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What makes a bassist a "hack"?

#82
I am a hack. I know some theory. I have a good enough sense of time. I can read simple rhythms, my melody reading is horrid. I can play in many styles of music passably well. I cannot solo to save my life. I cannot play flashy. I tend to root and fifth my way through songs. My basslines are simple, predictable, and boring. I show up sober, wearing the right clothes (uniform in my case), and I STFU. I am paid very well not because I can play a bass guitar, but rather because I can stay away from drugs, run 2 miles fast, do 60 or 70 pushups and situps, and not object to being told where to live. I could easily be replaced by a more talented musician. A hack is not a bad thing. When you want some firewood call me, when you need some fine wood working call Victor!
 
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#84
higain617 said:
I think a true hack has to run a wireless system. This is so said hack can play right next to patrons' tables and drunk chicks while "checking the sound".
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Explain this comment. Everyone in my band runs a wireless system, so we can move around freely, and not get chords tangled up. And since we run sound from the stage, we go out in the audience for two reasons; sometimes for entertainment value, and sometimes to CHECK THE SOUND.
 
#86
mellowinman said:
Explain this comment. Everyone in my band runs a wireless system, so we can move around freely, and not get chords tangled up. And since we run sound from the stage, we go out in the audience for two reasons; sometimes for entertainment value, and sometimes to CHECK THE SOUND.
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I have no problem with wireless systems. It was from an anecdotal story I read on another forum. A guy played with some dude who would walk around 'serenading' all the chicks with his bass rather than play properly. When asked why, he would say he was 'checking the sound'.
 
#88
Steve Harris once said during an interview that he is completely self taught, has no understanding of music theory and doesn't even know what scales are. He is arguably the most influential heavy metal bass player ever and has been the reason that millions of kids even bothered to pick up a bass in the first place. He has played in front of millions of people, writes most of his band's songs and has earned more money than he could spend in five lifetimes. Is he a hack?
 
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#90
Someone can be very good at a job that requires some skill, yet have no professional training at all. This applies to many occupations. I was in IT before I retired, completely self-taught, no CS degree, didn't even finish college. I was very good at it and made a career out of it and more than a good living. But I consider(ed) myself a hack.

McCartney (and plenty other musicians) could probably be classified as hacks by that definition.

Clearly, being a hack doesn't necessarily mean not being any good.
 
#96
Mike Sorr said:
Steve Harris once said during an interview that he is completely self taught, has no understanding of music theory and doesn't even know what scales are. He is arguably the most influential heavy metal bass player ever and has been the reason that millions of kids even bothered to pick up a bass in the first place. He has played in front of millions of people, writes most of his band's songs and has earned more money than he could spend in five lifetimes. Is he a hack?
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A LOT of renowned musicians who call themselves "hacks" are:

1. Gifted with an ear;
2. OBSESSED with being the BEST;
3. Know and have learned a lot but just don't know the technical terms.

Had he been formally trained in theory, Steve Harris may have become like John Paul Jones, or a bedroom player.
 
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#97
friendlybass said:
I dunno, a guy who talks a great game and can play all the licks solo mode but when the time comes they can't actually play.
I dunno when you say hack I think bad doctor or contractor, where they show up and due to a lack of knowledge or care they do more damage than good. Hard to think of a bass equivalent
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that is actually a great way to describe many bad musicians i have encountered....in fact, that is probably one of the best descriptions of the term I have seen. Can be applied anywhere
 
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#99
higain617 said:
I have no problem with wireless systems. It was from an anecdotal story I read on another forum. A guy played with some dude who would walk around 'serenading' all the chicks with his bass rather than play properly. When asked why, he would say he was 'checking the sound'.
Click to expand...

It's funny with the wireless systems. I got one, partly with the notion I'd be running out into the audience. I did a couple of times, and would still if the moment was right. But then in an old band I watched the guitarist do the "serenading" thing during his solos, and you could tell it was way more annoying to the crowd than fun. They're trying to have drinks at their table and a conversation, and here comes this guy barging in waving his guitar in their face and wanting to be idolized. It can sometimes be cool with a dancing crowd, but even then I've learned to be cautious. People have this sense of space, like there's an invisible barrier between band world and dancer world marked by the mic stands and monitor wedges, and to some degree that seems to help the dance floor be "safe space" to cut loose and have fun. An unexpected intruder crossing the barrier from band world can break the spell unless it's timed at a moment when the crowd welcomes it.

I still use my wireless, just to be able to move around the stage more freely and not to worry about tripping over wires, and even occasionally to go out and check the sound, but not so much to get in the crowd's face.
 

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