Are you a hack bassist?

[Fat Steve]

You beat me to it

Two folks #triggered by a potential perceived slight against Sir Paul "the only bass player that ever existed according to some people" McCartney on a snarky post? That's pretty funny.

 

[Lowbrow]

I used to be 'good' when I was a kid learning to copy Entwistle off Quadrophenia and always playing finger stye.
Then I heard The Ramones. Now I grip a pick like a vise, hook my left thumb over the top of the fretboard like a monkey, rock like one slammin' MF, but I can't begin to play 'good' like I used to.

PS I may not be 'good' but I can play pretty great

 

[repoman]

Calling myself a hack would be an insult to hacks.

 

[MegaSwing]

Call me whatever. I won't mess up the groove.

 

[eb0248]

I guess McCartney is a hack then.

In a fairly recent interview, Pino Palladino says he can't read music. If there's someone out there who can call him a hack, well...
As for me, I'm a professional in a completely different field, bass/guitar/keyboards keep me from writing happy pill scripts to myself or playing with yarn.
BTW, I can read music to an extent...I guess I'm less of a hack than Pino....(before the comments...I am SO kidding).

 

[Michael B]

I can hack it on bass with practice.
As opposed to guitar where I am a total hack job.

 

[bolophonic]

I write awesome music and people enjoy having me in their bands, but I couldn't fake my way through a standard blues jam without taking everyone on a detour through Clam City. I'm highly effective at a few things, but I could never be a sub in someone else's band without a month of rehearsals.

 

[orange joe]

Oh yeah.I stink on ice.I just haven't been able to find anything better to do with myself for the last 12 years

 

[JaredBT]

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.

I agree with this. I have always been told I am super solid. I was taught some bass runs by a rhythm guitar player in a band I would hang around. I wasn't a rodie... more of a loadie (we were all loadies) that loved the music... kind of a John Mayall - Trower - Sabbathy feel, killer material. Anyway I took those runs, researched scales and figured out where to go in terms of sounding good or not sounding good and whala... fast forward 25 years and now I'm a player. By the way for those that don't know a player is someone that can just flat get it done. Slapping however, illudes me... cant do it - I have a narly handicap on my neck hand that makes it hard. I don't care to do it though.

 

[Laklandfan]

Just keep playing until everybody else catches on; that's what I've been doing.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Invalid Link Removed

 

[two fingers]

I show up like a pro, with good gear, at least one spare everything, on time, dressed for the part, songs learned 100%.

That said, as soon as the drummer starts clicking down the first song, I'm a total goofball.

So, I take the craft seriously, but myself not so much.

 

[47VevetS]

I am most definitely a hack, but music is its own reward.

 

[PWRL]

I don't know, maybe. Where's the bar? I'm somewhere between Sid Vicious and John Entwistle.

 

[ole Jason]

I went to school for music and have played so long at this point I can play pretty much anything. But there is no shame in being at a different level and being comfortable with it. I work in IT and have no problem admitting there are guys who can code circles around me. That's just how it is and I'm comfortable with it, I don't need to be 'better' than them. I wouldn't worry about it too much as long as you're meeting your musical goals.

 

[Cole Louis Allar]

Well let's see.
One. My interest in music is punk that just keeps it simple on bass
2. Most people I know don't like or understand my style of music
So yeah I guess you could say that I'm a hack

 

[Mike Sorr]

I once saw a popular wedding band rehearse. There were two guitarists: one handled all of the lead playing and the other played a solid rhythm while also acting as their lead singer on several songs. During a short break, the lead guitarist wanted to jam on some bebop and asked the rhythm player to give him something to play off of. The rhythm player said, "I'm not that guy. If you ask me to play some Van Halen or some other rock stuff, I'll rip your face off with that kind of playing. But I'm not that super versatile, can play any style at the drop of a hat, guy."

The rhythm player happens to be a friend of mine and he is a truly fantastic rock guitarist, but in a room full of super versatile, can play any style at the drop of a hat guys, he might be considered a hack. I'm just like he is. I can play the hell out of the music that I enjoy playing, but in a room full of "real" musicians, I might be considered a hack.

 

[anavar]

self taught (and youtube)
10 years of playing (on and off, mostly off)
i gig, record, tour.
total sh!t player
can keep in time and i learn fast.

absolute hack. i love it.

 

[jza57]

I am a hack when I need to be .

 

[jacolyte]

sometimes.