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bass players you'd rather not know
- Thread starter uethanian
- Start date
Not exactly like that. LOL We just went to my room at college gathered a group of random people to choose a winner, plugged in and played back and forth. The crowd felt that I was superior.
Why is it that anytime a bass player claims that they are good the other bass players get ticked off? Guitarists have no problem saying that they rock. This is why we are considered the submissive musicians. Jaco would always introduce himself to everyone as "the worlds greatest bass player."
Why is it that anytime a bass player claims that they are good the other bass players get ticked off? Guitarists have no problem saying that they rock. This is why we are considered the submissive musicians. Jaco would always introduce himself to everyone as "the worlds greatest bass player."
Personally I'm not ticked off when someone claims to be good. I'm good. I've been playing for twenty years. I am a BIT graduate. I studied theory in college; I've played in more groups (rock, metal, even classical) than I can remember and yes; I am a good bass player. However, I personally know guys who can play circles around me. The issue is not knowing that you're good. The issue is trying to prove to others how good you are. Challenging someone to a duel is silly and ignorant; IMHO. It shows that the challenger is immature and egotistical. Equally silly is the one who accepts the challenge. People who "duel" are so busy worrying about who is the best that they forget to just play and learn and have fun with it.
It's like my old Tang Soo Do instructor used to say about training: "Belts are only good to hold up your pants. Too often in martial arts, people get so caught up worrying about what color belt they are wearing that they forget to learn and grow as a martial artist." He gave this speech when questioned by a student about why he didn't allow belts in his dojo. And yes, I know the belt/pants quote is from a movie. I'm sure that's where he got. But to stay on topic; the analogy works.
As for Jaco; you are correct. He was a complete egotistical SOB. He was known to walk into nightclubs and push bass players aside and take over. He had a monster sized ego. But all that aside; he did things that no one had done. His style was legendary. I didn't know the man but from what I've read about him; he was a pr###. Again, I didn't know him. But after reading about his attitude and opinions; I probably would not have liked him if I did know him. However, his style was amazing. And as a bass player I will always have the utmost respect for what he did because it was phenomenal. I still strive to be half the player Jaco was. His talent, his influence, his style continues to influence generation after generation of musician. But Jaco's ability and talent aside; he was still beaten to death by someone who he ticked off. Of course, Jaco was bipolar, an alcoholic, severely depressed...etc. etc. etc. But this isn't a Jaco thread.
As for your claim of guitards being ok with boasting about their methods; you are, again correct. Most guitards are ego driven punks who are so high on themselves, they think that they can do no wrong. That is why most of us here in TB land use the term "guitard."
Just don't get too high on yourself. It's good to have a bit of pluck about you. But betwixt pluck and pri## lie a very fine line.
I have an absolute blast just playing bass. I think that duels are fun and exciting to take part in. Im not an egotistical person, but I put a lot of time into playing and as a result Im very very good. When you practice and play as much as I have I think you earn the right to say that your hard work has paid off. In short I have a great time playing and I can play my butt off.
Bass duel?? Where's the love!! +1 on older bassists. They usually think that anything recorded after 1971 is crap, like there was no crap recorded BEFORE 1971! And undeserved ego is also a common trait!
I agree w/ Casualmadness here. The idea of a bass duel (or any other musical duel) seems rather silly. I mean if you're good, and you know you're good, why gather random people to prove it?
Reacting to this guy who thought he was better than you by challanging him to a duel really just brought you down to his level.
You should play music to have fun, and always challange yourself to improve.
Reacting to this guy who thought he was better than you by challanging him to a duel really just brought you down to his level.
You should play music to have fun, and always challange yourself to improve.
I think that it is fun to do. I get adrenaline going off of it, and I have fun doing it. It is also exciting to the other person and to the crowd you play in front of. Im not mean spiited about it or anything.
I disagree with that. What the hell does that even really mean?
Like I said dueling is fun and I cant think of a better way to improve my improvasational skills.
Mike Money
In Memoriam
a local band here....
There bassist is the reason why people think its easier.
He cant tune his bass. The guitarists do it for him.
He can't set his tone controls.
He's a cool enough guy... Just honestly can't play.
There bassist is the reason why people think its easier.
He cant tune his bass. The guitarists do it for him.
He can't set his tone controls.
He's a cool enough guy... Just honestly can't play.
- Mar 24, 2005
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- Seymour Duncan/Basslines SMB-5A Endorsing Artist
- Feb 21, 2007
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- Endorser:Fender User:Rotosound, LaBella, Ashdown, Lindy Fralin
In my opinion the more that you learn on bass, the less you tend to play. Just think, you might think that you can destroy him on bass but who gets more gigs? You can even complain about it being an age discrimination thing because when I was 16 I was playing with people in their 60s and 70s.
More often than not, musicians who the everyday person thinks is superior is often just flashier. If you filled that room with actual musicians it could have been a different story. Kinda like how bass n00bs think Billy Sheehan is good because he plays fast.
Bass players here tend to get pissed when another claims to be the greatest thing since sliced bread. Why? Being a bass player isn't about showing off, its about having fun and learning how to serve the music instead of yourself. This is also why the best producers in music also happen to be bass players.
It means that by challenging him to some stupid musicians duel you have also become one of those "bass players you would rather not know"
Competition is great for sports. If someone wants to challenge me in basketball, golf, tennis, ping-pong, etc..then great! I enjoy that kind of competition, because that is what sports is all about. To me, music is about collaboration, not competition. I play music as an outlet for artistic expression, even when just playing covers, because it is about the depth of feeling you get when you play. And it is not just about what I can play, but about what my band creates when we play together.
Not a big fan of that style of music. Very fast and flashy, but it just doesn't appeal to me as something I would want to see or listen to.
Just stating my opinion, YMMV
What is wrong with being a flashy bassist? A lot of people here are mad that the bass is viewed as simple and secondary instrument/role. If you never showcase what you can do and you are happy to play a suportive role thats great. Im not that kind of musician. I like attention and I work hard to get it. Feel free to play however you want, but dont whine when you find yourself underappreciated and buried in the mix. To get respect you have to prove your worthy of it, and you have to ask for it. For me music is an art form and I try to give people a good show tith all the bells and whistles. Guess what? They like that.
