Equal Pay Split, What Are Your Thoughts?

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by ChrisB2

Jmatt, glad you didn't take too much offense to what I wrote, I like you and didn't want to piss you off!



I totally agree. I don't think we're disagreeing about the importance of bass in music. I love bass! I'm a bass player, and not one who switched to bass from guitar to get gigs. I play because I simply love bass. Without it, music is flat, empty, and boring. Plus the instrument is fun to play, and not that hard to play well enough to succeed in a cover band, although it's true that "good" bass playing is not as easy as people think!

Your argument could be used to say "Linebackers are just as important as quarterbacks" which in a way is true, but in another way is not true. As you say, a band can't sound good without bass, and a quarterback cannot win a game without linebackers. But the QB also gets more attention, more money, and more girls. That's reality. And the linebacker who recognizes that is not automatically putting himself down.

I'm humbled by the lead guitarist in my band... he's simply amazing. There's no way I could ever do what he can do. One advantage of aging is learning your limitations, and, if you're smart, accepting them and living strong within them. I know I simply don't have the dexterity in my fingers to play what he can play. But I just admire it and play along, playing well, playing better than a lot of other bass players (IMHO haha). I don't put myself down-- I accept his talent and ability, and use my own for its purpose as you so eloquently described above. Likewise, our singer just happens to be blessed with an amazing voice. He never worked at it, it's just there. I do not have such a voice. I can sing, but my tone and timbre just are not as pleasant as his. Is that putting myself down or admitting reality? Some people have been told all their lives that they are awesome singers, then they audition on TV shows, embarrass themselves, and wonder why they didn't win. I have no such delusions; I know I can carry a tune, and can sing some decent harmonies, and can add to our sound, but I would never cut it as a lead singer. It just ain't in the cards man! But you're right, no one would dance to him singing alone. I just don't agree that to recognize these facts is putting myself down........

Ha, I knew you didn't mean any harm I know exactly what you guys are saying, and for a large part I really do agree with it. It is a lot easier for people to associate themselves with a singer or a guitarist because they simply stand out more on stage, whereas drummers and bassists tend to stay back and hide in the shadows. In addition, they probably just play more interesting parts to the average music listener.

[4001]

Originally Posted by bluewine

Do you want to play out more?

What's holding you back?

Blue

Yes, I do want to play out more but I don't have the funds to "do the hang" and watch other bands and mingle so I can "connect" with other musicians/band members, I do not have practice space (for a full band), Craigslist is a bust and I really dislike playing the same set as every other band in town just to get a gig. Not too interested in playing party rock/dance stuff. I'm in a Soundgarden tribute and if I could find another tribute band that needs a bass player that would be tempting depending on what band they cover but I'm not so interested in playing "Summer of 69" type music.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Bassists tend to stay back and hide in the shadows.

Not me

BlueAttachment 311361

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by 4001

Yes, I do want to play out more but I don't have the funds to "do the hang" and watch other bands and mingle so I can "connect" with other musicians/band members, I do not have practice space (for a full band), Craigslist is a bust and I really dislike playing the same set as every other band in town just to get a gig. Not too interested in playing party rock/dance stuff. I'm in a Soundgarden tribute and if I could find another tribute band that needs a bass player that would be tempting depending on what band they cover but I'm not so interested in playing "Summer of 69" type music.

If restricted myself to playing the kind of music I like, I wouldn't be gigging. I would be in the bedroom.

I have a few friends that are super talented players, however they restrict themselves to playing only what they like.

None of them have played out in years.

Wouldn't you say guys like that are not really gigging band material.

No offence, but it would seem there has to be some degree of flexibility.

Blue

[MarkMgibson]

Originally Posted by bluewine

If restricted myself to playing the kind of music I like, I wouldn't be gigging. I would be in the bedroom.

I have a few friends that are super talented players, however they restrict themselves to playing only what they like.

None of them have played out in years.

Wouldn't you say guys like that are not really gigging band material.

No offence, but it would seem there has to be some degree of flexibility.

Blue

I don't "restrict" myself at all, yet I only play music that I like (there's plenty of it to choose from). I know many players who will play any damn thing if it gets them on-stage, but many of them sit in their bedrooms and call themselves funny names like "Mr. Rock & Roll".

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by MarkMgibson

I don't "restrict" myself at all, yet I only play music that I like (there's plenty of it to choose from). I know many players who will play any damn thing if it gets them on-stage, but many of them sit in their bedrooms and call themselves funny names like "Mr. Rock & Roll".

I happen to be very flexible.

For example I'm not a blues rock guy at all. I play in a blues rock band that keeps me gigging and on stage so I can call myself Mr. Rock & Roll.

