I love bass. Bands? Not so much.

[darwin-bass]

So I really enjoy playing bass. I love the sound, the groove, the way the instrument moves the soul and the feet. But it is not a solo instrument and only truly shines in a band.

I like to learn new songs. I like to expand my horizions.

But I don't particularly like playing with bands. People. They show up unprepared. They rush tempos or play the parts "wrong" or mess up the mix (too loud) and they're terribly inefficient. It takes them an hour to accomplish 30 minutes worth of productive work.

What about you? Love bass and hate bands?

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Not really qualified to say, but I will anyway...
I go to see the local bands & sometimes I think about how great it would be to play in a band, as I watch them interact.
Then on Monday morning they're fighting on FB, or I run into one of the members & he's talking trash about another member of the band.

I'd like to try it someday, but I know I wouldn't last.
The first time one of those little drama stories (that I read about here & on FB) happened to me I'd split.

I just played bass by myself with no accompaniment for 30 minutes & I'm fine with it.

 

[Jrussblues]

Playing with other musicians is like having a bunch of needy girlfriends, but I've been fortunate to play with some great ppl and there's maintenance and wasted time but the rewards can be well worth it.
If you want to play solo bass I say go for it, bass is a really interesting instrument that can be very expressive.

 

[2saddleslab]

The collaborative interaction has been sustaining me for over 3 decades.

 

[Reedt2000]

So I really enjoy playing bass. I love the sound, the groove, the way the instrument moves the soul and the feet. But it is not a solo instrument and only truly shines in a band.

I like to learn new songs. I like to expand my horizions.

But I don't particularly like playing with bands. People. They show up unprepared. They rush tempos or play the parts "wrong" or mess up the mix (too loud) and they're terribly inefficient. It takes them an hour to accomplish 30 minutes worth of productive work.

What about you? Love bass and hate bands?

You don't hate playing in bands, you hate playing with unprofessional jerks! Try and and find some people who are serious about playing. I play in a couple cover bands to keep the bass in my hands (and make a little $). The guys I play with are good players, we all learn the parts, show up on time, and do a good job. Even though I don't like quite a bit of the material its fun to play with good players. I also have a super-casual original project with two guys I've been playing with since college. We write and record funky rock tunes just because we like it. Finding the right situation is key. Find some new people to play with and you might change your mind.

 

[LBS-bass]

I hate that it takes so much effort to find a group of musicians that are willing to do what it takes to do the music right, and capable of doing that. I love when that comes together.

 

[southpaw723]

Most of the people I played with aren't willing to put the work and time in to sound good as a unit. You have to practice hard to enjoy playing out imo

 

[darwin-bass]

I added a new choice. Have fun voting.

 

[two fingers]

I hate to sound wishy-washy, but I voted "It varies"...... cuz it does.

That being said, if that weren't an option, I would still have voted some version of being in a band .... warts and all.

Bands are like families. There will be people in them you want to kill.... but you can't without pissing off grandma. OK, maybe not the best analogy.

You get what I'm saying though. For all the quirks amd weirdos and travel and ridiculously low pay and overall inconveniences..... there's just something about having a bright light on you, and your band mates, and you have no choice but to execute assigned duties flawlessly... all while entertaining and somehow managing to have a good time yourself. There's something about having a conversation without words. There's something about celebrating with total strangers. There's something about that beat .... and the person playing it..... connecting with you. There's something about laying down a groove that forces butts out of seats. For me, there's something about connecting with the words of a song and bringing along everyone in the room.

Yeah. Give me a band.... even a band of weirdos. Give me a stage ..... even a small stage in a small room with a small crowd that's happy to be there. Give me a bass with a neck that feels like it was molded to my hands. Give me a guitar player who has a look on his face like something stinks when he plays. Give me half a dozen people out front ready to get down, and between them and the band we'll win over the rest.

And then click those drum sticks four times...

 

[2saddleslab]

I hate to sound wishy-washy, but I voted "It varies"...... cuz it does.

