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When does a bass player become a bassist?

S

Ski3223

Mar 27, 2010
184
2
Norman, Oklahoma
#1
When would you guys say you graduated from bass player to bassist? I'm still trying to decide if I'm there yet. I play lots of instruments, but I've always considered bass my favorite and most important. It give me the highest degree of satisfaction and visceral response when I do a good job.

What is your "graduation" criteria?
 
#5
I consider there being one.

Take guitar for instance... There are people who play guitar (know some chords, songs, riffs), guitar players (can get around multiple genres pretty well, know their stuff, can improvise. Guitards are in this category), then guitarists. I can play piano, but I'm not a pianist.

As an example for someone who plays bass, it could be a guitarist who picks up a bass and starts playing, so on and so forth. I think there needs to be a certain 'mastery' of the instrument in one way or another to be considered a bassist as opposed to just a bass player. At least I felt weird calling myself a bassist for a long time. Felt I didn't really hold the title well. Anyone else experience this or have their own criteria?
 
#9
Ski3223 said:
I disagree, lol (obviously)
Click to expand...

Yeah me too... I think the difference is that a bass player can play.. he can hold down a groove.. but being a bassist means that like ski said.. there needs to be a certain mastery of the instrument itself, from a technical aspect, and the musical theory behind it and the implementation of it.. I can play bass.. but I don't consider myself a bassist .. not yet anyway..
 
#14
I have been playing bass for 37 years but in the eyes of some I will never be a "bassist" because my original instrument was guitar and I've never really played upright bass. I still play fingerstyle acoustic guitar but I play bass because because for some reason I stink at electric guitar. Anyway, I still believe my guitar background helps enormously when playing in a trio format. So in essence, I think I'm a "bassist" but it's all a matter of perception by others.
 
#19
Ski3223 said:
What is your "graduation" criteria?
Click to expand...

A bass player and bassist is the same animal.... here is the definition:
"A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone."
I'm thinking what the op means is how good do you have to be to be considered a bona fide bass player/bassist? and that is a matter of opinion....
I've seen many "1 finger 1 note wonders" playing in bands.... and they brag about being the bassist for ........
Now, would a fellow bassist consider him a bona fide bassist/bass player?
Ummm... maybe that should be the "graduation" criteria. If your musical peers consider you a bassist or just a guy who calls himself a bass player.
Tim
 

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