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12 Things Bassists Hate

The graph in the article is drawn incorrectly, and actually illustrates exactly the opposite of what it is intended to. With the X-axis representing time and Y-axis representing something like how good you are, a "steep" learning curve would be illustrated by a steep slope in the left-hand side of the graph, but then the slope should become less steep in the right side of the graph. This would show that you can get pretty good pretty fast, as is the case with bass (more than with guitar), but that it's harder to later get from "pretty good" to "really good" or "great." There's a nice explanation here if anyone is curious:

What is meant by "steep learning curve"?
 
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One thing we bassists LOVE is whining. And complaining. Two things. Whining and complaining. Well, and judging. Three things.

And don't forget feeling put upon by the other musicians. So four things. And having low self-esteem and knowing we are better than all the other musicians. So six things.

Six things. Oh wait, also...
 
One thing we bassists LOVE is whining. And complaining. Two things. Whining and complaining. Well, and judging. Three things.

And don't forget feeling put upon by the other musicians. So four things. And having low self-esteem and knowing we are better than all the other musicians. So six things.

Six things. Oh wait, also...

I think I pretty much just duplicated your post. Sorry.
 
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Fixed it for ya'.
I'm going to not make a big deal about it because you didn't really mean any harm or had any agenda about changing my meaning by it, but ordinarily, you should not make corrections in my direct quotes and you should treat my words as if they are written in stone.

:D
 
I'm going to not make a big deal about it because you didn't really mean any harm or had any agenda about changing my meaning by it, but ordinarily, you should not make corrections in my direct quotes and you should treat my words as if they are written while stoned.

:D
Wat?? Written while stoned? Couldn't resist ;)
 
Regarding the bloody finger thing, if you're playing that hard, you're doing it wrong. There is a "terminal velocity" and any harder than that is completely pointless. Learning restraint in your playing is beneficial in all aspects, including comfort AND sound.
 
About the learning curve, I could not agree more. I picked up the bass because I was tired of being one of a zillion guitar players out there. The bass seemed easy enough for a very long time, just playing the root and the fifth, but now that I want to really explore the instrument and get good at it... holy sh^t sticks there is a lot to know. I could have gone my whole guitar life not needing to know my modes. That does not fly on the bass.
Bass is the easiest instrument to play poorly and the hardest one to play well. IMHO.
 
And don't forget feeling put upon by the other musicians. So four things. And having low self-esteem and knowing we are better than all the other musicians.

Oh man the low self esteem kills me every time... I don't think I'm better than my guitarist though, he's had a lot more experience than I have so... eh

Then again my band is always playing in either 4/4, or 3/4... I took it and started writing in 5/4 hope they like the diversity because I'm mean like that hahahah
 
Generally, the better the musician, the more they appreciate a good bass player. I know (and play with) some stellar, stellar guitarists, who are terrible bassists, and they know it. The "problem" is that anyone can play a bass (badly); but it's damn hard to play one well. Honestly, I'd rather have the respect of good musicians than be more appreciated by an under-educated public.
 
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And yes I can relate to bass being hard... when I first joined my band, I was focused on learning all the rhythm guitar parts as they were, but hearing it back in the recording it sounds pretty dull and not too interesting... so I focused on playing counter stuff and playing different notes for the sake of jazzing up the sound a bit. So far I think I'm doing a good job with it, but I'm still unsure what I'm doing, I guess it's the benefit of the doubt that makes it work?
 
Specifically, they hate other bass players who:

Play cheap basses
Play expensive basses
Play Fenders
Don't play Fenders
Use tube amps
Use SS amps
Play with a pick
Play fingerstyle
Slap
Use flats
Use rounds
Play 4 string basses
Play 5 string basses
Play 6 string basses
Play (God help 'em) >6 string basses
...

This.....this is a beautiful list.
 
Eh, I dono about that, drums seem to take a bit of time to get right. Multitasking with all your limbs is a feat few people can master, but maybe that means I'm not as good of a bassist as I think I am.
Point taken, but IMHO this applies to drums even more than to bass. I believe it was Chet Atkins who famously said that you have to a very good drummer to be better than no drummer at all.
I don't think drums are easy to play poorly. I think it takes some practice to even pay drums poorly.

EDIT - I wouldn't argue too strenuously that bass is harder to play WELL than drums. Drums do take a lot if coordination. But when I look at most of the drummers I've played with I have to at least think, "if they can do it ..." :D
 
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