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Feel really demotivated about playing bass
- Thread starter GiantsGiants
- Start date
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
Even when the band is getting praise, it is for the guitarist, not the bass player
Man I haven't played bass in a band for a few years (been on guitar/Vox recently) but when I was, I shaging loved it! And I got more compliments than anyone in my band, every gig! And I played wrong notes, and I went out of time - because it was way more fun to jump all over the stage flaring and moshing till I'd trip myself over than it was trying to be a perfect player! Do you know how much freedom you have as a bass player bro? You're not tied to a drum stool or a microphone, you are welcome to rock - the shag - out. Enjoy yourself. People see people having fun goofing around on stage and they feel like a part of that fun. They're amazed that you can be loose and free, and, God forbid - YOURSELF in front of other people and it inspires them. Leave the songwriting egotism at home and have fun, you've got the songs down, enjoy Em!
One more thing - you play the way you train, so feel free to mosh to your hearts content at rehearsal, or in your room, or anywhere, for that matter. Look forward to hearing you're loving playing out more bro
One more thing - you play the way you train, so feel free to mosh to your hearts content at rehearsal, or in your room, or anywhere, for that matter. Look forward to hearing you're loving playing out more bro
Boo-hou-effin-hoo.
I don't know why people in here make a big deal out of this: bass player is no less or more important than anyone else in the band. A band is group of musician working together to render the best possible musical results.
I don't feel like I'm the neglected or the adored guy, I'm just a guy trying his best to make the band sound good. I have the same approach when I get guitar gigs and it would be the same if I was playing keys, but I'm no keyboard player and that's another story.
In all aspects of life, don't expect people to gently pat your back when you think you're doing good. Grow some confidence and work your ass off all the time, no matter what. Honestly, we all know when we're bad and when we shine, and I don't require someone to let me know about it. I'm pretty up front about my f**k ups and whatnot.
I don't know why people in here make a big deal out of this: bass player is no less or more important than anyone else in the band. A band is group of musician working together to render the best possible musical results.
I don't feel like I'm the neglected or the adored guy, I'm just a guy trying his best to make the band sound good. I have the same approach when I get guitar gigs and it would be the same if I was playing keys, but I'm no keyboard player and that's another story.
In all aspects of life, don't expect people to gently pat your back when you think you're doing good. Grow some confidence and work your ass off all the time, no matter what. Honestly, we all know when we're bad and when we shine, and I don't require someone to let me know about it. I'm pretty up front about my f**k ups and whatnot.
Demotivated is actually a word! I just had to look it up
come on, Joe! look where he's from. the land of large vocabulary, Duhhh.
Oh come on, who hasn't been pissed that all the hot chicks swarmed around the guitar player "o)
Sorry ladies, y'all are the center of attention, playin' bass or piccolo or loading groceries into a beat up mini van you got our attention "o)
Then Tal hits the scene, wow, now I feel really old, maybe I should start mowing the back hay field, at least the cattle egrets notice me.
53 years ago the orchestra leader asked me to move to bass from the cello, I was 9 maybe 10 and had previously been playing the violin for 3 years. As I drew the bow across the strings that first time, my life changed. The power of the instrument, it's ability to create the foundation to jump the boundaries of percussion to melody while still anchoring the music was overwhelming , it was in those first few moments that I realized that the bass had chosen me. I actually thought "wow, this is how God created the universe" I was ten, give me a break.
You ever see those guy in Mexico that dive off those high cliffs into the ocean? Those guys are the guitar players/frontmen we are the cliff. If that diving dude was jumping into the surf from the beach nobody would notice him. We lift the band to the heights that make them noticed, or not. I can't express this attitude enough, the front men are the shinny painted Fiberglas we are the monster motors that push it down the road, yet one can not exist without the other. If you are uncomfortable in your position, it my just be the wrong place for you. Cheer up though, your in the ball park.
Sorry ladies, y'all are the center of attention, playin' bass or piccolo or loading groceries into a beat up mini van you got our attention "o)
Then Tal hits the scene, wow, now I feel really old, maybe I should start mowing the back hay field, at least the cattle egrets notice me.
53 years ago the orchestra leader asked me to move to bass from the cello, I was 9 maybe 10 and had previously been playing the violin for 3 years. As I drew the bow across the strings that first time, my life changed. The power of the instrument, it's ability to create the foundation to jump the boundaries of percussion to melody while still anchoring the music was overwhelming , it was in those first few moments that I realized that the bass had chosen me. I actually thought "wow, this is how God created the universe" I was ten, give me a break.
