Are we as Bassists a bit too sensitive? Do we carry a chip on our shoulder?

de la mocha · #1 03-15-2007, 06:47 PM

Not very often, but every once in a while, whether here on Talk Bass or out on the street, It appears we bassists are forever either beating up on guitar players for being retards or angry at their three hour solos.

We sometimes complain about not getting as much expousure or popularity as the other band members even though sonically speaking, we are the living soul of the music (Listen to dance to the music by sly and family stone. The song doesnt breath as a living entity until the bass starts. Just a little example).

We all know the sterotype of the super mega star godlike guitar player who has to be the loudest over all instruments who use songs as a vehical for two hour solos and leaves the club with two chicks on each arm.

But are we, as bassists, are always bitter because we put in the most work gluing everything together making everything sound cohesive and get the least attention? Do we walk around with a chip on our shoulders?

Me, as a bassist, has not really had the pleasure of gigging with a guitar player, I only play at church with a keyboard player, a congo player and drummer, oh yeah, and a 15 person youth chior and I always longed to start a christian rock band or play in a sublim-ish band or even a prog rock band, a power trio of drums, bass and guitar.

I guess I fall into the category of "I don't care for the recognition or glory, I played the funk out of that groove and I'm just happy to be here). I don't need the spotlight or to be a frontman, I'm happy to let the guitar player shine. In fact, all I want is to be heard and plenty of sonic space to fill up and funk out to.

I litterally every night before I go to sleep dream of being in a rock band! This post appears to have wondered off on a tangent so I'm stopping here. Sorry guys....

Apocalypse Dude · #2 03-15-2007, 08:53 PM

Personally I'm not bitter towards guitarists for that reason. Sometimes they do get carried away but it doesn't bother me, I just realized the crowd are all looking at me, not our guitarist when he was playing.

I don't mind soloing at all, even the really long ones. What bother's me more is when I'm playing a song that has a part where the bass really shines and the guitarist(s) play all these "fills" that sound awful. And they play it all just to be heard.

We may not get enough credit for "gluing everything together" but if we're only playing to get credit, then we shouldn't be playing anyways IMO.

ibnzneksrul · #3 03-15-2007, 09:12 PM

Bass is not the instrument to take up if one is in it for recognition and glory. Personally I'm someone who would rather be tinkering under the hood than creating a flashy paint job.

Having said that however, it is nice when someone who has an ear for bass comes up and complements you on your playing.

gottawalk · #4 03-15-2007, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibnzneksrul

Bass is not the instrument to take up if one is in it for recognition and glory. Personally I'm someone who would rather be tinkering under the hood than creating a flashy paint job.

Having said that however, it is nice when someone who has an ear for bass comes up and complements you on your playing.

+1. That being said, it's always great to be playing with other competent players and then there's no problem. Everyone's doing their job and doing it well and the whole thing comes together. I don't CARE that the guitar player keeps taking solos; that's his JOB! Mine is to lay a solid foundation with the drummer and if that's not there then the rest of the group sounds like crap. It's all about me! (It's just that I'm the only one that knows that...

) Ever watch concert footage? It's usually the bass player that cues things to the drummer and the rest of the band. Watch for it sometime...

Seriously; it you're all competent professionals, then you'll all just "get along" and appreciate each others' talent and contributions.

Mojo-Man · #5 03-16-2007, 09:39 AM

No. Thats the singer, and guitar player.

Zappstorius · #6 03-16-2007, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibnzneksrul

Bass is not the instrument to take up if one is in it for recognition and glory.

I totally disagree here. There are many bands where the bassist is the All-Star player that everyone comes to see. You think Rush would sound better if Geddy stuck to root notes every song?

PaulMacCnj · #7 03-16-2007, 10:19 AM

From my own experiences, I've had a few guitarists comment how bass is easier because there are less strings and you don't play chords. That's when I hand them the bass and say, "Here. Try it out." Then I get the next comments; "How the hell do you play this thing? The neck is so long, it goes on forever! How do stretch your fingers over these large frets?"

As for the sensitivity, it's just a product of not being appreciated by the majority of people. I've heard, "...the bass player just stands there plucking away, like 'Duh!'" While that's bound to piss you off, keep a thick skin and smile. Arguring will get you nowhere.

Paul Mac

Aaron Saunders · #8 03-16-2007, 10:53 AM

I there you're right about a large portion of this forum actually.

I mean, come on -- aren't we all tired of this "My friend said bass is easy! What're some great licks to shut him up?!" or "My amp isn't loud enough, I can still hear my guitar player -- how can I fix this?" etc.

It all just seems like a nice way to get pats on the back and generally have a big lovefest about what a great instrument the bass is, and how we should all deserve kudos for playing it because it's so hard

.

ibnzneksrul · #9 03-16-2007, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zappstorius

You think Rush would sound better if Geddy stuck to root notes every song?

You must have quite the imagination if you think that is what I meant in my post.

