And not a bass player in sight

[CharleyJackson]

I don’t often go to music venues unless I am involved playing with my band. However last night I went with my young band mates to see a national touring act playing a small club.
There were three acts total but none of them had bass players. Bass parts were either prerecorded or handled by the keyboard players.

What are the chances of three consecutive bands not having a bass player? I know this is just one show little old me stumbled into but makes one wonder if the bass player is headed for extinction?

 

[Killing Floor]

Math challenge:
When you play the bass guitar…

Are you standing by the hihat?(0) or are you within 3’ of the center of the stage(1)

Are you looking at the drummer?(0) or are you looking at the audience?(1)

Are you singing?(1) or not(0)

Are you making the “X” tape under the spotlight?(1) or are you blending into the scrim by the drum riser?(0)

Are you dancing?(1) or standing still?(0)

Add your score. Remember there’s no wrong or right answer. Just be honest.

If you scored 3 or more, Congrats, your band isn’t doing you a favor. You’re part of the show.

If you scored 1 or fewer you may be eligible to be replaced by a sequencer.

 

[Michedelic]

I don’t often go to music venues unless I am involved playing with my band. However last night I went with my young band mates to see a national touring act playing a small club.
There were three acts total but none of them had bass players. Bass parts were either prerecorded or handled by the keyboard players.

What are the chances of three consecutive bands not having a bass player? I know this is just one show little old me stumbled into but makes one wonder if the bass player is headed for extinction?

Who were the bands?

 

[Spidey2112]

Who were the bands?

Billy Joe Jackwad, and the Missing Low End was one of them.

 

[Marko 1]

I'm far too integral to the functioning of the band to be dismissed.

It is a shame though if the OP is suggesting what it looks to be suggesting.

 

[tb-player]

One of my favorite bands right now is Jukebox The Ghost. Piano, guitar, drummer. No bass. Somehow it works.

 

[bassfran]

2 bands that I’ve liked a lot didn’t always have a bass player. And a thousand others do. Doesn’t really matter to me.
A long time ago I bought a synthesizer because I thought we bass beaters were going to become obsolete. I was incorrect then, and also incorrect when some kids started doing shows with only a laptop. Trends will come and go.
Long live the mighty bass players! Wield thy boomsticks with much fervor and carry on.

 

[devnulljp]

You just need to go to better shows

 

[Thegreatzambini]

Billy Joe Jackwad, and the Missing Low End was one of them.

I’m amazed nobody’s caught this , including yourself, but one of the bands names is “missing low end” and you don’t know why they don’t have a bass player ?

 

[fdeck]

I don’t often go to music venues unless I am involved playing with my band. However last night I went with my young band mates to see a national touring act playing a small club.
There were three acts total but none of them had bass players. Bass parts were either prerecorded or handled by the keyboard players.

What are the chances of three consecutive bands not having a bass player? I know this is just one show little old me stumbled into but makes one wonder if the bass player is headed for extinction?

National touring acts sharing a bill in a small club makes me think the bands are heading for extinction.

 

[aprod]

I’m amazed nobody’s caught this , including yourself, but one of the bands names is “missing low end” and you don’t know why they don’t have a bass player ?

He is being sarcastic.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

National touring acts sharing a bill in a small club makes me think the bands are heading for extinction.

So Anyway, maybe it should read 'National Touring Acts...that couldn't afford to hire a bass player'.
Some National Touring Acts, huh?

 

[Gordo350]

The Doors?

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Some nights I'm the best singer in my band.

 

[JRA]

makes one wonder if the bass player is headed for extinction?

some are, some aren't.

 

[Spidey2112]

I’m amazed nobody’s caught this , including yourself, but one of the bands names is “missing low end” and you don’t know why they don’t have a bass player ?

My response was a highly educated guess... that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[fdeck]

Something I've realized in my old age is that the recording and touring industries have little or nothing to do with my life as a musician: Learning and practicing at home, playing local gigs with bands, jamming with friends, and so forth. I attend plenty of performances that don't use a bassist, and it's OK: Chamber music, some small folk ensembles, etc. I play with bands that want bass, and obviously not with ones that don't. It's all good.

 

[ebo]

Math challenge:
When you play the bass guitar…

Are you standing by the hihat?(0) or are you within 3’ of the center of the stage(1)

Are you looking at the drummer?(0) or are you looking at the audience?(1)

Are you singing?(1) or not(0)

Are you making the “X” tape under the spotlight?(1) or are you blending into the scrim by the drum riser?(0)

Are you dancing?(1) or standing still?(0)

Add your score. Remember there’s no wrong or right answer. Just be honest.

If you scored 3 or more, Congrats, your band isn’t doing you a favor. You’re part of the show.

If you scored 1 or fewer you may be eligible to be replaced by a sequencer.

I scored 5 but I feel I deserve extra credit because sometimes I go wireless and venture out into the crowd. I’m not getting fired anytime soon. There is a local 3 piece band with keys, guitar and drums and if I’m not looking I wouldn’t notice the lack of bass player, the keyboard player is that good. The Doors didn’t need a bass player.

 

[brianrost]

The Doors didn’t need a bass player.

But they did have one on all of their studio recordings. I've always wondered about that.

 

[InhumanResource]

What are the chances of three consecutive bands not having a bass player?

Greater than one.