Rant

[Unspoken511]

Sorry If this is in the wrong forum, but I've got a rant, and I need some fellow bass players to give me some advice.

First off, I absolutely HATE IT when people tell me bass is the easiest instrument, that you only play that when you can't play guitar or sing, that you don't have talent, that you don't have the same abilities as other musicians.

On top of that, I hate guitards who immediately ask for my bass, play a really poor rendition of sweet child of mine or something to that effect, say they can play bass because it's like guitar but easier, then when I point out it's wrong/ out of tune, they say it doesn't mater because no one can hear it and/or they learned it cause they were bored. AGH!!!

Something recently that really p-ed me off was when some kid in my english class, he plays violin and guitar (poorly, I might add), and said, "y'know, upright bass is pretty easy. I grabbed the one from the orchestra room and it was so simple." Now, I know he was bsing me because he sucks. A lot. but it still irks me because I get that a lot.

And one more thing. I absolutely cannot stand it when people who can play more than one instrument than me immediately assume they are better musicians than me because of that fact. Or, for the kids that are better musicians than me, regardless of instrument, rub that in my face. that last one isn't bass related, but it's still annoying.

Thanks for reading,
Any tips or Advice?

[kevinmoore73]

Grow up and learn to ignore stupid people.

[milDoo]

Above pretty much sums it up.

[Axtman]

My favorite response to, "bass is easy", that I read on TalkBass, is to hand that person a bass and say, "Okay prove it!"

[IPYF]

Suck it up princess. If you're going to get the sad hangs every time another musician does something disparaging towards you then I doubt you'll be in music very long.

You're in charge of you. Who gives a dickens what some other cat is yammering about?

[paradog]

Originally Posted by kevinmoore73

Grow up and learn to ignore stupid people.

+1

[Spectrum]

Advice? I assume you're dealing with young, and therefore cocky, people, right?

When I was in high school I was one of the few kids who wanted to learn bass, and the only one who took it seriously. As a result, I was in demand. I got calls from kids I didn't even know who heard I was a decent bassplayer and would I be interested in joining their band?

Mouthy, arrogant people are a dime a dozen, but good bassplayers are worth their weight in gold. So tell them that if bass is so easy they can get someone else to play it while you go find a band with more mature-minded people.

[Jazz Ad]

It's true though, bass is very easy. Once you admit it you will live a happier life.
It's also very fun, which is a lot more important.

[Unspoken511]

Yeah, You guys are right, I'm being dumb.

[Hopkins]

I am assuming that you are still in high school. So my question to you is, why are you worried about the opinions of some ignorant adolesents with no life experience. If you continue to explore music into adulthood you will find that most people in a band situation wont have such silly ideas about music and the instruments people use to make it.

So grow some thicker skin and just realise that an idiot, will be an idiot. So dont let them drag you to their level

[IPYF]

And do yourself a favour nice and early: learn that music isn't a contest.

If you can't come to terms with that then you will never be a happy musician.

[Jazz Ad]

You will also get a lot more respect if you say what you do is easy than if you pretend that it's difficult.

[BlueTalon]

Originally Posted by Spectrum

When I was in high school I was one of the few kids who wanted to learn bass, and the only one who took it seriously. As a result, I was in demand.

Mouthy, arrogant people are a dime a dozen, but good bassplayers are worth their weight in gold.

This x100. You really want to get back at the nay-sayers? Work on your craft and let your playing do your talking. Get good, and then join bands with better musicians than them.

And get used to the fact that people are idiots.

[morgansterne]

an awful lot of people who play more than one instrument are cats who just get bored easily. I play any instrument I can get my hands on because learning something new is more fun than practicing all the scales and arpeggios it takes to really master an instrument.

[burnunit]

Originally Posted by IPYF

Suck it up princess.

Are insults necessary? Ignorant people are irritating and he wanted to vent.

[ma4rk]

Just one of those things we have to deal with as bassists.

Keep in mind that once you finish school you don't have to deal with that BS as much. And unless they're only joking & you're giving each other sh!t for a laugh, people tend to say things like that when they feel inferior about their own abilities & need an ego boost. It's all about being the Alpha Male.

[IPYF]

Originally Posted by burnunit

Are insults necessary? Ignorant people are irritating and he wanted to vent.

Suggesting that someone harden up is not an insult. If the OP feels insulted he's welcome to report me, as are you. Let the mods sort it out if you need.

[Unspoken511]

Originally Posted by IPYF

Suggesting that someone harden up is not an insult. If the OP feels insulted he's welcome to report me, as are you. Let the mods sort it out if you need.

It's all good. He's right. A little thicker skin couldn't hurt. Thanks for the reassurement, guys.

[burnunit]

Originally Posted by IPYF

Suggesting that someone harden up is not an insult. If the OP feels insulted he's welcome to report me, as are you. Let the mods sort it out if you need.

I would take "princess" as an insult, yes. Someone comes to this forum for help and gets this crap. You must be a "tough guy".

[klokker]

Bass is so easy. That's why I know so many bands who have everything in place........except a bass player. Ha, ha I can join a band pretty much at will where I live.