Two Kinds Of Bassist?

[Silas Martinez]

It seems to me that there are two kinds of bassists (well, could apply to any 'artsy' inclination - from drummers to painters).

In short, and hopefully without any negative connotation, I'd say there are artists and hobbyists.

Hobbyists are the easier to define - those who play because 'its fun', it gets the chicks/beer/fame and recognition/money?, or it gives them something to do.

Artists, I would say, are those who play because they are compelled - because something inside them forces them to play. Because they can't NOT play, create, and pick up the instrument. Chicks/checks/beer/whatever are secondary, and ultimately irrelevant. Because it is the sum and total of their dreams, and if they gave it up, they may as well be dead.

Do you think this is a fair assessment?

If so, what are some of the other differences? What category do you fit in? Have you moved from one to the other?

I'm just curious, this is something that has sat in the back of my mind for quite a while.

[John Wentzien]

Bassists play for many different reasons; and there is room out there for all of them. I'll agree a true "artist" plays because they have to, whether they want to or not. (like me). Luckily I want to most of the time!

[lug]

I'm compelled to be a hobbyist.

[robd]

Some play just for money

[John Wentzien]

Originally Posted by robd

Some play just for money

Lots of easier ways to make money!

[chaunceytoben]

Originally Posted by John Wentzien

Lots of easier ways to make money!

ya but a lot of jobs dont come with chicks and beer.

id expect most people to say artists, just because it makes them look like they are passionate about it, when really thats not the main reason they play

for me, id say im not sure, yet. its too early and i ahvent been playing for very long. i mean i really enjoy playing, but im fine not touching the bass for a few days.

[Liko]

There are two kinds of people in the world: those that think there are two kinds of people in the world, and those that don't. Seriously, I don't think you could create any two groups with which to label people that are both all-inclusive and mutually exclusive.

In your example, hobbyists may play for fun, but some of that fun is the creativity of music, the artistic sense. Even if they're playing covers, there's art in adapting the song for their band's style and abilities. And what starts as a hobby could eventually become a career; no matter how far you want to go, you start at the same place, playing local bars and clubs. The difference is if and when you decide to ditch the day job.

On the other hand, artists may be driven to perform and to create because doing that will get the girls and the booze and the fame and the money. And there are plenty of originals bands made up of highly creative folks who gig on weekends and are perfectly content not to be "discovered" and thrust into the global spotlight (the "starving artist" stereotype), considering what they do a "hobby".

[vegas532]

I had the very same conversation with a muso buddy of mine! Neither one of us has made a friggin' dime in years, both of us donate our time to others frequently, and all we do in our free time is play. It is something I need to do to remain balanced. I hear a sound in my head (no, not a voice ) and I have to replicate it then and there.

[CrazyWallaWalla]

it cannot be black or white here, they're is a fair amount of gray area

[Silas Martinez]

Originally Posted by chaunceytoben

ya but a lot of jobs dont come with chicks and beer.

id expect most people to say artists, just because it makes them look like they are passionate about it, when really thats not the main reason they play

I realize that. Being 'passionate' about it, as if that somehow makes you superior to those of us who play because it beats wasting hours a day playing a video game, earns a little coin or free beer, and is more fun than quilting.

I don't really think one is better than the other. There are valid points on both sides, and some of the players who I would look at and think "he's a hobbyist" are phenomenal players, because they consciously apply themselves to it, while those who are 'artists' often sound like they're in a rut - they play because they need to, but without the clarity of a conscious decision. Yes, the inverse can apply, but how many hobbyists pick up an instrument if it makes them feel miserable? They play when they enjoy it, and that comes through.

[questhe]

There are 2 kinds of bassists - those that can't count, those that can and those that just don't know.

Categories and labels, black and white. Wouldn't life be easy?

[Jimbob Jones]

I'm somewhere between the two. What bugs me are the people with the theory that if they ever do get famous, they'll stop playing becasue "that's not what it's about" It's a bitter shame that Grandaddy split up, for that reason. I play out of pure compulsion to do so, but at the same time, there is nothing like the feeling of being on stage with the whole room swaying to your groove, then having a load of chicks giving you the eye after the show .

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by lug

I'm compelled to be a hobbyist.

I'm with Lug.


I was compelled to take up bass from a very early age, played lots and lots and lots of gigs, got fed up with Musician drama / baggage until I finally stepped away for a couple years.

Now I play for fun, for myself... as a hobby. Compelled to write and record... and jam with like minded players. I play EVERYDAY but couldn't care less about gigs and bars. I love my "real job" and I love my "hobby"

[Crazyeelboy]

Originally Posted by chaunceytoben

ya but a lot of jobs dont come with chicks and beer.

How about being a bartender?

Kidding aside, who cares whether a bassist is a hobbyist or an artist? It does not change the music or the performance. Morevoer, someone certainly can be both - they are not mutually exclusive.

[Silas Martinez]

Originally Posted by Liko

There are two kinds of people in the world: those that think there are two kinds of people in the world, and those that don't. Seriously, I don't think you could create any two groups with which to label people that are both all-inclusive and mutually exclusive.

Snide retort: there are two types of people in the world - men, and women.

Originally Posted by CrazyWallaWalla

it cannot be black or white here, they're is a fair amount of gray area

I agree, that there is a huge amount of gray area in this, and you can't 'lump' all the players like this, as hard and fast rules, permanent mind sets. That is why I mention switching back and forth - I personally have gone from compelled, miserable player to happy hobbyist and back a dozen times. I've read a lot of interviews with 'big name' bassists who are the same. That 'do you practice at home' question often seen in interviews is frequently telling.

I'm really curious as to how many of us have that experience, though - I'm sure many of the long term players have had the experience of feeling like they 'needed' to play, and they have had times where they put it down because it was doing nothing for them.

[Dr. Cheese]

When I was young, I had artistic pretentsions, but for the last 15 or 20 years, I have come to terms with being a hobbyist who loves gear.

[Infernal Affair]

I don't ever plan on making money or a career in music, but I do plan on making music for the rest of my life on bass or whatever. Art in any media is totally ingrained in my soul, which is strange because no one in my immediate family is what people would consider artistic.

[basswave]

Originally Posted by Liko

There are two kinds of people in the world: those that think there are two kinds of people in the world, and those that don't. Seriously, I don't think you could create any two groups with which to label people that are both all-inclusive and mutually exclusive.

+1

I'm so inbetween the two its not funny.

[Silas Martinez]

Originally Posted by Crazyeelboy

Kidding aside, who cares whether a bassist is a hobbyist or an artist? It does not change the music or the performance. Morevoer, someone certainly can be both - they are not mutually exclusive.

That is part of what I wanted to get to. I really don't think it changes music or performance, but there seems to be a stereotype that the 'driven, miserable artist' is the one who will write some phenomenal new piece, or take the instrument to new places.

In my opinion, that stereotype, like most of its kin, is probably inaccurate. I'd really like to see some information about the clearly 'hobbyist' bassists doing something that truly changes our perspective of the instrument. I know, personally, dozens of cases of the opposite - driven individuals who ultimately have had zero impact on the craft as a whole.

[JeffTheBig]

Originally Posted by lug

I'm compelled to be a hobbyist.

im with you there!