Do We Want More Bass Players?

[Thunderthumbs73]

I was reading a thread, and a guy had a quote: "Why play bass? The real question is why don't you?" It got me thinking.

If we could choose, would we want more bass players?

Pro: Yes, we want more bass players, because it builds community and there will always be opportunities for good ones to stand out/above in a crowd, no matter how many bassists there are.

Con: No, we do not want more bass players. More bass players means more competion, and perhaps less opportunity to get more gigs. If there are enough bass players or too many, it limits or challenges my chances to work consistently.

I dunno. Those are a few pros/cons off the top of my head. I'm sure there are others. Add your two cents on the matter. Do we want more bass players? (I suspect many of us will, and there will be a few that won't)

[bass12]

The question for me is "do I want more bass players who play because they think bass is a great lead instrument?" and the answer is "no thanks". As much as I admire some of the artists who have "elevated" bass to a higher level in terms of virtuosity, I'm really not a fan of that general approach to the instrument. "Bass" albums typically make me cringe and the idea of more people picking up bass because they want to play like a virtuoso makes me uncomfortable. Now, solid groove players who know how to make a band sound good? Those I'd be happy to see more of.

[Vakmere]

Do we want more refrigeration machanics, cab drivers, and gas stations? Are there too many chiefs and not enough indians? Think about it this way, better to have too much than not enough in some regards. Play an instrument because you want to and never worry about how many are doing it.

[SteveC]

It's hard enough to get gigs already.

[RustyAxe]

More bass players? Hell, no. I make more money sub'ing and filling-in than I do with my band.

[Matt Dean]

I'd like to know a few more good ones so I can refer them when I get a call that I don't want to do. On the other hand, I'm in three cool bands because apparently there aren't enough in the North Bay.

[AlembicPlayer]

we want more female bass players.

[Studiodawg]

Yes, more real bass players would be fine, instead of "I want to play bass because I hear it's easier than guitar bass players"...

[TortillaChip520]

One of the things I love most about bass is that only real musicians appreciate a good bass player. Bass players are a musician's musician, I suppose. Any random d-bag can say "Hey, look at all the attention guitarists get, I want that!" then learn a couple chords and voila, one more guitard. The average person doesn't even know what a bass is, much less want to play one. The amount of people that can actually discern the bass part of a song is even smaller. Move a headphone an inch away from your ear, and the bass disappears. You have to be pretty dedicated to an instrument that goes that unnoticed. The amount of learning it takes to hold people's attention with a bass alone is waaaay more than that it is to learn a song or two on guitar.

[Jefenator]

YES!!

I just hate that "wounded puppy dog" groan I get when I tell someone I'm already booked on a certain date and there's no one else able to fill in.

Plus on a night off, I'd love to go out and get inspired.

So, yeah. Couple more "cats" around here would be great. (Not too many, though - 2 or 3 is plenty. )

[jmattbassplaya]

I like challenges. Bring it on

[Sartori]

Originally Posted by Matt Dean

I'd like to know a few more good ones so I can refer them when I get a call that I don't want to do. On the other hand, I'm in three cool bands because apparently there aren't enough in the North Bay.

Heh, also in the bay area. I'd like there to be more drummers, personally. If you need a sub...

[Sartori]

Originally Posted by AlembicPlayer

we want more female bass players.

Yes, we do.

[cnltb]

More musicians?
Of course, regardless of what instrument they play.