When did playing bass(or guitar) become comedy?

[mistergoats]

I've seen more of these than I can recall, but they still crack me up every time . I'm at work, and I was laughing so hard just now during the Manring clip that I had to stop playing it or risk my coworkers scorn.

I'm laughing so hard right now. The Manring one is amazing.

 

[Fat Steve]

You know, when I started playing bass I was under the impression that we were a bit less sensitive than our guitarist friends. When did we become the fragile ones? This thread just reeks of pure butthurt.

Also, lots of people around here that disdain and fear change. The world moves on whether we want it to or not. So what if there's lots of genres of rock? In 10 years there will be even more. It wont stop. Kids wont stop playing instruments. Doomsday for music isn't coming. It's just that things will sound different. I welcome the onward progression of music and they way it is made and perceived by society.

Thanks for the smiles though. This has been an entertaining thread.

 

[HolmeBass]

+1000. I've even been offered favors after, get this, a P&W sub gig I did!

The Lord moves in mysterious ways!!

(Sorry, I couldn't resist...)

 

[City]

I haven't read all of the threads, first three pages, so I might be seconding a motion. I find that if you are playing an instrument and not putting your heart and soul into it, it could become comedy. Posers and such. I've never been ridiculed for my intensity or passion while playing. They actually like when I'm taken over by the music. I'm currently walking a thin line with my latest project since I'm playing primarily 80s, all rock. Those bands, and my band included, stress "the show". My soul stresses "the music". Currently trying to reach a happy medium. Somewhere in my psychie I am secretly loving the big sound, bright lights and fog bursts, but don't tell anyone.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Exactly. The first question I wanteds to ask about the original post is whether he was making those faces while demonstrating....

I cringe every time I see someone making a 'musician face,' it is so self-absorbed and contrived and exactly opposite of what music is about. These guys are the ones who ruin rock, who made it about the musician and the act instead of the tunes. In my opinion rock has become a stage act and another false hero-in-a-box for those who are seeking something in life that they dont quite understand. Just like all the other pre-packaged heroes and role models for sale in the media.

Music, sports, skating, surfing, fashion, outdoors.... Just pick the one with the costume you like the best, subscribe to the fanzines and spend away!

As said previously, rock is about rebellion and there is nothing rebellion about pretending to be a celebrity.

No I wasn't making a face.I was talking to a guy about how Manring detunes while he plays. The section from 6:15 to the end was what I was demonstrating.


Many DO expect musicians to imitate Rock faces and antics.Whether they play rock of not.Which is likely why the other employees imitated that genre.Some are just predisposed to silliness and not to the serious side of music.If I were to show them a vid of Allan Holdsworth and Jimmy Johnson playing,they would likely get very bored.No show!No faces!No wiggling around!

 

[mistergoats]

What Manring clip was that?

Previous page, post by Jay Q.

 

[Remyd]

My bass face turns out to be comedy gold. My wife did a slideshow to "Higher Ground"

 

[Yango]

They may very well be slightly ********, and as such, can't help themselves. Just smile and shake your head a fatherly fashion.

 

[7dollarbologna]

Well, sadly enough, I think the culture has moved on from the whole romanticism and mythology that Rock and Roll used to command. Rock is dead, effectively. I mean, the current scene in popular music is more or less stagnant, and has been so for over ten years. I'm not saying there's no good music out there, you can find it if you look for it, but when I was a kid in the 70s, music was EVERYTHING about growing up. It defined you. Kids today are not defined by music. They are into their video games, computers, smart phones, facebook, twitter, etc. etc. And usually the nearest a kid ever gets to playing a guitar is by playing a Rock Band/Guitar Hero game.

It's effectively dead. Probably the majority of the younger generation out there thinks that someone who practices guitar or bass is a total nerd.

I get that from my niece and nephew. sad.

 

[Big Brother]

No I wasn't making a face.I was talking to a guy about how Manring detunes while he plays. The section from 6:15 to the end was what I was demonstrating.


Many DO expect musicians to imitate Rock faces and antics.Whether they play rock of not.Which is likely why the other employees imitated that genre.Some are just predisposed to silliness and not to the serious side of music.If I were to show them a vid of Allan Holdsworth and Jimmy Johnson playing,they would likely get very bored.No show!No faces!No wiggling around!

Heh, no problem. It could be that in their minds it is flattery too, people imitate something new like that and if they were mocking you it probably would have been out of your sight. I would be inclined to give the benefit of the doubt and just see it as the sincerest form of flattery.

If they were musicians doing that though, the gloves are off!

 

[metalhead398]

Exactly. The first question I wanteds to ask about the original post is whether he was making those faces while demonstrating....

I cringe every time I see someone making a 'musician face,' it is so self-absorbed and contrived and exactly opposite of what music is about. These guys are the ones who ruin rock, who made it about the musician and the act instead of the tunes. In my opinion rock has become a stage act and another false hero-in-a-box for those who are seeking something in life that they dont quite understand. Just like all the other pre-packaged heroes and role models for sale in the media.

Music, sports, skating, surfing, fashion, outdoors.... Just pick the one with the costume you like the best, subscribe to the fanzines and spend away!

As said previously, rock is about rebellion and there is nothing rebellion about pretending to be a celebrity.

