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Is it "cooler" to play a 4 string bass?

#561
Five strings implies trying harder, ergo, less cool. Being 'cool' in the traditional sense is about not really caring about stuff- Rebel Without A Cause, punk etc. Five strings is tryhard.

Supposedly younger people (of which I mean younger than myself in my mid 20's) have an idea of cool which is more about caring about stuff- the environment, civil rights, generally being nice to people (there was a study that was in the news a little while back). You might think that would improve things for five stringers and virtuosos, but apparently they also don't really care about music with people playing instruments in it, so you're still poopie outta luck.
 
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#562
does it get cooler going to 3 strings or is 4 the center of the fulcrum
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#564
Blaargh said:
Five strings implies trying harder, ergo, less cool. Being 'cool' in the traditional sense is about not really caring about stuff- Rebel Without A Cause, punk etc. Five strings is tryhard.

Supposedly younger people (of which I mean younger than myself in my mid 20's) have an idea of cool which is more about caring about stuff- the environment, civil rights, generally being nice to people (there was a study that was in the news a little while back). You might think that would improve things for five stringers and virtuosos, but apparently they also don't really care about music with people playing instruments in it, so you're still poopie outta luck.
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Lots of young people still care about music played ob traditional instruments.

And also the same thing was said about electric guitars some years ago.
 
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#567
Frndmoretti said:
Lots of young people still care about music played ob traditional instruments.

And also the same thing was said about electric guitars some years ago.
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Well, I was being flippant (I rewrote my post, originally I was a bit more measured but forgot the second time), but statistically (at least in the US and UK) it's safe to say that from an industry perspective genres like rock or indie, which would have made it into the charts 10/15 years ago, have been thoroughly eclipsed by hip hop, pop, R&B grime etc. where there's not really any focus on the musicians.

I'm not necessarily saying it's the end (my listening taste is almost entirely comprised of current artists), but at least for now, there's certainly been a shift away from it in terms of popularity and visibility, which has a big impact on young people.

Obviously there are kids out there who are into other things, but I'm speaking generalities. Looking at the big picture, the only visible musicians that seem capable of getting chart traction are mawkish acoustic players like Ed Sheeran or George Ezra.
 
#569
I think it's just a matter of familiarity.

When people say "I want to go to the store" or "I want a burger" where do most people go? A Wal Mart or a McDonalds just due to the fact that it's familiar and all.

Personally I can't play an extended range bass as well, so it may just be a matter of what you learned on and having to relearn an instrument due to the added range could definitely be a part of it. Just don't want to rewire the brain and all.
 
#570
Blaargh said:
Well, I was being flippant (I rewrote my post, originally I was a bit more measured but forgot the second time), but statistically (at least in the US and UK) it's safe to say that from an industry perspective genres like rock or indie, which would have made it into the charts 10/15 years ago, have been thoroughly eclipsed by hip hop, pop, R&B grime etc. where there's not really any focus on the musicians.

I'm not necessarily saying it's the end (my listening taste is almost entirely comprised of current artists), but at least for now, there's certainly been a shift away from it in terms of popularity and visibility, which has a big impact on young people.

Obviously there are kids out there who are into other things, but I'm speaking generalities. Looking at the big picture, the only visible musicians that seem capable of getting chart traction are mawkish acoustic players like Ed Sheeran or George Ezra.
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Rock music actually seems to be more popular now than when I was in high school and college.
 
#571
phillipkregg said:
So is it just me, or is anyone else noticing a trending bias against extended range basses in favor of the 4 string? Even more interestingly, do you feel that bringing more than 4 strings to an audition might cost you the gig?
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I don't think it's a trend or bias. You may just be noticing them more for some reason.

As to the second part, I don't see how it could possibly cost someone the gig unless they bring it but don't play it well or utilize it. That said, not ruling it out. Im almost positive that my Alembic Series I with a AAA maple top cost me at least one gig, I think people were put off by the fanciness of it.
 
#576
Danthedude said:
I'm a hack,so for what it's worth ,in my opinion, if ya can't get it done with 4 ya ain't gonna get it with 5,6,7 or more! But what do I know!lol!
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For what it's worth guys,we play bass! We're not supposed to be the cool one in the band! Even tho we are! I play 4. If I could play more I'd be a guitarist! I am a firm believer in less is more because I lack the talent to do more than 4!
 
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