'cuz I'm 6'5". Back of *every* picture too.
But more seriously, I'd just prefer to put the entertainers up front and not have to worry about it. Personality traits.
Is your name Krist Novoselic?*
*This wisecrack is in reference to the height
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Why does the bass player still stand in back?
- Thread starter Altitude
- Start date
Is your name Krist Novoselic?*
*This wisecrack is in reference to the height
Indeed, this. I play bass in two bands. In one, I'm up front, flanking BL with the guitarist opposite because we all all do lead vocals on various songs. In the other band, I only do backing vocals, so I prefer to sit back with the drummer for better communication. I find little bits of improvisation (which is encouraged by BL and often humorously at their expense) easier when I can make eye contact with the drummer.
Plus the risk of accidentally stepping on them.
Tried out for a metal Band, one time with people who really were hobbits. Even had Wellywood accents.
Told them my name was Eddie.
I set that thick, funky groove along with the drummer. The band sounds so thin without me. I make the girls dance so guitarists and singers can take them home at the end of the night.
But.....I just stand in the background and let the others grab the glory.
But.....I just stand in the background and let the others grab the glory.
I've spent time all over the stage, where depended on the room available. At one show in a college town coffeehouse I stood up the stairs out of sight with only my feet being visible.
I've been in a duos with different people so we were next to each other. In previous duos we both sat but in my current duo the guitarist/singer stands and I sit.
I've been in a duos with different people so we were next to each other. In previous duos we both sat but in my current duo the guitarist/singer stands and I sit.
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because we can if we want to
so could the rhythm player or the keyboard or anybody
only singers and lead guitars are ALWAYS upfront or those who need their fix of whatever it is that demands they be upfront (cowbell)
i'm upfront a lot because I am a narcissistic showoff who tends to overperform physically (not technically) because I suck at my primary instrument and it takes your focus away from my root-pedalin' n riff-doublin' lame self .
Crowd digs it so......ladies dig it so......so what
so could the rhythm player or the keyboard or anybody
only singers and lead guitars are ALWAYS upfront or those who need their fix of whatever it is that demands they be upfront (cowbell)
i'm upfront a lot because I am a narcissistic showoff who tends to overperform physically (not technically) because I suck at my primary instrument and it takes your focus away from my root-pedalin' n riff-doublin' lame self .
Crowd digs it so......ladies dig it so......so what
The wedding/corporate band I play with often uses sound companies, and they always place me next to the drummer in the back. I usually try to strong arm them into letting me be in the front line because I feel I offer some stage presence, and, furthermore, I feel more into the performance if I am up in the mix of things.
Instead they usually want to put horn players in the front. Mind you, a lot of the horn players stand there and only play half the time. So they sometimes look morose and stand there flipping through sheet music while I wallow behind the line.
Instead they usually want to put horn players in the front. Mind you, a lot of the horn players stand there and only play half the time. So they sometimes look morose and stand there flipping through sheet music while I wallow behind the line.
It's like sitting at the back of a class. Reserved for cool kids only.
Are these pictures of the bass player in front, or are they pictures of the singer in front, who also happens to be the bass player?
Interesting question. Initially, I was happy to stand towards the back. I started playing bass because some friends, who already played guitar and drums, asked me to join them on bass despite having no musical experience. I was the least experienced person in the band, I only played bass (no singing) and I needed to be close to the drummer to stay in time.
Over time, I became a much better bassist (and time keeper) and occasionally provided some vocal backing. This freed me up to pretty much stand anywhere. While I provide an essential role, I'm not necessarily a focal point or featured player (lead singer or lead guitar), so I'm not usually going to be standing front and center. I move around a little and sometimes play lines in synch with the lead guitarist, so I'm a little more dynamic than when I saw the Cars perform, but I'm also not overly dynamic either. I can be up front or back, I can be left of right - just depends on how much space there is.
Over time, I became a much better bassist (and time keeper) and occasionally provided some vocal backing. This freed me up to pretty much stand anywhere. While I provide an essential role, I'm not necessarily a focal point or featured player (lead singer or lead guitar), so I'm not usually going to be standing front and center. I move around a little and sometimes play lines in synch with the lead guitarist, so I'm a little more dynamic than when I saw the Cars perform, but I'm also not overly dynamic either. I can be up front or back, I can be left of right - just depends on how much space there is.
Bass players standing in the back maybe an esoteric holdover from orchestra days. Before there was amplified music the orchestra directors knew how sound waves interacted. They knew how to balance the sound of the group at the audience perspective. Tubas and Double Bass are also big and would get in the way of seeing the cool effect of synchronized violin bow movements.
Take your place and move to the front or the back or the side or wherever you please. I'll be at the bar while my loop pedal runs.
Take your place and move to the front or the back or the side or wherever you please. I'll be at the bar while my loop pedal runs.
I always felt that a connection to the drummer was far important than a connection to the audience. But, I’m not an ego driven butthead, so what do I know?
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work with the drummer and hearing oneself from amp is a big part of it, or if the stage is small and cluttered with cables and effects......Depending on the band some prefer certain members just being in the back and not upstaging some flamboyant singer or ego driven guitar player
Every band is going to have a different distribution of stage roles. When I've had a designated front-person, I'll cheerfully play "brooding menace on the backline". If I'm doing lead vocals, I'll be front-and-center. In a power trio, I'll be one of the two forward corners of the isoceles triangle whose apex is the drum kit. Etc. I like having room to move around as I play, and that's generally appreciated by audiences, but most club/bar stages are too small for much of that.
Since I've almost always been either the primary singer or co-primary singer in my bands, I've pretty much always stood up front.
Besides, who wants to stand back there and watch the guitar players wiggle their ass all night?
That's the drummers job!....
Besides, who wants to stand back there and watch the guitar players wiggle their ass all night?
That's the drummers job!....
I stand in the back to be closer to the drums , or to hear the drums better. I played with a delusional drummer who thought he played like john bonham, but was barely audible! I would stand closer to his set just to help lock in in with his drums, But i'm not glued to the back as I like to move around a little & interact with the rest of the band.the Lead guitar player likes to snake around while ha plays, & and of course the singer moves around a lot.
I used to (in my younger years) move around a whole lot, maybe too much! it was the 80's & it was the thing to do and it was fun,
I think there is an element of "safety" standing next to the drums in the background, it does take a little courage to break that habit & move out to a more front & center position, at one of my last gigs I found myself religated to the background because of the stage size & the way the band configured themselves on it. I was in the back, left of the drummer in the dark, half way through the set I realized I was in the dark, and I couldn't see my fretboard, so i moved out front to see better only to be shocked by how close the crowd moved up to watch the band, it was a little disconcerning to be be confronted by a bunch of faces staring at me, i wanted to run back to my dark hovel, but I snap out of it pretty quick and jumped around with the guitarist & singer, wound up having a blast!
