Are you a hack bassist?

[Bigskybassguy]

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.

Yes, you're definitely a hack.

 

[RustyAxe]

Giggle away. (What's the point of this thread?) ... I giggle at people who take the stage with a band and assume that "serious" rock star look ... but aren't serious enough to actually go practice and learn to play their instruments.

 

[Bigskybassguy]

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,

Now you've got it goin'. I'm a jerk AND a hack! I'm a hark.

 

[hintz]

At certain things I'm a "hack", I'm not the best sight reader(I can read though) or soloists, but I do know theory pretty well with how it pertains to bass and I know how to groove!

I guess i call myself a "hack" because I am good at "faking" it when needed...I certainly don't suck though, I *can* play but there are gaps in my knowledge/skill, and I'm not afraid to admit it! My chops are miles ahead of my knowledge....

 

[kurth83]

Bass is my 4th instrument - and yet somehow I have become an active bass player - I am most definitely a hack. But I hack as musically as I can, and the skills are continuing to improve.

 

[Billybladez66]

I hack.....from all the cigarettes I've smoked on countless stages in countless bars...back when you could actually smoke in bars.....

 

[Super Iridium]

Lots of "humble-bragging" going on with the previous posts, so let me clear. I TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY SUCK at bass, and yet I still love playing it! I'm practicing all the time, and yes, there's certainly improvement over time, but compared to a real musician, I should just be setting up chairs and music stands for the people who can really play.

And that, to me, is the greatest thing of all about the bass--there's just not enough players out there for all the musical groups who need a bass player, so even total HACKS like me can find a spot.

Give me my hack club number and let me get back to playing (badly)!!!

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I don't know if I'm a hack or not. Mostly self taught with a little help from my friends and lots of practice and gigging.
I consider myself competent enough to gig, but few will go wow. As long as it is fun I will keep on doing it.
But, I've been saying that for 52 years and it is still fun. Well, mostly. There are days, but then there are other days.

 

[whatizitman]

I'm a hack to myself and every other bassist. To every one else I'm a 'good' bassist.

90% are happy if you can just play the root, which I can do about 90% of the time. And I'm happy with that about 90% of the time. S'all good.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I take it seriously, so maybe I'm giggle worthy.

 

[tedious1]

I think you can stop considering yourself a hack when your passing notes are just that, and not the label you apply to your mistakes.

 

[bassinplace]

For being a rank amateur, I can hold my own.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

I'm trying to figure out how hack relates in comparison to mediocre?
I didn't join the TB Mediocre Bass club because I'm no where near being up to mediocre?
Is being a hack a step below mediocre?
Do I need to pass the hack test before I can apply for mediocre?
There should be a defined priority in levels of bass playing.
Here is my list. I am a 3.
10. Jaco (or other well know superstar of bass).
9. Great
8. Good
7. OK
6. Mediocre (or hack)
5. Hack (or mediocre)
4. Making Progress
3. I'm trying
2. I just started.
1. My first bass is on order
0. Don't have opposable thumbs
-1. Self Appointed Guitar God

 

[bassbully]

Hack? Yes! My last band fired me.

 

[Matt Dean]

I'm no hack and I do take myself serious but I am in no means anywhere near being a virtuoso. I am solid as a rock though.

This is how I think of myself... and the proof is in the pudding; I play in 3-4 bands at any given time.

Edit: but I am a hacker of reality.

 

[Benjamin Earl]

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.

+1 this is me to a T. However I don't think jazz is the be-all end-all. I'm good at what I do, but I don't take myself too seriously.

 

[Ellery]

I'm self taught and believe I have a working handle on providing a solid bassline for a band. I also believe I have a long way to go improving my technique and knowledge. At my level what saves me from feeling like a hack is the humility to always recognize the need to push forward.

 

[Salicete]

Hacks...I am the Michael Myers of hack bass players.

I epitomize the art of the hack player.

 

[kellogc]

As some already mentioned, being self-taught before the age of the YouTube makes me a total and complete Hack. My technique is a jig-saw puzzle made out of me emulating my influences. In the current time and age, most people are carbon copies of one bassist because of tutorials out of YouTube which in my opinion is pretty sad. I'd rather have many hacks with initiative... than mindless clones with no creativity whatsoever.

 

[Rogatien022]

I started with guitar, then played bass because a band needed a bass player. Then that band disbanded, went back on guitar. Played in many bands, played in festivals, bars, huge venues as opening act with the band I was playing with. Had a lot of fun and still do. Now I'm close to 47, been playing for a bit more than 30 yrs, I play guitar in one band and bass in 3 bands. I'm nothing special on guitar or bass, I just show up on time, know my parts, no addictions and I definately got lucky. I guess being somewhat serious and meeting the right people got me to where I am. I'm no pro, got a day job but spend all my free time on music. It's a bit easy since I'm single with no kids. I consider myself a hack.

While getting older and more experienced, I realized that being serious about music, showing up on time and knowing your parts was much more important than anything. Other musicians need to know that they can count on you while they're on stage with you. Other musicians need to know it's gonna sound good while they're on stage with you.

I'm no Jeff Berlin or Geddy Lee, never will be, but I show up prepared and I'm serious about it. There's really no magic involved, and I dunno how I ended up playing for those huge venues since I'm nothing special.

I guess I'm that "crappy reliable dude".