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Are we as needed as we once were?

TombassCaton

TombassCaton

May 4, 2011
117
3
Shrewsbury
#1
Recently I went to The Big Chill, a festival in Herefordshire, England and I was hit by the distinct lack of bassists. Many of the headlining bands either had pre-recorded bass, or synth. Also, many other big or local bands I see have no bassist. Has anyone else ever had the feeling that us bassists aren't as needed as we once were, so to speak?
I'd be interested to know what you think?

Thanks
Tom
 
#2
Depends on the music. We are as needed as drummers are. There's some awesome drum machines out there. Also, there's some killer guitar patches for keys.

It's not neccessarily the instrument that's needed, it's what the player brings to the band. To me, what comes out of a collaberation is usually better than what comes from an individual. The sum is much more than the parts.

Keyboard bass tends to be a lot less creative as the keyboard player concentrates more on his main line, IMO.

For the prerecorded bass parts, they would still have needed a bass.
 
#3
The only thing that's *needed* is a DJ with skills and a great set list.

However, if an audience has come to see a band - then they've come to see a band, and they're more than happy to see a kick-a$$ band with a kick-a$$ bass player. The thing is though (and this holds for every instrument and the band as a whole) - you have to put on a show with your playing, stage presence, etc - or they may as well hire a DJ.
 
#4
I'm sure bass players have wondered about this since the 80's when synthesizers became mainstream, yet we're still here.

I'm not worried. Some synth bands/acts have put out some awesome material by the way (Depeche Mode, Air, Daft Punk to name a few) and there's more than enough room for all of us.
 
#5
I think we're still needed. But not by every genre.

I am miffed that one of my favorite bands is Soul Live. They are typically a 3 piece, guitar, drums, keys. The keyboard player does some of the best left-hand bass I've heard. Plus he focuses more on bass and counter melody (right hand) rather than worrying about melody. Works great for them.

At the same time, I tend to not get into groups that use tracks in lieu of actual drums or bass. The live affect is dry and lifeless to me as it usually means static versions each time they play, rather than an organic ever changing live performance.
 
#8
The only thing that negates the need for an actual bass player is a keyboard player with a talented left hand. And even The Doors used bass players on some of their stuff.

Anybody can pre-record any instrument. Bass player not needed? Just pre-record? While we're at it, do the keys, guitars, & drums: kareoke! All anybody pays attention to is the singer anyway...right!?!?! (sarcasm mode off)

As others have stated, live is live...pre-recorded is something other than live. Bass is needed to make the music sound good.
 
#10
"You are obsolete..." (directed towards Burgess Meredith in a Twilight Zone episode).

The best measure any bassist should embrace is to become a better accompanist...a philosophy loosely based on something I heard Richard Carpenter say years ago.

Riis
 
#13
TombassCaton said:
Recently I went to The Big Chill, a festival in Herefordshire, England and I was hit by the distinct lack of bassists. Many of the headlining bands either had pre-recorded bass, or synth. Also, many other big or local bands I see have no bassist. Has anyone else ever had the feeling that us bassists aren't as needed as we once were, so to speak?
I'd be interested to know what you think?

Thanks
Tom
Click to expand...

This topic comes up quite a bit on TB. As a player who made a good full time living in the late 70's through the 80's as a freelance sideman, my feeling is that being a classic sideman (i.e., having expert skills on any instrument) is no longer a valid career option. Music has changed. I know DJ's (very good hip hop DJ's) who are getting $2,000 per gig (corporate, high end weddings, etc.). Tracks and DJ's are no longer a 'compromise' for clients who don't have much money, they are 'what is happening' at this time.

Young people (35 and under) who make up the vast majority of the audiences at clubs, wedding and corporate gigs have no background or interest (in general) in 'live music'. They did not grow up listening to it, and the current pop songs represent more of the hip hop/rap/DJ sort of thing that started to hit hard in the late 90's, and now dominates the pop charts.

It is amazing that a player who is considered 'full time' typically now only plays 100 or so gigs a year (versus the 300-325 a good full time player would play 30 years ago). Given that the pay is about the same (not even adjusted for inflation!) that it was 20 or 30 years ago, it again is clear to me that being a sideman is no longer, in any way, a career option (especially for a young player who has not established long time relationships to compete for the little work left in the business).

I know, kind of grim, but that is what I see. I still can't believe there are kids in 'jazz programs' at universities, playing trombone or whatever. Amazingly stupid decision.
 
#14
I think Kjungbass, has nailed it the younger crowds in this digital age do not have to go anywhere to see a band perform live they just sit at their computers that is the way they live in their world. Live music for most holds no interest for them. We couldn't see are favorite bands unless we hit a venue or arena when they made a stop in our area. So not just bass players but, all live music has been affected by this in a negative way that only we the people who played for people in a live setting would perceive it as such.
 

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