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Are Simple/Traditional bassists just bitter?

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Y

Yetano

Aug 31, 2019
20
35
Wisconsin
#1
Hi. Hello. Yes, I'm a first-timer so my account is new but this question has been nagging me a bit. I'm a fairly "out there" player, I like to be up front and I practice hours upon hours every day. People love it, except a few other bass players. My friend has also caught crap for his 6 stringer antics.

I've gotten criticism for "overplaying" - (not from my band mind you, other bassists), for my 5ver strung with a high C and I've often gotten the "Just get a guitar" thing thrown my way by other players. None of these players are ever guys that do anything than the bog-standard support stuff, a lot of these guys don't even do flourishes or whatever.

So it got me thinking. Are these "keep it simple"/"just get a guitar" type bassists secretly bitter or jealous that they don't/can't pull that stuff off? Like they realize they won't be doing that stuff and then nobody should - and that they decide their way is bass.

I'm not trying to ruffle any feathers here, just want to discuss my theory. So TBers? What do you think of my theory that simple bassists that dislike busy playing are jealous/bitter about it? I'd love to discuss!
 
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#9
Yetano said:
I practice 6-7hours daily. I know the simple stuff, still don't get where they are coming from. It seems like a defense for underachieving iMO
Click to expand...
If you're able to play simple songs the way they are, without adding anything and still keep them interesting and entertaining, you don't miss anything.
If you feel obliged to enhance anything you play with glissandos, passing and ghost notes then yeah you're missing something.
 
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#11
Ok, I'll play. What type of music are you playing? Are you soloing every song? Are you playing in the pocket most of the time with fills thrown in, playing melodic most of the time? Does your playing style fit the music? Originals or covers?

I'm a basic player. I stay in the pocket because I suck at soloing, and have no desire to be out front. I enjoy being the glue that holds it all together.

I have no issue with a flashy player, provided it fits the song. The issue becomes what "fits" for one person may not fit to another's ears. What fits is an opinion, and opinions are like a$$hole$; everyone has one and most are full of $heist (mine included). If you enjoy what your playing, and your band mates like it, go for it. Ignore the people who tell you to do it how they think it should be done.
 
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#15
Yetano said:
Hi. Hello. Yes, I'm a first-timer so my account is new but this question has been nagging me a bit. I'm a fairly "out there" player, I like to be up front and I practice hours upon hours every day. People love it, except a few other bass players. My friend has also caught crap for his 6 stringer antics.

I've gotten criticism for "overplaying" - (not from my band mind you, other bassists), for my 5ver strung with a high C and I've often gotten the "Just get a guitar" thing thrown my way by other players. None of these players are ever guys that do anything than the bog-standard support stuff, a lot of these guys don't even do flourishes or whatever.

So it got me thinking. Are these "keep it simple"/"just get a guitar" type bassists secretly bitter or jealous that they don't/can't pull that stuff off? Like they realize they won't be doing that stuff and then nobody should - and that they decide their way is bass.

I'm not trying to ruffle any feathers here, just want to discuss my theory. So TBers? What do you think of my theory that simple bassists that dislike busy playing are jealous/bitter about it? I'd love to discuss!
Click to expand...

Well, I can only speak for myself. I play relatively simple lines because my approach to my music is to support primarily vocal songs. That's the kind of music that attracts me. I strive to support the song in a way that's harmonious with the other instruments, enhances the rhythm, and fits the song without eclipsing it. It's just a different approach and a different genre of music than you may be playing.

There is a time to be busy - such as playing Jaco-esque jazz or progressive rock. I don't play that style of music but I certainly recognize that there are genres that call for a busy bass line!
 
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#16
They will say you're a guitar wannabe wanker. You will say they're bitter and jealous. And the world goes round and round.

It's an issue of balance...if the song calls for feats of speed and dexterity on bass it's great. If it calls for a simple line and you're dropping in all sorts of unecessary filler because you "can" then it's wankery.

Ever have a drummer who drops in big unmusical fills at random just because they can? I've had lots. It's no less annoying on bass.
 
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#19
Most people you think are saying to keep all bass lines simple are not saying that at all. Most will say, and rightfully so, to play the line that serves the song. Some songs and situations call for, or allow a bassist to be up front and/or playing busy lines. Other situations do not. Knowing and respecting the differences is, IMHO, what separates a true bass player from a self-centered showboat or a boring plodder. One does not need to play busy lines to be noticed, as there are plenty of bassists up front owning the crowd while hammering out root notes if that is what is called for. As far as players not being being able to 'pull that stuff off', bass is more about the choice and placement of notes than the number.

FWIW, a band will rarely, if ever, tell the bass player they are overplaying....
 
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