Why did I master bass instead of guitar???

[JimmyM]

I played a rare guitar gig Saturday night at House of Blues Orlando for a convention. I do about 5-6 guitar gigs a year on average, but this year they've been a little rare. But I got a call so I spent all week practicing after hardly touching it for a year. And for a major part of the show, I had to sightread charts to Supremes and Donna Summer songs, so it was good that I practiced.

Now I've done bass solos before at HOB gigs and gotten little or no reaction out of the crowds. I also sing, and I usually manage to get a bit of a reaction with that, but not with my bass playing. And usually my guitar gigs are lame affairs in front of people who couldn't care that I'm there or not, so I could set myself on fire and not get a reaction. But tonight was a killer gig in front of a lot of people who were fairly well loaded and ready to party.

I am not a great guitarist. I have been referred to as "workmanlike" on the guitar, meaning I play as little as I can get away with and no really flashy solos or anything. But for some reason, everything was cooking with my playing tonight, and I stepped out in front and did a few solos, and every time I did, people went crazy and screamed at me and gave me the rock fist and all that. Even though I basically did a variation of the same solo in every song, the crowd loved it and were cheering me on in a way they never did before.

So after 30 years of playing professionally, I think I'm done with the bass Just kidding, but I have to tell you, I really got off on being rock star for an evening. This business about playing the bass and lending quiet support to make everyone else look good is for the birds!

[kaih]

I thought it was common knowledge that bassists didnt NEED any public recognition as vocalists and guitarists do, simply because they are superiour lovers and get all their validation between the sheets you see.

Yes

Thats it isnt it

[Pacman]

So you've MASTERED the bass?

Wow. You must feel so good.

[JimmyM]

That was a rude and unnecessary comment, Jon.

[dls59]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

That was a rude and unnecessary comment, Jon.

No joke. Who peed in HIS Wheaties?!

[Lesfunk]

We masters of the the bass are rightly offended!

[JNowiski]

Originally Posted by Pacman

So you've MASTERED the bass?

Wow. You must feel so good.

thats what i thought too.

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Why did I master bass instead of guitar???

I usually find them to be the exact same activity.


Oh wait, you said master bass? Nevermind.

[Pacman]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

That was a rude and unnecessary comment, Jon.

I'm sorry. So it's rude to clarify that you have indeed mastered the bass? My bad.


Don't tell me you couldn't have seen that coming?

[JimmyM]

Sorry I used a word that didn't meet with your approval.

[kaih]

catfight f... yes

[Asa Samuel]

Originally Posted by dls59

No joke. Who peed in HIS Wheaties?!

me, sorry.

[oxygenbass]

Originally Posted by Bass_Junkie

me, sorry.

Well the bass aint the guitar is it!

In my opinion - The Bass is there to Groove and to provide a solid and funky rhythmn and work with the drums!

If you want to be the centre of attention (ROCKSTAR) then why not buy a sparkly gold telecaster/les paul, buy a glam rock red leather and silver lightning bolt suit and have a sign above your head saying "Look at me!"

ITS ABOUT HOW THE MUSIC MAKES YOU FEEL NOT THE CROWD!

[jnprather]

Originally Posted by oxygenbass

ITS ABOUT HOW THE MUSIC MAKES YOU FEEL NOT THE CROWD!

Yeah, i'm sure the venue owner hired the artist who was performing that night so they'd have a place to go up and get off on the music with little regard for the crowd.

[Matt Till]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Sorry I used a word that didn't meet with your approval.

Pac was just messing with you, and frankly... when you go on a BASS message board and in the subject you mention that you've "MASTERED" the bass... you are going to get made fun of.



Jeez, you're a pretty defensive masterbasser!

[Pacman]

Thanks, Matt. I guess I wasn't clear...

[dls59]

Originally Posted by Pacman

Thanks, Matt. I guess I wasn't clear...

May I introduce you to Mr. Smiley or or or even if you want it to be clear that you were "just messing" with him. Frankly, it just came off as smart

[Eric Perry]

Originally Posted by dls59

May I introduce you to Mr. Smiley or or or even if you want it to be clear that you were "just messing" with him. Frankly, it just came off as smart

Ooooooooohhhh, he didn't cover up the whole curse wooooordddddd!!!!

[bassteban]

Back on topic:To answer the original post's question- because bass is so much easier, silly. And you call your self a master...












Oh, yeah-

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by bassteban

Back on topic:To answer the original post's question- because bass is so much easier, silly. And you call your self a master...

Oh, yeah-

Put it this way...am I a bass master the level of Victor Wooten or Dave LaRue? No. But I feel I've developed a degree of mastery in the types of music I most commonly play, and I have a lot of general knowledge as well. So if that makes me a schmuck to say so, so be it.

But anyway, bass definitely was easier for me to master. But it was also a case of knowing so many guitarists and drummers that were always looking for a bassist so I figured there was money to be made. Still waiting for the money but I have always been able to find a gig, whereas I know many guitarists who are really good who don't work as much as I do. But I think that if I had tried, I would have been a very good guitarist.