Are hardcore bassists true bassists?

[Bassfiend456]

I mean, they don't really play actual bass lines more that they play short bursts of notes. the only time the actually play a bass line or something resembling a bass line is during the break down (chug-chug-chug-chugchugchugchug-chug-chug). I personally don't think so because real bassists actually play the damn isntrument! I'm open to other opinions though!

[kenlacam]

from my experience auditioning for hardcore bands that wanted me to do the "Drop D" tuning (this was prior to me playing a 5ver), and just play 1 low note all the time, I'd have to say Nah. Hello-there are more than one note in a damn song!

[bongomania]

If they made people dance or mosh or even just listen to them appreciatively, and if they were actually making sounds with the bass in their hands at the time, then they were true bassists.

[standupright]

[Atomik Rooster]

Sounds more like criticism of the music than the bassist playing it. Just because someone chooses to play a certain kind of music doesn't necessarily mean that's the limit of his or her skill.

[Bassfiend456]

Originally Posted by kenlacam

from my experience auditioning for hardcore bands that wanted me to do the "Drop D" tuning (this was prior to me playing a 5ver), and just play 1 low note all the time, I'd have to say Nah. Hello-there are more than one note in a damn song!

I went through the same thing! My first band was supposed to be a progressive power thrash band, however, they wouldn't let me do walking bass lines or fills of any kind!

[Helluvatim]

true bassist come in all shapes and styles, you dont have to emulate Flea to be considered a player, just get in there and do your thing.

[Infernal Affair]

Define "playing an instrument."

What's the point of this thread other than to be a hater?

[BiggieSmalls]

Yeah simply a matter of taste for the music since it's a different style.

I don't hate... they play bass except just a different style.

[Bassfiend456]

Originally Posted by Infernal Affair

Define "playing an instrument."

What's the point of this thread other than to be a hater?

I mean playing more than one note over and over and over in a song.

[kenlacam]

^Agreed. Only playing one note for the ENTIRE FREAKING SONG is NOT A TRUE BASS PLAYER.

[test dude]

hey, atleast there in a band writing material and playing on stage in front of a crowd, i think its fine.

[ttttttttt]

Hardcore in general is not a talent heavy genre. But from many hardcore bassists I know, there talent is not properly portrayed in the music they play, as it just wouldn't fit the music most of the time.

[flipper_gv]

Looks like an elitist metalhead who doesn't like hardcore.

It's their choices to do whatever they want with their bass. They make a living out of it, so, in my book, they are bassists.

[Spinal Tapper]

there's some technical hardcore bassists - i think the dude from Between the Buried and Me is pretty wicked

[ttttttttt]

Originally Posted by Spinal Tapper

there's some technical hardcore bassists - i think the dude from Between the Buried and Me is pretty wicked

Prog metal =/= hardcore.

[BiggieSmalls]

True hardcore bassists are still bassists. They just choose to play that style of music.

[Cyrus Pansch]

What hardcore bands are you listening to is the real question?

It's all in the eye of the beholder. For example, Edgar Meyers a hack, I'm sorry but his intonation is so-so & he can't play with vibrato (that's a fact), & he's also kind of a jerk. Gary Karr is awesome in all those respects!

No one who really listens to hardcore would ever post such a thread... There's allot of complex @#$% out there if your listening to the right bands. (i.e. Dillinger Escape Plan, Lamb of God, Cannae, Dead To Fall, Emmure...)

Edgar Meyers a hack

[Spinal Tapper]

Originally Posted by ttttttttt

Prog metal =/= hardcore.

oh, i didn't have my metal flo-chart with my at the time i posted - damn!

[mrjim123]

Originally Posted by kenlacam

^Agreed. Only playing one note for the ENTIRE FREAKING SONG is NOT A TRUE BASS PLAYER.

As a bass player you have to be open to the possibility that one note and only one note may be EXACTLY what the song calls for.

A lot of musicians reach the point in their development where they tend to overplay everything simply because they can. True maturity comes in realizing that you don't always have to play complex runs. Whole notes or rests in the right place can be way cool.

But, yeah, taking the minimalist philosophy to the extreme usually just seems to shout minimal talent, laziness, or both.