Theory: Bassists are Awesome!

[jutty17]

I have an operating theory I've developed over the 30+ years I've been playing and networking with musicians: Bassists tend to share a few broad traits, among them empathy, general kindness, open-mindedness and all around "good-guy (girl)-ness". Most of the players I've met who've "made it" tend to be down to earth, happy to share their wisdom, and appreciative of their success. Not that these traits don't apply to other instrumentalists (or the occasional singer) but bassists tend to present this way more often IME.

If you subscribe to this theory, do you think that bassists tend to be that type, and gravitate to bass as a support instrument, or perhaps that the supportive role bass usually plays in the ensemble molds us that way? This would be a Nature vs Nurture discussion I suppose, and certainly just my own observations, but I thought it might make for a fun discussion.

 

[Oddly]

I think it's more nature than nurture.
Certainly for those who've always identified as bass players.

 

[Tom Bomb]

Doesn't follow, necessarily. I think this is more a universal trait, across the board. In order that you be good, it pays to be good

It's not easy to cut through the spin. People misled tend to mislead.
​

 

[Killing Floor]

Hey, I’m a bassist and I’m awesome! Your hypothesis tracks.

 

[jutty17]

Right on KF!

 

[Sam Evans]

Fact!

 

[MtManiac]

I dislike all generalizations.

That was intended to be funny.

Anyway, no, I don’t subscribe to it, sometimes I’m a downright a-hole and I claim that right.

I do believe that playing bass fits really well with the role I play in other areas of my life, as a parent, as a family member, as a partner, as a professional. I often set the framework, the groove, and maintain it if it’s good and change it if it’s not. I set the stage for those around me to shine, and they lean on me like a rock, knowing I’m there doing the things that need being done. I won’t say that most bass players are that way. And it could be that playing bass makes me more able to see myself that way, to have the parallel to draw in the first place - and that means confirmation bias.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

I'm awesome, and I outa know..
I'm a very good judge of character!

 

[Deleted member 365158]

There’s always exceptions but in the small community I live in there are quite a few bassists. A big majority of those totally live up to that.
We all also have our moments and Can come across as a not so good person at times.

 

[Discount Bassy]

For a fee, I would be willing to participate in a study to prove your hypothesis.

 

[mambo4]

or perhaps that the supportive role bass usually plays in the ensemble molds us that way?

I think it tends to it molds us somewhat
But more so it tends to weed out those whose nature is counter to a supportive role.
Over time the bassists who play well with others well are what is left.
But, the same may be said for any musician

 

[HolmeBass]

Hey, I’m a bassist and I’m awesome! Your hypothesis tracks.

That's what I was thinking. I'm a freakin' saint, salt-of-the-earth, awesome mofo. So it checks out.

 

[CJAZ]

I read the same thing about trombone players on a trombone forum. Or was it about obists on an oboe forum. It could have been about cajon players on a cajon forum. Then again it could have been about...

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

I'm afraid I might be the exception that proves the rule!

The Bar Band Bassman

 

[Rip Van Dan]

I think it's more nature than nurture.
Certainly for those who've always identified as bass players.

I agree. I almost never run into a bass player who's all full of himself. Bass snobs are hard to find. Guitarists on the other hand? - Perhaps as much as 1/2 of them. But bass players on the whole are "cool people".

 

[ebo]

I started out as a guitarist. I’ve found myself playing the role of bassist and loving it. Fits my self deprecating sense of humor and my love for collaborative work. For my ego fix I sing quite a bit, and stand up front of stage. My guitarist can noodle all he wants, I’m the real rock star. Has anyone heard Victor Wooten, Geddy Lee, Flea, JPJ interviewed? All salt of the earth folks. Of course, there is always Gene Simmons…..

 

[GWGuitar]

I play guitar and bass, and in the Internet and Facebook groups I’m in, the bass groups are always the friendliest and most helpful. More support for your theory.

 

[logdrum]

Observe the Alpha personas here and you tell me how they rate on the nice scale. There are really nice folks it seems and probably in real life too but not sure how to verify that. There is always Siluriformes Loricariidae . But who knows. NaCl >= 2mg

 

[jtg]

NaCl >= 2mg

Well played. And thats an impressive amount for the purpose.

 

[Jaygetsreal]

I have always thought we bassists are comfortable to sit in-the-pocket. With the small change.