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bassist confessional.

#101
Aaron said:
It is funny hearing bassists' views on what are stereotypical bassists. "6'3", chiseled abs, 180 IQ, can solve a rubix cube in 12 seconds..."

?
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Uh, no, definitely not me. 5'5" tops. Short, muscular (170 lbs.), bald, beard. The only six pack is in my belly, not the belly itself; not obese but not chiseled either. IQ? Above average (124-126 can't remember exactly) but not genius.

Eclectic taste in music. Extroverted introvert. Have a slight reputation for not getting along with guitarists. I can be the moderator or right in the thick of the fight.
 
#102
Fretless1! said:
Uh, no, definitely not me. 5'5" tops. Short, muscular (170 lbs.), bald, beard. The only six pack is in my belly, not the belly itself; not obese but not chiseled either. IQ? Above average (124-126 can't remember exactly) but not genius.

Eclectic taste in music. Extroverted introvert. Have a slight reputation for not getting along with guitarists. I can be the moderator or right in the thick of the fight.
Click to expand...

Sounds like me in all details but being bald and not getting along with guitarists.
 
#104
I could use to lose 25 lbs.

Usually by the third set I'm thinking about where we'll be stopping to eat on the way home instead about what we're playing. (See above)

My forehead is growing so I wear a hat.

Goatee. That'll be coming off momentarily.

TalkBass has made me a gear snob/tone freak.

There's some songs I've played 500 times and never once have I listened to the words.

There's some songs I've heard thousands of times and never once have I listened to the words.

I never really thought about how much I was the stereotypical bass player until I read this damned thread. :bawl:

And lastly, I can't believe nobody admits to doing the "Cockroach Stomp" while playing. :smug:
 
#105
Tallest one in the band (6'3), not the heaviest but pretty close. Starting to grow the goatee. Don't know the lyrics to half of the music I listen to because I'm listening to the bass. Usually the mediator. I know more about guitars than our 2 guitarists. Always help our drummer set up because I know where the pieces go. I'm not sure if this is one but I'm usually the first one set up. Spend a fair amount of time trying to get my tone to sound right. Only thing I'm missing is the hat :p
 
#107
Fretless1! said:
Uh, no, definitely not me. 5'5" tops. Short, muscular (170 lbs.), bald, beard. The only six pack is in my belly, not the belly itself; not obese but not chiseled either. IQ? Above average (124-126 can't remember exactly) but not genius.

Eclectic taste in music. Extroverted introvert. Have a slight reputation for not getting along with guitarists. I can be the moderator or right in the thick of the fight.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you might be the only honest one in the bunch. :D
 
#109
Unrepresented said:
Good guitarists should know as much theory, but typically most guitarists just put together chords and riffs by ear, per my experience.

Bassists have to decifer the key and applicable scales and modes to be able to play over those chords, otherwise we're stuck playing root notes.
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is it weird then that I know very little theory? I mean i don't know **** for theory and frankly I want to learn. I don't only play root notes though, I just play what sounds right in that key (if that makes any sense).
 
#110
I definantly do the 'bass face'..hmm...

i critique my band members alot...and am not afraid to say 'dude that solo sucked ass' if it's true.

I'm always the only one who seems to be the one who knows whats going on..i think most bassists do too.

I perk my left leg up on my right leg below the knee whe standing up.....so I think im unique in that way

i shouldn't head bang cause i play bass...but..i got the long hair so it works out.
 
#113
spc said:
Love of stupid hats? Check.
Tubby? Check.
Goatee? Yup.
Discuss music theory with people who don't understand? Yup.
Know enough guitar to be able to ask a guitarist to play a chord somewhere else on the neck, thereby pissing him off? You bet.

But I also find I'm the most helpful guy in the room...
I carry a capo because the singer forgot his once, and next time that happens...Bam! Here's a capo!

I always grab something of the guitar players to carry, usually his pedal case.

I like to help everyone with their mike stands, etc.

I love being a bass player...
Click to expand...

Wow i never really even thought there were stereotypes for bassists untill i read through this. I am most of those. Im not overweight but i talk music theory and know more how to set "sound" than anyone else in the band. Wether it be my guitarists amps or the sound board. I even have photos of me in stupid hats... GEZZZ
 
#114
I bite my lips a lot when i play difficult parts, when i´m playing a tight groove with the drummer i tend to move around and do dancing-like moves that in the heat of the moment make me think i ROCK but really are extremely FOOLISH. One time i showed up at a gig wearing camo pants, black boots and a black t-shirt like i´m the baddest m#$%&#"er in town and my stilish dressed bandmates look at me from head to toe (because we were playing in a hip an´happening venue, according to them) thinking something like: What´s wrong with this guy!!!???. Hahaha, everybody else has to put up with our Bass Player Freakiness because without us there is NO band.

P.D. I have had my goatee for such a long time, that i forgot to mention it, and no, there is no shame in helping out drummers with their stuff.
 
#118
hey im new, and i think this thread rules

Love of stupid hats? i once had a cadillac cap that i wore for three years straight didnt leave home without it until the band bought me a new one lol :p
Tubby? well kinda more of a beer belly
Goatee? horrible beard until i get some razors
Discuss music theory with people who don't understand? i know most theory in the band some i rub it in
Know enough guitar to be able to ask a guitarist to play a chord somewhere else on the neck, thereby pissing him off? doesnt every bass player... seriously i love the feel i get from that

I always grab something of the guitar players to carry, usually his pedal case. always dont ask why i just do probably coz its got buttons in it

I like to help everyone with their mike stands, sumtimes
 
#119
I have a couple of guitar player friends who ask me what "this" chord is, and I look at it and tell them. I also offer some alternate fingerings that would sound good, if they could only make their fingers stretch the way most bass players can. I love doing that one... :-) Also am about 25 Lbs overweight (but I'm married, over 30, and have kids, so who doesn't?). I don't wear hats except when camping or some weekends, and don't grow facial hair.

But I do know the most theory in our band by far, and saw a lot of similarities in personality with the bass player from Spinal Tap!
 

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