Are my fellow bassist loners?

Ilikejazzbass · #1 02-20-2010, 10:11 AM

Hi my name is Matt. I play bass guitar on a regular basis. I love music. my favorite bands are The Beatles, Oasis, and The Verve. Well I've been a loner for the past 4 years. I'm 19 years old now. Anyway I'm on vacation now and my friend just leaves me here. People don't seem to like talking to me for some reason. I become uncomfortable around people, but I always feel much more comfortable talking to people when I have my guitar in my hands. For example the other day he introduced me to his friend and this guy and I barely talked and I was really nervous, but when his friend stopped by again I was playing bass and I felt much more comfortable. Music is a means of communication for me and I feel when people don't understand me or my music there is a huge lack of communication do you feel this way too?

I'm not antisocial I suppose I've moved around a bit, but I enjoy spending time at home. I'm one of those cats who just like to sit in front of the tv or whatever. I'm ambitious. I went through school, but it was a trade school. But anyway I feel like a loner, but I don't like to be a loner. Do you guys feel the same way?

Ric5 · #2 02-20-2010, 10:17 AM

dude go out and make some friends and enjoy life.

WayneS · #3 02-20-2010, 10:19 AM

I'm a loner and I enjoy it. People leave me alone.

shaggy45 · #4 02-20-2010, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayneS

I'm a loner and I enjoy it. People leave me alone.

A loner with a myspace page?

emblymouse · #5 02-20-2010, 10:32 AM

I think bass players are often more introverted. I am. People wear me out, I like my space. This is how I enjoy life

If you think being introverted/ quiet/ shy, whatever, is somehow 'wrong' or 'less' it's your problem.

Datsgor · #6 02-20-2010, 10:39 AM

That's cool if you are a loner. Being a loner is cool. Got nobody to answer too, nobody bugging you, asking dumb questions trying to communicate and just hindering your lonerness in general. But, being a loner your whole life will lead to one day just being old and alone. Your 19, you probably will still meet that 1 or 2 good friends that will be with you for life. Good luck with all that

Ilikejazzbass · #7 02-20-2010, 10:41 AM

I don't want to be a loner, but I get so nervous and anxious around people. Social anxiety I suppose. I can't help it though. I've tried everything under the sun it feels like, but it doesn't work. I want to join a band so bad because then my role is to play music, but at the same time I'm free to mingle.

words are flowing like endless rain into a paper cup.

Thats how I want to feel.

nutso42 · #8 02-20-2010, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emblymouse

I think bass players are often more introverted.

I'm extroverted to the extreme. My usual get-up at gigs involves Hawaiian shirts and an Orange Fedora hat. Our singer and our guitarist, however, are very shy. Our band is backwards.....

Ilikejazzbass · #9 02-20-2010, 10:45 AM

Haha.

I think if I stop cursing then I can have other words, thoughts, and expressions to express myself. Sometimes I drop the f bomb too much and that probably turns people off. Its very uncouth. Maybe I'm a sociopath. I don't know.

MIJ-VI · #10 02-20-2010, 10:45 AM

Welcome to TB Ilikejazzbass!

There's plenty of info & insight here along with the good company of kindred spirits which you can enjoy on your own terms.

Gary

Ilikejazzbass · #11 02-20-2010, 10:46 AM

Thanks MIJ. Are you a fellow jazzer. I play a squier jazz, but I love it with rotosounds. I stand out like a tree.

drteeth · #12 02-20-2010, 10:47 AM

I'm a loner, in the sense that I can be alone (for any reasons) for a number of days and be perfectly allright with that. On the other hand, I do enjoy human contact from time to time, so in that sense i am not a loner.

mixalot · #13 02-20-2010, 10:48 AM

I quit drinking a few years ago and I have found I don't have nearly as many friends since I quit. I kinda like to be either by myself or with my wife and kids. This is a rough town to be a non-drinker (especially with the Saints winning the Super Bowl during Mardi Gras

) but I'm pretty content with who I am and the few friends I do have are good ones.

BassScum · #14 02-20-2010, 10:48 AM

If you choose to be loner and are content being so that is fine. But if you are not content with that lifestyle I recommend you talk to a good therapist. There's nothing wrong with that. More people use therapists then you might think. They may be able to help you learn how to get rid of some of the anxiety and gain some confidence.

MIJ-VI · #15 02-20-2010, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilikejazzbass

Thanks MIJ. Are you a fellow jazzer. I play a squier jazz, but I love it with rotosounds. I stand out like a tree.

A J wearing Rotos? Around here you'll stand out like a tree in a forest!

Wanna be an oddball on TB? Then play one of these:

I do.

nutso42 · #16 02-20-2010, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIJ-VI

A J wearing Rotos? Around here you'll stand out like a tree in a forest!

Wanna be an oddball on TB? Then play one of these:

I do.

Woooh! How old is that thing? When were those discontinued?

Ilikejazzbass · #17 02-20-2010, 11:06 AM

I like jaguar guitars because a lot of cool grunge bands played them. Anyway. I'm glad I'm not the only loner because then I would feel content.

MIJ-VI · #18 02-20-2010, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nutso42

Woooh! How old is that thing? When were those discontinued?

I bought my MIJ Fender VI (essentially a re-issue of a 1962 Fender VI made with cheaper electronics & hardware) in '96.

Fender discontinued these shortly after they came out and then, yielding to customer demand, offered an exorbitantly priced Custom Shop version which itself was discontinued in Jan. 2009.

The one I have was identical to the MIJ' in that photo (I don't own/need a camera) except that it now has better pickups, more switching options, and proper flat-wounds.

There are a number of makes & models of six string, 30" scale bass guitars which are currently available. Here's a TB thread on them:

The Short-Scale Six-String Club Part 2- for the original six-string basses!

Ilikejazzbass · #19 02-20-2010, 11:30 AM

weird advertisment

MIJ-VI · #20 02-20-2010, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilikejazzbass

I like jaguar guitars because a lot of cool grunge bands played them. Anyway. I'm glad I'm not the only loner because then I would feel content.

You're not. I've been a loner/eccentric all my life.

I've yet to find a social circle which doesn't bore me after a short while. I don't like having to make time for the petty (to me) concerns of others.

Freedom overrides all IMO.