Are you a hack bassist?

[JMacBass65]

I'm self taught and play in two bands and I suck. I think it's comical that I'm still playing. So I must be doing something right. Until I figure what that is how can I possibly be serious.

Yeah, sums up my situation perfectly.

 

[Bass'd on a true story]

As the last guitarist I played with told me, "bassists are just bad guitarists". So yes. Apparently I'm a hack guitarist AND bassist.

 

[tfer]

As the last guitarist I played with told me, "bassists are just bad guitarists". So yes. Apparently I'm a hack guitarist AND bassist.

Your last guitarist was a moron.

 

[wmhill]

there are so many hack bassist out there, that the competition was too rough. I had to learn to play things right, not so much competition in that field around here.

 

[JacklegBass]

My handle says it all...

So does mine.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I feel i am a really good hobbyist.

 

[BbbyBld]

In the grand scheme of things, yeah.

I'm definitely a hack playing certain styles like jazz. I can play walking stuff that works and it can fool most people, but it's nowhere near what a real jazz bassist what do.

To be honest, I love music and performing. Bass is my vehicle to get me there. I think that bass is important to a band, and I take the job seriously. I'm passionate about music as a whole, not bass specifically, although most of the music I listen to has cool bass stuff going on. I don't particularly enjoy listening to solo bass, or just sitting around playing bass. I'd rather play guitar or piano if I just feel like playing around the house.

 

[DavetheDude]

What does hack mean in this case? A bad one?

 

[Derry Murbles]

I am just about theoretically inept.

I know and/or can feel out each key and the notes therein, but as far as scales/arpeggios/modes/"classical" training, I am definitely a hack.

However I'd like to think my feel and groove allow me to keep my head above water for the most part.

 

[BbbyBld]

What does hack mean in this case?

I've always thought it to mean, you know enough to be functional. Like for example, if someone told you, blues jam in A, you could do it, but you couldn't sight read the sheet music if it was put in front of you.

 

[lomo]

What does hack mean in this case? A bad one?

"Hack" to me means.....close enough for government work.............juss funnin'

 

[Freightshaker]

I'd be super serious if live gig pay ever came back to respectable levels.

I pick up a bass evey day and realize some knowledge and skills are slowly slipping.

 

[Bigskybassguy]

I know and/or can feel out each key and the notes therein, but as far as scales/arpeggios/modes/"classical" training, I am definitely a hack.

Feels great to admit it, huh?

All-in-all, I'd say no one's a bass hack if you can drive it in the pocket, be back at the root when you're supposed to be there, make it to rehearsal, and generally contribute to the fun.

 

[Nev375]

I'm not sure. I'm told I'm great by most people, but their opinions don't hold a lot of credibility with me. They would lie to me just for the sake of my self-esteem and being nice. I can't take my own word for it either because I'm told I'm my own worst critic and I believe that. Still, at other times when I get in the groove and things are flowing I get the impression that I'm amazing. That's just because I play best when my brain shuts off though. And if my brain is off I'm not thinking critically, so that HAS to be bunk.

I try really hard not to think about it. Because when I do, I put way too much thought in and don't get any closer to an answer.

I probably AM a hack on bass. I don't know.
I'm definitely a ham on talkbass though.

 

[Duder]

I'm in the "j(h)ack of all trades, master of none" camp. I can play some intermediate stuff on several instruments, but I am by no means proficient in any of them. One day I would like to take bass and guitar lessons.

 

[09wkd]

I just enjoy wanking around on bass/guitar and playing covers of songs I like or trying to make weird alien noises. No band, no videos, no lessons, no band practice, but most importantly, no pressure. I use music as a form of meditation and centering myself when I'm stressed out or annoyed, don't really see myself doing it professionally or for monetary gain.

 

[Sandman64]

Self taught, with lessons years later which basically showed me everything that I was doing was wrong. lol However I took those lessons and used them going forward which did indeed make me a better player. However, I still play more by feel than technic if that makes any sense? I venture onto youtube and watch these wankers go crazy of their bass and think, ya I'll never be able to do that nor do I care to. Don't get me wrong, its always a good thing to strive to be a great bassist. But great can mean many different things to many people. Bassist like, Geddy Lee, John Paul Jones, Geezer Butler are players who inspired me to take up the instrument in the first place. So needless to say, all of what I do is taken from those three and a few others. I don't slap, I don't tap, but I'm always employed and busy. I figure if you're out playing, you must be doing something right.

 

[hover]

Just curious why if you delighting in snikkers, presumeably at the expense of others in private, why would you go public with it and kinda brand yourselves as jerky? Now don't get my suggesting this as outright calling you jerks, because I'm certainly not I promise you, just basing it upon initial perception upon reading....but why wouldn't you wish to take something seriously? I mean yeah it's not rocket science or anything, but there's no harm in being fully driven / invested...but yeah, sometimes the intensity can be dialed down a tad, lol

That said, passionate hack is a fitting label for me. I love music, love bass, love playing live, and love creating and recording and trust my ear and instinct and can read charts, but I'm not schooled and have the level of investment in to achieve the joy I get from it. But damned if taken to task if I was forced to name a scale or this or that.

 

[ZenG]

As the last guitarist I played with told me, "bassists are just bad guitarists". So yes. Apparently I'm a hack guitarist AND bassist.

Surely he jests....just walk into any guitar store on a Saturday. "One song wonders"/hack guitarists all over the place....all playing guitar not bass.

 

[strictlybass_ic]

I am a complete hack and freely admit it. The fact that I have played in 3 different bands, dozens of venues, and continue to land paying gigs with my current group is staggering to me.

All I can say for myself is I'm punctual, reliable, and professional (which goes a long way in the music community) and I know my limitations and work within them. I don't do anything special, but I do it well and that seems to be enough to hang with most bar bands (at least in my area).