The 10 Worst Thing About Being a Bassist

plangentmusic · #1 07-12-2010, 05:24 PM

#10: Low frequencies are the most susceptible to bad acoustics.

#9: So many soundmen haven't got a clue how to mix it. (Resulting in them saying; "turn it down and I'll raise you in P.A." Aaaaaargh!)

#8: Too many engineers think bass means nothing but "lows." (Too much bottom? Lower the bass guitar!)

#7: If there's too much low end on stage -- blame the bassist.

#6: It's one of the first things laid down in a recording and by the time all the other parts go down, the bass is forgotten and gone.

#5: If you do weddings, the client invariably asks, "Why do we need two guitars?"

#4: If you come up with a cool riff it will immediately be doubled by the guitar player.

#3: It's the toughest rhythm instrument to play while singing. (I also play guitar, keys and drums. All MUCH easier).

#2: When you play a solo, nobody knows how to lightly comp -- they either cover you or drop out!

#1: Jaco and Jamerson already did it all!

Any others?

1dgbass · #2 07-12-2010, 06:06 PM

All so true!!!

ridgeback · #3 07-12-2010, 06:10 PM

and bass amps are huge //and strings cost 5 times more!

Rip Topaz · #4 07-12-2010, 06:10 PM

Very true. Especially #2. Sheesh.

Rushlover13 · #5 07-12-2010, 06:11 PM

Wow, this is so incredibly true! I also agree with ridgeback

SlingBass4 · #6 07-12-2010, 06:17 PM

THAT'S funny...

bucephylus · #7 07-12-2010, 06:18 PM

Agree with #'s 8 and 9 in spades. Completely true.

Don't really agree with #6. In fact, the thing that gets me is at the bar gig, the bass is so prominent in most recordings on the juke between sets, but the sound guy doesn't hear it and turns the bass down in favor of the guitars during sets.

JME.

MycooLeeyun · #8 07-12-2010, 06:21 PM

A lot heavier than a guitar, harder on the hands IMO

Mike Shevlin · #9 07-12-2010, 06:22 PM

I'm always knocking crap over in my house when playing my bass~ that's the only thing I can think of.

Mudfuzz · #10 07-12-2010, 06:22 PM

I will add

There can not be ten thing...

You have to turn down due to guitarist bringing impractical and underpowered amps.

You have to stand around and wait for guitarist to tune.

you are still waiting on the tuning thing....

MrLenny1 · #11 07-12-2010, 06:27 PM

Kudos to #2. When an upright takes a solo on a jazz CD the whole band drops out except for the hi-hat. ***.
We don't seem to get the girls like the singer & geetah player.
The geetah player automatically assumes you can't read chord charts.

**peledog** · #12 07-12-2010, 06:32 PM

Great list!

#3: It's the toughest rhythm instrument to play while singing. (I also play guitar, keys and drums. All MUCH easier).

See: Mark King, Geddy Lee and Les Claypool

3506string · #13 07-12-2010, 06:33 PM

-Low frequencies require a ridiculous amount of power to amplify cleanly and clearly

-People don't understand that multiple bass lines won't work.

-You can play your butt off but mostly no one will notice but the band

-You have to answer question like "what's the difference between that and a regular guitar?"

-Many guitarist and keys players don't know how to leave you sonic space to work.

-It's hard to get a decent set of strings locally esp for ERBs

-"Can you play the Seinfeld theme song" - Enough said

-Theory info is few and far between in comparison to other instruments

-Everyone has an opinion on how you should be playing

**peledog** · #14 07-12-2010, 06:41 PM

-Theory info is few and far between in comparison to other instruments

Very true.

At the simplest level, if the band plays a C major chord, and you decide to do eighth notes on the open A string - that changes the entire progression of the song (Am7).

One note. On the bass guitar. Yep.

Time Consumer · #15 07-12-2010, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3506string

-Everyone has an opinion on how you should be playing

My biggest gripe about being a bassist, second biggest, people expect me to move more and/or have better stage presence because "bass is easier".

masonsjax · #16 07-12-2010, 06:43 PM

In the words of my drum/guitar playing brother:
- "Anybody can play bass, it only has 4 strings."
- "All you have to do is follow the guitar, duh."

Seems like a common viewpoint among the unenlightened, despite the bass being the true leader of the band.

gzarruk · #17 07-12-2010, 06:46 PM

Another two:
1) Every body says: "oh you are the guy that plays guitar, don´t you??"

you answer: "I play bass not guitar"

and many times the people: "Aren´t those the same thing???"

2) You go to guitar center and/or sam ash and what you got? like two rooms full of great guitars to buy and a half room with some bases that are mostly 4 strings ¬¬

leche · #18 07-12-2010, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3506string

-"Can you play the Seinfeld theme song" - Enough said

^I hear that one a ton! Wasn't that song played on a keyboard patch anyway?

I also have heard the some one say "slappa da bass" every single time I say I play bass. (since that one movie came out) It was funny the first 9 times.

plangentmusic · #19 07-12-2010, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrLenny1

Kudos to #2. When an upright takes a solo on a jazz CD the whole band drops out except for the hi-hat. ***.
We don't seem to get the girls like the singer & geetah player.
The geetah player automatically assumes you can't read chord charts.

Yep. Other players think you only know the roots!

plangentmusic · #20 07-12-2010, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peledog

Great list!

#3: It's the toughest rhythm instrument to play while singing. (I also play guitar, keys and drums. All MUCH easier).

See: Mark King, Geddy Lee and Les Claypool

McCartney, Sting, etc. I love singing. But when you have to learn a song you'll only play once and it has a cool bassline, it must take a backseat to the vocals. (I guess that's really one of the worst things).