Panting A Target On My Own Back

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

Marcus posted in the beginning about his gig, expecting everyone to jump on the predictable bandwagon of bashing the gig.

That's probably true, and for underestimating the collective consciousness of all you guys, I apologize. Kenny G gets bashed way more than he deserves, and after meeting him, I feel that even more strongly.

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

That's probably true, and for underestimating the collective consciousness of all you guys, I apologize. Kenny G gets bashed way more than he deserves, and after meeting him, I feel that even more strongly.

No apologies necessary. As I mentioned, there's a guy in town here who plays in that style. Occasionally, I play his gig, and I always have a good time with the freedom to create rhythmic interest behind the long melodic phrases. You know as well as I do that there's music to be made every time you play with someone. You just expected more snobbery. I can dig it. I get that on a small scale for playing with the guy I was talking about. I'd probably have expected it on a larger scale in your situation as well.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

I don't know what a "bass duel" is, or what the possible point of such an event would be. I've no interest in it either way. Music for me has always been a collective effort, not a competition. Let's face it; as bassists, we've consigned ourselves to a lifetime of playing music with people, rather than against them.

I mostly play jazz on double bass for a living now...

You always come across as very generous Marcus and for me, this is a big part of why I now enjoy playing Jazz - that is, the people aren't that competitive and especially the Jazz bass players I meet are very quick to share their knowledge
and encourage...?

So - whether I meet Jazz players at gigs or workshops or Summerschool etc. - they always seem to be interested in playing with other people and making the whole sound better and are keen to help.

Whereas, when I was playing BG and looking for basses, it always irritated me how if you stepped into a bass shop and played something, there was always somebody trying to impress and show how they were better than you - how they could play more notes in less time!!

[anonymous101511]

the fact that you expected some snide remarks is the point of my posts. I'm tired of sitting back and letting the sniping happen without response. I'm happy that many of the posts here were at least 'neutral', saying something along the lines of 'hey, it's a gig, so be happy to play', etc.
I'm taking a little time going through posts on a few different sites and speaking my piece, for a change.
Kenny has been a good friend of mine since 1986 and I have played a key role in the development of the music, so criticism towards him is also directed at me.
Call it a 'chip' or whatever; I call it 'standing up'; something that most guys are afraid to do, fearing that people won't like them.
I don't see any other high profile artists addressing this and that is certainly the easier route, but I've started now and can't stop.
That said, I would love for bassists to have some of the sense of 'community' like drummers and percussionists have, so why don't people drop the 'player hating' crap and try to be more supportive, on balance?
You won't see me laying into any other musician, just defending myself and my guys.

[Uncletoad]

Vail you hardly need to defend that gig man. It's a great gig. I'm sure the bread and the treatment are top notch. It's way better than any gig I get. If I got the call I'd be there in a second. I don't think I'd give critics of your gig 10 seconds of my emotional energy.

[damonsmith]

Originally Posted by vail_bass

the fact that you expected some snide remarks is the point of my posts. I'm tired of sitting back and letting the sniping happen without response. I'm happy that many of the posts here were at least 'neutral', saying something along the lines of 'hey, it's a gig, so be happy to play', etc.
I'm taking a little time going through posts on a few different sites and speaking my piece, for a change.
Kenny has been a good friend of mine since 1986 and I have played a key role in the development of the music, so criticism towards him is also directed at me.
Call it a 'chip' or whatever; I call it 'standing up'; something that most guys are afraid to do, fearing that people won't like them.
I don't see any other high profile artists addressing this and that is certainly the easier route, but I've started now and can't stop.
That said, I would love for bassists to have some of the sense of 'community' like drummers and percussionists have, so why don't people drop the 'player hating' crap and try to be more supportive, on balance?
You won't see me laying into any other musician, just defending myself and my guys.

Wow, cool thread. Vail, I have to say I feel for you, being at the extreme opposite end, playing free and more experimental things. In a strange way you and I both end up dealing with similar attacks about our musical choices. Obviously, you get FAR better perks but that is not really why we play music.

I choose to to play my bass with screws and sticks and you choose to play with a guy is hated just as much as he is loved. We have to expect some negative reaction from a lot of people for such choices and keep doing it if we think it is worthwhile.

It is cool that you are deciding to talk about it, I also decide to be part of the discussion when free music is attacked.

[koricancowboy]

Hmm... I completely side with you Vail. This post definitely is far from malicious but the mere fact that it was posted in the humor section of the forum alone speaks volumes on the intent of the post. So kudos to you for sticking up for your bro. It shows the amount of integrity and honor you have.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by vail_bass

I would love for bassists to have some of the sense of 'community' like drummers and percussionists have, so why don't people drop the 'player hating' crap and try to be more supportive, on balance?

That's what TB is all about - here were are!! We are that community!

[anonymous101511]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

That's what TB is all about - here were are!! We are that community!

Well, amen to that and let's move
on!

[Bruce Lindfield]

Although we are in the Double Bass forum....

[anonymous101511]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

Although we are in the Double Bass forum....

yeah, I play that as well; i do electric upright on our Latin set 'cause I don't like taking my coffin on the road these days.