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Are Bassists becoming antisocial ?
- Thread starter belgabass
- Start date
That's the old chicken and the egg argument. Victor is an amazing groover, and instead of a wanker DVD, he recently did one all about grooving. I think too many players get so wowed by technique and soloing, yet the ones who get their own Jazz albums etc can GROOOOOVE.
That's why they sound so good. If you learn to thump, cool, that's fine, but can you make it groove? Do you know when to do loudly and then when not to? Whatever your technique is cool, but does it groove?
Before Victor there were wankers and there are sure to be more after he's long gone.
Slap and tap.
Kind of like throwing a drum set under a bus. It makes a racket; it's kind of fun to watch; but is it music?
Kind of like throwing a drum set under a bus. It makes a racket; it's kind of fun to watch; but is it music?
You guys are missing the point! We need to figure out how to help this guy control his conputer!
Sooo, I'm guessing you can't slap a note? You're one of those stick to the root note down beat types? All instruments can solo.
I've never been and never will be a solo player. It's just not in me to do that. I'm more interested in the song and how it all fits together even if it means me playing the simplest of parts. If that's what works that's fine. But still, I can't help but admire those who have that much dedication and have taken the time to take the bass in other directions.
There are some monster players out there and I tip my hat to them.
There are some monster players out there and I tip my hat to them.
Obviously, he needs to "hate" regular, groove-oriented playing with a passion. Only then, will his computer suddenly glitch and start forcing him to watch videos of grooving bass players playing in the context of a band. Oh wait..
Are bassists "becoming" anti-social? No. We are now what we've always been. However, you are looking at you-tube videos, and the people that sit down and record themselves for you-tube have always been very anti-social. Don't take the actions of a few aberrants to be the norm for a separate and disparate group.
What is up with all the bass solo videos on the web.
I started playing bass to be in a band not to wank off on stage by myself.
Tap this, slap that, blah, blah, blah.
It's starting to get to me
You might feel less frustrated letting others get on with what they want to do, and concentrate on what you want to do. Everyone is different and so have different approaches to the bass, albiet in your opinon good or bad.
Such is life. Get over it.
IMHO many aspects in life today force people in the world to be more individualist than before. Not just bass player.
(That's if you allow me to say that individualist is or is a kind of 'anti social').
About that many 'solo bass' video on the net, I don't think it's a parameter to that anti social.
If you don't like them, better not watch them or not even think about them. Let people do what they like
(That's if you allow me to say that individualist is or is a kind of 'anti social').
About that many 'solo bass' video on the net, I don't think it's a parameter to that anti social.
If you don't like them, better not watch them or not even think about them. Let people do what they like
i can actually kinda see what the op means. however i dont think it means there anti-social. to be fair the irony is right there.
as a bass player who also happens to be the main song writer in his band its a good idea to actually try working with other people. if i had my way most of my songs would be 72 min solo bass arangements where my song writing partner just says to me "sean, only bass players will enjoy this so we will cut it down to 4mins and maby change the section in 7/8
as a bass player who also happens to be the main song writer in his band its a good idea to actually try working with other people. if i had my way most of my songs would be 72 min solo bass arangements where my song writing partner just says to me "sean, only bass players will enjoy this so we will cut it down to 4mins and maby change the section in 7/8
So guitar playing was destroyed in the 80's? Is this an indisputable fact?
I think the main result of gifted players pushing he envelope has been increased diversity.
I think the main result of gifted players pushing he envelope has been increased diversity.
I don't slap, crackle, or pop. If others do, I don't care. If they're good at it, I'll give 'em a nod, like any other good player.
But, goodness should be unaware of itself. Never should you, after taking a great stride, look back and proclaim, "See what a great stride I have taken," in order to impress the world. No, whatever needs to be shouted from the rooftop is ok for the hawker, but for any other purpose is best left unsaid. I think there is a lot of showing off going on in music in various ways. Too bad budding younsters feel like they need to blow a million notes per second to get recognized.
Me? Eh, less is more. I'm a groove-a-holic. I'm into what I feel inside, and maybe that is a bit unsocial, now that I think of it, that is, if I just stay inside myself about it. It's a place I can go even onstage. It's important to let the crowd in on the feeling, though, and try to convey it, if possible.
As for solos, I don't need one, but I can do one. But it won't include slap, crackle and pop because I don't play those styles. I wave to those who do and let them do what they like.
But, goodness should be unaware of itself. Never should you, after taking a great stride, look back and proclaim, "See what a great stride I have taken," in order to impress the world. No, whatever needs to be shouted from the rooftop is ok for the hawker, but for any other purpose is best left unsaid. I think there is a lot of showing off going on in music in various ways. Too bad budding younsters feel like they need to blow a million notes per second to get recognized.
Me? Eh, less is more. I'm a groove-a-holic. I'm into what I feel inside, and maybe that is a bit unsocial, now that I think of it, that is, if I just stay inside myself about it. It's a place I can go even onstage. It's important to let the crowd in on the feeling, though, and try to convey it, if possible.
As for solos, I don't need one, but I can do one. But it won't include slap, crackle and pop because I don't play those styles. I wave to those who do and let them do what they like.
Well said, indeed. That's exactly how I play, too. I'm there to make the house thump and the crowd shimmy and shake. I'm not there to show my solo virtuosity. Good thing, too, 'cause it ain't there!
gnjpowell
Inactive
- Nov 12, 2010
- 562
- 2
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- Bass & guitar tech, FOH sound, backline rentals
Playing a musical instrument ain't no sport, no, but why not try to master your instrument to the farthest limit you can take yourself to? I'm no great soloist and I wouldn't try it out on stage but I do use 3 right fingers and it really adds thickness to my riffs, and if you do it with accuracy it makes for great bass playing.
I'd take special note of the ratio between:
People playing bass solos in their bedroom by themselves.
versus:
People playing bass solos in a band at a gig in front of adoring fans.
People playing bass solos in their bedroom by themselves.
versus:
People playing bass solos in a band at a gig in front of adoring fans.
