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Public bass ignorance

#22
Anyone asking you this question is giving you a great chance to fill them in on the facts. So go for it and you might just get someone interested enough to pick one up.

I don't expect non-musicans to know the details of an instrument they don't play, I constantly see even musians who don't know, for example, the difference between a clarinet and a saprano sax. I don't frown on this, they are just using that headspace to keep track of other things.

If all of us knew everything the others did, our conversations would dry up pretty quick. I like to have things to contribute and I like that others bring new things to the table. makes life more interesting that way.

-eSmith.
 
#23
People I've known for about 20 years still ask " how is the guitar going?" Its ignorance, and a lack of caring. Bass is a guitar ( unless you are talking double bass, which I'm not) so they are not completely wrong. They are both held the same way, and unless you are paying attention you would not know how many strings are on any instrument.

Its your call if you want to correct people, just be prepared to do it for 20 years LOL!!
 
#25
The majority of people just want to listen to good music.. they dont care what instruments it took to make it... When you buy a house you dont ponder on what tools it took to build it..

I would hazard a guess that when you watch a good film, your not bothered what camera they used... The general public are just that..General.. and WE all do it

i cant say i doesnt bother me a little... it nice to have some recognition...
 
#28
eSmith said:
Anyone asking you this question is giving you a great chance to fill them in on the facts. So go for it and you might just get someone interested enough to pick one up.

I don't expect non-musicans to know the details of an instrument they don't play, I constantly see even musians who don't know, for example, the difference between a clarinet and a saprano sax. I don't frown on this, they are just using that headspace to keep track of other things.

If all of us knew everything the others did, our conversations would dry up pretty quick. I like to have things to contribute and I like that others bring new things to the table. makes life more interesting that way.

-eSmith.
Click to expand...
what a refreshing positive attitude.. negative into positive and all that..;)
 
#31
When I met my wife, a physical therapist, I asked her what is was like giving massages all day long. I also asked her when if she had plans on getting her college degree. After she composed herself, she explained that PT's dont give massage, at least not the kind we all think of (yes, they do perform deep tissue massage for profound insult to the muscle), and that she had already completed her masters degree (a 3 year course of study....and that she was a licensed professional with our state.

Lesson learned....from then on I always grant some slack to the questions about by "oversized guitar".....or whatever.
 
#34
I don't mind people not knowing the difference, but I once had a distinguished looking gentleman ask me about my "guitar thing" after a church service. He seemed clearly annoyed and I didn't know why. Now I usually play bass with one hand and organ with the other. As he walked away I realized what his problem was. In his view, it takes two hands to play a "guitar." Therefore he thought I was faking and he was incensed that I would "pretend" to play two instruments in church. He may also have been annoyed with my church for condoning fakery; he has not visited again.
 
#35
I got that from a very cute girl the other day...I told her I played Bass....She never got it...her expression made it very clear...Made me laugh a little bit on the inside! :)

But hey...I can be ignorant in other situations...so I get her :)

But when I get the "Why is your bike $3000, isn't all bikes the same" thing I DO get mad!!!!! hehe :D
 
#36
Stan Laurel said:
I don't mind people not knowing the difference, but I once had a distinguished looking gentleman ask me about my "guitar thing" after a church service. He seemed clearly annoyed and I didn't know why. Now I usually play bass with one hand and organ with the other. As he walked away I realized what his problem was. In his view, it takes two hands to play a "guitar." Therefore he thought I was faking and he was incensed that I would "pretend" to play two instruments in church. He may also have been annoyed with my church for condoning fakery; he has not visited again.
Click to expand...

Thats funny. I used to play synth, bass, and sing at the same time and someone once told me he liked the way I was able to sync all my tracks in such good time.
 
#38
BassPenguin22 said:
The white stripes dont even have a bass player.
Click to expand...
Technically they do. A guitar is a bass instrument, so every band with a guitarist has a bass player.


BassPenguin22 said:
Do some people not know the difference between guitar and bass or am i just b****ing about something stupid?
Click to expand...
Sort of. If you change "some people" to "everybody" then I think you'll have it right.
 
#39
I don't care if people don't know what I play. I care that they know I'm an awesome part of an awesome whole. Isn't that what really matters?
Gio S said:
MOST people don't even know what part of the music the bass IS. Seriously. They cannot distinguish the individual sounds, only listen to the whole.
Click to expand...
I'm sure the vast majority can distinguish between the vocals and the instruments.
 
#40
I get the "guitar" thing a lot, but after playing out a few months ago, one gentleman remarked about my 'lectric banjo. I didn't take it too seriously,though (he may have been kidding, I think):) He seemed to "together" to not know that it was at least some kind of guitar. I just explained what it was and its role in the group and left w/ a smile. No harm, No foul.
 

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