Blu DeTiger seeing her bass at GC

[DrummerwStrings]

She's a good player and I like her music.

I think a lot of what you read on Internet forums (which is a dinosaur internet medium, sort of a paleo-social media, not inhabited by young people) so often about any young artist is that the denizens of the forum don't like or respect the person because they can't name any of their music. Well sure, that happens as we age, we become out of touch with current music. That doesn't mean it's no good or it's just noise. That's what your parents said about your music.

Some other people talk about 'marketing', but she's basically doing what you do today. This isn't the old days where you play high school gyms and dive bars to 10 people and put up flyers until you somehow make it. She's made it in music building a social media following to spread the music.

No matter what, she's doing original music and selling it for money which is something none of us can say. She's selling out tours, while most of us have never even sold tickets.

She also DJs, and I know this probably is not the crowd to appreciate live DJ sets, but she's good at that too. Sometimes she's playing bass while doing it.

The modeling and social media influence stuff is in addition to all of the above.

This is someone who's killing it, and is still a great bassist. From what I have seen in a few clips she seems like a decent guitarist too.

We should celebrate anybody making good.

+1

On Point - a solid social media influencer & associated with one of the biggest new musical talents = an easy choice for Fender

 

[Stranger Danger]

I'm definitely not in her demographic group, but I was aware of Blu prior to the introduction of her signature bass. There are lots of women bassists who have paid more dues and may have "earned" a signature model Fender ahead of her, but I don't begrudge her the honor.

Deserve has nothing to do with it. Never has and never will

 

[Stranger Danger]

I think it is more the fact that many on here seem to treat their own perspective as "the" perspective.

I don't listen to Blu's music, but have no problem with her having a signature Fender. If her music is getting young people interested in bass, then I am all for it.

Chiming in just to let everyone know I don't listen to her or know who she is doesn't serve anyone.

It serves his ego so there is that

 

[MuseChaser]

....

We should celebrate anybody making good.

That isn't how I see it, and I'm speaking generally here and not about Blu specifically. I find more to celebrate about musicians "making good" solely, or at least in the vastly large part, due to their dedication and lifelong honing of the craft of musicianship. I find less to celebrate about "performing artists" that achieve vaulted status and acclaim through reliance on image, marketing, shock value, or whatever. Calling some of the current household-name "performing artists" "musicians" makes my skin crawl, and I definitely do NOT celebrate them "making good."

Just taking issue with the blanket statement I quoted. While I don't hear anything at all extraordinary in Blu's bass playing or singing, and therefore have to assume her popularity is in part due to additional factors, there are way worse artists out there.

 

[Stranger Danger]

What’s the point of going through life like that? I prefer to just be happy for people. There’s way too much serious stuff in the world to be worried about

 

[JenderBazzFass]

That isn't how I see it, and I'm speaking generally here and not about Blu specifically. I find more to celebrate about musicians "making good" solely, or at least in the vastly large part, due to their dedication and lifelong honing of the craft of musicianship. I find less to celebrate about "performing artists" that achieve vaulted status and acclaim through reliance on image, marketing, shock value, or whatever. Calling some of the current household-name "performing artists" "musicians" makes my skin crawl, and I definitely do NOT celebrate them "making good."

Just taking issue with the blanket statement I quoted. While I don't hear anything at all extraordinary in Blu's bass playing or singing, and therefore have to assume her popularity is in part due to additional factors, there are way worse artists out there.

What is it about her that makes you believe she hasn't done those things?

Why would a person who performs and records original music not be a musician?

 

[JenderBazzFass]

What’s the point of going through life like that? I prefer to just be happy for people. There’s way too much serious stuff in the world to be worried about

There will always be people who a female musician can't win with. If she succeeds they'll just say she had it handed to her because she's female or that she only succeeded because she's attractive. Monster player or not. But I don't think successful people spend a lot of time worrying about the opinions of people like that.

 

[Vitrius Humor]

This is the greatest female bassist at the moment! / ellenplaysbass

 

[MuseChaser]

What is it about her that makes you believe she hasn't done those things?

Why would a person who performs and records original music not be a musician?

