"Bassist" vs "Bass Player"

[J Wilson]

There are chefs and cooks. I'm a cook, so a bass player.

And of course, when I go to plug in and play for a while here at the house, my dear wife says, "You going to play your guitar?"

 

[MCS4]

They are the same to me, and IMO anyone who self-identifies as one is one.

 

[Discount Bassy]

Bassist: A person who is a performing arter using the bass. See also: bass guitarer.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

bass guitar player lol lol lol

 

[AK Bass Guy]

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.

“Low end representative….”
That’s a new one for me.
I like it. Going to add that to my repertoire.

 

[Peteyboy]

I knew a girl who was definitely a bassist player.

 

[Minimalist]

I'm a bassist

I also a sing but I am not a vocalist

If you sing, aren't you a singist. And only vocal people are vocalist.

 

[SLO Surfer]

I couldn't care less.

Same

If people don’t know me and it comes up in discussion I think I introduce myself as a “musician,” and then only mention the “bass” if asked what instrument I play. Then if further questions are asked or clarification needed I’ll specify both electric bass guitar and upright bass are my main instruments, having a college degree in one and having toured the world on the other. Many times the discussion ends at me being a musician, and many times it doesn’t.

I personally think there’s no difference between the meaning of “bass player,” and “bassist” to the vast majority of people in the world.

 

[Queue]

Bass Guitarist?

 

[DJ Bebop]

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".

Nope, just like a violinist and a fiddle player. Which they themselves use interchangeably

 

[pyrat56host]

like this:

 

[Carl Hillman]

If people ask, I tell them I'm a bass player.


If I say "bassist", it's like I'm giving them the high hat. ...and, I'm sick of the high hat!

 

[higain617]

Bass Tracker here. Sponsored by Skoal.

 

[Dust2Dust]

This thread is telling me I need to go get involved with that study book I paid good money for

 

[Jefenator]

As long as they get the Venmo right.

 

[Sam Evans]

I don't think there is any objective difference.

I think they have different connotations for some people, but that's entirely subjective.

 

[WG Plum]

I'm a hack.

 

[darwin-bass]

Total synonyms. No difference in meaning.

Bassist probably is more common in orchestras.

 

[Peteyboy]

English can be ridiculous. There are no drummists or drum players, only drummers. Why even make the distinction with bass?

 

[Faith Nicole]

If you sing, aren't you a singist. And only vocal people are vocalist.

Well, I am one of the singingest singers but no where near the vocalest vocalist