Are bassists / basses becoming more mainstream / fashionable?

foq1978 · #1 09-09-2009, 06:09 PM

Is the basse becoming a more popular instrument? I've seen some "air bass" performances in movies and tv spots around. Maybe it's because the Guitar Hero mechanics are more similar to bass than guitar (IMO) . Anyway, I think the general audiences are more aware of the bass, its role and related mannerisms (playing it close to your upper chest, for instance).

Does that make sense? Do you think that too? Is it a good thing?

So, are basses/bassists becoming more popular?

Mudfuzz · #2 09-09-2009, 06:13 PM

Maybe it's people are paying more attention these days then just thinking they are all guitars

lowregister · #3 09-09-2009, 06:17 PM

+1

I feel like there's not more of us, just more of us are making it into view (ie. youtube) and perhaps games like Guitar hero letting you play bass and whatnot.

Steve! · #4 09-09-2009, 06:18 PM

I think they have had the same amount of popularity through the years (except maybe the 80's)--- My family has played air bass since 1961.

dragon574444 · #5 09-09-2009, 07:03 PM

Wait....I'm supposed to play my bass close to my upper chest? I guess I don't watch TV enough... :P

MrGotBass · #6 09-09-2009, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragon574444

Wait....I'm supposed to play my bass close to my upper chest? I guess I don't watch TV enough... :P

Exactly. I don't remember where I heard it, but I remember hearing someone say that if you're playing air bass it should look like you're tickling your bean-bag

Grantrudd · #7 09-09-2009, 07:52 PM

Direct quote from a girl at a gig who was raving about our singer:

"oh, and you are really good at guitar too!"

in her defense, i do play a 6er, but still...

to 90% of people out there, we are just a background instrument.

squashedOpossum · #8 09-09-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grantrudd

to 90% of people out there, we are just a background instrument.

and the least talented member of the band.

bassplayer1960 · #9 09-09-2009, 08:03 PM

I agree that every decade seems to have some signature bass sounds. I have satellite radio in my car and it's interesting to listen to bass styles through the decades in both pop, rock and jazz. I am currently intrigued by the upper register 4 string sounds of many of the 60s rock tunes.

Having said this I have been really taken back by the lack of bass playing in the 80s pop and the dance oriented "new wave" music. So many new wave hits from the 80s had two ingredients, an effeminate male lead singer with an English accent and NO bass player!

PBass101 · #10 09-09-2009, 08:06 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2alBPk2gkPo

foq1978 · #11 09-09-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PBass101

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2alBPk2gkPo

That's the one! I really enjoyed the scene, though. My wife used to ask the same thing when I played "air bass', so I can really relate to that...

gjbassist · #12 09-09-2009, 08:53 PM

We must be getting some respect. They now make a P Bass controller for Rock Band!

bobTHEbasser · #13 09-10-2009, 07:25 AM

lets face it, its the guitards and singers who will always be in the limelight. ask any non musician to rate their top 5 bassists and they probably wont be able.

LowendinFL · #14 09-10-2009, 04:21 PM

I'll go with "D, Carrots", final answer.

NickInMesa · #15 09-10-2009, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PBass101

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2alBPk2gkPo

I did like this movie ("Don't make him angry... you won't like him when he's angry!" -talking about Lou Ferrigno on the phone) but the whole "slapping the bass" schtick ended up pissing me off for a reason.

Because he don't slap!

Otherwise, that was cool to see a bassist as the main character of a movie.

Except for that one where the guy rampages the pet shop.

cmlax21 · #16 09-10-2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobTHEbasser

lets face it, its the guitards and singers who will always be in the limelight. ask any non musician to rate their top 5 bassists and they probably wont be able.

Honestly I probably couldn't either if you put me on the spot

Eublet · #17 09-10-2009, 05:20 PM

Well, if all you rock guys would quit playing those muddy ampeg rigs so people could actually hear the instrument....

I kiiiid, I kiiiiid....

DerHoggz · #18 09-10-2009, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eublet

Well, if all you rock guys would quit playing those muddy ampeg rigs so people could actually hear the instrument....

I kiiiid, I kiiiiid....

That and scooped mids...

addylewis · #19 09-12-2009, 07:13 AM

My first bass teacher once told me - "Good guitarists are ten-a-penny, but a good bassist is hard to find"...

...but I think he told EVERY mediocre guitarist in the area that, coz now there seems to be a helluva lot of bog-standard bassists playing with picks!

CDRhom · #20 09-12-2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjbassist

We must be getting some respect. They now make a P Bass controller for Rock Band!

And you can have Peavy's art shop customize it for you.

I think there is at least more recognition of the Bass/Bass player. It seems that more people recognize me as a member of the band now.