What does the world need with another bass player?

[JoZac21]

Originally Posted by two fingers

Hey! I just looked up nihilism and learned something! Really though. I'm not sure what "ism" this falls under, but if you aren't interested in the topic click another link and keep moving.

Happy to spread some knowledge!

But I am interested in the topic... I have an obnoxious fondness for debating philosophy, and ultimately that's what this thread is, a philosophical discussion.

[Caca de Kick]

A fun test in this case would be running two ads on CL: one for a guitarist, one for a bassist. See which one gets the most calls for a week.

[bass12]

The way I see it, there are more bass players than ever before and less work for bass players than ever before. Then again, a lot of those bass players are guys who seem to be more turned on by virtuosic wankery than holding down their end of the song...

[mcm]

In nashville, bass is the most needed instrument.

[iiipopes]

Originally Posted by esa372

There may be a need, but there isn't always a gig. Here in L.A., I know several good players that haven't been able to find a gig in a months... even years.

I know lots of musicians say, "People are always looking for good bassists", but the reality is quite different.

That's why I live where I do and get to gig as often as I want to, whether tuba, electric bass or double bass, instead of L.A. and wait tables instead. I just turned down a half-dozen gigs because of scheduling conflicts.

[SquierJazz72]

I don't think there's so much a lack of bass players, or at least, there's no lack of people buying bass guitars, if my local L&M is anything to go by

But, what there may be, is a lack of good, flexible bassists. I recently found a drummer to start something with, and he was commenting that it had been hard for him to find a bass player because everyone else in the area was a metal head, and only wanted play in that genre.

Metal is a big genre of mine too. It's where I started. But I also like straight rock, blues, prog, and some jazz, so I am willing to work within anyone of those, if it gets me somewhere.

Pigeonholing yourself into only one thing does tend to be limiting, especially if you rarely happen to be what anyone is looking for.

[esa372]

Originally Posted by iiipopes

I just turned down a half-dozen gigs because of scheduling conflicts.

That must be nice...

Originally Posted by SquierJazz72

Pigeonholing yourself into only one thing does tend to be limiting, especially if you rarely happen to be what anyone is looking for.

+1

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by esa372

There may be a need, but there isn't always a gig. Here in L.A., I know several good players that haven't been able to find a gig in a months... even years.

I know lots of musicians say, "People are always looking for good bassists", but the reality is quite different.

Well it's one thing to be a good player. It's another thing altogether to be a good hang. At least in my area, good players with good personalities get asked to join bands A LOT.

[Jhengsman]

The world needs another bassist so that when I take a vacation or retire there is someone to step up and fill my chair. As it was my community went without one for two years before I joined

[SquierJazz72]

Well it's one thing to be a good player. It's another thing altogether to be a good hang.

That's an excellent point too. Same with this drummer. He wanted to come by and meet me, make sure we got along and had enough in common to actually play together successfully. Doesn't hurt that we are the same age, and at similar points in our lives, so we get along famously.

If people just can't mesh, in abilities, personalities, and/or interest, it's not likely to work for any length of time.

[Roy Vogt]

Well, the world could always use a little more Groove!

[pnchad]

if you are a XXXX-bassist you are like an African-American or an Asian-American and we need to let that crap go too

if you will only play one or two styles and refuse to learn stuff outside your comfort zone, you're not fully a 'bassist'

I'm no XXXX-Core fan but I can appreciate their capabilities (almost athletic) - so, given the chance, I'd give it a try and probably succeed - do the job

[JimmyM]

I once asked a lawyer the same thing about lawyers. He said, "There is always room for a GOOD lawyer."

[two fingers]

Originally Posted by pnchad

if you are a XXXX-bassist you are like an African-American or an Asian-American and we need to let that crap go too

if you will only play one or two styles and refuse to learn stuff outside your comfort zone, you're not fully a 'bassist'

I'm no XXXX-Core fan but I can appreciate their capabilities (almost athletic) - so, given the chance, I'd give it a try and probably succeed - do the job

Man, you hit the nail on the head. You probably stated it better than me too.

[esa372]

There's a subtle implication in this thread that players who can't find a gig aren't "good"... I'm not sure I buy that.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by esa372

There's a subtle implication in this thread that players who can't find a gig aren't "good"... I'm not sure I buy that.

Well they're not good at finding work, for sure

[esa372]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Well they're not good at finding work, for sure

LOL