You ever see those guy in Mexico that dive off those high cliffs into the ocean? Those guys are the guitar players/frontmen we are the cliff. If that diving dude was jumping into the surf from the beach nobody would notice him. We lift the band to the heights that make them noticed, or not. I can't express this attitude enough, the front men are the shinny painted Fiberglas we are the monster motors that push it down the road, yet one can not exist without the other. If you are uncomfortable in your position, it my just be the wrong place for you. Cheer up though, your in the ball park.
I stopped reading this thread at what I quoted above because I think it's the best piece of advice you're going to come across. It's not negative, it's the truth.
Welcome to being a bassist. I've been doing this for over 45 years and I learned a long time ago to create my own satisfaction from my craft. In general I've found that compliments directed at bassists are few and far between and are more often directed at the guitarist, singer, or the band as a whole. Take them as also being directed at your contribution because you help make them sound good.
Besides, if anyone says anything directly to you it will most likely be to turn down.
Besides, if anyone says anything directly to you it will most likely be to turn down.
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It may make you feel better to know that a good Bass player is held in high regard among musician circles. The crowd may notice the lead instruments more, but musicians always notice when the groove is tight.
I've rerouted my success in being able to play better than I did yesterday, last week or last year ad infinitum. If I can outplay myself, I'm doing well. That said, I'm not in a band and probably won't be for a while, if at all... So the dynamic is different.
Like someone said earlier, if you write the song and the song as an entirety gets compliments, you've done a fantastic job.
(Good) Bass & Sound Engineering are alike in the way that nobody is mad when it's there, but immediately gets upset when it isn't.
Keep at it mate!
Like someone said earlier, if you write the song and the song as an entirety gets compliments, you've done a fantastic job.
(Good) Bass & Sound Engineering are alike in the way that nobody is mad when it's there, but immediately gets upset when it isn't.
Keep at it mate!
I just wanted to add my 2 cents, I know there have been a lot of posts, probably more than you wanted, and probably enough to further confuse emotions.
My take on this is that if you're writing the music and playing as a group effort (in a band) if anyone in your band gets a compliment they are, in a way complimenting you. Sometimes people don't know to listen for the bass, I think that when playing in any band this isn't a bad thing. Most people just don't know to listen for you. Just think in the back of your mind, whenever the throngs of people start crowding around the guitarists, don't think "what about me?!" think "WE ROCK!". A band is a group effort, we all have our parts to play, some may not actively notice the awesomeness of the bass, but if you stopped playing they would definitely notice that you are necessary.
If people are complimenting anyone in your band, they are also complimenting you for having written the music. Sometimes it's better to not be noticed, to quietly work in the background knowing that if you stopped writing or playing the band wouldn't be able to last. That's a good feeling to know that you are the glue the holds the whole thing together, even if no one in the audience knows that.
My take on this is that if you're writing the music and playing as a group effort (in a band) if anyone in your band gets a compliment they are, in a way complimenting you. Sometimes people don't know to listen for the bass, I think that when playing in any band this isn't a bad thing. Most people just don't know to listen for you. Just think in the back of your mind, whenever the throngs of people start crowding around the guitarists, don't think "what about me?!" think "WE ROCK!". A band is a group effort, we all have our parts to play, some may not actively notice the awesomeness of the bass, but if you stopped playing they would definitely notice that you are necessary.
If people are complimenting anyone in your band, they are also complimenting you for having written the music. Sometimes it's better to not be noticed, to quietly work in the background knowing that if you stopped writing or playing the band wouldn't be able to last. That's a good feeling to know that you are the glue the holds the whole thing together, even if no one in the audience knows that.
At some point, playing well becomes its own reward. Musicians know how to compliment each other, but ordinary citizens might not. Don't assume anything negative if you know your playing was on point.
If your sense of satisfaction only comes from the appreciation other people feel for you and not from the joy of making music and interacting with other musicians then perhaps being a musician, and especially a bass player, is not for you.
Trust me if I was 19 wanted to be seen and noticed while playing, I would throw the bass guitar down and grab a regular guitar now. Its true the bass player gets little credit and often is not noticed. Kind of like a lineman in football all guts no glory.
Get over it or buy a guitar. if you want to be the anchor of the band you have to understand its part of the role.
Get over it or buy a guitar. if you want to be the anchor of the band you have to understand its part of the role.