I totally agree. This idea is one of the reasons that I love Tool's live performances. They basically play in the dark, with no real movement on stage or dancing. This way they can all play or sing to the fullest extent and not have to worry about image. Not only does it help the music but it paradoxically makes them look really good.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Heh, no problem. It could be that in their minds it is flattery too, people imitate something new like that and if they were mocking you it probably would have been out of your sight. I would be inclined to give the benefit of the doubt and just see it as the sincerest form of flattery.

If they were musicians doing that though, the gloves are off!

I don't think it's flattery.And they're not musicians.I think they're just trying to add some levity to a long,grueling day.Albeit with the same 'ol same 'ol tired joke.

 

[SplinteredSkull]

Well, sadly enough, I think the culture has moved on from the whole romanticism and mythology that Rock and Roll used to command. Rock is dead, effectively. I mean, the current scene in popular music is more or less stagnant, and has been so for over ten years. I'm not saying there's no good music out there, you can find it if you look for it, but when I was a kid in the 70s, music was EVERYTHING about growing up. It defined you. Kids today are not defined by music. They are into their video games, computers, smart phones, facebook, twitter, etc. etc. And usually the nearest a kid ever gets to playing a guitar is by playing a Rock Band/Guitar Hero game.

It's effectively dead. Probably the majority of the younger generation out there thinks that someone who practices guitar or bass is a total nerd.

I would have to partly disagree with you on that one. Rock the genre has been put on the back burner, yes, but it has given rise to waves of various other forms of music and sub genres that would not have been as heavily pursued or explored back in the day. Mixed and crossover genres are more prominent now that people don't feel compelled to follow one craft. I wouldn't necessarily say that's a bad thing. "Popular" music does suck and I find all the famous radio and youtube songs to be crap, but that doesn't mean that's what defines us. (I should mention I'm in high school). Everyone I know listens to music, even if it is just country-pop. It still defines us, however, music like that provides no incentive to get out there and jam. But there is still a good chunk of kids who are listening to newer music, unspoiled by popularity. I listen to a Ton of incredible bands that no one I else I know has even heard of. Just because these bands are unseen or unheard by everyone else, doesn't mean they aren't actively playing a role.

I also sold my gaming console to fund my bass playing. I never used it anymore because I played bass. And no one thinks of me as a nerd for playing bass and guitar, they are impressed by it. All the kids stuck on social media are the same kids that weren't playing guitar back in the 70's. I'm sure the same ratio of kids are playing an instrument now as they were in the 70's. The difference is that our society has put the spotlight and interest on technology rather than music. It is seen more, and gets more attention. The tweet a teenage girl puts up will instantaneously be seen by more people than the gig her sister is having at a local venue.

Don't blame the kids. Blame the world they're growing up in. If we can provide more motivation to learn an instrument as a means of communication and providing community, then we can create a better alternative to Facebook. And if we can encourage the playing of an instrument and the sharing of its results more online, then we can fight fire with fire and help shift society's focus.

 

[Jaco Taco]

I would have to partly disagree with you on that one. Rock the genre has been put on the back burner, yes, but it has given rise to waves of various other forms of music and sub genres that would not have been as heavily pursued or explored back in the day. Mixed and crossover genres are more prominent now that people don't feel compelled to follow one craft. I wouldn't necessarily say that's a bad thing. "Popular" music does suck and I find all the famous radio and youtube songs to be crap, but that doesn't mean that's what defines us. (I should mention I'm in high school). Everyone I know listens to music, even if it is just country-pop. It still defines us, however, music like that provides no incentive to get out there and jam. But there is still a good chunk of kids who are listening to newer music, unspoiled by popularity. I listen to a Ton of incredible bands that no one I else I know has even heard of. Just because these bands are unseen or unheard by everyone else, doesn't mean they aren't actively playing a role.

I also sold my gaming console to fund my bass playing. I never used it anymore because I played bass. And no one thinks of me as a nerd for playing bass and guitar, they are impressed by it. All the kids stuck on social media are the same kids that weren't playing guitar back in the 70's. I'm sure the same ratio of kids are playing an instrument now as they were in the 70's. The difference is that our society has put the spotlight and interest on technology rather than music. It is seen more, and gets more attention. The tweet a teenage girl puts up will instantaneously be seen by more people than the gig her sister is having at a local venue.

Don't blame the kids. Blame the world they're growing up in. If we can provide more motivation to learn an instrument as a means of communication and providing community, then we can create a better alternative to Facebook. And if we can encourage the playing of an instrument and the sharing of its results more online, then we can fight fire with fire and help shift society's focus.

Great response and post! Keep on keeping on.

 

[steveinohio]

Rock and Roll isnt dead. Its still going on. You dont get it or like it. Neither do I a lot of the time. I do understand that Im getting older and set in my ways. Rock and Roll for the most part is a young mans game. It always has been and always will be. Thats why its great. People will get old and lame. Rock and Roll will continue even if you dont get it anymore.

 

[Jaco Taco]

Rock and Roll isnt dead. Its still going on. You dont get it or like it. Neither do I a lot of the time. I do understand that Im getting older and set in my ways. Rock and Roll for the most part is a young mans game. It always has been and always will be. Thats why its great. People will get old and lame. Rock and Roll will continue even if you dont get it anymore.

The problem is: there's nothing to "get" anymore. Rock and roll has gone through a lot of different styles and genres and all we get now is a regurgitation of some style or wave that happened in the 70's or 80's, etc. There isn't anything really new happening with it.