How do you refer to yourself and your instrument?

[Btbp]

Never cared for the term "bass guitar", or "the bass", or "bassman"; for me I say I play "bass" and I am a "bassist" or occasionally (per my handle) a "bass player". But never "play the bass", which sounds like that Mr. Rogers interview with the bass player skit.

The impression that the term "bass guitar" gives me, YMMV, is like it is a lesser instrument to the guitar, or that the same things played on a guitar are played on a "bass guitar" (which might be the case for things like a Fender VI and the like*).

A Double Bass is rarely if ever called a "Bass Viol"/""Bass Viola"/"Bass Violin" - though it was ok to do so for a short time in the 15th century.

Naturally these opinions are semantical and this is not to be taken beyond its intended level of levity / seriousness, and one person's opinion is another's ire.

*got in a lively conversation with a fellow bassist about whether or not a Fender Bass VI is a bass, a baritone guitar, or something else; I think this has been discussed on TB somewhere.

 

[hondo4life]

While I most often fiddle on large, electric lutes, that is not all I do. I call myself a musician.

 

[Chris 'Wighat' Jordan]

"I play bass" or "bass player".

 

[two fingers]

"Bass player". I don't think about it too much. I have too much other stuff chasing sparks through my head.

 

[foudufafa]

Groovetastic funkyfier aka white chocolate

 

[tangentmusic]

I call it bass.
Sometimes I call myself an idiot

 

[pacojas]

this sounds like an argument my son had with his gf. she called it a "bass guitar", he called it a "bass". she asked me who was right, i said "you and him,.. now get off my carpet"!

 

[shadowtippy]

I play bass, sort of...

 

[sissy kathy]

This hack plays at playing bass.

 

[rtslinger]

bass and I am a bassist, but I know of no fast hard rule that states you are a bass player first and you become a bassist after_________________ it's all just terminology for the same roll in my opinion.

 

[HandsFree]

Played double bass for 10 years and that was more than enough for me.
So bass guitar is my instrument, not bass.
Also, I don't want there to be any misunderstandings about what instrument I'll be bringing.

 

[Bob_Ross]

The impression that the term "bass guitar" gives me, YMMV, is like it is a lesser instrument to the guitar, or that the same things played on a guitar are played on a "bass guitar" .

What's your impression of the "baritone sax"?

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

Bass player. You should make a poll.

 

[paulears]

Absolutely NOT bassist. hate that term with a passion - I'm a bass player or I play bass

 

[Charlzm]

I play bass. Or, I'm a bass player. Of, you know, bass guitars.

 

[Jeff K]

Absolutely NOT bassist. hate that term with a passion - I'm a bass player or I play bass

Why's that? (Honestly curious.) Doesn't bother me in the least. None of those terms (bassist; bass player; bass guitar; etc.) bother me. I will say though, that I rarely use the term "bass guitar" unless somebody asks me, "What type?" (Example: "Upright bass?") But even then, I usually say, "I play upright on occasion, but primarily I play electric bass". But none of those terms bother me.

 

[Charlie Webb]

I kinda almost play bass... Usually I just call myself a newbie...

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I don't care even a bit. I usually say "I play electric bass", or "bass guitar". Because when I say "I play bass", they ask me if it is electric or upright. And since I don't play upright, I prefer 'electric bass' or 'bass guitar'. It is a type of guitar in the end.

 

[CalderLund]

I am the lead bassist

 

[Doner Designs]

Walking into the church where I play, with bass and amp in tow, a person asked if I was a musician when offering to help me carry stuff. I said no, I'm just the bass player. He laughed and said he thought maybe was a roadie for somebody else.