"Bassist" vs "Bass Player"

[ClaytonCroft]

Do you make a distinction between the two terms? Interchangeable?

Personally, I reserve the "bassist" term for pros and phenomenally good players, whereas, I am definitely a "bass player".

 

[superheavyfunk]

In my mind, the difference is that a bass player doesn’t know the nuances or the techniques required of playing the bass well. This often applies to a guitarist who might pick up a bass for a recording, or who joins a band because they need a bass player but there’s nobody else available.

A bassist, on the other hand, has spent time and effort to learn the ins and outs of the instrument and whether or not it’s their primary instrument all the time, they are able to play at a high level and have all of the required fundamentals and gear to perform well.

I make a similar distinction between a painter and “someone who paints,” a singer and “someone who sings”, or more distinctly, a scientist and someone who reads a science news clipping.

 

[jerry]

I couldn't care less.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Bass Player = A Role, which can be filled by anyone willing to take that place in a band or musical setting. Example: He's actually a drummer, but in this band he's the Bass Player.


Bassist = Being a musician primarily focused on playing Bass Guitar first and foremost. You could play guitar in a certain band, but you're always going to be a Bassist at heart. For me it's more of an identity.

 

[Faith Nicole]

I'm a bassist

I also a sing but I am not a vocalist

 

[Jeff Scott]

Do you make a distinction between the two terms? Interchangeable?

Personally, I reserve the "bassist" term for pros and phenomenally good players, whereas, I am definitely a "bass player".

Bassist here!

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Whatever perceived differences there are, it's lost in the minutia.

I prefer "bass instrument focused musician" myself.

 

[FRoss6788]

I could not care less and I’ll let those who wish to label me have at it as it doesn’t matter at all.

 

[silky smoove]

Basser

 

[r_bnks]

How could I care?

 

[Lee Moses]

It seems like this question comes up here every so often, kind of like the "bass guitar" vs. "electric bass" debate. I guess we're about due. To me, the terms are essentially interchangeable; but "bass player" might refer more to one's role within a particular band/ensemble ("he's the bass player") while "bassist" might be used of someone regardless of whether he's in a band ("he's a bassist").

 

[Kaa]

Down-tuned rhythm guitar player is how I like to term myself, in a tongue-in-cheek manner.

 

[Smith357]

I am neither, I'm just a guy with a bass. I'm not a biker, but I own a motorcycle, not a gun nut, but I own a couple, not a fisherman but I have a rod and reel.

 

[silky smoove]

 

[AK Bass Guy]

 

[pepj]

No.

 

[H K]

In my mind, the difference is that a bass player doesn't know the nuances or the techniques required of playing the bass well. This often applies to a guitarist who might pick up a bass for a recording, or who joins a band because they need a bass player but there's nobody else available.

A bassist, on the other hand, has spent time and effort to learn the ins and outs of the instrument and whether or not it's their primary instrument all the time, they are able to play at a high level and have all of the required fundamentals and gear to perform well.

I make a similar distinction between a painter and "someone who paints," a singer and "someone who sings", or more distinctly, a scientist and someone who reads a science news clipping.

Or, a scientist and a sciencer. Or a scientician....

 

[sdjfoh]

Basshole here

 

[H K]

Do you make a distinction between the two terms? Interchangeable?

Personally, I reserve the "bassist" term for pros and phenomenally good players, whereas, I am definitely a "bass player".

I think John Entwhistle referred to himself as a Bass-Guitarist. And was pretty pedantic about it.

Personally yeah, I make the distinction. "I play the bass" is definitely different from "I'm a bassist".

 

[TheDutch47]

I had no idea people put a different emphasis on either term. I call myself a bass player, bassist, bass man, low end representative.... it all means the same thing to me.