"You look like a bass player"

Twocan · #1 05-23-2013, 01:16 PM

I've been primarily a bassist since I was 15, but did a solo acoustic thing for a while when I was in college to pay the bills. I remember speaking with a group of people during a break when a girl (a few in the bag) muttered "something's wrong - you look like a bass player. You should be playing bass."

I've often wondered just what exactly that meant. No, I did not have my acoustic slung below my knees nor did I stand in the back corner of the stage in the shadows, avoiding eye contact.

So my question is, what does a bass player look like? Do you fit the bill?

maxgrant · #2 05-23-2013, 01:22 PM

The wimmins who know the secret, don't tell it. But it's in the hands, guys. They know what's up with the hands.

dalkowski · #3 05-23-2013, 01:23 PM

The lass may have been well in her cups, but she knew a gentleman of distinction when she saw one.

HolmeBass · #4 05-23-2013, 01:24 PM

Yes, I do. Bald with goatee and a gut. Too many of us look this way. At least I'm not shaving my head.

paparoof · #5 05-23-2013, 01:25 PM

I've always thought "big people" should play bigger instruments and vice versa.

I'm 6' 3" and not far from 300 pounds. I look pretty silly holding a little tiny guitar, but a bass looks appropriately sized.

So... are you a big fella?

JimiLL · #6 05-23-2013, 01:29 PM

Im 6 foot, 225lb. Buzzed head. People tell me I look like a bass player

MatticusMania · #7 05-23-2013, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimiLL

Im 6 foot, 225lb. Buzzed head. People tell me I look like a bass player

Im 6', 180lbs and Ive been told the same.

CDuff · #8 05-23-2013, 01:32 PM

I've had this happen once or twice.
I'm 5'8" and normal build with normally proportioned hands.
I remember once, a group of us from work were talking about playing instruments and I mentioned that I used to be in a band. (I was new to the company) Before someone even finished asking "what did you play?" this girl just said emphatically "bass. definitely."
I asked how she knew and she just said "It's obvious."
Very mysterious.

DiabolusInMusic · #9 05-23-2013, 01:35 PM

Did you have a stupid hat? Lots of bass players wear stupid hats...

Yes, a fedora is SUPER cool, but it isn't cool to wear it with blue jeans and a t-shirt.

ArtechnikA · #10 05-23-2013, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paparoof

I've always thought "big people" should play bigger instruments and vice versa.

On thing I always noticed about mariachi bands in the San Diego area is that the smallest guy invariably gets the acoustic bass. (I'm sure it has a proper Mexican Spanish name, which I do not know...)

georgiagoodie · #11 05-23-2013, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiabolusInMusic

Did you have a stupid hat? Lots of bass players wear stupid hats...

Yes, a fedora is SUPER cool, but it isn't cool to wear it with blue jeans and a t-shirt.

This!
Especially knit caps....

MysticMichael · #12 05-23-2013, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twocan

So my question is, what does a bass player look like? Do you fit the bill?

I've gotten that comment from time to time. I have no idea of what that particular girl meant when she said it to you, but in my case I assume it's because I'm large of stature, and therefore physically built like a bassist: 6' 2" tall with a big frame, i.e. big shoulders, long arms & legs, etc.

MM

Twocan · #13 05-23-2013, 01:47 PM

So if I go home tonight and look in the mirror I should see a tall, strong, fat, bald man with a goatee, massive manly hands and a stupid hat on

Dash Rantic · #14 05-23-2013, 01:49 PM

I've been getting the comment that I "look like a bass player" for well before I even played bass. Not entirely sure why, but I do suspect it has something to do with being tall (I'm 6'4").

--

CDuff · #15 05-23-2013, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twocan

So if I go home tonight and look in the mirror I should see a tall, strong, fat, bald man with a goatee, massive manly hands and a stupid hat on

This hat thing is totally new to me. Bassists wear hats?

MysticMichael · #16 05-23-2013, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArtechnikA

On thing I always noticed about mariachi bands in the San Diego area is that the smallest guy invariably gets the acoustic bass. (I'm sure it has a proper Mexican Spanish name, which I do not know...)

It's called a guitarrón.

MM

DiabolusInMusic · #17 05-23-2013, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDuff

This hat thing is totally new to me. Bassists wear hats?

There is no way this is restricted to my scene.

Everytime a group of people head to the stage and one of them is in a stupid hat... bassist. 10 times out of 10.

It is less common in metal... because hats aren't metal...