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When does a bass player become a bassist?

#101
ZENBASSGUY said:
OK..so we all need to stop worrying about titles and just play MUSIC for MUSIC. the bass is only a tool used to tell your story. Once you can under stand that you can start on the path to becoming a MUSICIAN and not have to worry about whether you are called a bass player or bassist and know that you are a MUSICIAN. That is what we should all strive for. it shouldn't matter what we have in our hand as an instrument be it a bass, guitar, tube, flute, or ocarina, we should be able to make music with any instrument or even with no instrument at all. bass is just a tool we choose to help MUSIC flow through us.
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So MUSICIAN isn't also a title?

:D
 
#102
T-MOST said:
Wikpedia definition of a bassist:

A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone.

Wait did they say a bass player ""or" bassist??? Nothing is mentioned about how "serious" they are about it or if they "graduated" from a music college. What do you know they are the exact same thing. :hmm:
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If you take Wiki that seriously. Many don't.

;)
 
#104
i played bass in a hard core rap band for about 3 years in the early 90s... i never considered myself a bassist because i was never savvy enough a player to be able to 'get away' too much from following what the guitarist was doing

i say this because, although we were all loyal to one another, there were a few 'bassists' that would jam with us -much older seasoned guys- who clearly were skilled in moving all over the fretboard...at times, it made me want to quit

But, i studied the primary and secondary scales and got to know them like the back of my hand... got a bit daring with jamming and 'moving around' .... i got confident

i still don't consider myself a bassist... but that just could be my modesty and in realizing there's always more to know
 
#105
Brad Johnson said:
If you take Wiki that seriously. Many don't.

;)
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Maybe The definition from the Merriam-Webster dictionary 2010 edition holds more weight? Or do many have a problem with that rag too? ;)

Bassist: A person who plays acoustic or electric bass.

Again nothing about schooling or attitude... just playing the instrument. I think people need to get over these imaginary definitions of words. They are nothing but ways of trying to elevate yourself above the pack. Your playing should do that for you. If you play bass you are a bassist PERIOD
 
#109
T-MOST said:
Maybe The definition from the Merriam-Webster dictionary 2010 edition holds more weight? Or do many have a problem with that rag too? ;)

Bassist: A person who plays acoustic or electric bass.

Again nothing about schooling or attitude... just playing the instrument. I think people need to get over these imaginary definitions of words. They are nothing but ways of trying to elevate yourself above the pack. Your playing should do that for you. If you play bass you are a bassist PERIOD
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So what was their definition of "bass player"?
:D

Clearly words can have multiple meanings. These days many seem to need for everything to be binary. Not sure why.
;)

As such, just as you've decided what definition you prefer, others should have the same option.
 

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