Guitard on craiglist slamming bass players

[Ric5]

Here's the add by the guitard

******************************

http://denver.craigslist.org/muc/2175843982.html

The thing I've run into with bass players is that they don't know any music theory whatsoever. Usually they're guitar players, who, weren't any good on the guit, so they figured the bass is easier (less strings at least). What they don't realize is that they play they most important role in the band! Most bassists are nothing but root-note thumpers, and play a total of 1 or 2 bass lines (total) (for every song).

C'mon guys, learn what a dominant chord is, learn your major scale harmony (at least).

[thobbinghotrod]

that wasn't a slam on bass players, it was a slam on bad guitar players.

[Eublet]

Or a slam against himself and he just doesn't realize it. If he hasn't played with many good bass players, it might be because he isn't a good guitar player either, and he can't find anyone decent who's willing to endure his playing.

[prd004]

I don't find this too insulting. I've played for 25 years and I've yet to meet a guitarist who would say that the bass is the most important role in the band! It's actually quite refreshing to finally hear this from a guitarist after all these years!

I'm much more insulted by the guitards who view the bass as a dumbed down guitar and bassists as a lesser musician! There's waaaaaay more of those!

Plus he's looking for a player who who can bring some talent, creativity, and knowlege to the table. Seems like he's just a bit frustrated by the talent (or lack thereof) trying out for his band. As we all know, a good bass player is worth his weight in gold!

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by Eublet

Or a slam against himself and he just doesn't realize it.

+1

Every hot shot guitarist I ever let play one of my basses wanked his ass off like a monkey on crack and had everyone in the room choking back laughter.

Douchebag.

[FunkyMan]

What a generalization he did.. wonder how much experience he have..

[Reaper Man]

I don't really think that's a slam against bass players in general. As has been said- just guitar players who think they can play bass.

Usually one doesn't slam something by saying it's "the most important" of anything

[s_mcsleazy]

i dont get it

he calls most bass players dumbasses but then calls them the most importent

the life of a bass player - were stupid but usefull

[Sam Hain]

Originally Posted by Ric5

Here's the add by the guitard

******************************

http://denver.craigslist.org/muc/2175843982.html
What they don't realize is that they play they most important role in the band!

This is one hell of a compliment IMO. This cat gets it! Definately not a guitard!

[GeneralElectric]

I like how low TBers reading comprehension is.

What this guy says makes sense to me.

[KingRazor]

Originally Posted by Ric5

Here's the add by the guitard

******************************

http://denver.craigslist.org/muc/2175843982.html

The thing I've run into with bass players is that they don't know any music theory whatsoever. Usually they're guitar players, who, weren't any good on the guit, so they figured the bass is easier (less strings at least). What they don't realize is that they play they most important role in the band! Most bassists are nothing but root-note thumpers, and play a total of 1 or 2 bass lines (total) (for every song).

C'mon guys, learn what a dominant chord is, learn your major scale harmony (at least).

I feel the same way.

Most bassists do seem to be root-note thumpers that don't play anything interesting. (Nothing is wrong with playing root notes, but it gets boring for me both as a listener and a player).

Also, so many bassists haven't a clue how to EQ their bass. Scooping their mids and burying themselves in the mix.

I refuse to be that kind of bassist.

[JimiLL]

I liked hearing that bass is the most important in a band.

I dont see anything wrong with what he wrote

[superdick2112]

Q. How do you get your guitarist to turn down his volume?

A. Put some sheet music in front of him.

[plangentmusic]

The only people who would be insulted by those comments are the ones they apply to.

[g&lplayer]

Root notes do have their place though.... I'm playing this musical with a fairly large cast and for the most part I have to play just roots almost the entire time in order to make room for all the intricate vocal harmonies and stuff.

I feel like someone who may SEEM like a root note thumper may not actually be one all the time. Just sayin.

[hdracer]

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

I like how low TBers reading comprehension is.

What this guy says makes sense to me.

+1

[superdick2112]

Originally Posted by prd004

Plus he's looking for a player who who can bring some talent, creativity, and knowlege to the table.

Thats what his ad should have read - no need to throw the whining mini-rant out there that he did. Negative people tend to have negative wording in their CL musicians adverts, and through experience I have learned to avoid them. I've found that the musicians whose posts are upbeat & positive tend to be upbeat & positive people themselves, and usually make for much better bandmates.

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

I like how low TBers reading comprehension is.

What this guy says makes sense to me.

I read and comprehend just fine. And that CL ad comes off as a typically arrogant backhanded slap-in-the face compliment at best.

"Usually they're guitar players, who, weren't any good on the guit, so they figured the bass is easier (less strings at least)."

Really? This applies to you? Are most of us failed guitar players?

It doesn't apply to me, it doesn't apply to most bassists, and it's a cliche'd insult.

I wouldn't waste one iota of my time or talent on anyone who chose to phrase an ad that way. This is one giant red flag waving in the stench of egomania.

[winstonthecat]

As a former guitar player (well, I still play some guitar, but bass is my main instrument), I do find his attitude annoying. It's great that he recognizes the importance of bass, but from a practical standpoint, that kind of negativity in an ad is a turnoff.

As for the whole root note issue, I play in rock cover bands, and sometimes I just ride the root, as that is how the song was written. When playing basic runs and passing tones (usually as written for the song, and yes, I do know why they work from a theory standpoint), I have received a few compliments from guitar players that it is great playing with a real bass player. Those statements tend to back up the Craigslist poster impression that most bass players just play the root all the time, not knowing how to venture into something more interesting.

[GeneralElectric]

Originally Posted by electracoyote

I read and comprehend just fine. And that CL ad comes off as a typically arrogant backhanded slap-in-the face compliment at best.

"Usually they're guitar players, who, weren't any good on the guit, so they figured the bass is easier (less strings at least)."

Really? This applies to you? Are most of us failed guitar players?

It doesn't apply to me, it doesn't apply to most bassists, and it's a cliche'd insult.

I wouldn't waste one iota of my time or talent on anyone who chose to phrase an ad that way. This is one giant red flag waving in the stench of egomania.

He might be an egomaniac but that doesn't make him any less right. I play a bunch of stringed instruments including guitar. Bass was my first stringed instrument and the second instrument I learned how to play. I can play about 10 instruments with various levels of suckitude and I gig regularly. I don't consider myself a failed guitarist turned bass player.

I also happen know a ton of bass players, who aren't particularly good, who used to be guitar players. On the flipside I also know former guitar players turned bassists who are actually great players, but they are far fewer in number. It just so happens that once a band finds a good bass player they don't let them go. There are a lot more awful bass players on the market than talented ones I'd wager.

He's not disparaging good bass players. The poster even said that bass is the most important instrument in the band. He's frustrated that all the bass players he seems to run into are idiot former guitarists who just play root notes or really boring lines. I guess since he actually values the role of bass in modern music he actually wants someone competent.