Seeking Bassist who thinks like a Guitarist (craigslist content)

[jordan2]

I don't know about you guys but I've been seeing a lot of kind of ridiculous craigslist adds for Bassists in the musician section. This one cracks me up. I feel the opposite way.

Band Seeks Bassist who thinks like a guitarist

Band Seeks Bassist who thinks like a guitarist

cover band needs a bassist to join us, we have had a few try out recently but no one has seemed to fit or be able to learn or adjust at the speed the rest of the band does, so i decided to try this again and be a little more specific about what i am looking for in a bassist: we need someone who will learn the parts for our cover songs and be able to write his own parts for songs we are doing different versions of, must also be able to transpose into different keys on the spot, i have been getting a little annoyed with bass players who I (the guitarist) have to teach their parts to, need someone who can learn quickly and adjust fast to changes, our band plays modern rock/ hard rock, top 40, 80s pop and modern pop (with a rock twist) so if you are ok with playing everything from Nickelback to Duran Duran and then turning around and rocking some Backstreet Boys and Enrique Iglesias harder than they have ever been rocked before than you are our guy (or girl) backing vocals are a plus, must have own equipment, transportation and no problems with drugs or drinking. must be ready to work hard as we are already close to getting shows just the lack of a bassist holding us back, email for more info and our setlist and to set up an audition

[Joebone]

Who is this guy kidding? Does he walk on water? How does HE sound in covering all that he wants from a bassist?

Effen' Duran Duran was an opening act when I first encountered them...don't get me started...

It's a sad fact that music sometimes brings out the worst in hyper-competitive people. Steer clear of any such band!

[mckendrick]

Originally Posted by Joebone

Who is this guy kidding? Does he walk on water? How does HE sound in covering all that he wants from a bassist?

Effen' Duran Duran was an opening act when I first encountered them...don't get me started...

It's a sad fact that music sometimes brings out the worst in hyper-competitive people. Steer clear of any such band!

Word up, Joebone!

[carlthegroover]

They want a bassist who thinks like a guitarist? What in the world they mean? The ad doesn't even address this, but they put it as a title?

If I'm not wrong, the guy who posted this (a guitard) thinks that "thinking like a guitarist" means one must be all hyper and hard working and just jump right in without a preamble? What's that got to do with being anything?

Some people.

[jordan2]

I could be mad or annoyed and I guess I kind of am, but I just am happy I don't have to deal with this guy.

Also it will probably turn down a lot of guys.

[MiJaKo]

Originally Posted by carlthegroover

They want a bassist who thinks like a guitarist? What in the world they mean?

I guess show up late to rehearsal, turn up louder than everyone else, and wank around whenever anyone is trying to talk.

[Stinsok]

Originally Posted by MiJaKo

I guess show up late to rehearsal, turn up louder than everyone else, and wank around whenever anyone is trying to talk.

Word to your mother!!!

[RustyAxe]

Not sure about that "think like a guitarist" bit, but I can relate to much of his frustration about finding a bassist who is foremost a solid musician. Knowing how to play a song (even many songs) doesn't make one a musician, rather, just a player.

If the poster had left out the guitarist remark, and had refrained from telling of his annoyances (and phrased them as requirements for the prospective new player) it would read like someone who knows what he wants.

What would then remain then is do the audition, and see if he meets his own specs ...

[carlthegroover]

Originally Posted by MiJaKo

I guess show up late to rehearsal, turn up louder than everyone else, and wank around whenever anyone is trying to talk.

Ugh. They want that? I'd say, thank you but no, thank you.

In fact, that kind of over-challenging, over-demanding kind of ad would turn me off that project. They sound way too bossy.

Originally Posted by RustyAxe

Knowing how to play a song (even many songs) doesn't make one a musician, rather, just a player.

Okay... so what makes one a musician?

[winstonthecat]

Yes, the title is goofy. He makes no mention in the add of this, and the things he does mention (ability to learn quickly, adapt on the fly) are important factors for all musicians, and not simply a guitarist trait.

The overall tone is pretty annoying, and I would stay far away.

[RustyAxe]

Originally Posted by carlthegroover

Okay... so what makes one a musician?

Let me explain ... I can replace the brakes on my car or motorcycle, change the oil, replace the spark plugs, etc ... but that does not make me an automotive engineer. I can add a circuit to my house, change a light bulb, add a new light fixture, but that doesn't make me an electrician.

