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Are bassists looked down upon?

#121
Yes, I have had a number of occasions in which people have said to me, after telling them I play bass, that bass is easy to play---and have encountered a few "guitarists" that carry the same idea. But as with all "opinions", the source must be considered. But this applies to the rock style in general, jazz guitarists and enthusists have adifferent, more positive, understanding of the bass's role and function.

I started out on bass at 11 years old, so I don't fit the "failed guitarist" paradigm. Most guitarists I have played with as an adult do not look upon the bassist as the least skilled in an ensemble. In fact, some have tried to play what I do on my bass (I do many guitar-like things), they physically can't do it. That is the one thing no one realizes----that the bass requires much greater strength and stamina in the forearms, wrist, and fingers.

Beyond that, because there are only four strings, the bass forces you to think in terms of lines that harmonize with chords as well as know the notes of the chords in particular scales and their inversions. As far as rock guitarists go, I have run in to few who know that much music theory.

So in short, my view of the bassist is the guy in the band who is both a technician and an intellectual!:bassist:
 
#123
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...


I will agree. Unless the drummer or bassist is exceptional they are not typically important in the crowds eyes.

Led Zeplin:(with poor spellings :) )

Jimmy Page not my favorite guitarist
John Bonom amazing drummer
Robert Plant screach
and I do not know the bassists name.
 
#124
JonathanD said:
I will agree. Unless the drummer or bassist is exceptional they are not typically important in the crowds eyes.

Led Zeplin:(with poor spellings :) )

Jimmy Page not my favorite guitarist
John Bonom amazing drummer
Robert Plant screach
and I do not know the bassists name.
Click to expand...

John Paul Jones---a great, solid bassist who lurked in the shadows of the stage---but how could he not with the egos of Plant and Page filling it up?
 
#128
mothmonsterman said:
quoted and bolded for truth :p


Guitar players are just bass players with no groove and no right hand coordination.

I get alot of
"bass is so easy, only 4 strings and all you have to do to sound good is play open e notes"
Stupid damn metal basists. (which most often than not are failed guitar players)
Click to expand...

Alright, first of all, that was a very ignorant comment you just made. Assuming all metal bassists are just failed guitarists? False. You obviously don't know what the hell you're even talking about. I do not know what metal you have been listening too, but I can assure you a lot of metal bass players are not failed guitarists and they don't only play metal. I will admit there are some stupid people in metal, or even punk, rock, and pop for that matter ,but when you generalize like some idiot then you shouldn't even be posting in this thread. There are a ton of good metal bass players like Alex Webster, Martin Mendez, Stefan Fimmers, Steve Digiorgio and many more. I'm not going to bother and make a whole list ,but the usual stupid bass player in metal is the one who was recruited by their stupid band members to take up bass because it's 'easier.' So shut up, about topics you don't f****** know about.
 
#131
Few years ago back in high school, where I used to play with a couple of friends, we were gonna perform for a small group of people. Some of them were joking about the bass and how useless it was. I just said "hey, hey I play bass!". At least they didn't complain after the performance ;)

A few weeks ago I bought an electric guitar to start playing that as well. I played it for a few days, and then I got tired of it and went back to the awesome sound of BASS.
 
#133
So, let's see -- it's my last chance to play in a band and I stink at all other instruments. But wait - THE BASS...Yes --THE BASS!! I will learn it quickly. I mean most people can't tell a good bassist from a bad bassist, can they? Yes I will learn to play it and get in a band! Then all the girls will like me and I'll be so popular! :p:p

What's sick is that people actually think that bass players go through this sort of thought process when considering the instrument. They stupidly forget that some of us might actually enjoy playing the dang things. :scowl:
 
#136
tavi said:
my old guitarist respected me, and im teaching my new guitarist how to play. so respect is never an issue
Click to expand...

I never had problems with guitarists in bands, face to face.
As much as I need a guitarist, the guitarist needs the bassist.

Actually funny thing how I picked up bass.
My best friend picked up electric guitar.
He so wanted me to pick up an instrument because he wanted my musical knowledge and form a band.
From childhood I was a classically trained clarinetist.
But a clarinet wouldn't quite fit in a metal band. :)
He assumed I would also pick up guitar and become a lead guitarist.
That was a bit to obvious for me.
As much as I like guitarplaying in lots of my favourite music, I wouldn't want to pick up a guitar myself. The bass guitar "looked" so much cooler.

We were in a pickle, but since we both were Cliff Burton fans...
Hey: "What if I play lead bass, wouldn't that be original?"
A bass player is needed anyway,... :rolleyes:
But that was the only instrument I could enjoy, and bring out my potential.

Well, he had a three piece band where I as a bassist played lead. I enjoyed it very much.
It didn't work out that well,
But my love for the bass guitar grew.

I had the luck to be asked in a well known local rockband and devellop myself as a bassist. It wasn't just silly back up they needed from me.
Even the guitarist (who became good friends) said many times how important my role was.
lead guitarist: "I'm here to steal the show, to lay down some traditional needed solos."
rythm guitarist: (he did most songwriting) "I'm just here to add good riffs all the way through the song, adding depth to it all.

so they said to me: "you must be as melodic as you can be, to tie it all togheter, with a groovy rocking low end in the mix."

Now that is a band you enjoy yourself in.
 
#139
I'm highly respected in my band. The two guitar players in my band know their theory really, really well, and I don't, but they all both respect that I have a good ear. If I can make something work, or tell them something doesn't, they always listen to what IO've got, and more often than not, agree with me after some consideration. However their is a tendency towards the guitarists being a little bit controlling and maybe full of themselves, but really great guys though. Oh, and the singer, well hes no porblem when it comes to ego. Great guy, healthy amount of vanity and such.
 

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