Wayman Tisdale Not A "True" Bassist?

[Funk$tar]

Okay so I was just going through some old threads and I came across a few about Wayman Tisdale. A lot of the bass players on here were saying that he's not really a bass player because he played a piccolo bass most of the time. This is where I am stumped...The man played lead bass with a tobias growler and piccolo bass strings, but most of his bass lines (not solo's) are with normal round wounds on a Fender Jazz bass. I mean Victor Wooten plays with a tenor bass sometimes and people aren't saying he is not a bassist. I'm just really confused as to why someone would try to say he isn't really a bassist!
Wayman had the most beautiful soul and infectious smile I have ever seen along with a true love for playing bass, so how can someone deny the fact that he is a bassist?
Haha sorry if I sound riled up, I'm just very confused about what some of the bassists on here had to say?

Here is one of the threads here: A small rant about Wayman Tisdale | TalkBass.com

All I have to say is he will forever be a bassist wether you agree or disagree...
Next people are going to start saying bassist who use picks aren't "real" bassists! lol
Love you guys, don't mean to sound rude at all just stating my opinion.
Any who, all of you stay cool and tell me what y'all think? (I guess this is sort of an update of everyone's personal opinions)
Gracias!

- Deoindra

By the way, R.I.P. Wayman!
You taught me to appreciate the beauty of life even on my most darkest days, you are truly missed big guy!

A small rant about Wayman Tisdale | TalkBass.com

 

[wintremute]

I always knew him as a basketball player. Never knew he played bass. Good on him.

 

[lfmn16]

Some people on TB think their opinions carry waaaay more importance than they actually do. They don't understand that the fact that some bassists want to move beyond root/5th quarter notes does not invalidate the fact that they are still bass players.

 

[Funk$tar]

Some people on TB think their opinions carry waaaay more importance than they actually do. They don't understand that the fact that some bassists want to move beyond root/5th quarter notes does not invalidate the fact that they are still bass players.

I agree 100%!
I also wish I could be as eloquent with my words as you are! lol

 

[buldog5151bass]

If you are playing a bass, you are a bass player.

His soul and smile mean nothing, and I never met him, so I don't know about his love of playing bass.

Who cares? His playing inspires you. Nuff said.

 

[DWBass]

Well I guess Stanley Clarke and Brian Bromberg (among others who utilize a Picolo bass) aren't "Real" bassists either!?!? No need to get riled up. As mentioned above, there a lot of 'opinionated' folks on this site who think they know what's best for people in this world.

My inclination is to tell them to shut the h**l up and play their bass and stop worrying about what other people do.

 

[Funk$tar]

Well I guess Stanley Clarke and Brian Bromberg (among others who utilize a Picolo bass) aren't "Real" bassists either!?!? No need to get riled up. As mentioned above, there a lot of 'opinionated' folks on this site who think they know what's best for people in this world.

My inclination is to tell them to shut the h**l up and play their bass and stop worrying about what other people do.

You da man! haha XD

 

[Funk$tar]

If you are playing a bass, you are a bass player.

His soul and smile mean nothing, and I never met him, so I don't know about his love of playing bass.

Who cares? His playing inspires you. Nuff said.

Haha I know his soul and his smile mean nothing when it comes to this topic, but I just wanted to state that he was a beautiful dude who really loved his bass and yet people still want to criticize. lol
But you are absolutely right, he inspires me so I guess thats good enough! ;D

 

[DWBass]

Wow! I had to go back to that old post (over 10 years ago) and saw I posted in that thread. My opinion posted then had more to do with how 'good' he was as compared to say...a Victa Wooten or a Marcus Miller. Waymon was good at what he did and that was being funky laying down some serious grooves and playing lead piccolo bass on top. It was good. I have all his cd's. 'Nuff said!

 

[FlatwoundFunk]

Okay so I was just going through some old threads and I came across a few about Wayman Tisdale. A lot of the bass players on here were saying that he's not really a bass player because he played a piccolo bass most of the time. This is where I am stumped...The man played lead bass with a tobias growler and piccolo bass strings, but most of his bass lines (not solo's) are with normal round wounds on a Fender Jazz bass. I mean Victor Wooten plays with a tenor bass sometimes and people aren't saying he is not a bassist. I'm just really confused as to why someone would try to say he isn't really a bassist!
Wayman had the most beautiful soul and infectious smile I have ever seen along with a true love for playing bass, so how can someone deny the fact that he is a bassist?
Haha sorry if I sound riled up, I'm just very confused about what some of the bassists on here had to say?

Here is one of the threads here: A small rant about Wayman Tisdale | TalkBass.com

All I have to say is he will forever be a bassist wether you agree or disagree...
Next people are going to start saying bassist who use picks aren't "real" bassists! lol
Love you guys, don't mean to sound rude at all just stating my opinion.
Any who, all of you stay cool and tell me what y'all think? (I guess this is sort of an update of everyone's personal opinions)
Gracias!

- Deoindra

By the way, R.I.P. Wayman!
You taught me to appreciate the beauty of life even on my most darkest days, you are truly missed big guy!

A small rant about Wayman Tisdale | TalkBass.com

I've had to accept the fact that just like most things in life, the idea of what a "bass player" is, is ever changing. It's going to be pretty interesting what it will be in another 20 years.
FF

 

[friendlybass]

Haha not a true bass player. Plenty of false bass players out there then I suppose.

 

[Roy Vogt]

Now, you didn't need to dig that Poor Old Misinformed Zombie Thread up to kick him again, did you?
Somehow he fooled all these Bass Players into letting him get up onstage. He's the only guy taller than Stanley!

 

[Haji]

Haha not a true bass player. Plenty of false bass players out there then I suppose.

I think I'm one of those.

 

[friendlybass]

I think I'm one of those.

Aren't we all according to someone on the interweb?

 

[EmptyCup]

Yes, a true bassist for sure! From the smile on his face in the picture you posted it looks like he really loved playing.

You obviously have fond memories, don't let a few misguided people take those away from you.

 

[callofcthulhu]

Now, you didn't need to dig that Poor Old Misinformed Zombie Thread up to kick him again, did you?
Somehow he fooled all these Bass Players into letting him get up onstage. He's the only guy taller than Stanley!

This video is perhaps the most bass player thing to ever happen.

 

[Clark Dark]

Now, you didn't need to dig that Poor Old Misinformed Zombie Thread up to kick him again, did you?
Somehow he fooled all these Bass Players into letting him get up onstage. He's the only guy taller than Stanley!

Best Clip Ever !!!!!!!!!

 

[Hobobob]

Now, you didn't need to dig that Poor Old Misinformed Zombie Thread up to kick him again, did you?
Somehow he fooled all these Bass Players into letting him get up onstage. He's the only guy taller than Stanley!

Off topic, but this is friggin awesome. I really dug Flea and Jimmy Johnson's approaches - very melodic, seemed like they really had something to say with their instruments.

 

[Snaxster]

Hello Deoindra,

Please don't mind the talk of base-minded people. Often they complain most loudly; and now they have the interwebs for doing it.

I would be the wrong one to say whether such folks are in the majority. But I have heard it said that in practice most people are good, and that in essence all people are.

Just stay true, open-minded and brave. Your posts and videos show that you have a good heart. Listen to it and the naysayers will not matter.

Good Luck!

Snaxster

 

[odin70]

imo ...if you play a piccolo you are not playing a bass guitar. You are playing a four string guitar. But of course ..it is your right to call it a violin or a trumpet..or even a bass guitar.