The stigma of being a bassist.

[Noseferatu]

Does anyone else agree there's a sort of stigma that comes along with being a bassists??

[lowendfriend]

I guess I don't agree. People have all kinds of funny attitudes and prejudices. Doesn't make 'em true.

[geeza]

I don't think being intelligent and well-spoken is a stigma, exactly.

[gjbassist]

My son likes to joke that bass players are generally the least attractive member of a band! He uses Geddy Lee and Lemmy as examples so I guess it is hard to argue with that!

[somedumbguy]

The stigma I've always seen is that there are two types of bass players:

Those with cheap rigs who rock out with their bass hung really low.

And those with really awesome gear who just stand in the back totally groovin

[Mortiis]

I've never had any, no.

[xxfaux_punkxx]

of coarse. Bass players are the band mates with the biggest... guitar.

[thirtypoint87]

the stigma is only held by neophytes and the un-hip. Musicians know the importance of a top quality rhythm section.

[Noseferatu]

Originally Posted by somedumbguy

The stigma I've always seen is that there are two types of bass players:

Those with cheap rigs who rock out with their bass hung really low.

And those with really awesome gear who just stand in the back totally groovin

I prefer a happy medium.


Awesome gear and rockin out up front and interacting with the crowd.

[basstotheface]

the apical end of the style where deposited pollen enters the pistil? hehe just kidding

and yea i do think there is, but only with people that dont really know about music. in reality theres one for every instrument, look at some of the posts here about guitarists, singers, even sound guys.

[JDJen]

I had a music store owner once tell me that the reason most bassist play the bass is because they can't grasp the concept of putting multiple notes together to build chords, or think melodically enough to put a lead solo together. Of course he was a "sound engineer" and could play enough on a guitar or bass to demo them for a sale.

They carried Lakeland, Eden, Jackson, Washburn, Daisy Rock.

Did I mention they are no longer in business....lasted about 2 years.

HAHAHAHA!

[guitardefector]

Originally Posted by Noseferatu

Does anyone else agree there's a sort of stigma that comes along with being a bassists??

Yeah, being called the "cute" Beatle is the worst stigma I can think of.

[MrTAteMyBalls]

Originally Posted by thirtypoint87

the stigma is only held by neophytes and the un-hip. Musicians know the importance of a top quality rhythm section.

unfortunately there are very few real musicians out there. most guitarists for example dont even understand what the rhythm section is supposed to do. most drummers dont either, sadly.

the general public doesnt know really, they just think you couldnt hack it on guitar. i take pride in the fact that i can play lead guitar way better than i can play bass and these people have no idea and think of me as "just" the bass player. haha....priceless.

[kugelspot]

Originally Posted by MrTAteMyBalls

unfortunately there are very few real musicians out there. most guitarists for example dont even understand what the rhythm section is supposed to do. most drummers dont either, sadly.

the general public doesnt know really, they just think you couldnt hack it on guitar. i take pride in the fact that i can play lead guitar way better than i can play bass and these people have no idea and think of me as "just" the bass player. haha....priceless.

There's an upside to that though. When people see a great guitar player, they go "wow, he's good." When people see a bass player of equal talent/skill, they go "HOLY F***ING JESUS HE'S AMAZING!!!!111!!11!!!!!!"

And to be fair, while we're all wallowing in self pity over how everyone thinks we're failed guitar players, many (in the early days of rock, most) rock bassists are just former guitarists. Alex Webster, Paul McCartney, and Geezer Butler to name a few.

[Yerf Dog]

When I bought my bass there was no stigma in with the case candy. Freakin' Fender.

[smogg]

Originally Posted by Noseferatu

Does anyone else agree there's a sort of stigma that comes along with being a bassists??

Depends on your definition of stigma.
Example: about two weeks ago was working a local gig and a couple of tourists came up to me at first break begging to sit in. Trying to be polite conversation went as follows;

Them: "Do you allow special guests?"

Me: "No, not really but they have open jams on Wednesdays."

Them: "You could make it happen if you wanted to."

Me: "I'm just the bass player, you should really talk to the lead singer."

Them: "Ya but you're 'the soul of the band", everybody knows your the driving force."

Me: "Thank you, that's very kind, but this is a working situation not a jam night."

Them: "Could we sing back ground at the side of the stage?"

Me: "Sure, no problem."

So their friends took lots of pictures to take back home.

But anyway, if being "the soul of the band" is a stigma, I can live with it.

[JohnMCA72]

Originally Posted by kugelspot

...
When people see a great guitar player, they go "wow, he's good."
...

A lot of people say the same thing, even when all the guitar player can do is "shred" at a very high speed - with no sense of timing, tempo, scale, harmony, or dynamics, let alone appropriateness to the material. A lot of what most non-musicians (which, sadly, includes a lot of people who pick up instruments) think is "great" is anything but.

[LarryO]

Bass players are as different from one another as all humans. Just because we play the same instrument that doesn't mean there is anything else about us that is similar. That can be a good or a bad thing but you are an individual.........A lot of people use lawnmowers on the weekend, that doesn't mean they are similar.

[JohnMCA72]

Originally Posted by LarryO

Bass players are as different from one another as all humans. Just because we play the same instrument that doesn't mean there is anything else about us that is similar. That can be a good or a bad thing but you are an individual.........A lot of people use lawnmowers on the weekend, that doesn't mean they are similar.

<looking down nose> Yes, but you can't call yourself a "pro", or get a really precise alignment of the grass with a Lawn Boy. Toro rulez!!!!

[bassteban]

Originally Posted by Noseferatu

Does anyone else agree there's a sort of stigma that comes along with being a bassists??

Only in weak minds.