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I just quit my band
- Thread starter Nickthebassist
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Nickthebassist said:
I've seen some pretty immature and stupid things said on this forum, but this may top the list. Be a man and grow the hell up.
IBTL= In Before The Lock, meaning that someone got their 2 cents in before the thread gets potentially locked.
To contribute something on topic:
For the most part, I still stand by what I've said. Being in a band is like being in a relationship/marriage.
I disagree with the advice people have given Nick that he should stay with the band. I say let him go on and try to do his 'revolution' his own way. He strikes me as a chap who needs to learn his lessons the hard way. So while I may disagree with some of his actions (i.e. stealing the old band's lyrics and using them as blackmail, burning bridges with the old band), if he ends up going that route and it comes back to bite him in the @$$ later on, so be it. I think the ball's out of our court now and it's ultimately his decision...but he can't say folks didn't warn him.
Just as long as we remain mature about it and don't point, laugh, sneer, and say "I/We told you so!" when the you-know-what hits the fan.
I can be a pretty stubborn son of a submariner myself (I am a Taurus after all) and was frustratingly so when I was his age. I never really listened or took the advice of people who knew better, and I ended up learning a TON of life lessons the hard way. I learned them for life. I've made a ton of mistakes in the book, even some not in the book. As much as I may want the younger generation to not make the same mistakes I did, sometimes kids just have to make the mistakes on their own firsthand to really learn from them.
I'm older (26) and wiser (hopefully) these days. Still stubborn, but I know when to keep it in check and just let go. Stubbornness can be a boon in many situations and a detriment in others.
To contribute something on topic:
For the most part, I still stand by what I've said. Being in a band is like being in a relationship/marriage.
I disagree with the advice people have given Nick that he should stay with the band. I say let him go on and try to do his 'revolution' his own way. He strikes me as a chap who needs to learn his lessons the hard way. So while I may disagree with some of his actions (i.e. stealing the old band's lyrics and using them as blackmail, burning bridges with the old band), if he ends up going that route and it comes back to bite him in the @$$ later on, so be it. I think the ball's out of our court now and it's ultimately his decision...but he can't say folks didn't warn him.
Just as long as we remain mature about it and don't point, laugh, sneer, and say "I/We told you so!" when the you-know-what hits the fan.
I can be a pretty stubborn son of a submariner myself (I am a Taurus after all) and was frustratingly so when I was his age. I never really listened or took the advice of people who knew better, and I ended up learning a TON of life lessons the hard way. I learned them for life. I've made a ton of mistakes in the book, even some not in the book. As much as I may want the younger generation to not make the same mistakes I did, sometimes kids just have to make the mistakes on their own firsthand to really learn from them.
I'm older (26) and wiser (hopefully) these days. Still stubborn, but I know when to keep it in check and just let go. Stubbornness can be a boon in many situations and a detriment in others.
This is almost one of those threads you can't read and take seriously, to me. It just seems to be a big joke.
"Mwahahahah, and I shall STEAL their LYRICS and use them for my own profit! Then I shall gather my forces of the Elite bassists and we shall smite all in our path of revolution!! Guitarists, be afriad, be very afraid, for NICKTHEBASSIST! is coming soon, and once he does, you'll never know the bass to be the same afterwards! (evil laugh)..."
Y'know, coming from my standpoint, I'm prolly being an ass. Prolly being definitly, so I'll shut up.
Ray
"Mwahahahah, and I shall STEAL their LYRICS and use them for my own profit! Then I shall gather my forces of the Elite bassists and we shall smite all in our path of revolution!! Guitarists, be afriad, be very afraid, for NICKTHEBASSIST! is coming soon, and once he does, you'll never know the bass to be the same afterwards! (evil laugh)..."
Y'know, coming from my standpoint, I'm prolly being an ass. Prolly being definitly, so I'll shut up.
Ray
I'm sorry, but I don't see the role of bass as being a supporting instrument. I see as being able to go from chugging rumbling lows, to fast slap and pop, doing solos. I hate this stereotypical idea of bassists. Guitarists always get the glory.....times for a change me thinks! And that's my little mission....laugh at me if you like, I don't care anymore.
Nickthebassist said:
If that's how you feel, then cool. Go for it--change the world. Start your own band with that intention, and where everyone who joins you knows what the deal is. Be the leader, and lead us all to the hallowed place that is NickBassDom. But, expect to write all of the tunes, book all of the gigs, make sure everyone is doing what you want them to do, and pay them what they expect to play with you in your quest to redefine the world of bass. Because that is what being a leader is about.
