Feel really demotivated about playing bass

[ThePresident777]

Even though I play and write original songs where a lot of them are bass led and the guitar takes a much smaller and easier role in the playing I never seem to get any attention. Not once has anyone come up to me and said great show or nice playing but everyone else in my band gets swarms of people coming up to them saying how great they are, even though they play my ideas.

The only people who ever say anything to me after a gig are family or close friends but I imagine they are quite biased and wouldent give me critism even if I asked for it. My music teachers have seen me to and give me praise for my performances there the only people i can think who have ever said anything to me who are not really biased.

How do I at least get some recognition for all my thousands of hours of practicing, Im not playing wankery style playing but I try play a large variety of styles and I dont stick to root, I like to leave gaps in my playing to emphisise what I play but nothing I do ever seems to get me any recognition. Its gotten to the point where its hard to practice, whats the point if I do lots of the writing work, practice for hours a day to get no recogntion where other guys like the guitarist barely practice just show up to the gig and have people swarming over them.

Sorry for the rant just feeling low and wanted to vent to feel better again, anyone else every felt like this. If so how did you get over it?

License your music. Do session work. Then you will get recognition$$$$$$$$$$. That's how Motown did it. Jamerson got recognized every payday, and so did the song writers. Mean while, the fans were going nuts over whatever pretty face was on the record cover.

 

[JRA]

how did you get over it?

i think when we're young, we need some recognition to help us stay committed. when we become really committed, we start getting some recognition.

i don't think it has anything to do with your "thousands of hours of practicing" or the fact that you play bass.

to what are you committed? getting attention isn't really difficult. and, integrity isn't for the faint of heart.

 

[hsech]

If you are wanting attention and hordes of adoring fans, maybe bass isn't the instrument for you.

 

[red_rhino]

It's at moments like this that I look to Super Chicken for wisdom and guidance.

 

[The Rage]

...but everyone else in my band gets swarms of people coming up to them saying how great they are, even though they play my idea...

Just some days ago I was talking with friends about Candlemass (which are one of my favourite bands). Obviously all the great comments were about about the singers and the guitarists... those were to be expected, but when one of the guys said something like "in Candlemass, bass is useless" I had to remind him that the "useless" bassist writes all the stuff...

Your experience seems nothing new

 

[Marc valero]

Most people are visually motivated. Do you move around much on stage? If you stand still, non-musicians in the audience will tend to assume that the cool sounds they hear aren't coming from you. Even the camera operators for big concerts are fooled, so they show the guitarist's hands when the bass is soloing or whatever.

So, for a win-win, dance around, move your hands more than you need to, smile, make bass-face, act like a star. Then magically you will be a star, and the other win is that the audience will have more fun.

You are right. I move around and make it a point not to look at the bass at all on some songs. Look at different spots in the audience and at your band mates. One time in a small club a girl standing in front of the stage for all to hear said she was impressed how I moved and looked around and looked interested in playing instead of having a blank stare. I do get compliments for my playing, the band and girl lead singer.

 

[YaPeL]

Bass has nothing to do with it, I feel pity for some of the comments here, people can't distinguish between string instruments from each other, If you want attention, then work on your image, some basses (while ok looking for us bassist), look like dork instruments for the non musician crowd, cloth is very important too, body language, etc.
If you did write the songs, then do some chorus, or stay at the front with your singer.

 

[Jrussblues]

guitarists and singers can half ass it and get recognition
Ppl often don't notice the bass and drums unless you make them
So I'm gonna make this as pointed as your "I'm not wanking" comment. Go learn how to "wank" better. If you want to stand out then you have to have the chops to do so.

 

[hushnel]

I've been hanging around outside during breaks and had people tell me, those guys are really good, what do think about them. I'd just smile and say they need a lot of work "o)

Incognito would be a good stage name.

 

[tangentmusic]

You chose bass
Deal with it..

 

[ThuzzleFump]

There is no "I" in "team."

There's a "me" if you look closely and use some imagination.

 

[monsterthompson]

There's a "me" if you look closely and use some imagination.

that's the appropriate response

 

[Deleted member 264575]

I LOVE playing bass!

 

[catcauphonic]

There is no "I" in "team."

 

[monsterthompson]

View attachment 883426

The other acceptable response

 

[Lowness]

Change to guitar or be the frontman. You won't get anything as bass player.


Tbh, it kind of weird you are craving so much attention.

 

[friendlybass]

Lots of negativity here from you older folks, here's my more positive take on it.
The bass player is not the musician of the people, we're the musician's musician. I've gotten genuine praise/appreciation from non-musicians 3 times in the last 8 years of playing. And its a big deal when it happens. If you're good though, you'll get praise from your fellow musicians. Stick with it bud, practice your craft and always get better.
And hey, when the band is getting praise, make sure you're standing with them

 

[hsech]

You can always get attention this way.

 

[Logic_11]

@GiantsGiants
I almost never ever get compliments, but i wouldnt say that I play bass to get recognition. Sure, its good at times, but you don't always get it

I play bass because I love the groove and... I know I'm good I know I'm not victor wooten but I know I'm getting better

 

[GiantsGiants]

so you are writing and playing to get praise and attention? that seems wrong to me.

I play for me. Don't really care if anyone notices or not. As long as the band has a good time and keeps getting booked - i couldnt care less for praise or attention.

I know I sound really desperate, this has been agitating me for a while so I wanted to vent. I adore the bass and love to play and practice it. I just get a bit down sometimes but this tread has woke me up a bit so should be back on track now