Rise in bass players

Bathead · #1 07-22-2009, 11:30 PM

Anyone notice a rise in bass players besides me?
Particularly females? I'm seeing that most females are starting to play bass for the sexual appeal rather than enjoyment of the instrument itself.

What do you guys think about the rise overall in bass players? Thumbs up or thumbs down? Because I know a lot of us have picked bass because it's not a commonly played instrument and is referred to as the "oversized guitar" because nobody ever knows what it is....

Honestly I picked this instrument for the reason that everyone plays guitar, so why not be different and play the bass?

Your input is appreciated.

(By way I'm female just so I don't rub off as sexist or something >_>)

MattimusPrime · #2 07-22-2009, 11:57 PM

Hi

In South Africa, it seems like bassist are still fairly hard to come by, from my experience anyway.

I find it very weird that you say females would choose bass because of "sexual appeal", not making fun or anything, but I don't really get it.

ha ha.

In terms of why I'd chosen to play bass it was really more a love for the instrument, and how it is the core of a great band. Where rhythm and melody meet!

With all that said I do think there is added awesomeness with playing bass, because it is not such a well persued instrument (well, as much as guitar).

Okay, that's my 2 cents.
Have a great day!

kcamsdog1387 · #3 07-23-2009, 12:04 AM

Well when I was in Jr. High, there was something like 7 or 8 kids that played bass. There was also about a dozen or so guitarist. (Including that kid Joey on the new season of Real World) I was actually playing guitar first because I figured you can always have another guitarist. Not so much with a bassist. In the bar circuit and at open mics that I do, though, it seems to be a lack of bassists. Maybe its just the places I'm going to.
I played with this three piece band this past weekend and the female singer played bass and sang. She had a great voice, but totally let her playing slide for the sake of singing. I think that the contrast of a small build girl playing an "oversized guitar" is easy on the eyes. Or maybe its just that neanderthal mindset in us guys. (I won't go into details as to how that could be interpreted).

Bathead · #4 07-23-2009, 12:09 AM

Well in my school and people my age in general (teenagers) I've seen a lot of new female bassists... and they're not... normal bassists you would see... honestly most I meet fit the stereotypical bassist personality/attitude, these girls don't. They're preppy and date jocks... or something like that, it seems as if bass is shifting into a mainstream zone slowly but surely. It's kind of saddening me.

And yeah sexual appeal, to a lot of people bass has sexual appeal I guess. >_>

SpamBot · #5 07-23-2009, 12:16 AM

Blame Pete Wentz

kcamsdog1387 · #6 07-23-2009, 12:18 AM

Hahahah i was just about to say that. But lets not open this Can of Worms please.

SpamBot · #7 07-23-2009, 12:20 AM

I actually think he's having a positive effect in that he's making it "cool" to play bass. That's about all I have to say about him that's positive though.

I figure even if it's mainstream, it's better than kids being hooked on WoW or glued to the TV.

Bathead · #8 07-23-2009, 12:28 AM

He may be making it seem "cool" but he also sucks, which means there will be a rise of crappy bassists who think they're cool.... >_>

SpamBot · #9 07-23-2009, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bathead

He may be making it seem "cool" but he also sucks, which means there will be a rise of crappy bassists who think they're cool.... >_>

+1, but at least its better than a bunch of Guitar Hero kids who think that's cool.

MattimusPrime · #10 07-23-2009, 01:39 AM

Ja! Agreed on the Guitar Hero bit!

Lulz · #11 07-23-2009, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bathead

He may be making it seem "cool" but he also sucks, which means there will be a rise of crappy bassists who think they're cool.... >_>

How does he suck?

fretlessguy · #12 07-23-2009, 05:35 AM

I think that the bass player is the new musical hero, whereas before it was the lead guitarist (don't forget the old monicker "the guitarist is god"). This obviously has led to more of an interest in the ladies wanting to play bass as well. Which anything leading to people wanting to play bass is cool with me.

Memitim · #13 07-24-2009, 11:04 PM

I know nothing about whether there is a rise in the number of female bass players or whether the reason they are choosing to do so is for the sex appeal but with every fiber of my being, I hope that both are true.

xgator4u · #14 07-25-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bathead

He may be making it seem "cool" but he also sucks, which means there will be a rise of crappy bassists who think they're cool.... >_>

^ this. Just like ALL of those kids that buy a guitar, or more likely get mommy to buy them a guitar, so they too can be cool. Most of them suck, with few exceptions. Most people think playing an instrument is cool , and a way to impress the chicks, or guys as the case may be. But when they find out that it is NOTHING at all like guitar hero, and actually requires work, and lots of it, suddenly they lose interest. Then they are just another person claiming to be a musician, who owns an instrument, but is in no way proficient on said instrument. Pathetic, really.

aikakone · #15 07-25-2009, 10:13 PM

Okay, female bass player here, and I play because I Like it. Like many other bassists, this is not my first instrument. I was (and am) a percussionist as well as a singer and oboist. I can also do a bit of hacking at piano and guitar. Nothing to write home about even if I am mentioning it here.

Anyhow, I can't say as I took up the instrument because of sex appeal. I actually started playing because my pastor at church had gotten a guitar and a bass and did an open call for musicians. I was a horrible guitarist, but remembered liking bass when I took orchestral bass in string methods class (for my bachelor's degree in music education). So I tried that, and it's been a love relationship with the instrument ever since.

The thing is, now that I"m a bass player, I my opinions of guitars (not the musicians who play them) has changed. The instruments seem so small and puny, and I'm not interested at all. That's as close as I could get to the sexual power of the bass. You know... size queen stuff.

I wonder about the "rise of bassists" if it's more of a perception shift--one those situations of you being aware of bass yourself so you notice it more than you did before. Doesn't mean there are really more bass players, just that noticing them has increased. It's like when I first got my car, I immediately noticed all the others of the same type on the road. I doubt there were suddenly that many more driving my type of vehicle, but I was finally looking for them.

rarisgod · #16 07-29-2009, 12:08 PM

I haven't noticed this. At my school there aren't MANY female bass players. I mean I'm thinking mainly of those involved with the band and the music department, and there are none. I know of at least one or two that aren't the most open about it.

So I can't say I've noticed it personally, but back when I was in grade school I knew a few people who just started playing bass (or guitar, drums, etc.) just because of the "cool" factor. I don't know about the sexual appeal, but...