A Journey to the Dark Side

[JRA]

I get nothing but respect from every single musician I play with

I’ve always gotten a lot of respect from all the people I respect as musicians.

 

[3Liter]

I'm a guitarist first and spent years on TDPRI. I don't recall much discussion of "bassists" as such at all. The focus was mostly on the instrument and all the accessories (amps, pedals and such) and everyone there appreciated a nice P or J as much as anyone here would. I don't recall any snarky or dismissive comments toward a whole class of players.

A little too much focus on the equipment over there sometimes.

 

[slobake]

I didn't get any respect til I taught the guitarists how to cook bacon with the motel iron, and ironing board. Now they're fat, but think I'm brilliant.

I"m tellin' ya it's terrible. Just the other day the guitarist asked the drummer who I was. He said "He's that guy with
the cheap four string guitar." And what a keyboardist we've got. I asked her for the key to the bathroom and she said, " A sharp."

 

[gln1955]

I have a buddy who is an anesthesiologist. He feels like he’s the bass player of the surgical team at times. Totally not the guy who saves the day unless you count pushing the right meds, at the right time, having several contingencies covered in case something happens that may not have been expected. Not to mention making sure the patient wakes up at the end of be case. But the doc who does the cutting is the face of the success. Sound familiar?

Yes. I am definitely the biggest "gas passer" of the band.

 

[Medicine Man]

I've gotten a bit of "bassists are failed guitarists" from a couple guitarists over the years. It has never been from any great players I respect; I have only heard it from lukewarm, live with your mom garageband heros that I have to explain the chord progression to.

 

[Jeff K]

On a lighter note, we were practicing one night. Our lead guitarist is awesome. We were recording a song (just to see how it sounded afterwards). At one point during the playback, the lead player stopped the recorder and said, "Whoa! I didn't realize how much was going on with that bassline. Probably because I'm always too busy listening to - well, ME!" It was funny because he was being self-deprecating.

I've never had anybody treat me rudely or make negative comments, but all-in-all, I think there IS an underlying train of thought among guitarists about the role of the bass. I don't think it's malicious, but it's definitely there. Why else would there be SOOO many put-down jokes about, "...He's just the bass player", and similar things? Most people try not to let that sentiment show up, but it's often there subliminally IMO. I've had some of those jokes/cartoons posted on my Facebook page. All in fun, but I guess where there's smoke, there's fire...

The good news is that every so often, we'll run across somebody who truly loves and appreciates the bass. That helps makes it all worthwhile.

 

[HoboCop]

I get asked to turn up a lot, I think for different reasons. I'm pretty sure one singer has hearing loss in the bass range. I think one guitarist just likes bass. I think a couple of the other guitarists want some mud to hide in.

 

[Paulabass]

The lead singer can have any girl he wants.
The guitarists will find some lovin' after first set.
The drummer will score by the end of the night.
The bass player will stay behind and pack the gear.

 

[Medicine Man]

The lead singer can have any girl he wants.
The guitarists will find some lovin' after first set.
The drummer will score by the end of the night.
The bass player will stay behind and pack the gear.

Well how else would the gear get packed up?

 

[Paulabass]

^^ I like the way you see the practical side.

 

[75kva]

What about drummers , noone talks about drummers !

 

[tpaul]

I"m tellin' ya it's terrible. Just the other day the guitarist asked the drummer who I was. He said "He's that guy with
the cheap four string guitar." And what a keyboardist we've got. I asked her for the key to the bathroom and she said, " A sharp."

Sir, please seek out the Rodney Dangerfield thread, in the humor forum.

 

[75kva]

Stick wielding Neanderthals with foreheads you could show movies on !

 

[jnuts1]

I've been in a lot of bands and done a lot of side man work. anyone who hasn't dealt with guitarists looking down on bassists are super lucky or just do not get out that much. in most genres everyone is cool but not rock. I would say it's 50 50 with those guys. they want you to pedal 1/8th notes so they can solo over the minor pentatonic scale unhindered by things such as changes or dynamics......

 

[slobake]

Sir, please seek out the Rodney Dangerfield thread, in the humor forum.

It's terrible I tell ya'. I posted in a thread about bass players not getting any respect and they told me to get lost. Even there I don't get any respect.

 

[jj4001]

Bass lives matter.

about how guitarists are racist toward bassists.

You mind toning down the basstard talk, scro?

 

[Joe Nerve]

Nobody's yet commented on the third post in that thread?

"Bass players like chocolate chip cookies, pizza, BBQ chicken wings, beer, soda pop.."​

They certainly do know us over there, though the poster left out Taco Bell.

That post made me LOL.

 

[GBBSbassist]

I'm a guitar player. Can confirm. All bass players are the worst.

 

[Gaolee]

I thought this was a thread about tuna noodle casserole.

It is. It truly is. That's the only dark side to fear.

 

[Gaolee]

I have a buddy who is an anesthesiologist. He feels like he’s the bass player of the surgical team at times. Totally not the guy who saves the day unless you count pushing the right meds, at the right time, having several contingencies covered in case something happens that may not have been expected. Not to mention making sure the patient wakes up at the end of be case. But the doc who does the cutting is the face of the success. Sound familiar?

As one who woke up at an unfortunate time, I have to agree with more vehemence than is pleasant. The procedure was routine, but not one you really want to be awake for, and not one you want a memory of. If an anesthesiologist is like a bass player, then that's the one I want.