Bass Player Comradery

stoolpigeon · #1 01-05-2010, 07:30 PM

I hope this is the right section to post this....

After playing shows for 20 years, it seems that bassists are about the only musicians that actually seem to give a crap about each other...just wondering if anyone had any thought on why it seems we have such natural affection for each other.

Maxi · #2 01-05-2010, 08:27 PM

Because no one else gives a **** about bassists!

stoolpigeon · #3 01-05-2010, 09:40 PM

Ha...agreed.

Brad Johnson · #4 01-05-2010, 09:52 PM

I have guitarist friends who frequently comment/lament about the fact that they see bassists hanging out and having fun together while guitarists don't seem to do that. We share information, tips, encourage each other, etc. and just generally seem to get along better. Go figure.

MEKer · #5 01-05-2010, 10:04 PM

Guitarists harbor the hope they can be Vai's/(insert name) and are jealous of those that play at a higher quality than themselves. I KNOW I'll never be a Sheehan, Wooten or Clarke (maybe close?

) and applaud and appreciate those who are better than I am. Egos do have their place, but it ain't 1st place.

Generalization---yes
Grain of truth---yes

somedumbguy · #6 01-05-2010, 10:11 PM

It goes back to our role in a band. We are supposed to support the music both harmonically and rhythmically. We are (typically) a supportive instrument.

Which means that many times you don't see the huge inflated I'm more important than you type egos with many bass players.

But with everything, there are always exceptions to that rule.

TortillaChip520 · #7 01-05-2010, 10:19 PM

Because we are the only ones that care about the bass player anyways

NickInMesa · #8 01-06-2010, 09:11 AM

We are a rarer breed than we think.

In twenty years, out of any musical context (stores, lessons and gigs) and except for high school, where you technically meet hundreds of people and there is a very strong networking, I have met only TWO people who played bass actively, both ex-coworkers of mine. One now works for Fender and writes for their Web site (note I work in Scottsdale). The other one I lost contact with.

But the former made me take back the instrument (along with life circumstances), as I had stopped for a while, after seeing me doodle on his Jazz, told me I obviously still had the hands to play the instrument.

One of my current co-workers is a drummer and when he found out I was a bassist has been after me asking me to jam and form a band with him. That would be band #3, buddy

ransombass · #9 01-06-2010, 09:47 AM

The bass playing community here in Tulsa is really tight. We go to each others shows when we're not gigging. We talk gear and playing tips and even hook each other up with gigs when we can. It seems that the upper echelon of guitarists and drummers act in a similar manner as well. I think, all-in-all, we're a pretty tight bunch.

Dr. Cheese · #10 01-06-2010, 10:13 AM

Generally, bassists are very friendly and supportive, but we can also be a bit snooty too. I've had a few noses turned up towards me from time to time. That may have been because I am truly a poor player, but it also might just be a function of some folks egos.

That said, those instances have been pretty rare, and most bassists just like to hang and talk bass. Even the world famous bassists I have met like Charlie Haden or Percy Heath have been super cool.

Billy K · #11 01-06-2010, 10:24 AM

I got to say I have only been on this forum for 2 months now, and have had a bunch of beginner questions and I have always been helped out. I find you guys most helpful and encouraging.Good time and place to say thank you too all.By the way I am a 60 year old Vietnam Vet learning bass with a teacher right now. Great therapy and my wife wants to know where am I going with all this.I don't know maybe a metal band LOL. Thanks for your encouragement

canshaker · #12 01-06-2010, 10:31 AM

If it weren't for other bassists at shows, no one would talk to us.

Lichtaffen · #13 01-06-2010, 10:59 AM

I'm now good friends with the bassist that replaced me in my last band. It is humbling seeing him play the songs I used to play better than me and singing harmonies at the same time. I think generally bassists are low ego types (otherwise they'd be guitarists or drummers) and because we are scarce, we seem to not feel as intimidated by other bassists. If we were a dime a dozen like guitards, we'd be at each other's throat.

Ben B · #14 01-06-2010, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stoolpigeon

I hope this is the right section to post this....

After playing shows for 20 years, it seems that bassists are about the only musicians that actually seem to give a crap about each other...just wondering if anyone had any thought on why it seems we have such natural affection for each other.

Great topic stoolpigeon! I've thought about this subject several times. But I've found exactly the opposite over my 30 years of playing bass.

When I've met musicians, and I've let them know I was a musician too, I see that "natural affection" you mentioned. I've witnessed this not only with guitar players, drummers, keyboardists,and singers, but even brass or wind players There is definitely a comradery with musicians. Except bass players. I've generally found them to be standoffish ESPECIALLY when they know you're also a bass player.

The exception is double bass players. I've always found them to share that musician comeradery. The other exception is TB. for the most part, the folks here are very supportive of each other. The TBers I met at the last San Diego GTG were great too.

All of this is IMHO, of course.

Ben

3toes · #15 01-06-2010, 12:01 PM

As John Entwistle once said, it's not so much camaraderie as it is sympathy.

Who else has to put up with the same BS as a bassist except another bassist?

Dr. Cheese · #16 01-06-2010, 12:06 PM

I think that in r&b and urban gospel, where bassists are very upfront, more competitive egos are attracted to the bass more than in other genres. Overall, however, urban gospel and r&b bassists still tend to be a pretty easy to get along with group of people.

HailCorduroy · #17 01-06-2010, 12:07 PM

It seems in non-musical settings, that all musicians have a camaraderie. Maybe bassists are just extra excited about finding another bassist. I'm a reformed guitar player (switched once I discovered that bass was actually the cool instrument) and there are at least 5 or 6 guitarists that I know of in my office (about 120 people). I'm the only bass player that I know of.

BASSDROID · #18 01-06-2010, 12:17 PM

I dunno about the whole bass player comradery thing. As far as bass player go, I have seen both sides of the coin: I'm part of a bass trio that has had a few different guys come and go over the years, all of them sterling gentlemen and fabulous payers. I've also seen many egotistical jerks who have proven the point that artistic depth does not necessarily equal spiritual depth. Not to mention, I've been blessed by many who are not bass players or even musicians. I'm inclined to believe that while most bass players naturally have some common ground by virtue of their instrument, they are no more or less supportive of each other than most groups. This whole phenomenon is really more about emotional maturity than anything else.