It's entertainment. And if it doesn't feel like work, you're not doing it right.
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Do you take your valuable basses to gigs?
- Thread starter shadven
- Start date
It's entertainment. And if it doesn't feel like work, you're not doing it right.
I think everything is a tool: bass, amps, cords, picks, pedals, straps, cases. What the tools help the player produce could be considered art by some.
I don't think painters or sculptors put emotional attachment to a tube of paint, brushes, lumps of clay, or slabs of marble. Or film directors name their cameras. Equipment is used to produce a final product like songs, paintings, or films. Sometimes the tools break when being used and need to be replaced. No biggie.
But I definitely understand the reluctance to take a very expensive tool on site and risk breaking it or having it stolen. I guess you can keep the tool at home and play with it and admire it in a safe environment. Nothing wrong with that.
Depends what you call a "tour".
Technically, a guitar could be called a "tool". But in reality that label is inappropriate. A guitar is no more a "tool" than scotch whisky is an "intoxicant". You can get just exactly as drunk off a bottle of Johnnie Walker Red as you can off a bottle of Ardbeg Supernova. Yet people line up to fork over big dollars for expensive whisky. Why do you think that is?
I can't think of a single musician I personally know that doesn't care what he/she plays. This is common across all genres. Why do you think classical musicians spend insane money on old violins? The audience can't tell the difference between a $7,000 violin and a $750,000 violin. The vast vast majority of players want to play nice instruments, and care very much about the brand they play.
For 99% of players, being a musician isn't making a living. I don't want to be put into a position where I have to listen to one of those guys who sees their bass as a "tool". I can only imagine how bad it is.
It depends on the gig. If the bass is in my control all night or if it's a recording session, no problem. If it's going to go under a bus or maybe gate checked on a flight, I will take a less expensive instrument.
+1 on dedicated instrument insurance. You can get it through the Musicians Union if you are an AFM Member. I have had to collect on a stolen instrument before, and then recovered the instrument and had to pay it back! Happy to get the bass back after two years, though.
This. Locally I'll take whatever I own wherever I work. If I'm traveling and I have to relinquish control I'll take something I don't mind using or losing.
Depends what you call a "tour".
Technically, a guitar could be called a "tool". But in reality that label is inappropriate. A guitar is no more a "tool" than scotch whisky is an "intoxicant". You can get just exactly as drunk off a bottle of Johnnie Walker Red as you can off a bottle of Ardbeg Supernova. Yet people line up to fork over big dollars for expensive whisky. Why do you think that is?
I can't think of a single musician I personally know that doesn't care what he/she plays. This is common across all genres. Why do you think classical musicians spend insane money on old violins? The audience can't tell the difference between a $7,000 violin and a $750,000 violin. The vast vast majority of players want to play nice instruments, and care very much about the brand they play.
For 99% of players, being a musician isn't making a living. I don't want to be put into a position where I have to listen to one of those guys who sees their bass as a "tool". I can only imagine how bad it is.
I get what you are saying, but calling something a tool doesn't mean it's poor quality. My dad spends a lot of money on high quality tools for his DIY projects. He could use a cheap $2 screwdriver, but he's really into tools and likes the pricey stuff. I'm sure some artists spend a lot of money on expensive, high quality paint brushes while others use cheap ones to equal effect.
The whisky comparison is a pretty good one. Some people are connoisseurs while others just want to get drunk. And some people can be both depending on the situation. That's how I am with beer. At home, I'll splurge for some good quality brews. Out at bars and clubs, I drink the cheap stuff on special.
Well...... There's a HUGE difference between acoustic and electric instruments in this regard.
travel and setup does.
actually playing doesn't feel like work at all. In fact I'm not really in a place to have that kind of concious thought during a gig.
Playing in my band playing our original material in front of people is my favourite thing to do ever. How can that possibly be called work?
Because they can afford to get drunk and pay out the nose for it.Depends what you call a "tour".
Technically, a guitar could be called a "tool". But in reality that label is inappropriate. A guitar is no more a "tool" than scotch whisky is an "intoxicant". You can get just exactly as drunk off a bottle of Johnnie Walker Red as you can off a bottle of Ardbeg Supernova. Yet people line up to fork over big dollars for expensive whisky. Why do you think that is?
I saw Kenny G a couple years ago, and he did a bit where he gave away one of his Kenny G soprano saxes and played a song on it before giving it to the gal who won. Sounded like crap compared to his old Selmer. Reedy and thin compared to the Selmer. Sometimes you can tell the difference, and the difference was striking in that case.
I kind of agree with you because I care what I play, but then again I don't because I find quality in electric basses of all price ranges, and I'm as liable to play a $200 bass as a $1000 bass.
Aw man, Vail Johnson is a bro of mine and Kenny is a good hearted guy who has a sense of humor about himself. May not be my favorite music ever but I had a really good time at the show.
I get paid to take pictures and I view my results as art. My camera, lights, lenses, computer are tools that allow my to express my art. So in that regard yes, a bass or amp is a tool.
And I try to use the right tool for the job. If the job doesn't require a $7000 camera then why use one? Phones work for some stuff just fine.
And oft times the customer can't tell the difference what camera or lens I used. And even if they knew do they care?
I listen to a lot of music...I have no idea what instrument was used to record it. Or play it live. Does that mean gear choice is unimportant?
to the listener, yes it probably is. To the musician it's certainly not. Different gear plays differently, sounds differently, hold up better perhaps, or motivates the musician to play or create.
And a bass CAN be art in and of itself.
And I try to use the right tool for the job. If the job doesn't require a $7000 camera then why use one? Phones work for some stuff just fine.
And oft times the customer can't tell the difference what camera or lens I used. And even if they knew do they care?
I listen to a lot of music...I have no idea what instrument was used to record it. Or play it live. Does that mean gear choice is unimportant?
to the listener, yes it probably is. To the musician it's certainly not. Different gear plays differently, sounds differently, hold up better perhaps, or motivates the musician to play or create.
And a bass CAN be art in and of itself.
Jimmy M, say it ain't so!
I suddenly feel like blurting out an a cappella version of the Who's "Bellboy"
I'll refer you to my previous post a couple posts up, JWF.
But don't worry...I may be old enough to appreciate Kenny G now but I still rock, at least on my own time
But don't worry...I may be old enough to appreciate Kenny G now but I still rock, at least on my own time