Fassa Albrecht · #10 03-16-2007, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zappstorius

I totally disagree here. There are many bands where the bassist is the All-Star player that everyone comes to see. You think Rush would sound better if Geddy stuck to root notes every song?

I'll second this one. Listen to Level 42. It's Mark King's slap bass which really makes the song.

Jeremy Crockett · #11 03-16-2007, 12:01 PM

Bitter? No, I think it's a question of logistics. You give a tailor some cloth, the man's gonna make a suit.

Triclops · #12 03-16-2007, 04:53 PM

do you believe in the bassist's rapture?

bassist15 · #13 03-16-2007, 08:55 PM

Ive never really gotten the hate on guitarists either. I guess i havent dealt with jerks like otehrs have. Most of the guitartists around here really like a good bassist. I really dont need huge recognition , but at the end of a gig or practice I like to hear people saying things like , I really liked that bassline or I really like the bass sound. My drumline instructor has been changing things with my tone every practice and I changed it a little bit the next time and during a walking line with every other instrument playing he look at me and said "man i really like that bass sound"(that part of the song was sampled from Moondance by Van Morrison)

driver800 · #14 03-16-2007, 09:10 PM

yeah, the bassist inferiority complex is a bit pathetic. that's why i did not like the tb t-shirt design a few months ago:

bass > guitar

Are we so insecure that we need to put down others to make us feel better? (ok, don't answer that). Anyway, I thought the t-shirts should have been:

bass != guitar

bass is different than guitar and typically provides a different role. If the music sounds good and you enjoy playing it there is no issue.

B-NoteCowboy · #15 03-18-2007, 12:12 AM

First of all, there is no reason bass can't be a frontline instrument. And there is no reason the guy that plays bass can't be a lead vocalist or a front man.

Having said that, I love my guitar players. They are some of my best friends and I would never dream of complaining about what they do. I'm lucky because in our gig, the bass player plays a central role to say the least.

Bigger · #16 03-22-2007, 03:24 PM

guitar players for being retards or angry at their three hour solos.
1)Why not do yoru own solos then......? then everyone can be angry at you to. but actually most of todays bass players arent good enough to solo anyway.

We sometimes complain about not getting as much expousure or popularity as the other band members even though sonically speaking, we are the living soul of the music (Listen to dance to the music by sly and family stone. The song doesnt breath as a living entity until the bass starts. Just a little example).
2) you are not the living soul, a band can do just fine with a keyboard player or a monkey hitting a cat with a broom.

We all know the sterotype of the super mega star godlike guitar player who has to be the loudest over all instruments who use songs as a vehical for two hour solos and leaves the club with two chicks on each arm.
3) cause guitarists are more attractive (even if they are physically uglier then anyon else) to girls. girls love vocals and guitars

But are we, as bassists, are always bitter because we put in the most work gluing everything together making everything sound cohesive and get the least attention? Do we walk around with a chip on our shoulders?
4) you do not put the most work into anything, you play the same 3 parts an entire song where the lead guitarist has to remember solo's for everthing and the singer has to remember all the words.

I guess I fall into the category of "I don't care for the recognition or glory, I played the funk out of that groove and I'm just happy to be here). I don't need the spotlight or to be a frontman, I'm happy to let the guitar player shine. In fact, all I want is to be heard and plenty of sonic space to fill up and funk out to.
5) bass is not for spotlight, or a lavish lifestyle, or feminine attention (mostly its doofy fat guys after a show going "man im learning bass now", and doesnt that make you feel good as the guitarist is walking out with a girl on each arm.

I litterally every night before I go to sleep dream of being in a rock band! This post appears to have wondered off on a tangent so I'm stopping here. Sorry guys....[/quote]
6) bass is not previlent in rock, only jazz and funk which really doesnt attract hot chicks anyway (unless yoru into hairy pits and dreads). wanna be in a rock band learn to sing or play guitar otherwise drums is the next runner up because everyone HAS to hear you. the bass is SOOOOOOOO dorwned out and leveled down on cd's nowa days its rediculous lol. but it only happens because that is what sells and what the MAJORITY wants to hear.

invader3k · #17 03-22-2007, 04:02 PM

It's silly to stereotype all guitarists, and I don't think too many people here do it too seriously.

Personally, I like playing the bass, but I love guitar driven rock music. It all works together.

BassAntix · #18 03-22-2007, 07:44 PM

can you see me in this pic no matter how hard i tried to get seen i litterally got thrown back..... i do have a chip as a bassist but thats just me to each our own....

moogboy · #19 03-22-2007, 07:47 PM

wait, you enjoy 3-hour solos where you get so tired of playing the same riff that you just want to loop it and get off stage?

Tyvil · #20 03-22-2007, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassAntix

can you see me in this pic no matter how hard i tried to get seen i litterally got thrown back..... i do have a chip as a bassist but thats just me to each our own....

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA.... i seee a hand.

dont worry you could have been right up front and no one would have seen you. you guys should all just scotch tape 2 extra strings to your basses and then maybe people will see you.