Historically I've only played out as a bassist for over 30 years, but in my newest project, somehow I'm playing electric+MIDI guitar and electronics!
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Poll | How many TBers don't actively play bass?
- Thread starter tb-player
- Start date
I haven't touched a bass since I was playing my new Harmony H22 with Alfie Lipschitz and his Swinging Polka Kings many decades ago. I think I still have it in a closet somewhere.
Is it OK if I hang out here anyway?
Is it OK if I hang out here anyway?
I picked the 2nd category. I only played 25 gigs last year, which bums me out. It just hasn’t completely bounced back from Covid.
I don't actively play bass. A bass just finds its way into my hands, and it just happens on its own. Weird.
hi tb-player 
I jam as much as I can with friends and gig whenever I get a call. (only a few gigs per year as a sub)
I would love to play more!
But sadly the "P bass with flats, only 4 strings mafia" won't let me bring my fretless 5er.
That's why I love TB so much. Lotsa gear and carrots talk!
greetings
Wise(b)ass
I jam as much as I can with friends and gig whenever I get a call. (only a few gigs per year as a sub)
I would love to play more!
But sadly the "P bass with flats, only 4 strings mafia" won't let me bring my fretless 5er.
That's why I love TB so much. Lotsa gear and carrots talk!
greetings
Wise(b)ass
sure, but in some of the discussions here on TB, those who do actively play (gig, record etc) have a particular practical, hands-on experience set that is going to be different from those who don't actively play. I would add that sometimes the opinions of those who simply (and sometimes quite obviously) don't actively play just seem odd and uninformed to those who do.
So, join in any discussion you like, but there is an experiential difference between those who actually play and those who don't. Not saying there is a "right or wrong" here necessarily .... but there is definitely informed perspectives versus uninformed perspectives.
I'm an active player and have been doing it for over 50 years. At one point I was a full time pro for a meaningful stretch of time. I currently gig in several largely original projects, do sub work, and do tracks/sessions for songwriters all over the country.
Been saying this for years. I'm actually contemplating staring "Showbass", where participants can no longer add comments, nor share advice/knowledge, but... only show pictures... UGH. "Bass Tok", maybe?Well it is called TALK bass not PLAY bass
All kidding aside, I still... for the most part... like this site. Just gotta be real selective about the threads that I scroll through.
Peace,
Marc
After a decade and a half successful career as a bassist, I had a family, realized I could not make enough money locally and had to tour to support my family, which meant I was never home to see my kids, I hung it up for a “respectable” job.
Do I miss it? YES!
Would I change it? NO!
Do I miss it? YES!
Would I change it? NO!
Over the years I've sort of turned into the utility guy. I play a lot of bass but I also play a lot of mandolin and I fill in on rhythm guitar when needed, hand percussion and I work a duet with a lady vocalist where I'm basically comping - which is a becoming a lost art almost. She does alot of standards and I've played orchestra style guitar since the 60s when I was just a pup (my uncle the pro taught me).
When I pick something up around here for S&G's it's usually a bass. It's just the way I've always done it. If I'm working up a piece I'm usually on the bass first, and I can work it from there.
When I pick something up around here for S&G's it's usually a bass. It's just the way I've always done it. If I'm working up a piece I'm usually on the bass first, and I can work it from there.
For decades, I was a fulltime working bass player
These days, I gig a few times a month, including hired gun gigs and occasional studiowork (rarer and rarer as time moves forward). However, I do most of my "bass" these days on my YouTube channel and I know Im not the only one. "Social Media Performer" (I detest the term "influencer") should be an option as well: it kind of bridges a gap between bedroom hobbyist and performer
These days, I gig a few times a month, including hired gun gigs and occasional studiowork (rarer and rarer as time moves forward). However, I do most of my "bass" these days on my YouTube channel and I know Im not the only one. "Social Media Performer" (I detest the term "influencer") should be an option as well: it kind of bridges a gap between bedroom hobbyist and performer
Some of us have encountered a lot of the "worst" in people. In my experience it's the norm so I'm not going out of my way at all to assume that.
Only playing for my own enjoyment these days. Gigged full-time on the road starting in 1983. Spent the last 3 years on ships before retiring in 1998. Did a handful of local gigs and some writing and recording in the years just after, then rarely picked up the bass for more than 5 minutes at a time until the pandemic began. After 20 years completely away from the scene, my online research into gear is what led me here. Now I'm back to playing pretty regularly, but just for myself. I have yet to consider coming out of retirement. Most of what I read here regarding gigging and "band management" only reaffirms my decision to have stepped away. Much more into building basses these days.
Actively playing vs. not is one of many differences between us all on TB, and I have not picked up that this reliably differentiates informed vs uninformed posts.
I’ve noticed how my opinions have changed over time, and some were informed by actively playing and some not. My active playing experience was also colored heavily by my personality and types of situations - eg, I simplified my gear significantly for live playing, because that’s how I adapt to each situation best. I’ve seen others, even more experienced cats (ie, more gigs) went the opposite direction, trying to control everything in every situation. I guess it worked for them, but it would drive me nuts.
The best filter for information online is experience, and I’ve learned it’s best to incorporate other people’s advice gradually, with trial and error. No one’s opinion is 100% useful or 100% useless to me, it just informs what I may want to consider next. But it’s up to me to figure out what’s useful vs not.
On the occasion when I've seen kids here asking how to make their living playing bass these days, the first thing that pops into my head is: "Try to become the next Davie504."
I gig at least once a month with rehearsals weekly...and of course home practice.
Yes. It will pass. Don't sell anything yet.
