Why are there so many bands looking for a bassist?

NickInMesa · #1 06-29-2009, 03:59 PM

I have found a band, so I removed my ad, but still 3 other bands are after me. One keeps on leaving me voice mail. He does not even know how good I am.

Another emails me once a week, asking me if I am still looking for a band? When I tell him no, he emails me back telling me to let him know if it does not work with the new band.

Seriously, what the EFF? Not enough bassists, or what?

[sarcasm]

I don't understand, it's such an easy instrument, only 4 strings to play, one at a time, what's so hard?

[/sarcasm]

Jazz Ad · #2 06-29-2009, 04:01 PM

Everybody wants to be an American Idol. It doesn't belong with bass playing.

lmfreeman9 · #3 06-29-2009, 04:01 PM

There are 1 million too many guitarists and they all need bass to sound good. Get used to it, enjoy it, be grateful, don't complain.

jaywa · #4 06-29-2009, 04:03 PM

Two reasons:

1) Because most bands suck (and the good bassists stay away from them).

2) Because a lot of bassists suck and/or have substandard gear (and the good bands won't hire them).

And the primary reason behind #1 is that there are not enough good drummers out there. Bad drummer = bad band. This, to me, is an even bigger problem than lack of good bassists. If I'm out watching a band and the drummer is overplaying or his time is off, I don't care what else the band may have going for it, I'm out of there. OTOH if the drummer is amazing I will forgive a lot of the rest of the band (while scheming how to connect myself with the drummer of course

)

That all being said, agree with the previous poster. If you're in a "seller's market" for bassists then go with it... be picky, you can afford to. Don't underprice yourself, don't put up with crap and don't tie yourself to any band or artist that forbids you to play with other bands unless they are paying a fabulous, regular check.

NickInMesa · #5 06-29-2009, 04:08 PM

I am used to having a sought-after skill (I am a software engineer with 15 years of experience), but that is downright ridiculous.

wnelson · #6 06-29-2009, 04:27 PM

have had it happen more than once at pawnshops!?!?!

i would find a nice jazz bass or spector and start ''noodling'' and i will get approached by guys asking ''hey man,you looking for a band?'' .....or....''hey your pretty good,my buddy's band is looking for a bassist and....

speaking of...lol.....i was driving on the highway about a month ago....i have a 6'' bass clef sticker on my back windshield.....going 60 mph this truck pulls up and the guy is yelling at me ''HEY!!! YOU PLAY BASS?....(doing the fingering motion with his hands so ill understand,i guess,lol) i told him yea,and then he ask if i was playing for anyone.....i shook my head ''yes'' and pointed my thumb to my back windshield again.......becasue if he saw the bass clef sticker ,surely he noticed the 2 foot ''primal circus'' logo covering about 40% of the glass

John Wentzien · #7 06-29-2009, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

Everybody wants to be an American Idol. It doesn't belong with bass playing.

I grew up in the 60's ---when the "fat-guy" got the bass..
I wasn't "FAT" ---but I was giggin' at 13 because of a shortage of bass players (& I was 6'-3" and could pass for 18 years of age). It hasn't changed that much..

gweimer · #8 06-29-2009, 05:00 PM

It's been for time eternal that a good bass player will always be working. When I hit Cincinnati, I had to work at finding a gig. Right down to nearly starting a band. I'd hit Sonny Moorman's jam nights, and by 7:00, there were already 6 bass players in line, and they were all really good.

Nasnederis · #9 06-29-2009, 05:14 PM

I think the band need girls around them

Tommygunn · #10 06-29-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmfreeman9

There are 1 million too many guitarists and they all need bass to sound good. Get used to it, enjoy it, be grateful, don't complain.

yeah +1

As long as you can read music and you play bass, you will always have a job!!!

::::BASSIST:::: · #11 06-29-2009, 05:23 PM

almost every genre of music needs a bassist!

Arpeggiator · #12 06-29-2009, 05:28 PM

dont complain, man i have been asked a few times by bands, but the bands were bunches of kids who could play powerchords and were not that serious about muisc... so i said no. it feel good to be needed XD

NWB · #13 06-29-2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaywa

Two reasons:

1) Because most bands suck (and the good bassists stay away from them).

2) Because a lot of bassists suck and/or have substandard gear (and the good bands won't hire them).

And the primary reason behind #1 is that there are not enough good drummers out there. Bad drummer = bad band. This, to me, is an even bigger problem than lack of good bassists. If I'm out watching a band and the drummer is overplaying or his time is off, I don't care what else the band may have going for it, I'm out of there. OTOH if the drummer is amazing I will forgive a lot of the rest of the band (while scheming how to connect myself with the drummer of course

)

That all being said, agree with the previous poster. If you're in a "seller's market" for bassists then go with it... be picky, you can afford to. Don't underprice yourself, don't put up with crap and don't tie yourself to any band or artist that forbids you to play with other bands unless they are paying a fabulous, regular check.

Good comment on the drummer thing. It seems the common denominator for all good bands is a solid drummer. Guitar, you can get away with some bit of sloppines. Bass, a fair bit less. Drums, no way.

A big +1 to grabbing the good drummer.

tycobb73 · #14 06-29-2009, 05:31 PM

Supply and demand

Remember Guitar World started a bass magazine and didn't have enough circulation to keep it going leaving only bass player while there are about 10 guitar magazines. I'd be the guitarist to bassist ratio is 25 to 1.

Zooberwerx · #15 06-29-2009, 05:38 PM

"There's more call for bad bassists than bad guitarists" or something of the like - Kenny Rogers.

He was the bass player in "Kenny Rogers and the First Edition". So, for people like me, there's always hope.

Riis

jaywa · #16 06-29-2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tycobb73

Supply and demand

Remember Guitar World started a bass magazine and didn't have enough circulation to keep it going leaving only bass player while there are about 10 guitar magazines.

Yep... even drummers have about 5 or 6 monthly magazines they can buy down at my local Barnes & Noble. Bass players... 1.

BlackMetalAkaz · #17 06-29-2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tycobb73

Supply and demand

Remember Guitar World started a bass magazine and didn't have enough circulation to keep it going leaving only bass player while there are about 10 guitar magazines. I'd be the guitarist to bassist ratio is 25 to 1.

It was too bad, I loved that magazine.

JayB · #18 06-29-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tycobb73

Supply and demand

Remember Guitar World started a bass magazine and didn't have enough circulation to keep it going leaving only bass player while there are about 10 guitar magazines. I'd be the guitarist to bassist ratio is 25 to 1.

Maybe as far as buying gear goes, but I don't think the guitar/bass ratio of serious performing musicians is quite that lopsided. I gotta think a decent number of GW readers don't make it out of the bedroom and focus on the expanding field of note-for-note Steve Vai solos posted to youtube.

J. Crawford · #19 06-29-2009, 06:18 PM

We are a dying breed. Sorry to say it, and its sad.

oldrocker · #20 06-29-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickInMesa

I am used to having a sought-after skill (I am a software engineer with 15 years of experience), but that is downright ridiculous.

SWE's are in demand where you are? Over my way most of these jobs have evaporated or gone overseas.