don't you wish you played the piccolo?

How about:

1. No. I prefer to have gigs.

2. Sure! Then I could be home all the time.

3. Easier to move? If I played it...I'd never have to move it.

Off the top of my head.

[Heifetzbass]

The piccolo sucks.
Brian