Playing rock bass is really depressing.

[ani10s]

i played at a school show yesterday with me and my 2 friends played paradigm shift by liquid tension experiment. As a whole, we did ridiculously good, but personally i felt like i had to carry the drummer and the guitarist time-wise. but as usual, all the applause and props went to the drummer and guitarist. and that just pisses me off. like really.

am i supposed to feel angry or am i just being a whiny bassist.

[BigOldHarry]

Welcome to our world, young man.

You better really enjoy just playing the music - if you want glory, go play guitar. If you want to be the soul of the group, play bass.

Also, it's more fun if you play funky music - bass parts in rock & blues can be dull.

[s_mcsleazy]

its ok mate

you get used to band members stealing your thunder

thats why my bass sounds like thunder

[R. Laevinus]

You're just not doing it right, my man.

I don't do blistering leads, funkariffic runs, or jazzy breakdowns, but I do try to keep it interesting, and I usually get my fair share of appreciation.

It's all in how you swing it.

[earth]

also, when you guys advance to originals and you write your own bass lines but you can spice it up and "shine" a bit more !

[I<34080]

Or, devote long hours in the gym to become the most sexually appealing of the group.

[Rockmusician]

This is a typical problem for bassists. Most people only notice if the bass is missing or is the bass player is making mistakes. They don't realize that when they are dancing, tapping their feet, bobbing their head, etc, they are actually doing so to the bass and drums. The fact that they didn't notice you is actually a compliment.

[Ka_Ve_86]

Rock music doesnt need to be boring at all i know of plenty
great rock bassist that get the credit they deserve think of

Ben Kenney - Incubus
Justin Chancellor - Tool

And lets not forget the greatest rock bass player the mighty John Entwhistle

Funk is fun to play because the bass stands out more but just remember a
band is like a bed the drums and the bass make the frame and the mattress
it doesnt matter how fancy your sheets and pillows are (guitarist & singers)
as long as you have a solid foundation the rest just wouldnt work

[Eublet]

You know, most bass players don't have any kind of stage presence that sets them apart from the guitarist. But look at what guys like Flea have done. It's all in how you carry yourself. The guitar is easy to hear and pick out in the crowd. Bass is not, so you have to make yourself visible. My advice is to not blame the bass for this.

[plangentmusic]

How do you know the applause was for the guitarist and drummer?

[Johnny Crab]

"When you go on a gig, you have to remember that it's a privilege to play any kind of music -- even sitting in your house by yourself. Music is this wonderful, universal language. It's meditative and spiritual. A lot of people get caught up in the frustrations, and they lose it, the way a preacher loses the calling. When you pick up an instrument, realize how blessed you are. It doesn't matter whether you're playing for 50,000 people or by yourself. I'm not saying I'm a guru of this stuff. It's just that when I pick up a bass, I'm conscious of how much it has given me, and I try to take that onstage with me wherever I go."
- bassist Darryl Jones, who’s played with Miles Davis, Sting, Madonna, The Rolling Stones, and many others.

http://www.ricksuchow.com/press-group-80.html

[eddievanbassman]

Make yourself stand out play badass, dance, groove, and put some stage presence into it. Im usually always the who gets the attention.

[faulknersj]

Most rock music is boring as hell to play bass on for ME. Sure, there are always exceptions,(sorry Tool fans, D minor on Every song does gets boring for me too), but most rock music fails to embrace the beauty of space. Once I went Funk, R n B, Soul, I could never go back to chugging away thru rock tunes. I also believe that those with and ability and inclination to dance (ya, I like to shake it a little) naturally gravitate towards stuff that makes you want to move your body. None of my rock buddies can dance to save there lives and they play like it! Just 2 different schools, neither being better than the other, but for me, I wouldn't trade playing over nice clean guitar tones with a full horn section, keys, and rich lucious vocal harmonies for a competition against a Marshall or Boogie stack for anything( well, I guess everything does have its price ) Once again, there are always exceptions (John Paul Jones), and I am speaking only for myself.

[MrLenny1]

Thats life for a bass player. You want applause start singing.

[*ToNeS*]

S'not the instrument, it's the player.

[Lazylion]

Originally Posted by Ka_Ve_86

as long as unless you have a solid foundation the rest just wouldnt work

Fixed!

[Chrisk-K]

Do some Steve Harris stage moves. No other bass players are more exciting to watch than Mr. Harris.

[jbalou02]

Im not the best looking or flashiest dresser, but I thump it out and smile and move like I mean it. Invariably the hotties on the dance floor gravitate to my side of the stage. I think ts all about the attitude you put out there.

[smeet]

Paradigm is a rocking song, congratulations on playing that one well!

Anyway, take a look at these videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STMsuz24-ds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0opLid89vEY

Tony Levin doesn't move much, but he has STAGE PRESENCE!!! He draws your eye without hamming it up.

Alsokeep in mind, this is a very guitar-drums driven song unless you make it your own...

[THORRR]

If you move like the sound of your bass is driving you
then the audience will pick up on it and move with you.

They'll notice you and applaud you.

You can stand like a pole with lightening fingers and
you'll be ignored except by other bassists who will criticize
your playing or whatever.

But if you move and have a great time playing your notes
you'll see a transformation in your audience and bandmates.

. . . jus' sayin' . . .