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How do you refer to yourself and your instrument?
- Thread starter Btbp
- Start date
- Jun 6, 2012
- 4,837
- 6,859
- Disclosures
- I don't wait 30 minutes after eating, to go swimming.
bassist / bass player
and my bass is an Electric Bass, not a "Bass guitar" (though that is accurate, I just don't care for it).
and my bass is an Electric Bass, not a "Bass guitar" (though that is accurate, I just don't care for it).
Bassista. "Bassista elettrico" or "suonatore di basso (elettrico)" are possible but awkward; "chitarrista basso" even more so (and sounds like I'm short in stature as opposed to the lowness of the sounds the instrument makes...).
Anyway, as already mentioned above, and pace guitarophobes and overcompensators, the full English name of the instrument is "electric bass guitar": the omission of either or both words accompanying "bass" is customary, but it's shorthand nevertheless. It is a special type of electric guitar, longer, with four strings tuned as a double bass.
Anyway, as already mentioned above, and pace guitarophobes and overcompensators, the full English name of the instrument is "electric bass guitar": the omission of either or both words accompanying "bass" is customary, but it's shorthand nevertheless. It is a special type of electric guitar, longer, with four strings tuned as a double bass.
I totally understand and respect that (well, not that you're supposed to give a darn about how I feel about your feelings).
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When asked what I do for a living I generally reply "I'm a musician".
If asked what instrument, it's Bass or Bass guitar.
I commonly refer to my Bass in the generic term, guitar. As in "let me grab my guitar".
If asked what instrument, it's Bass or Bass guitar.
I commonly refer to my Bass in the generic term, guitar. As in "let me grab my guitar".
I prefer "electric bass" to "bass guitar"; and "electric bass player" to "bassist" - because to me "the bass" will always be an upright bass, and a 'bassist" will always be someone who plays an upright bass. I also think an electric bass shouldn't be played (or thought of) as a very low sounding guitar. To my way of thinking, it's its own thing - and it needs to be approached very differently than a guitar - despite its obvious structural and visual similarities. So I prefer to not use the word "guitar" when talking about its bass range relative. To me that's like calling a bass a cello or vice versa - even though one proper albeit archaic term for a cello is "the small bass" in the classical music world.
But that's just me. I don't insist on it or try to get people to use my terms.
When people ask what I play, I just say: the low notes. Mostly on electric bass - but sometimes also on upright, ABG, washtub, CBB, keyboard, or wind synth.
To me, bass is a function and a role in music - it's not something specific to a particular instrument. So what I actually do is play the low notes. Not just some instrument.
Everybody I've ever said that to seems to be good with it.
But that's just me. I don't insist on it or try to get people to use my terms.
When people ask what I play, I just say: the low notes. Mostly on electric bass - but sometimes also on upright, ABG, washtub, CBB, keyboard, or wind synth.
To me, bass is a function and a role in music - it's not something specific to a particular instrument. So what I actually do is play the low notes. Not just some instrument.
Everybody I've ever said that to seems to be good with it.
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I actually prefer saying "bass guitar" for the opposite reason you dislike it. I want the person to know that I can use my instrument to do a lot of what the guitarist does, and more. He doesn't need to know it's mostly the pedals... 
Any name is fine, but often find myself doing hand gestures miming playing electric bass and Upright Bass. 
I own cameras and (used to) buy film.
That doesn't make me a Ansel Adams.
But it's a fun hobby.
I have radio gear and a ham license.
That doesn't make me Marconi.
But it's a fun hobby.
I have golf clubs and pay greens fees.
That doesn't make me Arnold Palmer.
But it's a fun hobby.
I have a bass and an amp.
Draw your own conclusion, but there is a pattern developing.
Are we having fun yet?
That doesn't make me a Ansel Adams.
But it's a fun hobby.
I have radio gear and a ham license.
That doesn't make me Marconi.
But it's a fun hobby.
I have golf clubs and pay greens fees.
That doesn't make me Arnold Palmer.
But it's a fun hobby.
I have a bass and an amp.
Draw your own conclusion, but there is a pattern developing.
Are we having fun yet?