But, don't expect to JOIN a band with that attitude. Most people looking for bass players are not looking for someone "in their face." They are looking for, well--a bass player. Like it, or not, there are established roles for most instruments in most bands.
If you go to any auditions for bands, don't be surprised when you don't get called back since it sounds like you don't want to play conventional bass. That is, after all, what most bands are looking for.
Coloring outside the lines is fun, but you can't get pissy when somone else calls your "artistic vision" sloppy work.
So everyone is accepted to the fact that guitarists will forever be 'kooler' than us guys? More people pick up guitar instead of bass, which annoys me a lot, and I wanna change that.
Nickthebassist said:
You seem to get pretty annoyed when people get concerned about what instruments you play. If more kids play guitar, what's it to you anyway? It just means more revolutionary gigs for you.
one of the reasons i first wanted to play bass was to prove something my dad said wrong. What he said was, 'o guitar is far harder than bass'. Being a 6 year old rebel, i wanted to prove him wrong. My reasons for playing have now changed, but i still wanna prove this common misconception wrong!
It's a scientifically proven fact that bassists are cooler, nicer, better looking, and in general just better endowed than guitarists. 
By better endowed, I meant better endowed with positive personality traits, of course.
By better endowed, I meant better endowed with positive personality traits, of course.
Nickthebassist said:
Nickthebassist said:
Let people believe what they want, how does that affect you at all? IT DOESN'T. Coming into any situation with this attitude is only going to get you as far as ... the door being slammed in your face. Honestly, you're making bassists look worse with that attitude than actually doing anything good for the instrument.
Nickthebassist said:
Honestly, Nick, if that's the reason you play bass, then you aren't doing yourself, or anyone else, any favors.
How, exactly, does a 6 year old decide what is correct for bass, or not? That's just silly.
Would you want a bassoon to be a tuba? Or, a flute to be a piano simply because someone else said they weren't?
The fact of the matter is, Nick, that getting started on bass IS easier than getting started on guitar. It's easier to play one note than it is to play chords. I was playing bass for three weeks before I was in a band. But, like everything else in life, there is a difference in doing something and doing it well. I couldn't play two handed tapping sonatas, or double thumb after 3 weeks, but I could bang out AC/DC tunes, and that got me into a band.
Don't get me wrong--I'm all for innovation. But, to simply want to "redefine bass" to fulfill a 6 year old's challenge from his dad is, well, dumb.
As I said before--do what you want to do. Start your own band, and do it. But, don't think for a second that anyone else has to allow you into their concept of a band to prove your point to the world.
Nickthebassist said:Ahhh crap! Apparently I have to fit in behind all the guitars and drums, and be the quietist member, and aren't allowed to use my warwick cuz it's 'crap'. O, and my new ashdown is 'crap' too, according to the lead guitarist, who thinks my fender is better. I quit cuz I will NEVER be the stereotypical bassist, I wanna be a Flea/Ryan Martinie, and change bass's image from being a rhythem instrument, to being an instrument that is along side the guitars. My idea of a band is that no-one dominates and that we can all be heard equally. Do you think I made the right decision by quitting?
ok....I didnt read any other posts, but let me say something. Flea and Ryan Martinie are good, but they dont stand out all the time. I believe that it was Geddy Lee that once said sometimes the best note played is the one that no one hears. I think you should stay with that band and learn how to play behind people before you run in front of them and show off.
Just my 2 cents
Nickthebassist said:
Yes, it's the nature of the beast Nick. I like being in the back, I like not being the center of attention. As for more people picking up guitar than bass, THANK GOD! I wouldn't have it any other way.
Passinwind
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- Dec 3, 2003
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Nickthebassist said:
Jealousy is a fine motivator sometimes. Here's hoping it works for you.
As far as your original question: sure, go with your gut feeling. My bands haven't had a guitar player for years, except when I switch over from time to time. As long as you aren't trying to play rock, it's a non-issue, really.
Nickthebassist said:
Nick, you've finally convinced me that you really don't "get" the instrument at all and don't seem particularly interested in trying. A lot of folks here have tried to open your eyes, but you've clearly got your mind made up. That's your choice, but I'm certainly not going to waste any more time reading this thread.