Good honest questions, and I'll do my best to answer them. You're phrasing the questions as "on/off" rather than as spots on a continuum. Extrapolating that approach, everyone who has hammered a nail and turned a screw is a carpenter. Changed the oil and filter on your car? You're a mechanic.
I don't know much about Blu; my ONLY knowledge of her is from the few threads here and viewing the linked videos therein. Based upon those videos, which included performances and primarily the one "how to play bass"-type demonstration video, I saw a very average bassist. There are six bassists within 20 miles of my house that are worlds ahead of her as bassists, and no one will ever hear of them.
I didn't say she wasn't a musician, although there are products/artists out there that I would NOT consider musicians. Blu doesn't fall in that category...she has obviously spent some time learning some aspects of music and practicing bass, which addresses your first quotes question above. However, it's a matter of degree. Does she have the command of the instrument, the ability to fluently read the language of music, the ability to function in almost any musical environment and situation, and the harmonic and melodic knowledge of, say, Victor Wooten? Tal? Esperanza? Those folks are so much farther (again, based solely upon what I've seen and heard in these threads....for all I know Blu might BE an in-demand session player who can read and nail everything on the first take....but I'd be very surprised if that was the case) up the "musician" scale that it makes comparisons difficult.
Another poster took me to task for not simply being "happy" for everyone, and that living "like that" when so much "serious" stuff is going on elsewhere. I've made, and continue to make, a living as a musician, and yes, music is "serious" to me, meaning that I place great value on the art and those who seek to elevate it. I guess I would counter that celebrating mediocrity, embracing lower standards, and simply accepting all offerings and artists as worthy of laud is not the way towards living a better life for us all. Again, I am not speaking of Blu here....there is WAY worse stuff out there.

 

[Vitrius Humor]

Any negativity towards Blue DeTiger is just jealousy. It's not nice to put your bitterness out here in the world.

 

[MuseChaser]

There will always be people who a female musician can't win with. If she succeeds they'll just say she had it handed to her because she's female or that she only succeeded because she's attractive. Monster player or not. But I don't think successful people spend a lot of time worrying about the opinions of people like that.

See, this is what gets me. Immediately, folks jump on to the "can't handle a female/other demographic" crap. That's just stupid. It has NOTHING to do with her being female. Her playing ability is not commensurate with her success; I'd make that statement if she was a middle aged guy with a doctorate in music theory or a plaid rhinoceros. Knock it off.

 

[MuseChaser]

Any negativity towards Blue DeTiger is just jealousy. It's not nice to put your bitterness out here in the world.

Oh, man. Do you like opera? No? You're just jealous and bitter because you're not an opera singer.

Again, just a dumb statement. Knock it off.

 

[RGerhart]

Good honest questions, and I'll do my best to answer them. You're phrasing the questions as "on/off" rather than as spots on a continuum. Extrapolating that approach, everyone who has hammered a nail and turned a screw is a carpenter. Changed the oil and filter on your car? You're a mechanic.
I don't know much about Blu; my ONLY knowledge of her is from the few threads here and viewing the linked videos therein. Based upon those videos, which included performances and primarily the one "how to play bass"-type demonstration video, I saw a very average bassist. There are six bassists within 20 miles of my house that are worlds ahead of her as bassists, and no one will ever hear of them.
I didn't say she wasn't a musician, although there are products/artists out there that I would NOT consider musicians. Blu doesn't fall in that category...she has obviously spent some time learning some aspects of music and practicing bass, which addresses your first quotes question above. However, it's a matter of degree. Does she have the command of the instrument, the ability to fluently read the language of music, the ability to function in almost any musical environment and situation, and the harmonic and melodic knowledge of, say, Victor Wooten? Tal? Esperanza? Those folks are so much farther (again, based solely upon what I've seen and heard in these threads....for all I know Blu might BE an in-demand session player who can read and nail everything on the first take....but I'd be very surprised if that was the case) up the "musician" scale that it makes comparisons difficult.
Another poster took me to task for not simply being "happy" for everyone, and that living "like that" when so much "serious" stuff is going on elsewhere. I've made, and continue to make, a living as a musician, and yes, music is "serious" to me, meaning that I place great value on the art and those who seek to elevate it. I guess I would counter that celebrating mediocrity, embracing lower standards, and simply accepting all offerings and artists as worthy of laud is not the way towards living a better life for us all. Again, I am not speaking of Blu here....there is WAY worse stuff out there.

