"Just" A Bass Player - PR Needed?

JohnMCA72 · #1 09-15-2010, 11:24 AM

A common theme that comes up in various threads - mostly about dealing with other people such as sound men, girls at bars, other band members, etc. - centers on a lack of respect for the bass as an instrument as well as those who play it. Even some bass players seem to share the opinion that bass is somehow a "lesser" instrument in an ensemble.

I think that such attitudes reflect ignorance. The way to fight ignorance is through education. What can we bass players do, individually and collectively, to educate the guitards, singers, sound men, barflies, etc. of the world to the true value of the bass? How can we improve our image (& raise our value) in the musical world?

Phalex · #2 09-15-2010, 11:36 AM

We have plenty of value, we just aren't as demanding and self-absorbed as players of other instruments tend to be.

You have:
Egotistical guitar players.
Narcissistic lead singers.
Uncomprehending drummers.
And Bass players. Just bass players.

You see how the addition of "Just" isn't demeaning or belittling at all? It merely implies that we are free from the personality defects that seem to afflict all other musicians on a massive scale.

Here are some sample questions and answers.

"Should I sort this big bag of M&M's by color?"

"Nah! Don't worry about it. I'm Just the bass player."

"Will you throw a temper tantrum and refuse to preform if we supply the wrong brand of bottled water backstage?"

"I don't care. I'm just the bass player."

Does that clear everything up?

Fretless1! · #3 09-15-2010, 11:57 AM

^ Clears it up for me.

williamk · #4 09-15-2010, 12:05 PM

I think it's an in interesting debate. I'm a classicaly trained pianist and play many instruments, and to me the piano is the king of all instruments; it is self-sefficiant. The bass is not self sufficiant and is worth nothing alone, and no video of victor wooten or any other virtuoso is going to convince me of the opposite. BUT bass is the ONLY instrument out there that fits in EVERY style of music and that is necessary in ALL music ensembles (may it be in the form of double-bass in some cases.) It is also my favorite instrument to play, as I find it is the most fun and straight-forward one. Bass is not a "lesser" instrument, it's simply different I guess.

tZer · #5 09-15-2010, 12:14 PM

If you want to redefine yourself as more than just a bass player, be more than just a bass player.

If all you do is play bass and that's all you bring to the table, then you are just a bass player. Nothing good or bad/right or wrong with that.

Chowowbus · #6 09-15-2010, 03:58 PM

Phalex, is your point hilarious...it is the whole truth and nothing but the truth!

Chowowbus · #7 09-15-2010, 04:01 PM

Damn my stupid fat chubby fingers!...I meant to type, your point is hilarious...

MatticusMania · #8 09-15-2010, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnMCA72

I think that such attitudes reflect ignorance. The way to fight ignorance is through ~~education~~ enlightenment. What can we bass players do, individually and collectively, to ~~educate~~ enlighten the guitards, singers, sound men, barflies, etc. of the world to the true value of the bass? How can we improve our image (& raise our value) in the musical world?

Simple. Stop playing.

MatticusMania · #9 09-15-2010, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by williamk

I think it's an in interesting debate. I'm a classicaly trained pianist and play many instruments, and to me the piano is the king of all instruments; it is self-sefficiant.

Unlike your spelling.

Just Kidding!

Stay in School!

williamk · #10 09-15-2010, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Unlike your spelling.

Just Kidding!

Stay in School!

woops I meant sUfficient, but you knew that

english is not my first language...

MatticusMania · #11 09-15-2010, 05:10 PM

Don't worry williamk, I was only ribbing you.

Munjibunga · #12 09-15-2010, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

We have plenty of value, we just aren't as demanding and self-absorbed as players of other instruments tend to be.

You have:
Egotistical guitar players.
Narcissistic lead singers.
Uncomprehending drummers.
And Bass players. Just bass players.

You see how the addition of "Just" isn't demeaning or belittling at all? It merely implies that we are free from the personality defects that seem to afflict all other musicians on a massive scale.

Here are some sample questions and answers.

"Should I sort this big bag of M&M's by color?"

"Nah! Don't worry about it. I'm Just the bass player."

"Will you throw a temper tantrum and refuse to preform if we supply the wrong brand of bottled water backstage?"

"I don't care. I'm just the bass player."

Does that clear everything up?

I don't see any way to improve on that answer.

Munjibunga · #13 09-15-2010, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by williamk

I think it's an in interesting debate. I'm a classicaly trained pianist and play many instruments, and to me the piano is the king of all instruments; it is self-sefficiant. The bass is not self sufficiant and is worth nothing alone, and no video of victor wooten or any other virtuoso is going to convince me of the opposite. BUT bass is the ONLY instrument out there that fits in EVERY style of music and that is necessary in ALL music ensembles (may it be in the form of double-bass in some cases.) It is also my favorite instrument to play, as I find it is the most fun and straight-forward one. Bass is not a "lesser" instrument, it's simply different I guess.

First, there's no debate. Second, you need to watch videos of Michael Manring.

Don't pass up this example either.

**colcifer** · #14 09-15-2010, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Simple. Stop playing.

And make guitards realize just how much better they like it when they can't hear us?

JohnMCA72 · #15 09-15-2010, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tZer

If you want to redefine yourself as more than just a bass player, be more than just a bass player.

If all you do is play bass and that's all you bring to the table, then you are just a bass player. Nothing good or bad/right or wrong with that.

I wasn't thinking in terms of a person(who happens to play bass)'s contribution to the enterprise. Personally, I always try to do at least my share of hauling & packing as well as marketing, sales, management, I sing, etc. Rather, I'm concerned about the perceived value of the bass' contribution musically. I often get the impression that it's not appreciated, & some of the comments that I see in various other discussions seem to indicate that I'm not the only one.

Maybe bass doesn't "deserve" the same level of respect as other instruments get. I don't think so, but I recognize that it's largely a matter of opinion. I'm wondering what we (bass players) can do to improve our "standing" musically. Obviously, play better, but I'd like to think we'd all want to do that anyway. Bass is plenty interesting to all of us. How can we make it more interesting to all of them?

puddin tame · #16 09-15-2010, 06:00 PM

The problem is the better you get a lot of the time it will go unnoticed, since you'll just be making everyone else sound better and they won't know why.

Stop caring, just sit down and play what's best for the music. It's a modest instrument, you may have taken up the wrong one if you're thinking "how can I bring more attention to the bass in my music", which is what you are doing tbh

williamk · #17 09-15-2010, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnMCA72

I'm concerned about the perceived value of the bass' contribution musically. I often get the impression that it's not appreciated, & some of the comments that I see in various other discussions seem to indicate that I'm not the only one.

Maybe bass doesn't "deserve" the same level of respect as other instruments get.

people don't know s***, they just don't "hear" the bass as much as they think they do. They would have a shock listening to their favorite song with the bassline omitted!

SteveC · #18 09-15-2010, 06:02 PM

I refer to myself as "just the bass player" all the time. I like it that way.

Skitch it! · #19 09-15-2010, 06:15 PM

The respect you get, is that you can back up IME, no matter about the instrument, what you play on it will transcend all the B.S, anyway, drummers get a worse wrap than us IME

MysticMichael · #20 09-15-2010, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnMCA72

What can we bass players do, individually and collectively, to educate the guitards, singers, sound men, barflies, etc. of the world to the true value of the bass? How can we improve our image (& raise our value) in the musical world?

Set a good example. Play your @ss off. Take the instrument to new heights. Break new ground. Maybe even become the next Jaco. Or the next Michael Manring.

Ready for the challenge?

MM