Uber bassists- I don't get it.

[Watchootognbout]

When people find out that I play jazz, they seem compelled to tell me that they basically don't like jazz. This includes what kinds of jazz they like and don't like, and why. Usually, the jazz they don't like is the modern, interesting, technical stuff. The jazz they like is background music. If pressed for more detail, they will reveal that they don't like bass solos of any kind.

So, when people ask me what kind of music I play, I always feel tempted to respond: "I play the kind of music that most people hate."

There will always be a place for music that most people hate (same for art, architecture, etc), and it will always have a very small but loyal audience. I don't lose sleep over it.

You.Me.I.
Are the exact same.
I agree 100%

 

[leegreenman]

Not at all. I just said I admire their abilities, but the music leaves me cold- Discuss. Sorta the original purpose of a forum- The free exchange of ideas and opinions. Show me some great links to some of the named players and change my mind- I'm always open to learning something.

I occasionally enjoy a video from a virtuoso, but rarely throw that stuff on for listening pleasure.
Jaco is the exception to this rule though. His first solo record, his stuff with Joni Mitchell, and Weather Report is all very listenable.

 

[Watchootognbout]

I's the least I can do. When people all walk off the dance floor anytime the typical bassist (including myself) takes more than a 20 second solo it's all the evidence I need.

Those words you wrote.
"Dance floor"
There's a whole universe of differerence from what Michael Manring, Les Claypool, Stanley Clarke, Alain Caron do.
And your music does.
They don't do Dance floor music!

 

[Sub-hoo-fer]

Have you listened to Return to Forever??

Surprised this took 4 pages. Amazing music.

 

[dan1952]

If I want to hear 846 notes per measure I'll go to the NAMM Show.
In fact, at my house, we call that style "NAMM Chops."

 

[AngelCrusher]

I's the least I can do. When people all walk off the dance floor anytime the typical bassist (including myself) takes more than a 20 second solo it's all the evidence I need.

Thats a shame for you. Hasn't been my experience. I guess there are lot of different types of people out there. Imagine that.

 

[IamGroot]

There are great musicians like Victor and Marcus that I respect highly but listen to seldom because I am too busy stealing stuff from Hutch Hutchinson Ray Brown, and the other players whose style resonates in my musical soul.

 

[Davidopus]

Am I the only one who finds the quote "virtuosos" boring and just plain wanking? Michael Manring, Les Claypool, Stanley Clark, Alain Caron, Just about anybody who endorses Fodera, including Victor Wooten and many others.
I admire their proficiency, and technique, but then say to myself 'Now play a song'.
There are highly adept players I love- Phil Lesh, Chris Squire, etc. that CAN play that stuff, but somehow always keep the music first. I NEVER thought that John Entwhistle was wanking, no matter how fast he was playing. Mark King is about the only guy who ever slapped a bass that I could listen to a whole song.
I'm not saying everyone should play bass like Chris Hillman, or Timothy Schmitt, there's lots of room for advancing the art, but most hi-tech players sound like they are only playing to impress, not drive the song.
Discuss.

 

[Davidopus]

It's really not the chops, as many have them, but the composition talent. Yes Chris squire could play well, but the bass lines he composed were legendary. Just ask Billy Sherwood.

 

[Gundybass]

"but most hi-tech players sound like they are only playing to impress, not drive the song."

Jerry was a race car driver -- I think Les really drives that song.

 

[SethD]

If you're really curious just look up the discography of their work as sidemen. Stanley Clarke and Micheal Manring in particular are on hundreds of recordings simply playing what's required for the song and artist and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones weren't exactly showcasing Victor Wooten either, despite his talent.

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones did plenty to showcase Victor's playing.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Don't most smartphones come pre-loaded with the über bassist app?

 

[retslock]

You.Me.I.
Are the exact same.
I agree 100%

Jazz is such a broad term now so it’s not surprising that many would say they like some but not all jazz. Even within jazz genres there are examples that I like and some that I don’t. That’s music in general I think. I can’t say that I like all of any style of music so it’s not so strange that people say they don’t like jazz. It covers a lot of ground and my guess is, a lot of people don’t even know about a heck of a lot of it.
Like art, the term jazz itself has less meaning these days anyway. The borders are becoming blurred.
For what it’s worth, as a bass player myself, I don’t care much for bass solos either. I’ve heard some very good ones but soloing in general to my mind should be not limited to but guided by the song or melody and expanded from that foundation. Most of the time to my ears at least, it isn’t and it comes off like “how do you like my chops?”

 

[Chickenwheels]

If I want to hear 846 notes per measure I'll go to the NAMM Show.
In fact, at my house, we call that style "NAMM Chops."

I love “NAMM Chops”!
Also, there’s “Gospel Chops” and “College Chops”!!

 

[nonohmic]

Here you go . . . As 'wank free' as you can get, courtesy of Victor Wooten

Dear me. That is the silkiest tone I've ever heard.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

If you don't get it leave it alone. It's not for you.

 

[Pirate Captain]

some musicians need a side gig, Uber has flexible hours

 

[manfish]

I dont see the OP as remotely combative. Its a taste, genre thing obviously... Vive le Difference! Dont take it personally, different personalities. Actually its a healthy discussion... technicality vs musicality, groove and soul, schooled vs intuitive, speed and accuracy vs feel. We're on the same team. Im with the OP. Uber technical prowess doesnt often move me emotionally, compositionally and artistically. some combo of touching body, mind, emotions, intellect and soul is the goal imho. Example... wave jazz / fusion.. not for me... but Electric Miles, Mahavishnu yes! Super technical playing is akin to exhibitionistic masturbation... the person doing it is enjoying it. If I find it erotic, yeah. Otherwise, moving on.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

You can still drive 55 in a Ferrari.

I wouldnt drive a Ferrari everyday if i owned one!

 

[konfyouzd]

If you're really curious just look up the discography of their work as sidemen. Stanley Clarke and Micheal Manring in particular are on hundreds of recordings simply playing what's required for the song and artist and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones weren't exactly showcasing Victor Wooten either, despite his talent.
Solo bass albums are a different breed and their sales figures go a way towards proving your point but as usual, there's more to the story....

Wooten goes off in a few Flecktones songs.

In Mudslingers of the Milky Way they pretty much all do. But I actually like that sort of thing. I don't think any of Wooten's stuff with The Flecktones is done in poor taste, but he definitely does some pretty wild stuff in their songs when they give him the space to.