Does being a bassist suck

[DaDrew2112]

honstly, i find that being a bassist has robbed my full enjoyment of music since i started playing. i've only been listening to the bass parts and nothing else. only as of right now have i begun to actually focus on melodies again. it's great to be able to digest music like a normal person but i feel almost robbed in the sense that i haven't been paying attention to melody and lyrics for so long. opinions?

[dlenaghan]

I find that forgetting about what others expect a bass to play helps a lot. Melody and bass are not contradictions. Likewise with chords, counterpoint, etc etc.. Play what moves you and it won't matter which instrument you play.

[subnautic]

When creating a proper bassline to fit the tune, i need to listen to the melody and voice to drop a complimentary line. I do sometimes mentally isolate the bass part but everything else is still present...

[HeavyRockBasser]

I think what you're talking about happens to all musicians. Once you begin to understand the inner workings of how a song is put together, you start to dissect every song that you hear. I do it too. It kind of sucks that you can't listen to a song as a whole, any more, but on the other hand, we hear so much more in a song than non-musicians do, that it's well worth it.

If I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't change a thing, except I'd probably have started in grade school.

[chuck3]

Sorta what HRB said. I think it's a good thing, what you're going through. Someone has to understand how the music is put together. The bass is the key link. If you walk, it's jazz; if you pop, it's funk; if you 1-5 it's bluegrass etc. Also, if the guitar plays C and you play A, it's an A minor chord - so you control both the rhythmic style and how the listener hears the harmonic structure. So, no, it doesn't suck to be the bass player. You just have to recognize that you are in control, but you can't let everyone else know that.

[skychief]

Originally Posted by DaDrew2112

honstly, i find that being a bassist has robbed my full enjoyment of music since i started playing. i've only been listening to the bass parts and nothing else.

I envy you. I only wish i could do this!

[Mudfuzz]

Does being a bassist suck

No.

[Zombbg4]

It's true that we lack a sense of melody like a guitar or horn player has. Think of the bassline as a counter melody, because it can be in some/most cases. Mostly some cases.

[Mudfuzz]

Originally Posted by dlenaghan

I find that forgetting about what others expect a bass to play helps a lot. Melody and bass are not contradictions. Likewise with chords, counterpoint, etc etc.. Play what moves you and it won't matter which instrument you play.

Yes this ^

In the end a bass is a musical instrument, it has the same notes as everything else, you can actually play anything you want on one.

[Justbleazy]

Interesting, today on my way to work I was listening to Hall and Oates "Sarah Smile" and loved how no one particular instrument stood out in the song. Aside from the guitar solo in the beginning and the string arrangement for the bridge/vamp, I didn't even hear the bass line but I definately felt it though.

[Crimsai]

When I listen to a song, my first instinctive reaction is to find beat/ rhythm, then I focus on the rest of the song. My friends have this in-joke that there's always a part of my keeping the beat. If I'm not tapping it with my feet, I'm tapping the table or nodding my head or I'm clicking my tongue to it, without even realising sometimes.

I guess it's the same with most people: the rhythm section pays attention to the rhythm section, guitarists pay attention to the guitar, singers pay attention to the words. A strong bassline is normally what makes me want to re-listen to a song.

[chaosMK]

My brain picks apart all music I listen to now... it's definitely not normal.

[mellowinman]

I enjoy listening to music.

[icecycle66]

I only find it sucks when trying to avoid favoritism arguements at TalkBass.

[lowfreq33]

I had that problem for awhile, but I came out the other side. I can turn it on and off now.

[BassAlchemy]

Originally Posted by HeavyRockBasser

I think what you're talking about happens to all musicians. Once you begin to understand the inner workings of how a song is put together, you start to dissect every song that you hear. I do it too. It kind of sucks that you can't listen to a song as a whole, any more, but on the other hand, we hear so much more in a song than non-musicians do, that it's well worth it.

This is something that puzzled me. I can't quite put my finger on what exactly is that changes but something happens when one gets involved in arranging tunes with a band. I started to notice when i started to pick up details i had not noticed in songs i had been hearing for years prior. Its very strange but I can say that I understand the language of music a lot better since.i have actively been helping arrange tunes in my band.

[tangentmusic]

Originally Posted by HeavyRockBasser

I think what you're talking about happens to all musicians. Once you begin to understand the inner workings of how a song is put together, you start to dissect every song that you hear. I do it too. It kind of sucks that you can't listen to a song as a whole, any more, but on the other hand, we hear so much more in a song than non-musicians do, that it's well worth it.

As time goes by, you will again be able to listen to music as a whole. Most of us are/have gone thru this process. It's normal for a musician to dissect songs for their particular instrument.
Eventually, you will hear and enjoy just listening to music without the analyzing.

[totallyfrozen]

Originally Posted by DaDrew2112

honstly, i find that being a bassist has robbed my full enjoyment of music since i started playing. i've only been listening to the bass parts and nothing else. only as of right now have i begun to actually focus on melodies again. it's great to be able to digest music like a normal person but i feel almost robbed in the sense that i haven't been paying attention to melody and lyrics for so long. opinions?

Relax.
It's called critical listening. As a musician, you should be able to isolate an instrument in our head as you listen to music. You haven't been robbed of anything. Just go back and listen to the songs again and broaden your attention to hear the entire production.
You should be able to use rotating attention enough to be able to rotate your attention back out to the full production.

Honestly, I can't believe you've been practicing critical listening and you're PO'd about it. Do you have any idea how many people out there CAN'T do that...and; therefore, SUCK at trying to play an instrument. Without rotating attention, you'll never lock in with a drummer or be able to find the right chord in a song.

Critical listening is a strength; not something to be disappointed about.

Does being a bass player suck? NO...but not being able to use critical listening and rotating attention does.

[delta7fred]

Originally Posted by DaDrew2112

Does being a bassist suck

Hell no!

But I do agree, if you are not careful you can end up just focusing on the bass parts.

For 12 years I played bass in one band and lead in another, now that does mess with your mind as you don't know which to concentrate on (usually the wrong one).

[gmarcus]

Things really start happening when you are playing in a band and listening to all of the other parts. I find at times I am playing almost nothing with my bass, but somehow willing the other musicians to play what is necessary. When we all do that it is magic!