A musician can do much more than simply regurgitate finger motions he learned by rote. If you don't understand the difference between a player and a musician ... well ...

[scottfeldstein]

The non-riduculous part of what he's saying: he wants a bass player who is versatile and who learns quickly.

The ridiculous part of what he's saying: being versatile and learning quickly is "being like a guitarist."

[carlthegroover]

Originally Posted by RustyAxe

Let me explain ... I can replace the brakes on my car or motorcycle, change the oil, replace the spark plugs, etc ... but that does not make me an automotive engineer. I can add a circuit to my house, change a light bulb, add a new light fixture, but that doesn't make me an electrician.

A musician can do much more than simply regurgitate finger motions he learned by rote. If you don't understand the difference between a player and a musician ... well ...

I don't think you answered my question. If I'm asking is because I don't know what your definition of a "musician" is. I have mine, and I can easily read definitions wherever I search, but I want to hear yours, and what is the qualitative difference between a musician and a player according to you. Plain and simple. No metaphors needed.

Are you implying that a player only repeats, and the musician creates, then? What about people who play at an orchestra? They are just players, not musicians?

[scottfeldstein]

Originally Posted by carlthegroover

what is the qualitative difference between a musician and a player.

None. That'd be my opinion. Not that anyone asked. When people start making those type of distinctions it usually just means they're into the "who's better than who" game... which usually means they think a lot about who they're better than. I find it distasteful. Bad karma.

Anyone who can bang two rocks together in front of an audience is a musician to me. I may not like your music. But I think it's ill-considered to criticize and discuss who's better than who. It's catty and it's unhelpful. We're all learning.

[Hawkbone]

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

None. That'd be my opinion. Not that anyone asked. When people start making those type of distinctions it usually just means they're into the "who's better than who" game... which usually means they think a lot about who they're better than. I find it distasteful. Bad karma.

Anyone who can bang two rocks together in front of an audience is a musician to me. I may not like your music. But I think it's ill-considered to criticize and discuss who's better than who. It's catty and it's unhelpful. We're all learning.

as an accomplished rock banger, I endorse your answer!

[scottfeldstein]

New band name: the Rock Bangers!

Years ago when I was into martial arts we had a rule: do not criticize others. We all felt it was our responsibility to be helpful and supportive if one of our fellow students was struggling. Everyone was there to strive to be their best--from the guy who started just last week, to the most athletically gifted among us. We took it seriously. I never heard any catty comparisons or snide criticisms in the locker room. Ever.

Anyway. The other thing is, even as rock musicians (which I presume most of us are), we can't forget that music is, at some level, still art. And being art, it's not a contest to be measured and won. It isn't an objective endeavor, nor is it a war. There is only art you like and art you don't like. Everything else said about it is just pissing in the wind.

[rilindmc]

LOL

bassist withought drug problems

good luck brah XD

[Downunderwonder]

Originally Posted by rilindmc

LOL

bassist withought drug problems

good luck brah XD

LOL, see I read it with a assumed full stop as if he was starting a new sentence:

Must have transport, no problems with drinking or drugs...

ie must have "no problem with drugs and booze" as in "we do drugs and booze in this band, you better not have a problem with that".

No, I don't need help.

[RustyAxe]

Originally Posted by carlthegroover

I don't think you answered my question. If I'm asking is because I don't know what your definition of a "musician" is. I have mine, and I can easily read definitions wherever I search, but I want to hear yours, and what is the qualitative difference between a musician and a player according to you. Plain and simple. No metaphors needed.

Are you implying that a player only repeats, and the musician creates, then? What about people who play at an orchestra? They are just players, not musicians?

No, not at all. I know some who "write music" that is nearly devoid of real musicality, and they couldn't tell you the notes or chords if their lives depended on it.

Your definition works for you? Fine. I don't understand why you seem to care to much about mine. As long as I know what I'm looking for in potential band mate (musicianship) it doesn't matter to anyone else, does it?

[Waffles and Scotch]

Originally Posted by RustyAxe

No, not at all. I know some who "write music" that is nearly devoid of real musicality, and they couldn't tell you the notes or chords if their lives depended on it.

Your definition works for you? Fine. I don't understand why you seem to care to much about mine. As long as I know what I'm looking for in potential band mate (musicianship) it doesn't matter to anyone else, does it?

Knowing the terminology has very little to do with being a musician IMO...