Female bassists

[Batacoto]

Some of my favorites are Carol Kaye, Me'shell N'degeocello, Debbie Hastings-Bo Diddley's bassist, Janice Johnson-Taste O Honey (Boogie-Oogie-Oogie), Michelle Clarke, Rhonda-Prince's Bassist who played fretless on "The One".
I've been playing for about 12 years now, and all I can say to the women who play is ignore the men that are negative. When you start to play really well, they get scared because most of them can't play very well (the negative ones). When you eventually go pro and start hanging around professionals, you will see that with few exceptions, their attitudes are much better because they are secure with there own accomplishments. You will notice that most of the negative men have accomplished nothing worth mentioning, so tune them out completely. And please don't try to fall into this whole implants falling out of your clothes thing that's going on out there. What a waste of cash and everything else.

 

[da_witch]

Originally posted by BassGoddess28
Any other female bassists on this board?? Also, whoare you fave female bassplayers?? Mine are Rayna Foss-Rose(formerlly of Coal Chamber), Talena Atfield, Donna F. and D'Arcy Wretsky. Yes, they aren't in bands anymore, but I still love them! Especially Rayna! She rocks!
Caroline

Female bassplayer here, playing a Yamaha six string..started on guitar, 3 years ago I picked up bass and now I am doing both.

Without offending someone I would like to say that I am getting a little tired about the male/ female thing.
I don't care what your gender is when you play an instrument.
A bassplayer is good to me when I like his/her playing and the gender is so not important.
I like Paz ofcourse and the bassplayer for P-funk, but I don't really care that they are girl.

We are all musicinans out there, so guys should stop treating female musicians like people who can't play and females should stop with the whining about being a female and not getting enough credits for there playing.

Show them you actually really can play and ignore all the whining around it.

This post is not a directed to anyone special, but just play your bass! Talk to male and female bassplayers, who cares...
And when you are female bassplayer, please do not think you are special because you are playing bass and being a female, because if you suck on your bass those boobs will have no use for you.

Wendy

 

[Richard Lindsey]

Tracy Wormworth (Waitresses, Wayne Shorter), Joy Julks, Aimee Mann.

 

[lousybassist]

I agree with da_witch, what kind of "equipment" a bass player has between the legs doesn't really matter.
But, while I'm here, I might just mention one of my favourite bassists, all categories; Naomi Yang, who's played with Galaxie 500 and Damon and Naomi. Wish my playing was a bit more like hers.

 

[Batacoto]

I play a 5-string Warrior, a 5-string fretless Warrior, and a 4-string '77 Fender Jazz Bass, use all EBS equip.

I never whine about the situations that women are put through, but it is important for women to support each other. Men support each other. Proof: the NBA is extremely successful, but the WNBA is at risk of dissolving because women don't support each other, and please don't expect men to support women trying to become successful individuals. Do you know that many people consider bass to be a "male instrument". If men don't support women playing basketball, I highly doubt those same men will give props to even the best female bassists. This is not something to whine about, merely a sociological fact to be aware of because you can't create a strong future without knowing your past.

I do agree with the point that Da Witch made about being sick of labeling bassists as "female" bassists. When a man plays bass, he is a bassist. But when a woman plays, she is a "female bassist". I never market myself as a female bassist. In fact, I have gone by initials on demos and bio packs just to ensure that there is no bias when they are reviewing material for a possible call-back.

 

[jerry]

I agree with you guys[ a Jersey thing...sorry] It should not be about gender! Thats why it should never be a all chic-band, all-blackband, allwhite-band.......pick the player thats right for your band in temperment and musicality first.

 

[Moving Pictures]

I don't see the distinction of male versus female players (never have actually). I personally enjoy working with female musicians. My needs when playing are to have fun and to learn. I do think that the whole debate is equally perpetuated by women who approach the issue in a very militant manner. They are as guilty as any (ignorant) male who is gender biased against female bassists. Acknowledging that these biases do exist I think it is much better to take a more prudent approach such as the one Batacoto uses in her last paragraph with demo materials. If you can prove you groove, most people really don't care if your a tree as long as it works for them.

Intelligence will always win over hostility. The proof is in the skill of the individual player.

In any case, my choices are Carol Kaye and Me'shell N'degeocello. I just love watching Me'shell play, can she ever get into it. Both of those women know how to create a great bass line.

 

[cassanova]

Originally posted by da_witch

Female bassplayer here, playing a Yamaha six string..started on guitar, 3 years ago I picked up bass and now I am doing both.

Without offending someone I would like to say that I am getting a little tired about the male/ female thing.
I don't care what your gender is when you play an instrument.
A bassplayer is good to me when I like his/her playing and the gender is so not important.
I like Paz ofcourse and the bassplayer for P-funk, but I don't really care that they are girl.

We are all musicinans out there, so guys should stop treating female musicians like people who can't play and females should stop with the whining about being a female and not getting enough credits for there playing.

Show them you actually really can play and ignore all the whining around it.

This post is not a directed to anyone special, but just play your bass! Talk to male and female bassplayers, who cares...
And when you are female bassplayer, please do not think you are special because you are playing bass and being a female, because if you suck on your bass those boobs will have no use for you.

Wendy

Well put! And on that note........................................................