Blue

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by bluewine

I know what your saying, and no way at 60 years old do I take myself seriously at any level.

No, I'm not a "Rock Star" , I'm Mr. Rock & Roll. There's a big difference.

Blue

Hummm.... sorry Blue but if you really call yourself Mr. Rock and Roll you are taking yourself way to seriously..please explain.

[walterw]

Originally Posted by bassbully

Hummm.... sorry Blue but if you really call yourself Mr. Rock and Roll you are taking yourself way to seriously..please explain.

i just take that to mean he's a rock & roll guy, that's what he was influenced by, knows and loves. nothing wrong with that, hell me too!

[MarkMgibson]

I wish someone would label me "Mr. Rock & Roll" - I cop so much crap for using that term. "It's Rock, it's pop, it's country-rock, it's punk, it's grunge, it's metal, etc" - it's all R&R to me.

[bigsnaketex]

NO, I AM MR. Rock-n-Roll.

Wait, is this the game show portion of the forum or not?

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by walterw

i just take that to mean he's a rock & roll guy, that's what he was influenced by, knows and loves. nothing wrong with that, hell me too!

Yea I see what you are saying but if you are truly refering to yourself as Mr. Rock and Roll thinking you are larger than life? Most of us are only playing in a weekend bar bands and this image might make you a little full of yourself.

You know I knew a guy once who could not stay in a band for longer than a month who thought he was Mr. Rock and Roll . What an ego that guy had for just playing in a local bar band.

Me? I'm just a average bass player in a weekend band..Mr. Nobody

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by bigsnaketex

NO, I AM MR. Rock-n-Roll.

Wait, is this the game show portion of the forum or not?

It could be fun seeing who truly has what it takes to be MR. ROCK AND ROLL

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by bassbully

Yea I see what you are saying but if you are truly refering to yourself as Mr. Rock and Roll thinking you are larger than life? Most of us are only playing in a weekend bar bands and this image might make you a little full of yourself.

You know I knew a guy once who could not stay in a band for longer than a month who thought he was Mr. Rock and Roll . What an ego that guy had for just playing in a local bar band.

Me? I'm just a average bass player in a weekend band..Mr. Nobody

No ego with me, I've been doing it for so long and it's only how I feel about myself.

Probably comes across as arogent in text. Its nothing I'm trying to sell myself as.

Blue

Attachment 311535

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by bassbully

Me? I'm just a average bass player in a weekend band..Mr. Nobody

I would describe myself the same way.

I'm only Mr. Rock & Roll in mind.

Blue

[bigsnaketex]

I still think we should have a "Mr. Rock-n-Roll" contest to determine the winner!!

Although defining that would be difficult and then there is the problem with the prizes and so forth......

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by bluewine

I would describe myself the same way.

I'm only Mr. Rock & Roll in mind.

Blue

AHHH..that's what I was wondering do you act it or think it?

It's fine to think it and keep it in but if you are acting it at 60 in a bar band or 51 like I soon will be I would be like

If I have a couple of good drinks before a gig I really think I look like Mr. ROCK AND ROLL onstage...umm... yea

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by bigsnaketex

I still think we should have a "Mr. Rock-n-Roll" contest to determine the winner!!

Although defining that would be difficult and then there is the problem with the prizes and so forth......

Let's do it. Trust me with a couple of Scotches or Whiskeys before a gig I will tell anyone I am MR. ROCK AND ROLL

[Pacman]

Originally Posted by bluewine

No ego with me, I've been doing it for so long and it's only how I feel about myself.

Probably comes across as arogent in text. Its nothing I'm trying to sell myself as.

Blue

Originally Posted by bluewine

Let's get the story straight, I hadn't picked up or played bass in over 40 years.

Wait....what?

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by bassbully

AHHH..that's what I was wondering do you act it or think it?

It's fine to think it and keep it in but if you are acting it at 60 in a bar band or 51 like I soon will be I would be like

If I have a couple of good drinks before a gig I really think I look like Mr. ROCK AND ROLL onstage...umm... yea

Well, I'm older, what can I say.

I like to dress the part even in the small bars we play.

My act is being humble, gracious and nice to everyone who comes out to see us.

By the way, I love talking to our older fans that remember the old days. For the purpose of this tangent that would be the early 70s.

Those older patrons still love Rock & Roll and talking to older guys still doing this. Even at the local level it's nice. These folks have a history and an appreciation of live blues/ rock that I find younger folks don't have.

Blue

[Jarrett]

One day Blue is going to post a long disclaimer about how we've been part of an ongoing social experiment for the last 5 years