That beimg said, if that weren't an option, I would still habe voted some version of being in a band .... warts and all.

Bands are like families. There will be people in them you want to kill.... but you can't without pissing off grandma. OK, maybe not the best analogy.

You get what I'm saying though. For all the quirks amd weirdos and travel and ridiculously low pay and overall inconveniences..... there's just something about having a bright light on you, and your band mates, and you have no choice but to execute assigned duties flawlessly... all while entertaining and somehow managing to have a good time yourself. There's something about having a conversation without words. There's something about celebrating with total strangers. There's something about that beat .... and the person playing it..... connecting with you. There's something about laying down a groove that forces butts out of seats. For me, there's something about connecting with the words of a song and bringing along everyone in the room.

Yeah. Give me a band.... even a band of weirdos. Give me a stage ..... even a small stage in a small room with a small crowd that's happy to be there. Give me a bass with a neck that feels like it was molded to my hands. Give me a guitar player who has a look on his face like something stinks when he plays. Give me half a dozen people out front ready to get down, and between them and the band we'll win over the rest.

And then click those drum sticks four times...

Well said.

 

[DirtDog]

I just finished a 20 year run playing in weekend warrior cover bands, mostly as a bassist. Good times and not so good times. Glad to have had the experience but I'm happy now to sit in my little home studio and fart around recording music on the variety of instruments I'm somewhat decent at playing. I still do get the urge to play with others but don't think I'll ever be in regularly gigging cover band again.

 

[bikeplate]

Just generalizing responses. Plenty of great people to play gigs with. Just have to weed through the crap to locate these good people. Just like everything else in life

 

[dreamadream99]

There are many components to being a musician. It starts with learning to play an instrument. It progresses to learning time and tempo by playing with others, and finally to ensemble techniques like balance and dynamics.

Not everyone has the wherewithal or interest to tackle all of that. Some just want to learn their instrument, with no desire to perform publicly with others. Some suffer stage fright or are introverted, and don't aspire to performing. And all variations are OK.

Honestly, I think it's a rare type to have the confidence to perform publicly. But for those of us who do thrive on it, there is nothing else like it.

 

[madbass6]

So I really enjoy playing bass. I love the sound, the groove, the way the instrument moves the soul and the feet. But it is not a solo instrument and only truly shines in a band.

I like to learn new songs. I like to expand my horizions.

But I don't particularly like playing with bands. People. They show up unprepared. They rush tempos or play the parts "wrong" or mess up the mix (too loud) and they're terribly inefficient. It takes them an hour to accomplish 30 minutes worth of productive work.

What about you? Love bass and hate bands?[/QUOT
Just find a new band ! or maybe you mite be the problem !

 

[klejst]

I guess it all depends on how the other people in your band are. People who get along and mesh well, have similar interests, are open to constructive criticism, change and have patience with minimal issues and disagreements it tends to be a lot more enjoyable. It really sucks when you're constantly it seems on each others backs.

 

[bigboy_78]

The worst thing about bands is they are always full of musicians. I like being in a band, but I don't really like musicians unless they are playing music.

 

[sacahill42]

This is why I joined a beer drinking club where each of the four members has a music problem. Low drama, high fun.

...and our regular gig is in a local beer garden. Not sure what I did to live such a charmed life.

 

[Chrisk-K]

Who needs bands and other musicians when you can have a DAW playing their parts 100% reliably with no drama?

 

[mexicanyella]

For me, the rush that makes band time most worth it is the feeling of someone presenting a song idea, everybody farting around with it for a few minutes and then all of a sudden everyone gets it and it just takes off and seems to write/arrange itself. That's happened several times in two different bands that I've been in, and for me that is a real thrill.

Hey, I like cranking my amp up and rocking out, too.

 

[garp]

After many years of being in bands and loathing several aspects of it, I finally found my comfort zone by becoming a hired gun instead. Now I get to play with bands instead of being in bands. It's definitely a different dynamic and not for those who crave a sense of belonging to a particular group, but it works for me.