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Playing bass with bare feet
- Thread starter Ajsweet
- Start date
And some people complain about crocks and cargo shorts. We've all played in places we thought to have a nice setup. Then when it's time to sing, you burn your lips off on your mic. I will leave my shoes on.
Sounds like a technique problem...are you stretching before and doing "1 toe per fret"? May wanna try short scale or lighter gauge strings to make things easier. I'd also recommend not muting with your sock, as this is just going to further establish bad playing habits.My toes are too short to reach the frets.
Hope this helps!
I prefer playing barefoot, by a lot!!!! Been doing it for years, recently starting bringing my own rug... I started this way because I wanted to be able to turn knobs on pedals whilst playing. Bare feet make the jammy jams more jammy!
Performing on stage barefoot isn't a great idea. It's a hazardous environment and shoes should be considered essential PPE for anyone on a stage
I am almost always shoeless in the house or walking the dog. Unless it’s over 100, too hot crossing the street. I’ve played a handful of gigs barefoot but I prefer boots or some cool shoes.
Anyway I’m almost always barefoot when I practice.
I just don’t cameo my feet in gear pics.
Anyway I’m almost always barefoot when I practice.
I just don’t cameo my feet in gear pics.
Some of the places I play, the floor is so nasty your shoes stick a bit. No way I'm going barefoot on that.
Call me what you want, but I just don’t understand why would anyone want to be barefoot outside of their own home. Shoes exist for a reason. And not just for practicality. I don’t want to see your toes when I go to your gig!
I used to do it all the time, not so much anymore.
I was even locally known as "The Bare Foot Bassist" for awhile. It was fun!
I was even locally known as "The Bare Foot Bassist" for awhile. It was fun!
Thinking about bare feet on Frenchmen nowadays makes me throw up in my mouth a little. Not as bad a barefoot on Bourbon, but still ...
Bare feet aren’t for everyone. Some people prefer it; the whole Bohemian back to nature thing. Some people think that it looks unprofessional and slovenly. I get the whole “be comfortable while you’re playing” thing. I do. So if playing in bare feet makes you more comfortable, have at it.
Audience perception also comes into play. As divisive as wearer’s opinions are, observer’s are even more so. Some will hate it, some won’t care, and some will appreciate it.
What makes me comfortable are good lightweight shoes. Something that doesn’t hurt to stand up in for four hours. In fact, something that helps you stand up for four hours. Over the decades I have tried athletic shoes, Rockport casual shoes, and SAS dress shoes. Also, I am very sensitive to audience perception. I want audiences to like me, and to like the band. I don’t want them to immediately dismiss me because I look homeless.
Audience perception also comes into play. As divisive as wearer’s opinions are, observer’s are even more so. Some will hate it, some won’t care, and some will appreciate it.
What makes me comfortable are good lightweight shoes. Something that doesn’t hurt to stand up in for four hours. In fact, something that helps you stand up for four hours. Over the decades I have tried athletic shoes, Rockport casual shoes, and SAS dress shoes. Also, I am very sensitive to audience perception. I want audiences to like me, and to like the band. I don’t want them to immediately dismiss me because I look homeless.
Fyi since this is dated, the police did identify the faulty wiring that killed her. Depending on the electrical circumstances a pair of shoes may or may not have made a difference.
I frequently play in Honky Tonks. Other people on stage have boots on and I don't want squished toes.
Also, and this is the big one, I've literally played on stage with a drummer that took a leak in the middle of a song (whipped his shorts to the side, let the hog out, and let it go mid beat). I've also played with a raging drunk (psycho) harmonica player who puked on at least a half dozen stages right before or after we played. NO WAY I'm going barefoot on these stages. Do you want tetanus? Because that's how you get tetanus. Or worse...
Also, and this is the big one, I've literally played on stage with a drummer that took a leak in the middle of a song (whipped his shorts to the side, let the hog out, and let it go mid beat). I've also played with a raging drunk (psycho) harmonica player who puked on at least a half dozen stages right before or after we played. NO WAY I'm going barefoot on these stages. Do you want tetanus? Because that's how you get tetanus. Or worse...
