"You look like a bass player"

[ctrotier]

Half way across the country, sitting at a table at an outdoor restaurant with my band, and the people at the next table asked us if we were, in fact, a band. We said "yes". They asked us if they could guess who played what - we said "sure". They started with me: "you are definitely the manager."

Ouch.

 

[NWB]

I don't know that I've ever been identified as a bass player.


...even to my bandmates!

 

[MatticusMania]

Nobody has said it... so I will... are you black OP?

As Eric Cartman said, all black people know how to play the bass... hence, assumed bassist. (For those curious watch the christian rock episode, it is absolutely hilarious)

"Cartman, I already told you, I dont play bass. icks up bass: Aw, dammit."

 

[Thrust Meatnozl]

There is no way this is restricted to my scene.

Everytime a group of people head to the stage and one of them is in a stupid hat... bassist. 10 times out of 10.

It is less common in metal... because hats aren't metal...

This one is.

 

[ctrotier]

This one is.

Fashionable, ass-kicking, yet able to strain pasta at a moments notice. Sweet!

BTW, Thrust Meatnozl...that name rules. Just sayin.

 

[Calaverasgrande]

I can usually spot teh bassist and drummer straight away in a band pic. there are a fair number of tall and/or husky bassists.
I also think somethign can be said for how bassists dress and carry themselves.
Guitarists and vocalists tend to wear more flashy clothes and act more narcissistic.
Drummers are the only people I know with more than one pair of sweatpants.
Bassists if anything seem like they are the only musicians that get along fine with regular clothes, and without looking dressed down.

There is also the unconcious habit that bassists have of holdingtheir hands a certain way.

 

[JPMo]

6'3 - 175. I get it a lot, but I have big hands too. It may also have something to do with my habit of using the edge that my wallet in my pocket makes in my pants as a string and play fingerstyle rhythms absentmindedly. I do enioy a good hat, but in most of my gigs lately I end up without a shirt by the end of the set, let alone a hat.

I thought I was the ONLY one! I also slap said string as well which is funny....cause I can't really slap very well! LOL

 

[paparoof]

There is also the unconcious habit that bassists have of holdingtheir hands a certain way.

Interesting. Say more about this.

 

[JED36]

I definatly dont look like a bass player. 5'5 130, still in middle school. nobody would guess. when i tell them in school they are in shock, but the real crime is they dont know what a bass is

 

[fraublugher]

I've been guilty of silly hat syndrome ,based on growing peninsula shame .

 

[HolmeBass]

Chunky, bald, goatee, 6'2" and 250 lbs. Bass player through and through. No hats though, except if it's outside and cold, then I wear a knit cap, because I am bald and would get too cold otherwise.

 

[ProgRocker]

My wife just pointed out that when we're out, people often guess I'm a guitarist. Too funny! I have a pair of Zildjian dog tags a rep gave me once when I worked at Guitar Center. Those and a bass cleff earring often leave people very confused.

 

[ProgRocker]

Oh, and I sport a goatee too.

 

[two fingers]

Did you have a stupid hat? Lots of bass players wear stupid hats...

Yes, a fedora is SUPER cool, but it isn't cool to wear it with blue jeans and a t-shirt.

This. And, no, the fedora is NOT "super cool" unless you are one of the .01% of the population who can actually pull that look off. Most (including me) can't. The DIFFERENCE in me and most is that I REALIZE that I can't pull that look off and it is NOT super cool for me to wear one.

Fellow bass players, PLEASE have SOMEONE ELSE pick your hats for you if you simply MUST sport a hat. But here's a tip. (Some of you may want to sit down. This will come as a shock.) You don't HAVE to wear a hat to play bass!

So, back to the subject at hand. I would wager that nearly 90% of the people who get pegged as a bass player by people who would otherwise not know get pegged because they are wearing a STUPID HAT.

And while we're at it, if you are a fat old white guy, I PROMISE you that a backwards Kangol does NOT make you cool by default. It really doesn't. Sorry. (And this is coming from an older white guy who could probably stand to drop 10 pounds.)

 

[nortonrider]

Ha Ha. I always wear a hat when I play out.

I'm sure that it looks good on you though.

 

[two fingers]

I'm sure that it looks good on you though.

Sure it does.

 

[AaronVonRock]

6'4", 230 lbs, graying goatee, black rimmed glasses, receeding hairline, expanding gut. I fit the bass player profile. I have yet to incorporate a stupid hat, but I'm not against the idea.

 

[SquierJazz72]

Well, I'm 5'5, 160lb, and I wear no hats. But I have been told my build is pretty solid(and somewhat deceptive) for my size, and I am the one most likely to just be chilling in regular clothes while wielding a bass.

And I can honestly say no woman never complained about what my hands were capable of.

 

[Revolver]

"I don't always wear head gear, but when I do I prefer hats"

Stay groovy my friends . . .

 

[Dr Improbable]

Yes, I do. Bald with goatee and a gut. Too many of us look this way. At least I'm not shaving my head.

I'm going for "Longhaired with a goatee and a gut", myself...