bassists get no love

[anthowl]

one of the best things about being a bassist is that you can sit back from the limelight and still do a great job. when people dance to ****, they dancing to the bass! without us stuff can go to ****, but with us, if we do a good job, ya might never know we there love it.

[phxlbrmpf]

I've seen some Led Zeppelin gig footage that made it look as if the band had only three members, it was pretty ridiculous. Occasionally, it was possible to take a glimpse of JPJ churning out his great lines in the background.

[mattneedsgigs]

i agree with that
thats why i always try to up stage the other guitarists on stage :P

hopefully if i can get a 20 foot lead by the 28th of june i can walk throught the audiance :P

[thunder-pick]

There are a few bassists who get a lot of face time: Paul McCartney, Sting, Jack Bruce, Dusty Hill...hmm wait a minute, all these bass players also sing lead. I guess that's the key.

[KromaatiKlauun]

When no one's watching, you can do whatever you like

[rappa29]

Originally Posted by Jeff K

To provide an analogy, this brings to mind something my dad told me a long time ago. He grew up in the 1920's, and barbershop quartets were big. He was in a well-respected quartet and years later was explaining to me the roles of the different "voices" within the quartet. He sang mainly lead, but could sing any of the four voices if someone was sick and they needed a sub to fill in.

Anyway, he said that people always focus on the lead singer, the bass singer, or the high tenor singer because they are the three voices that jump out at the audience. But, he explained, the baritone singer is the one who "weaves" it all together, and that it would all sound like s##t without that baritone.

I think it's kind of like that with us. People focus on the lead singer and the lead guitar. But without our bass, it just wouldn't sound right. But people "in the know" realize how important our role is.

Exactly!

However, in my experience, bassists are still higher on the food chain than keyboardists!!

After 20 years on keys, I decided to 'move up' the food chain because I couldn't find a gig playing keys!!!

Incidentally, the last 'long term' band I was in, the bassist got ALL the love and I (keyboardist) got the least!

He deserved it though 'cos he was very good and was the 'backbone' of our whole vibe!! It was a 7 piece funk\r&b\reggae band.

[cymbop]

Originally Posted by Jeff K

Anyway, he said that people always focus on the lead singer, the bass singer, or the high tenor singer because they are the three voices that jump out at the audience. But, he explained, the baritone singer is the one who "weaves" it all together, and that it would all sound like s##t without that baritone.

I sang baritone in a barbershop quartet when I was in high school, and you're exactly right. It's the part that makes the magic happen in that type of music, but it's the hardest part to learn and to listen to because it weaves and dances around the high part, the low part, and the melody.

[Jeff K]

Originally Posted by cymbop

I sang baritone in a barbershop quartet when I was in high school, and you're exactly right. It's the part that makes the magic happen in that type of music, but it's the hardest part to learn and to listen to because it weaves and dances around the high part, the low part, and the melody.

Yeah, my hat goes off to you barbershop singers. I think that listening to my dad and his friends was why I always appreciated groups who sang a lot of harmony (like the Beach Boys, Four Seasons, Beatles, etc.). I only wish I'd have inherited my dad's singing ability. When I'm playing bass, I find it difficult to sing anything other than the occasional background vocals.

[Jeff K]

Originally Posted by rappa29

Exactly!

However, in my experience, bassists are still higher on the food chain than keyboardists!!

After 20 years on keys, I decided to 'move up' the food chain because I couldn't find a gig playing keys!!!

Incidentally, the last 'long term' band I was in, the bassist got ALL the love and I (keyboardist) got the least!

He deserved it though 'cos he was very good and was the 'backbone' of our whole vibe!! It was a 7 piece funk\r&b\reggae band.

[Muddslide]

I think it's because everyone is well aware that all bass players are unsavory, obese and unattractive people.

And they smell.