I wonder what would happen if more bass players took the time to be a little

+1

 

I never could understand why one bassist would put down another either. Disliking a particular style of music is understandable because of the wide variety of music out there today. Few people are going to like every genre. But there really is no excuse for being rude or disrepectful of another musician, especially a fellow bass player. I notice less trash talking between guitar players on guitar forums than between bass players on this forum.

 

Some people are comfortable openly exploring new ideas, be it in music, food, movies, the people they hang out with, whatever.

Other people just want more of the same thing they've always liked. I once asked a country musician (while I was playing in a country band) why so much of the music sounded alike. He flat out told me, "The part you're not getting is, most of the people in that bar WANT the same thing over and over." I honestly didn't, and still don't understand, although I accept it. I make a living playing old dance and classic rock because people, on the whole, are resistant to new ideas musically, and want to drink, dance, and laugh to the same stuff they did 20 or so years ago.

I suppose there's nothing wrong with that, either; but I think it lends itself more to criticizing things that are foreign to one's ears, and when a musician does it, I think it limits them musically.

I would like to think, though, that most musicians grow out of the need to completely write off someone's playing as bad. Boring, not interesting, doesn't speak to me, maybe, but not flat-out "bad."

 

Maybe it's the idea that this guy is doing something that he likes doing, and is having more fun then me. So I hate him. He sucks. A little envy maybe?

 

Is most of the bashing directed at innovators and outsiders, or is it mostly at people who have achieved a lot of commercial success in spite of seemingly low talent?

 

So? They are still successful and are doing exactly what they want to do. This goal and dream is found by very few, thus the envy. I think.

 

If a band plays music that is crappy, it's not the bass player who should be bashed. More than likely it's the guitar players who wrote the lame-o songs. Bass players should stick together...

 

I think most people that bash others usually do so because of directly related insecurities about themselves. You know, the whole tear down others so you feel better about yourself issue. It starts in grade school and some never grow out of it.

 

Same can be said of certain manufacturers or types of basses.

I try to be open minded & objective about everything & anything in life, some people do not. Some people refuse to ask questions and live their lives on "Blind Faith". If you start questioning things you never know where it will lead. People are brought up to not question.

I was watching New Order on the music video area on Comcast. They were recorded live (I guess recently). Peter Hook was out in front playing anything but the bass part, no one questioned him.

 

How many lead guitarists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

10. One to screw it in and 9 to say they could have done it better.

An old joke, but appropriate. Outside of TalkBass I have never run into more than a handful of bassists that bash other bassists. But I have known dozens, maybe hundreds of guitar players that size up and dismiss pretty much EVERY other player they come across.

On the one hand there's a bit of human nature at work - anyone who has spent significant time learning a skill looks at anyone else with that skill and wants to measure themselves against that person.

I think that's natural, and it is very often something that people outgrow as they become confident in their own abilities. But sometimes not. Sometimes getting better just makes them more dismissive of others.

Another side of it is that music is an art form and thus very subjective. Some people will not enjoy certain genres, period. And also, even virtuosity is not necessarily synonymous with creating "good" music. For me this just means enjoying what I enjoy and leaving the rest, but some people can't help but point out music, genres and playing that they don't enjoy.

And the last answer is simply jealousy. Someone else has better chops or they have questionable chops but a lot of money/airplay and that sets people off.

It's pretty simple.

 

Thats how I feel when I read an article about "X" new hot band and the bass player says" I just started playing bass a couple of months ago".

That burns my craw.

 

I'll join in. Discussing gear is cool. Helping others is cool. But bashing someone is RIDICULOUS. I don't care their talent level, style, technique, gear, whatever, Doesn't matter.

Discussing something logically and rationally is one thing. Trying to belittle someone is totally different. Several things factor in, Jelousy, Anger,Vanity, better than thou attitudes, etc.

It's just an instrument and there is always somebody better than you. Ask anybody with any sense.

God Bless, Ray

 

Wait, isn't the OP bashing bashers?

 

Aren't you bashing the OP for bashing bashers(if that's your opinion)? Your train of logic is a vicious circle in that you implacate yourself in the very same activity you're trying to point out.


Jauqo has posted a decent question? Care to give an opinion?

God Bless, Ray