Non-bassists say the darnedest things

[g-dude]

It is interesting how people that don’t play an instrument have some really authoritative opinions on what it is...

- “A bass is really just a pitched drum” or “A bass is really just tunable percussion”
- “You really want the sound of the bass and the kick drum to blend together so that it sounds like the same thing”
- “The bass should just play the chords” *bassist plays notes that are in the chord* “No, just play the chord notes” *bassist explains what they just played* “No, just play the chord name”
- “The top two strings aren’t really needed. I don’t know why they are on there - nobody uses them.”
- “I can play bass” *proceeds to play only roots in, gripping the neck like a baseball bat or only fretting using index finger.*

Am I missing any?

 

[MynameisMe]

"Bass is the easiest instrument to play.
Anyone can do it."

 

[Michedelic]

“Why is yours so much bigger than the other’s?”

 

[MynameisMe]

Its only four stings, how hard could it be?

 

[Winslow]

"What kinda gun ya got in there?"

(Asked when I walked in with a headless bass in a fitted gig bag.)

 

[g-dude]

“So a ‘Jazz Bass’ is really just meant for jazz, right?”

 

[dcbluesbass]

 

[Gustopher]

I've never had anyone say these things, but I am sure they think them... lol

 

[g-dude]

View attachment 4195524

That kid will never make it until he’s able to replace the look of child-like wonder with the blank expression that could be interpreted as “I’m really thinking about the music”, “I wonder if I remembered to turn the stove off”, or “I would like some soup”.

 

[fishdreams]

"You need to turn down. A bass should be quiet"

 

[drumvsbass]

A hard day in music retail... Kid comes in looking like a DJ and barking how he's a producer, want's to buy a guitar because he's has already mastered the bass in 6 months... At this point in my career at the store, everyone I worked with knew I could get around on the instrument well enough to shred this kid (and I'm pretty sure they wanted me too, by some of the looks they gave me). But, I just sold him a guitar, smiled and waved.
A true samurai doesn't have to show everyone how sharp their sword is. He just gets the job done.

 

[Killing Floor]

Am I missing any?

Non bassists think there are more than 12 frets!

 

[Pings Bass]

Well the first two are more or less true for a lot of latin/afro-caribbean music. The bassist really is part of the drum section. Everybody is, really.

 

[MCS4]

I mean... I've got a lot of opinions about instruments I don't play.

 

[GodPlayedBass]

"Can you play primus?"

Equivalent of asking a guitarist if he can play with his teeth because hendrix can.

 

[FilterFunk]

"You make a bass line from the root notes of the guitar chords. That's it."

 

[g-dude]

Well the first two are more or less true for a lot of latin/afro-caribbean music. The bassist really is part of the drum section. Everybody is, really.

[DEEP THOUGHTS]
If everyone is part of the drum section, then is really anyone part of the drum section?
[/DEEP THOUGHTS]

 

[Deleted member 165050]

It's amazing how playing unlined fretless makes most of these kind of comments go away.

 

[g-dude]

It's amazing how playing unlined fretless makes most of these kind of comments go away.

Well, then you just highlight all of the above and replace it with:

“How do you know where the notes are?”

 

[Deleted member 165050]

Well, then you just highlight all of the above and replace it with:

“How do you know where the notes are?”

I always respond "years of practice" while trying to hide the side dots with my sleeve.