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Are bassists looked down upon?

#101
Some positive attitudes here loving the instrument we play. I had 20+ years on guitar before seriously taking on bass about 4 years ago. I now call myself a bassist and my guitars hardly get played anymore compared to my basses. I really enjoy the power of the low end and my bandmates know the importance of the bassline.
The Newspaper did an article on my band last week; always good publicity getting mass exposure and getting name recognition. See if you can guess the answers to the following questions though.

1. Five of the six band members were quoted in the article with some background info on several of them. Which member had no quotes or background info in the article?


2. The band members names along with instument played were listed non-alphabetically. Which member was listed last?

3. Which one band member failed to have listed which instument they played and that they also sang vocals?

If you answered the Bassist:bassist: to all of the above questions you passed the quiz! Congratulations!
 
#104
I'm 6'5" 220lbs former power-lifter turned martial artist (black belt in Tae Kwon Do).

Uh, any guitarists out there wanna tell me I suck?? Anyone?? NO??

:) Just playin' around. I'm not vain or anything and never brag about anything I do or have achieved, that's not the Jedi way! God's blessed me with health and some talent, and I try to make the most of it, to honor Him :)

That said, I'm sure somebody will miss-take what I've said as bragging, oh well. :) :bassist:
 
#106
Jazz Ad said:
As a general rule, a band is essentially comprised of a charismatic singer and a good songwriter.
To a certain extend and depending on the style, the solo guitar player can be very important.
All other members are disposable. This includes the bass player.
Click to expand...
True. Unless of course, the singer or songwriter IS the bass player (McCartney, Sting, Geddy Lee...etc.). We need to kill this thread! I like what I do. As Harry Truman said, "If you want a friend (in Washington), go buy a dog."
 
#107
It all relates to not hearing the bass.

The vocals and guitars are pitched to a frequency that we often pay attention to. The bass is in a frequency that is heard but not usually isolated for attention. Thus, the bass guitar is a mystery. The bassist stands in front of the crowd, obviously playing something, but what? No one can distinguish it.

I remember a time when I tried to pick out bass lines and couldn't. That time was yesterday in my car, which has lousy low-end clarity. That's another reason bass is ignored, unless you have a hi-fi system, not ear buds or 5" speakers in your car door, bass doesn't fill it's role in your everyday listening. That's a reason for people not even to expect to hear anything at that frequency.

With less attention, bass, and those who play it, are looked down upon.
 
#108
OtterOnBass said:
It all relates to not hearing the bass.

The vocals and guitars are pitched to a frequency that we often pay attention to. The bass is in a frequency that is heard but not usually isolated for attention. Thus, the bass guitar is a mystery. The bassist stands in front of the crowd, obviously playing something, but what? No one can distinguish it.

I remember a time when I tried to pick out bass lines and couldn't. That time was yesterday in my car, which has lousy low-end clarity. That's another reason bass is ignored, unless you have a hi-fi system, not ear buds or 5" speakers in your car door, bass doesn't fill it's role in your everyday listening. That's a reason for people not even to expect to hear anything at that frequency.

With less attention, bass, and those who play it, are looked down upon.
Click to expand...

True, for the most part, but not always.

A good recording engineer should ensure that the bass is heard, even thru crappy earbuds. Also, certain musical styles demand that the bass be heard: funk, disco, rap, etc. And, personally I've never listened to music that I couldn't hear the bass in, I won't buy it, don't like it, and change the radio station to something else if I don't hear it. :)

I think most people hear the bass and don't even realize it. Ever noticed it's the bassline that most people hum? :)
 
#109
OtterOnBass said:
It all relates to not hearing the bass.

The vocals and guitars are pitched to a frequency that we often pay attention to. The bass is in a frequency that is heard but not usually isolated for attention. Thus, the bass guitar is a mystery. The bassist stands in front of the crowd, obviously playing something, but what? No one can distinguish it.
Click to expand...

I agree with that. I remember a song I used to listen to by Pink Floyd when i was in high school. I can't remember the name of it but I was a guitarist back then. I just recently heard it again and I listened to the bass and I had no idea he was playing a fretless on that song. Now I love the song even more, so much that I put it on my myspace page.

The bass is one of those instruments that you don't know is there until it's not there.
 
#113
The one thing that happens with bass players, is when you meet another bass player, it is like a brotherhood (sisterhood).

Kinda cool, right?


Never really had any negative comments--but if and when they come, who cares?


Those that don't understand, don't matter----and---Those that matter, understand!

Rokkitt
 
#114
The Golden Boy said:
Maybe high school "musicians" look down on bass players. Real, experienced musicians know better.
Click to expand...

+10000

I most definitely agree. I have only been playing for about 4 years, im not the best, but I can hold my own. The guitarists in the band that I play with have the utmost respect for me when the drummer and I lock in the bass guitar and the kick and dont budge for the rest of the song. They "know better" and thats how I know they are true musicians.
 
#116
From Austin American Statesman March 14th review of SXSW R.E.M. show:

"Meanwhile, bassist Mills and his angelic backing vocals and harmonies on the choruses made you realize just what an essential part of the trademark R.E.M. sound he has always been."

If he can't get respect as a bassist, most people can't expect to. If you want recognition, learn how to sing.
 
#117
Royce Hayes said:
If he can't get respect as a bassist, most people can't expect to. If you want recognition, learn how to sing.
Click to expand...

While I can see the point being made here, it makes me worry that nothing is ever gonna be good enough.

Record deals, fat paychecks, phat honeys (heh heh.... been wanting to use that one for months now), and reviews about your angelic vocals.... boo hoo. They forgot to mention I played the bass. :bawl:
 
#118
Bass players aren't looked down on. They just aren't noticed by the pop culture "look at me! look at me!" crowd. Man, if you're into that stuff then you should wear girl pants and feel sorry for yourself. I mean, c'mon man, who cares anyway? Is it about serving a kick ass song or being noticed for "how you feel as an artist?"
 
#119
IME, bassists get recognition from the people who matter, the producers and fellow musicians. You won't find much limelight opportunities as a bassist but you'll definately be respected by those who do. I love to hear the worship leader at my church brag on me to others about how I make her sound better and cover up her little mistakes. In the end it's all about how it sounds, to me anyway.
 

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