Is It the Best Time Ever to Be a Bassist?

jaywa · #1 02-25-2013, 09:26 AM

Strictly for discussion because I haven't decided myself:

YES

- Dramatic breakthroughs in gear technology allowing for better sound with smaller, lighter weight equipment

- Lack of people taking up the instrument = more demand for those who can play it well

- Success of a limited number of "solo bassists" creating greater visibility for the instrument

NO

- Decreasing gig opportunities (live music venues continuing to shut down at an alarming rate, shrinking corporate/private markets)

- Bands cutting out the bassist via keyboardists, tracks, etc.

- Pay for gigs not keeping pace with the continually rising costs (gas, food, lodging)

- Modern music not "bass friendly" (i.e., bass not up in the mix and/or lack of creative/interesting bass lines)

- Success of "solo bassists" resulting in young players focusing on chops over musicianship = technical wizards who can't (or won't) fulfill the "traditional" role of bass or function in a band environment.

I tend to think the "glory days" of bassists may be behind us but I've been accused of being a glass-half-empty guy too. Discuss.

dalkowski · #2 02-25-2013, 09:32 AM

There is never, ever a bad time to be a bassist.

MrLenny1 · #3 02-25-2013, 09:34 AM

NO.
Gig wise it is worse than ever & continues.
It's hard to develop as a bass player when there
are few chances to play out.
Even with great advances in gear and learning sources on your
PC the lack of work is still prevalent.

Joe Louvar · #4 02-25-2013, 09:37 AM

Yes - for equipment.
No - for $ gigs.

Duckwater · #5 02-25-2013, 09:38 AM

This is the best time to learn as much as you can about bass, and music and general. But it is the worst time to make money or get attention playing bass-centric music.

masterFlash · #6 02-25-2013, 09:38 AM

Its always a good time to be a bassist.
But in the 90s it was better.
The market seems flooded nowadays.
Everyone wants to join our club.

phillybass101 · #7 02-25-2013, 09:39 AM

Adapt and survive is what I say. Learn to sing and write songs and do a one man show at a nice quiet lounge or trendy venue. Instead of playing guitar or piano play your bass with your backing track. The audience will almost not even notice.

jaywa · #8 02-25-2013, 09:39 AM

Good point re the learning resources. With YouTube, tab charts etc. it's about as easy as it's ever been to get up to speed on material (for cover band bassists in mainstream genres, anyway).

jaywa · #9 02-25-2013, 09:41 AM

I probably should have attached a "poll" function to this. Sorry bout that.

Musiclogic · #10 02-25-2013, 09:43 AM

The talent pool is thinner than ever. Seems like 100 double thumb nonmusical rattle beasts to every 1 musically involved finger or pick style player.

A lot of guys are makng noise on the instrument, but few are making music.

jaywa · #11 02-25-2013, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

The talent pool is thinner than ever. Seems like 100 double thumb nonmusical rattle beasts to every 1 musically involved finger or pick style player.

A lot of guys are makng noise on the instrument, but few are making music.

Fine by me. I will happily keep taking my old-school fingerstyle technique and non-boutique Fender bass to the recurring gigs of the 3 to 4 bands who are happy to have me at any given time.

Gravy4001 · #12 02-25-2013, 09:50 AM

Love the new smaller, lighter gear. No more wrecking my back schlepping heavy cabs and heads. Also a top perk, no smoking in bars!

jaywa · #13 02-25-2013, 09:53 AM

I realize I am coming at this primarily from the perspective of a "live" player.

Insights from those who are (or have been) active on the studio scene are certainly welcome as well.

Jhengsman · #14 02-25-2013, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duckwater

This is the best time to learn as much as you can about bass, and music and general. But it is the worst time to make money or get attention playing bass-centric music.

I am not sure about the get attention part of the statement.. The bass centric genres may not fill the dance floors as Funk and Philly style Disco did in the 70s but the virtuoso player does get attention via YouTube and the lead line playing bassist are a staple of Smooth Jazz.

Mike M. · #15 02-25-2013, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

The talent pool is thinner than ever. Seems like 100 double thumb nonmusical rattle beasts to every 1 musically involved finger or pick style player.

A lot of guys are makng noise on the instrument, but few are making music.

I'm in south eastern Michigan. While I don't know all of the talent that's out there I know there are some amazing players in this region who know how to make music.

Now whether they are making any money making music is another issue.

D.A.R.K. · #16 02-25-2013, 01:05 PM

I think there are more advanced players than ever, but the gig scene is eating itself for sure.

**johndough247** · #17 02-25-2013, 01:06 PM

While I agree that there's too many guys focusing too much on having super-chops and can't groove, I resent a previous poster's notion that owning a boutique bass means you're part of that group as well. I personally play a Sadowsky for tone and feel, not to play 1,000,000 notes/min (unless the piece calls for it of course ;-)

That said, being a working bassist today means having all your "basses" covered...in other words: learn enough piano to be able to play the synth bass parts. A bassist who can triple (or at least double) on bass guitar, upright and /or keyboard bass is way ahead of the curve IME

jaywa · #18 02-25-2013, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johndough247

While I agree that there's too many guys focusing too much on having super-chops and can't groove, I resent a previous poster's notion that owning a boutique bass means you're part of that group as well. I personally play a Sadowsky for tone and feel, not to play 1,000,000 notes/min (unless the piece calls for it of course ;-)

I'll own-up to the original comment about the boutique basses. My point wasn't to slag high-end basses (or their owners) as much as to point out that it is still possible to get a decent amount of work even with a garden-variety instrument.

That being said, even garden-variety instruments of professional quality are creeping up in price more and more.

Basshappi · #19 02-25-2013, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Louvar

Yes - for equipment.
No - for $ gigs.

THIS

jaywa · #20 02-25-2013, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Louvar

Yes - for equipment.
No - for $ gigs.

This brings up the dilemma of justifying investments in newer / upgraded gear -- which I happen to be wrestling with at this very moment.

Do I drop four figures on that new hybrid micro-head and state of the art small cabinet -- and hope the gigs keep coming in to get my ROI -- or do I stick with my old faithful combo which isn't the newest or best thing out there by far but is paid-off and has done the job for me on every gig I've landed the last few years?

The thrill and "wow factor" of new gear put aside... when you factor the emotion out of new gear purchases and take it down to raw economics it can get kind of tricky in the current environment. Or at least for me it is. You never want to lose out on gigs because of your gear, but on the other hand what's the point of buying a bunch of new gear, only to have your gigs dry up and then you have to turn around and sell it (usually at a substantial loss)?