Bacism

[d8g3jdh]

There's a certain disturbing not-so-underlying trend I've noticed on here, bass racism, or as I have so cleverly dubbed, 'bacism'. It seems as though many people here think that because they play bass they are immediately 'better' than everyone else in the band. The lack of definition of this 'better' bothers me, since it can't be instrument ability, since the required skills to play guitar well is completely different than the required skills to play bass well, and it can't be idea worth, since everyone's ideas are equally worthy when it comes to something as abstract and subjective as music. So what is it? Whatever it is, it seems to be an excuse to be very snooty regarding other band members based on what instrument they play. Things like 'oh, well, he's just a guitarist, he doesn't know better' or 'damn dummy drummer' seem to be justified to some by the fact that they play bass, making them better, or exempt from criticism. This seems like a form of racism to me.

Or maybe I'm just taking some of the posts on here too seriously.

Agree? Disagree? Thoughts?

[Tony G]

I don't think this just happens with bassists. How many time do you hear guitar players say "He's just a bass player."? I think in general whether people are a musician or an athlete or whatever, if they have an ego, they stroke it.

[Spoiled Grape]

I think for the most part it's play fun. I mean, I joke around a bit with my bandmates, but it's mostly something we did when we were in highschool that we sometimes flash back too.

My drummer is incredibly solid, my guitarist can shred, but plays with class, and our singer knows how to sing in time.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Or maybe your one of these people that takes political correctness too much to heart?

Most of what gets said is in pure and simple jest, it doesnt hurt anyone. And in all honesty most of the people who say things like that probably play the other instrument aswell, hell i have jibs at guitarists and drummers, but i play guitar aswell and am trying to learn drums. Its just harmless fun.

But hell, we's all bascist sons of b*****s, so lets just lighten up , and go cornhole us a drummer

Even the drummer in my band is antidrummer, when it comes to recording or writting stuff its often "Dont ask me, i just hit things "

[Matthew Bryson]

Originally Posted by Scott Zoltok

(snip) trend I've noticed on here (snip)

I think it's because this is an online forum for bassists. People say things on the interwebs that they wouldn't really say in real life... and we're all bassists here, so - there you go.

I really don't think that we bassists are a bunch of bacists. (I don't know if your new word really works in that sentence)

[Demon]

Most people arent dead serious about it. Its more of a humorous trend. What do you think is going on, on the guitarist,vocalist and drummer forums?=/ What is sad is i have the feeling that on the guitarist and vocalist forum theyr actually serious about us just being bassplayers:/

[lawsonman]

Originally Posted by Scott Zoltok

It seems as though many people here think that because they play bass they are immediately 'better' than everyone else in the band.

You mean we're not??

[Tony G]

The lead singer in my band frequently says to me "What is so hard about what you do? You play one note at at time!" I know he is mostly joking, but each time he says it I die a little inside.

[jive1]

Originally Posted by Scott Zoltok

Or maybe I'm just taking some of the posts on here too seriously.

Ding! ding! ding!
We have a winner!

[Phalex]

Bass players suck!

I can say that and get away with it because I'm a bass player. I'd kick a guitar players ass for it though!

[Neb Maro]

Damn, you mean that I'm not better than everyone because I play bass. Excuse me, I have a few apologies to make.

Even if it's mostly lighthearted, it seems to be a common trend. "Without the bassist, the band falls apart."
I have seen posts where some bassists ask their bands not to practice without them because they don't get things done.
Not trying to single anybody out, I've just read posts like that.

So, is there a grain of truth to "bascism"? Maybe.

[MAJOR METAL]

Bacsim very cleaver !

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Originally Posted by Scott Zoltok

Or maybe I'm just taking some of the posts on here too seriously.

Agree? Disagree? Thoughts?

Originally Posted by jive1

Ding! ding! ding!
We have a winner!

+1


I know I have used a lot of the aforementioned digs at other musicians and always they have been just that, "a dig". it's really nothing more than taking advantage of a large generalization.

The vocalist I have had the opportunity to play with have all been very down to earth. Most of the guitarist I have played with do not live for the spotlight, and even some of the drummers I have played with were just as much a musician than the rest of the band. Especially in jazz you will find drummers that can read music and usually play piano.

Have I every played with a guitarist that had stepped all over the rest of the band musically? Hell yes, same goes for the vocalist who thinks "they are the band" so as large as a generalization it is, it has started from somewhere, and I'm sure we all have met one at one time or another.

I have no doubt that they same type of bacsim exists on other websites. I can only imagine that keyboardist think everyone is stupid.

[Brad Johnson]

Other than mentioning IRL that keyboard players are usually head cases (generally speaking, they are around here) I don't hear much of that other than online.

I find the bassplayers who get annoyed when someone says bass is easy pretty amusing. It is. It's also one of the more difficult instruments to truly understand... so what's the big deal?

It's all about confidence

[El-Bob]

Originally Posted by Demon

Most people arent dead serious about it. Its more of a humorous trend. What do you think is going on, on the guitarist,vocalist and drummer forums?=/ What is sad is i have the feeling that on the guitarist and vocalist forum theyr actually serious about us just being bassplayers:/

thank's, now i'm gonna be too afraid to go to bed tonight

[Bass Viking]

Originally Posted by xgabriel

The lead singer in my band frequently says to me "What is so hard about what you do? You play one note at at time!" I know he is mostly joking, but each time he says it I die a little inside.

Just reply "I make it look easy".

[Poop-Loops]

Uh oh. We have a Deviant.

Bass Land Security will be informed. Please stay seated.

[Munjibunga]

Some bass players rule. Others dominate.

Guitarists are pantywaists.

Drummers are absent.

Singers are egomaniacs.

Bass players are regular.

[BullHorn]

There is a term like Bacism around guitar, drum and any other community.

Everyone is bacist/guitacist/drumacist to each other. :P

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Im going to make a bacist tshirt

New TB tshirt design maybe?