Are you a hack bassist?

[Celtic59]

I can't slap for poopie. I'm a classical guitar player.

Slapping doesn't make you good OR bad. What makes bassist bad is either a complete inability to play their instrument, or the inability to play a song with others coherently. As there are guitarists that can play the intro to "Eruption" but can't play "Louie Louie", there are bassists than can slap all day and can't play a basic pop song. Don't put too much stock into what many call a "Novelty Skill".

 

[Tom0Blam0]

I'm pretty lousy. I don't practice nearly often enough. And I have 5 basses, which is WAY more than I need. Im in a band at least but I should be way better than I am for playing since I was 13. Oh well! It's still fun to do.

 

[Jimmy4string]

I think some say they are a hack but man i think i truly am -maybe just a bit past hack. I know a few major scales and can tab out songs like a viking. However if i had to play along with a guitarist and just wing it -i would be lost! In the past my hack-ie playing caused me to quit and give up -gentle readers that is no way to get better! If you got to be a hack be the best hack you can be! No use giving up this damn bass playin once it gets into your system. You will come back to it like a booty call lover- there you will be on CL or GC looking for that hot Fender....

 

[hondo4life]

Slapping doesn't make you good OR bad. What makes bassist bad is either a complete inability to play their instrument, or the inability to play a song with others coherently. As there are guitarists that can play the intro to "Eruption" but can't play "Louie Louie", there are bassists than can slap all day and can't play a basic pop song. Don't put too much stock into what many call a "Novelty Skill".

Yeah, I can play anything but slap. Maybe it bugs me a little bit that our lead guitar player can slap pop way better than me.

 

[Celtic59]

Yeah, I can play anything but slap. Maybe it bugs me a little bit that our lead guitar player can slap pop way better than me.

As long as you play "For the Song" you are doing a service to the band, that's hellamore important than a few parlor tricks.

 

[InnerBass]

Me and 1stnamebassist were having some giggles behind the scenes about how seriously some people take their bass playing.

Here come the black helicopters

 

[ThuzzleFump]

Me and 1stnamebassist were having some giggles behind the scenes about how seriously some people take their bass playing.

I hope to someday work my way up to hack.

 

[ThudThudThud]

Of course!

 

[BurningTheAltar]

I'm probably considered a hack...lol. self taught, play it like rhythm guitar, with a pick (most of the time), at home....yup hack.

 

[moody]

If you can't slap, are you a hack or just serious?

I can't slap.

And I'm definitely not serious.

I can't slap. The second song of our first set is called Serious.

 

[Bigskybassguy]

If you got to be a hack be the best hack you can be

See, to me, that statement right there makes you NOT a hack.

 

[Fingerpickingood]

I'm absolutely a hack. No question about it. ZERO ifs, ands, or buts.

 

[corndog]

Hack here. Bass playing is a hobby for me. I can play some stuff, but I would never call myself a musician. Slow and steady is my M.O., I do have good timing though.

My son who is a very good drummer for his age thinks I'm a great bass player, oh the innocence of youth.

 

[Mvilmany]

I can't slap for poopie.

You make it sound like that is a bad thing.

 

[2manynotes]

I'm good but not great. I'm pretty good. Well, maybe just OK. Adequate, something like that.

 

[Marial]

I'm probably more of a tool.

 

[pappabass]

100% hack here ! I can read music, I can't pop or slap very well, I can't 'copy' other bassists exactly on popular songs, I have a tendency to make the bass part my own, not a show off, I do occasionally miss notes, I occasionally count frets, (got that from playing by tab !!), I play a lot of octaves, 5th's, pretty good at blues & oldies, but I can play by ear like no other !

 

[Fat Steve]

I've been laughing for a good 5 minutes at the poster who basically said that if you can't read music that you're a hack. That's some funny stuff.

 

[Bigskybassguy]

I hope to someday work my way up to hack.

I'll bet you're a respectable player now... just don't do like me and work yourself down into hackism. That's what bad hearing can do to you.

 

[Bigskybassguy]

I'm in the "j(h)ack of all trades

You're a hack of all trades -- my ass! I just heard you layin' it down thick on your song Pixie Dust. You got it goin, friend.