Because it makes a great way to waste time on a forum where no matter what you post someone will have something else to say about it
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"Bassist" vs "Bass Player"
- Thread starter ClaytonCroft
- Start date
No. People who make such distinctions do so with an agenda.
"Dude's not a bassist, he's just bass player"
What it really means is
"I dislike that musician for some personal reason, and rather than own up to my opinion, I'll hide it with language that implies it's actually an objective truth."
Bassist = an adherent or practitioner of bassism and/or bassist arts; one who believes in bassism. Also one who bassizes.
Bass player = one who plays the bass.
Bass player = one who plays the bass.
I am a bass player who is the bassist in my band.
And I write songs, and I play guitar, keys, percussion, and anything that makes noise to make music.
Funny thing happened to me about decade or so back. I was playing with my band on stage and we were a 3 piece plus a singer. We covered a lot of pop tunes and I would cover a lot of the synth lines. Same lineup for about 6-7 years at this point. Anyway, dude comes up to me asked if I play guitar, and I said "yes I do". He says to his buddy he strung up to the stage with him, and says "yeah, I knew you weren't a real bass player"
Perceptions are funny thing. I always felt Bass was more natural, but I don't limit myself to that.
And I write songs, and I play guitar, keys, percussion, and anything that makes noise to make music.
Funny thing happened to me about decade or so back. I was playing with my band on stage and we were a 3 piece plus a singer. We covered a lot of pop tunes and I would cover a lot of the synth lines. Same lineup for about 6-7 years at this point. Anyway, dude comes up to me asked if I play guitar, and I said "yes I do". He says to his buddy he strung up to the stage with him, and says "yeah, I knew you weren't a real bass player"
Perceptions are funny thing. I always felt Bass was more natural, but I don't limit myself to that.
I consider the terms synonymous, but there are situations where I might prefer one over the other.
Bassist is more succinct.
Bassist is more succinct.
Exactly.
Everyone has an opinion. The perception is that one opinion is right and the other wrong. Forgotten or ignored is that both opinions can be right or both opinions can be wrong.
But, that's just my opinion.
What I differentiate is a person who actually knows how to play bass vs a person who owns a bass and plays root notes on the beat. Almost anyone can do the latter (and often does, because true bassists are hard to find). If you do the former, it's immaterial to me what term is used; I just want to hear something musical - as opposed to something any idiot could program into a DAW*.
*to be clear, sometimes a metronomically and harmonically simple bass throb is exactly what works best! It just should be the only choice in one's stylistic box
You'll get no argument from this Four String Electric Bass Guitarist Faith Nicole.
You can choose inclusive or divisive. I choose inclusive.
Likewise the definition of "cyclist" gets debated in web forums.
Likewise the definition of "cyclist" gets debated in web forums.
I'll just second this and add that a Bassist has done the work to be able to take on a variety of gigs as well as function in the studio when called upon. Their level of musicianship is much higher and more typically their years of experience as well. You need to earn your stripes to get to this level.
When I’m surrounded by highly educated people that drive Mercedes, I say I’m a bassist.
With my friends and other people, I say I’m a bass player.
With my friends and other people, I say I’m a bass player.
