I started playing bass guitar a year ago. I have an awesome teacher, I love playing and because my sister plays drums we can always play together.But I've been getting so fed up with bassists always getting a bad rap from other people, (usually those who don't play an instruments!), "Oh, bassists just hang out with the band", "It's the cop-out instrument", "Bassists are stupid" etc.
I chose to play bass not because I thought it was any easier, but because it links together with the drums, it can create awesome funk/jazz sounds and it's really fun and the list goes on..but not because I'm uneducated, lazy or any other stereotypical name.I appreciate all instruments and all types of music, and honestly, they all contribute to a band, in thier own way. Bassists may not be the leader or in the limelight all the time, but they play the "glue" keeping it all together while the guitarists rock out. Which is great! But I'm so sick of people bagging out bassists for no good reason.
Opinions?
2007-06-22 00:32:34 · 13 answers · asked by Bryantpark1 3 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music ➔ Rock and Pop
It seems like it's like that for both bassists and drummers. People think they're stupid, but I bet most people that say that couldn't play either worth crap. The bass adds a lot to a band, and I personally love bass. I enjoy playing it more than I like playing regular guitar. You get to jam out and add awesome harmony and rhythm to the band. Without it, most bands today wouldn't sound near as good.
2007-06-22 11:32:21 · answer #1 · answered by këlly 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The people that are are giving bassists a hard time truely do not understand music. Sure they may not be in the spotlight like the guitarrist or singer, but along with the drums, bass hold the band and rhythm together. The reason they get a hard time is because unless one really appreciates the music, the bass guitar seldom stands out, although it is there and the music would be bland to say the least without it.
2007-06-22 07:45:56 · answer #2 · answered by musicisjason89 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bassists get a hard time often because they are the least capable musician in a band. That's not to say there aren't any excellent musicians playing bass. Victor Wooten, Billy Sheehan, Stu Hamm, Geddy Lee, John Myung, Jaco Pastorius, John Entwistle, Michael Anthony, Flea, and Cliff Burton are great examples of what a bass player can be if they apply themselves.
Applying themselves is the root of the bassist stigma. Many bass players get forced into their position in the band. It could be they didn't want to buckle down and learn some chords and scales to become a competent guitarist, maybe they weren't coordinated enough to be a drummer, or perhaps their voice isn't up to par so singing is out. For whatever reason, bass players get the, "just stand over there and pedal the root note", treatment.
Moral of the story, just don't be another "stand in the backround and thump the root" bassist. Do something unique with your instrument and you'll get respect. Develop your own style and sound and you'll earn the respect of your band mates and the people watching you play at gigs.
2007-06-22 11:15:06 · answer #3 · answered by Darkpaths 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Ask them to name a band with no bass player even most 3 piece bands are drums, base and guitar. A base player may not be to the public a stand out musician but most bands know they along with the drummer are the back bone of most songs.
2007-06-23 05:41:49 · answer #4 · answered by arkie182 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Great List Fonzie, but you forgot Bootsie Collins... He started playing bass for James Brown when he was 17 and can be considered the god-father of the funk bass line - which is where the bass actually started getting a little respect!
2007-06-22 07:42:56 · answer #5 · answered by Robb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People just dont understand us bass players. I have been playing bass for years now, and always have bands asking me to play because I have taught myself many different styles and techniques of bass. We are the backbone of the band along with the drummer and without us, there would be no bands with killer sounds. Oh yeah dont forget about Jaco either.
2007-06-22 10:12:31 · answer #6 · answered by P R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i totally agree with you. my boyfriend has played bass since he was a little little kid and i always hear about how the bass player is "the dispisable member'. and then someone actually shuts up and listens to him during a show and is like "wow, foot in my mouth". i really don't think a band with no bass player can be that fantastic. for example, i saw the violent femmes last ngith and they played "blister in the sun" with no bassist...you can imagine how well that went over...
2007-06-22 17:00:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any decent bassist is worth their weight in gold. I started out playing bass and couldn't cut it....Changed to guitar...Give me a real bass player to work with anytime and not just some 6 string slinger who thinks he knows how to play bass....Anyone who thinks bass is a "cop-out" needs to watch Flea or Les Claypool tear that thing up....Wish I could cop out like those guys do....Keep up the good work...Come down to Houston and let me record you and your sister....
2007-06-22 07:51:05 · answer #8 · answered by theanswerman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eh. Drummers get slagged too. It's all in fun. It's never serious. Look at bass legends:
Sir Paul McCartney
John Entwistle
Jaco Pastorus
James Jamerson
Vic Wooten
Geddy Lee
Chris Squire etc etc
Trust me. No One who knows bass/ rock bass calls any of *them* "stupid" or uneducated.
2007-06-22 07:37:25 · answer #9 · answered by Fonzie T 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
if someone says bassists just hang out tell to go listen to victor wooten(not sure if that's the correct spelling) of bella fleck & the flecktones this man is amazing he plays the bass like a classical guitar player you should check out some of his bass solos,les claypool of primus is really good too
2007-06-22 08:33:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