This is just a slippery slope. If you take this approach, then why not take it further? How does anyone measure up with anything else? Does Victor Wooten compare to say, Mozart? Mozart was writing symphonies as a child. Does Jaco compare to Bach? Hmmm, probably not. So are those musicians mediocre compared to the others? No.

If Blu is making music that is meaningful to her, and enjoys playing it for other people, then that is it. No reason to contest her right to have a signature instrument from Fender, or to argue the merits of her popularity. As they say, you do you.

 

[RavenousPoe]

I think as musicians we should celebrate creativity whether it is from the hands of legends placed on a pedestal here on TB, or "average" players who are up on-stage having fun and spreading joy no matter where they are on this made up "skill continuum".

Anyone is allowed to not be a fan, but perhaps there is an unnecessary focus on skill vs. creativity. People who have practiced their whole lives to be skilled should be proud, as should people who are brand new and just finished learning the major scale for the first time.

 

[Old Blastard]

I have to say, having read this thread, I started listening to her. After catching that "Once in a Lifetime" video, I'm all for her. A. She can slap, but doesn't make it an annoying thing. B, she moves around a lot while playing, something I get harassed about. C., she's better than me. D. We both have signature basses, I just used a Magic Marker to get mine.

 

[matty1039]

Having read all this, it reminds me that Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy) and Mikey Way (My Chemical Romance) both had signature basses released. A Squier P bass and Fender Mustang, respectively. Are either of them more deserving of a signature releases than Blu DeTiger?

And I don't know if it counts since it is not a Fender, but Squier had a Eva Gardner signature bass for a while. So, Blu may not be the first woman to get a signature bass.

 

[MuseChaser]

This is just a slippery slope. If you take this approach, then why not take it further? How does anyone measure up with anything else? Does Victor Wooten compare to say, Mozart? Mozart was writing symphonies as a child. Does Jaco compare to Bach? Hmmm, probably not. So are those musicians mediocre compared to the others? No.

If Blu is making music that is meaningful to her, and enjoys playing it for other people, then that is it. No reason to contest her right to have a signature instrument from Fender, or to argue the merits of her popularity. As they say, you do you.

I get your point, and you made it well. I would answer most of the questions in your first paragraph fairly affirmatively; in terms of really breaking new ground and taking each of those greats' areas of music to new heights, yes, the comparisons are somewhat apt...not a bit of mediocrity in the bunch.

As far as the second paragraph goes, no one (at least, not me) is contesting her right to a signature instrument. I do think that, as a society, we would do well to tweak what we find popular and what merits popularity. There's no harm in examining all the facets that contribute to a certain artist's popularity; reflection is a good thing. Perhaps Blu's success IS 100% due to her ability as a bassist and singer. My ears don't hear that, but there's no reason others have to agree.

 

[friskinator]

Having read all this, it reminds me that Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy) and Mikey Way (My Chemical Romance) both had signature basses released. A Squier P bass and Fender Mustang, respectively. Are either of them more deserving of a signature releases than Blu DeTiger?

And I don't know if it counts since it is not a Fender, but Squier had an Eva Gardner signature bass for a while. So, Blu may not be the first woman to get a signature bass.

Correct. Who said you had to be a virtuoso to get a signature instrument?

Honestly, these recent Blu threads reek of sexism, even if it isn’t overt.

 

[jerry]

Correct. Who said you had to be a virtuoso to get a signature instrument?

Honestly, these recent Blu threads reek of sexism, even if it isn’t overt.

You could copy and paste some of the thread responses when Tal Wilkenfeld first hit the scene to the Blu threads. Same as it always was.

 

[MuseChaser]

..

Honestly, these recent Blu threads reek of sexism, even if it isn’t overt.

If she was male, and we were having the same conversation regarding the possible disconnect between skill level and popularity (and we WOULD be having the same conversation) would that be OK? If it WOULD be OK if she was male, isn't that therefore also sexist?

That trope HAS to end. Not everything is sexist or any other kind of "...ist." People hear what they hear, independent of an artist's demographic. People agree or disagree with policy, too. If the disagreeing parties happen to be from different demographics, that does NOT mean the demographics are the reason for disagreement.