How do you describe your role when asked?

[Lowbrow]

"It's my job to make sure that the drummer doesn't sound like he's f**king up."

 

[gidbass]

We tease around a lot, but as a bass player, when asked, how do you explain your role in the band without sounding like an egotistical jerk?

I like to use pictures to help...

 

[Fredrik E. Nilsen]

Someone close to me gave me this. Says it all.

 

[bassbully]

Play clean, hold the bottom ,groove and smile.

 

[Ostie]

I’m the secretary. I keep the song lists, calendar, and I get about half of the gigs. No bandleader, we are a democracy. I know it’s crazy but it works for us three.

 

[punchdrunk]

I just say I’m a situational bassist. I do what ever the situation calls for.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

a power bottom.

 

[iwearpumas]

My role is the rhythm.

 

[Dincrest]

When a deeper explanation beyond "I'm the bass player" is needed, I use the bed analogy.

The bed frame is the drummer.
The sheets are the guitarist
The kids jumping on the bed are the singer
I (bassist) am the mattress, box spring, and pillows

 

[awakefie]

"Bass player" or "I keep the but*s a bumpin'", depending on the mood I'm in.

 

[AcridSaint]

People talk to you?

 

[Watchootognbout]

I outline the chord progression with purpose and gravity.

I am the Black Monolith.
I am the Singularity.

 

[Matt R.]

As a purveyor of groovetastical and sexadocious bottom end fo dat ass

 

[boombloom]

I make everyone sound better. Or for the erudite, I am the fifth business.

 

[jdh3000]

If anyone doesn't know what I'm doing, I just say I play bass; if they don't know what that means, they are beyond the scope of any explanation I'm going to give them...

 

[avvie]

Whenever I see subjects I'm interested in appear on the front forum page, there's too many responses already to justify adding another one.

But I say my job is to glue the drummer and guitarist together

 

[AboutSweetSue]

I haven’t read a single reply, even the OPs post. Is this in reference to my manhood or what?

 

[David Jayne]

I always say "I do the deep sounds that make your feet move and your booty shake." It doesn't come up often but that's my response.

 

[David Jayne]

As a purveyor of groovetastical and sexadocious bottom end fo dat ass

: : Applause : :

 

[Breeze3]

"I'm the guy doing his job"