Best of luck to you and I'd strongly recommend you start playing guitar--perhaps one of those Silhoutte baritone guitars, if you like low sounds.
bassmonkeee said:
These two comments need to be said again.Squidfinger said:
Nick, I wish you luck with the revolution. Who knows, we might one speak of you as an innovator that changed the face of bass. However, I think it's more likely that either A: you'll decide that music is greater than any one instrument and begin to appreciate the subtlety of a supportive groove, or B: you'll eventually get frustrated with the lack of other musicians willing to play along with your revolution, and you'll quit bass altogether. I'm certainly not encouraging you to quit bass (far from it), but as others have said, you're not likely to find a band looking for a bassist trying to turn traditional intrumentalism on its ear; you're looking at a long and difficult road in what's already a monumentally tough industry.
With regard to the original question: assuming your assessment of the situation is accurate (your volume IS appropriate and your bandmates really want you to be inaudible...regardless, Warwick and Ashdown are definitely not crap), you were right to quit. In general, if you're unhappy with a band for any reason that you don't expect will be solved, you're best to get out.
As for stealing their lyrics out of spite...I had to read that several times because I couldn't even believe anyone could be that immature. If that's really the way you're going to handle things, your time in the music industry is going to be that much tougher, and perhaps the industry is better off without you...
Nick: One of my main motivations for learning and progressing on bass is because of my dad who said, "Bass is a backing instrument...you should play guitar because it's a lead instrument." That was 14 years ago. About 6 years ago, I finally got him to admit that I changed his impression of what the bassists' role is in a band. Yep...took me 8 years, and in that time, I played in about 17 bands.
to repeat something said earlier: Ryan and Flea are outstanding bassists, but they are not lead bassists. They are part of tremendous ensemble groups where they are able to stretch their legs musically. The understanding of the other band members has to be there for that to happen. The same goes for any 'Solo' bassist. Billy Sheehan, Victor Wooten, Larry Graham, Stanley Clark, etc. are all outstanding Bassists who can play in a band situation, get their kicks in, and still maintain the band dynamic. Not all songs are wankfests for those guys who have already revolutionized the instrument. They changed the role of bassists just by being great, innovative bassists, not by saying, "Look at me, I'm a super bassist, look at me wank!."
I surprise every musician I play with because I'm a weird bassist. I don't play the 'traditional' things, but I understand that I need to be an educator to those type of people. You think when I roll up to a gig with my Acme's, everybody goes "Cool". No, they ALL say, "You should play an Ampeg." Then I play what I play and they change their mind. I don't just pack my stuff up and leave in a hissy fit.
If you didn't like the guys, fine. But if they just don't know what a Warwick through an Ashdown can do for their music, it's YOU that has to teach them. Feel free to start a revolution, but no revolutionary ever did anything in his own bedroom. He took his message to the people, and didn't quit when the naysayers were slappin' him down.
My .02. If they're the best players in town, and you're the best bassist in your town, have a talk with them. Teach them, and you'll all be better for it...but it looks like you already torched that bridge. bummer.
to repeat something said earlier: Ryan and Flea are outstanding bassists, but they are not lead bassists. They are part of tremendous ensemble groups where they are able to stretch their legs musically. The understanding of the other band members has to be there for that to happen. The same goes for any 'Solo' bassist. Billy Sheehan, Victor Wooten, Larry Graham, Stanley Clark, etc. are all outstanding Bassists who can play in a band situation, get their kicks in, and still maintain the band dynamic. Not all songs are wankfests for those guys who have already revolutionized the instrument. They changed the role of bassists just by being great, innovative bassists, not by saying, "Look at me, I'm a super bassist, look at me wank!."
I surprise every musician I play with because I'm a weird bassist. I don't play the 'traditional' things, but I understand that I need to be an educator to those type of people. You think when I roll up to a gig with my Acme's, everybody goes "Cool". No, they ALL say, "You should play an Ampeg." Then I play what I play and they change their mind. I don't just pack my stuff up and leave in a hissy fit.
If you didn't like the guys, fine. But if they just don't know what a Warwick through an Ashdown can do for their music, it's YOU that has to teach them. Feel free to start a revolution, but no revolutionary ever did anything in his own bedroom. He took his message to the people, and didn't quit when the naysayers were slappin' him down.
My .02. If they're the best players in town, and you're the best bassist in your town, have a talk with them. Teach them, and you'll all be better for it...but it looks like you already torched that bridge. bummer.
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