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How much are you appreciated as a bassist by the croud

#141
I have a hard time with the recognition game....
I play bass because I enjoy playing and if I play a venue where people can enjoy the band's music is all I care about...
If you got involved in bands to stroke your ego and want everyone to pay attention to you , then maybe your in the wrong sport...
 
#142
Mike12344567 said:
So recently we played at our school talent show and we played "Naked in the Rain" by the Chili Peppers.

I dont know if you guys have heard it but it has a pretty cool and funky bass solo in it, In my opinion I did a really good job on the solo. My tone and sound was good and im sure everyone heard it. Anyways the croud didn't seem to get anymore rowdy or excited than they were.

I guess what Im trying to ask is what is the reaction when you lay down a solo ( if you ever do ) does the croud get really into it or seem more excited? I know it wasnt a crazy good guitar solo but IMO its a pretty cool bass solo
Click to expand...
its c r o w d crowd not croud.
 
#143
I don't understand the original question. A spade is a spade. You either have the crowd or you don't. No offense intended. You can nail your part but it's your part. There shouldn't be expectations for doing it. Did I miss something? Never expect a pat on the back for a bass solo. Never. I never play them. Never. That's a different thread though.
 
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#144
Most people in the audience don't hear the bass part / role as many have already said. Sometimes I even wonder if the rest of my band appreciates what I am playing as we all tend to take each others abilities for granted over time. I think most of us players are aware of this and probably more comfortable in this role, and maybe even a big reason why we chose the instrument. The bass is after all a rhythm section instrument.

BUT, I almost always find someone that comes up during a gig that compliments the heck out of the bass parts. Granted, it's usually a beginner bassist and not some knockout blond. That said, I always appreciate the kind words and really enjoy talking bass with a new friend.
 
#146
my opinion,,, if you're a truely good bassist and doing your job well.... people arent going to notice you. A very wise man told me when i was very young...bass is to be felt not heard. Your place for all intents and purposes is to put musical notes to your drummers feet ;). its when people say holy crap! this band kicks! thats most likely your doing.
 
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#149
I'm in a 3 piece, so it's easier to get noticed. After all, only two of us are on the front of the stage.

Then again, I do vocals, play kazoo, and work a sampler while I play bass. I guess it's different when you sing and play lead kazoo. The lead membranophonist gets all the chicks! (Unless they look like me)
 
#153
IMO there are 4 simple rules to making a bass solo noticeable:
  1. Make it short and punchy - if it's too long and atmospheric, the audience will lose interest. Up and down the fretboard once is enough;
  2. Step forward - if you stay in the background, the audience won't notice you. Ideally, the singer will step aside to make it clear that they are no longer the focal point;
  3. The rest of the band needs to drop their volume - there's no point soloing if you can't be heard;
  4. The rest of the band needs to look at you - if the rest of the band looks at you in gushing admiration (fake or not), then the audience will take an interest in you too.
Just my thoughts.

Edit: and the 5th (optional) rule:

5. Play a fretless bass - this generally gets more attention.​
 
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#154
I get complimented every time we play out, often by ladies. Seriously, minimum of two compliments, often four or five. I never got the whole "bass players are ignored" thing that get's brought up here at TB; I honestly have not experienced that. I guess we are just blessed with great crowds who know music. I don't play solos, we play mostly Classic/Brit rock, but I work hard at playing the stuff right and more importantly at copping the players vibe and style. I here the most positive comments when we play Who, Beatles, Cream, Sabbath and Zeppelin.
 
#155
i know when I play I run around hair flyin ,doing tricks on bass,hitting every octive,like I said make the hard stuff look easy,,,and the easy stuff look hard,,,in Europe the people go nuts neck in there face,running all around side to side,,,and about the guitar player takes the show,,,know I played with the best lead guitar player in the world,jon5 ,guitar player mag in early 2001,called us the power twins,,did r solo,s together dual solo,s what he did I did and the same way around,,,,we played a festival in Germany,easy 8000 people or more,,,,,,the metal band manowar:bassist: ,freak the bassist in manowar joey dimaio,,,was freakin,,,he,s,, good,,,,chicks guys everybody going crazy,,,jon broke string during r solo,s so he left stage I went nuts and peple where trippin,jon tech was ready to give him other guitar and he said go ,I,m chillin,jon5 gave me the name,4 string master of disaster,,,played your seed sack off don't just stand there,hell I climb stuff run around and tricks hands up side down great,,guitar player hate a good bassist they want a guy to keep bottom and ride 2 notes,,,,except a few,,,,,,,4 string master of disaster,c. droolpearson.:hyper::bassist:
 
#158
Jughead6 said:
IMO there are 4 simple rules to making a bass solo noticeable:
  1. Make it short and punchy - if it's too long and atmospheric, the audience will lose interest. Up and down the fretboard once is enough;
  2. Step forward - if you stay in the background, the audience won't notice you. Ideally, the singer will step aside to make it clear that they are no longer the focal point;
  3. The rest of the band needs to drop their volume - there's no point soloing if you can't be heard;
  4. The rest of the band needs to look at you - if the rest of the band looks at you in gushing admiration (fake or not), then the audience will take an interest in you too.
Just my thoughts.

Edit: and the 5th (optional) rule:

5. Play a fretless bass - this generally gets more attention.​
Click to expand...

I agree with every one of these points, except #5, which I assume was a joke. On #3 "band volume drop," I don't want anyone playing except the drummer. Also, I'm in a funk/blues band. On a 12 bar blues solo, I usually walk it the first 12 bars, upper register, to "set the stage," and get the audiences' attention, then do an actual 12 bar solo. On funk solos, I usually do the slap thing, which works every time as far as audience attention and appretiation. I keep it relatively short and very rhythmic, and danceable. If we have a good, appreciative crowd, I will get the audience into it just before the solo by having them clap there hands on 2 and 4. It's a lot of fun and I'm not at all in the background. You gotta take charge if you want to be noticed and appreciated on a bass solo.

Having said that, I agree with others that, when not soloing, the best bass players are tightly locked in with the drums, are very economical with notes, and keep fills to a minimum. What you don't play is just as important as what you do. The bass player is, above all, the keeper of the groove.
 
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#159
bwoodman said:
I'm not a strong soloist, but I'm sure that if I could play like Hadrien, I would be greatly "appreciated by the crowd."
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Sure u could that my stlye,,,,I get notice,but some player ,most stand there and smile and they look like the guy at the gas station, ,,,it's what u put into it,,,,put me on followers list or friend request what ever name they call it,and I do same ,,get points, ,,fun when u recording,and waiting,,,,,be safe -(4 string master of Disaster )-C.Pearson ✔
 
#160
Bassheart365 said:
I agree with every one of these points, except #5, which I assume was a joke. On #3 "band volume drop," I don't want anyone playing except the drummer. Also, I'm in a funk/blues band. On a 12 bar blues solo, I usually walk it the first 12 bars, upper register, to "set the stage," and get the audiences' attention, then do an actual 12 bar solo. On funk solos, I usually do the slap thing, which works every time as far as audience attention and appretiation. I keep it relatively short and very rhythmic, and danceable. If we have a good, appreciative crowd, I will get the audience into it just before the solo by having them clap there hands on 2 and 4. It's a lot of fun and I'm not at all in the background. You gotta take charge if you want to be noticed and appreciated on a bass solo.

Having said that, I agree with others that, when not soloing, the best bass players are tightly locked in with the drums, are very economical with notes, and keep fills to a minimum. What you don't play is just as important as what you do. The bass player is, above all, the keeper of the groove.
Click to expand...
 

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