Bass Players!!!!

[KennethB]

I guess I've been lucky when I look at this thread. I've always played with people who think bass is important. The only times I've got crap is from non-musicians when I've said that I play bass they go: "oh yeah, you play "the lazy man's guitar" right?" and stuff like that. Very rare though. My heart rate and temperature stays the same. If anything, if I look at them and can tell that they actually mean it, I can't help but feel a bit sorry for them. Every instrument is important except the trombone haha................kidding!

[RockinRayDuke]

I haven't heard any disparaging comments about being a bassist in many years. Until recently when I accepted a few pickup gigs around Dallas/Fort Worth with an old bandmate (guitarist) of mine from the show band days of the '80's.

He made a few cracks about bass players on the mike a few times at my expense and I refused any more gigs with him for about 3 months and made sure he knew why.

Played with him a few weeks ago.....no more wisecracks. I let my playing do the talking for the most part and I don't suffer fools gladly, even if they throw a few gigs my way. And don't think with a new house I don't need the $$$. My self respect is more important and I can get gigs elsewhere.

[tkarter]

I haven't heard any disparaging comments about being a bassist in many years. Until recently when I accepted a few pickup gigs around Dallas/Fort Worth with an old bandmate (guitarist) of mine from the show band days of the '80's.

He made a few cracks about bass players on the mike a few times at my expense and I refused any more gigs with him for about 3 months and made sure he knew why.

Played with him a few weeks ago.....no more wisecracks. I let my playing do the talking for the most part and I don't suffer fools gladly, even if they throw a few gigs my way. And don't think with a new house I don't need the $$$. My self respect is more important and I can get gigs elsewhere.

Anyone that said anything about your bass playing that wasn't praise. Ray they just don't know. And tejas being what it is should be put out of their misery. IMHO

tk

[SteveB]

So, my hat (not a fedora) is off to you for your healthy inclusive attitude.

Ritchie

Ritchie,

A few years back, when I wanted to learn to write some more inspiring material, I took time to reflect on what elements made my favorite songs special. I found that for me, all my favorite songs had great bass lines. Lesson learned.

[tkarter]

You get to Kansas ever SteveB. I wouldn't mind a shot at being your bass player for the gig.


tk

[strummer]

Speaking for myself, I'm a pretty laid-back guy. Plus, I know my bass skills are sub-par compared to most other bassists!

Bill, you speaketh true for Strummer also

[RitchieDarling]

Anyone that said anything about your bass playing that wasn't praise. Ray they just don't know. And tejas being what it is should be put out of their misery. IMHO

tk

I agree 100%

RockinRayDuke kicks ass! We all saw you in Dallas!

R

[tkarter]

Rockin Ray is fun to just talk to as well. Good man all the way around.

tk

[stretch80]

this is still a fun thread!

When I think back on it, I've only really had one idiot guitarist out of the many many that I've played with, so maybe the truth isn't so bad. Both of the Spaceheaters' guitarist are laid back, and our sub guitarist is too. Not that they don't wail, but they can listen too. So I'm lucky. But we're all in our 40s now, so people have mellowed out I'm sure!

My sister (a trumpet player) lives in Oakland, and a few years ago she had a boyfriend who was a drummer, and she gave him a bass, and she called me up and said "hey, now I get why you love this instrument" -- and now she's a hip bassist with a couple of Oakland bands including one called the Rhythm Doctors that plays all over.

...and she and are the laid back members of my family, so it all makes sense!