"Bassist" vs "Bass Player"

[MrAB4003]

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 use those two terms interchangeably. Bassists play the bass, which makes them bass players.

Bass Guitarist?

John Entwistle and Lemmy (RIP to both) described themselves as "bass guitarists" because they stepped out of the traditional bass role and played the bass as a lead instrument like a guitar at times. Like this...


That makes me a "bass guitarist" because I play bass and piccolo bass as lead instruments. Lemmy is a huge influence on my playing and listening to him on Motorhead records basically taught me how to play piccolo bass! He's also an influence my tone (on "regular" bass and piccolo bass) and songwriting.

 

[baxter_x]

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.

I was about to write something but that statement is just exactly how I see the difference

 

[Gervais Cote]

If I had a business card, it would read "Dumbass rock'n'roll bass player."
Beyond that, I'd say "bassist" presumes the ability to play any bass, acoustic or electric.

On MY business card, that would be "Dumbassist" !

 

[Faith Nicole]

"bassist" does kinda' sound like it describes an upright player in an orchestra

I read that as 'uptight'

 

[brianrost]

One night at a jam session, a guitarist friend and I were talking about another guitarist who came every week. He was a very nice guy but his playing was terrible. My friend said “that’s because he’s not a guitar player, he’s a guitar operator."

 

[groovaholic]

Basshole here

I put that on a headstock…

 

[Plain Old Barry]

One night at a jam session, a guitarist friend and I were talking about another guitarist who came every week. He was a very nice guy but his playing was terrible. My friend said "that's because he's not a guitar player, he's a guitar operator."

"Guitar Owner"

 

[Gervais Cote]

I put that on a headstock…

 

[JRA]

when folks ask me what i do/did, i've always said: "i'm a musician."

them: "what do you play?" me: "bass."

them: "oh."

 

[E2942]

Pedant by day, Screamin' Pedantrist by night.

 

[DWA2469]

It is not different than any other discipline! Take baseball for example, some play Little League some play in the Majors, even though they are played at different levels, they are still ball players! IMO! So, there are Pro Bass Players and or Pro Bassists and then there are those that are not pro!

 

[DCErik]

'If you buy a flute, you own a flute. If you buy a camera you're a photographer.'

 

[MojoPin]

Tomato patato...

 

[five7]

At my age I don't claim to be anything.

 

[porkynuggets]

label = limit

 

[bigdaddybass12]

Bassist? I was a tubaist in high school.

 

[Jeff Scott]

'If you buy a flute, you own a flute. If you buy a camera you're a photographer.'

Sadly, that's something I had to occasionally endure at the photo lab.

 

[DCErik]

"That's a great photo. You must have a good camera!"
"Dinner was excellent. You must have a good stove."

 

[Polfuste]

'If you buy a flute, you own a flute. If you buy a camera you're a photographer.'

If you buy a drum kit, you are ..... Fired !

 

[Element Zero]

Um… I play bass.