Bass Players!!!!

[PocketGroove82]

Hey everyone,
I'm not sure how to put this eloquently, so I'll just blurt it out and hopefully people get what I'm trying to say. Anyone else ever notice how we bassists, when dealing with one another, just tend to "get along"?
While I was at Berklee I noticed that guitar players were always at each others throats, and always trying to one-up and compete. Pressing the fact that they were great/skilled (even if they were merely passable).
I know that is a HUGE generalization and that I'm being unfair, but I can't deny the fact that I noticed a distinct camaraderie between bassists, that wasn't found in other instrumental circles.
*not to single out guitar players! this cliché attitude is also prevalent in trumpet players*

so what is the explanation?
Is it the fact that there are less of us, or that our instrument is newer?

I dunno, but take BP for example.
Millionaire successful business owner AND down to earth guy.
honestly, ya'll know what I'm trying to say.

Any thoughts?

 

[bovinehost]

I know that is a HUGE generalization and that I'm being unfair

Oh, I don't know.....although the guitarists on the forum here tend to get along fairly well.....on the internet, anyway.

 

[Psycho Ward]

I too have noticed the warm world of bassist, I like it!

 

[SteveB]

Enough about bass players, pay attention to ME!

 

[Rano Bass]

It's part of the personality, a bassist need to be a team player.

 

[PocketGroove82]

Agreed Rano!
I feel that our "communal"/accompaniment role, lets us see/hear all things as they are...at least, after we get over our "i wanna slap every song" phase.

which I think is just part of human development.

 

[PocketGroove82]

Enough about bass players, pay attention to ME!

by the way man.....LOL!
thanks for the understanding comedy post...GUITAR PLAYER!

 

[Bill]

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

 

[Dr. Nick]

It's part of the personality, a bassist need to be a team player.

+1

I think the personalities of guitarists, in contrast, tend to be more egocentric or type-A in nature. Not that there's anything wrong with that

Drummers, in my observation, tend to be more like tasmanian devils! (most of the ones I've played with, at least!)

 

[kakobass]

Yep, to be a good bass player you need to be comfortable staying in the back and concentrating in supporting the music, rather than being in the front stealing the spotlight.

That humbleness and unselfishness influences our personalities, for the most part.


Although, I know I can smoke any of you guys, and I'm not telling you what strings I'm using.

 

[RitchieDarling]

Brainiac Bass Players

Not trying to sound conceited. But I have also found that bass players tend to have sharper wit, better conversation skills, and intelligent discussions. And we all seem to have REAL jobs. I knew a drummer once who described his job as "part-time busboy".

Ritchie

 

[Melissa]

I noticed that all the bass players I hang out with have a lot of the same interests other than bass. Might play into it some?

 

[Dr. Nick]

Not trying to sound conceited. But I have also found that bass players tend to have sharper wit, better conversation skills, and intelligent discussions. And we all seem to have REAL jobs. I knew a drummer once who described his job as "part-time busboy".

Ritchie

I've noticed that too, but, then again, we're also humble creatures, so I didn't mention it...

...glad you did, though!

 

[Dr Stankface]

this cliché attitude is also prevalent in trumpet players*

Oh do I know it!!! My brother is a trumpet playing music major and while he's a great player, his snotty attitude and general disrespect for us who find home in the F clef make me want to punch him in the throat sometimes.

 

[phatduckk]

we're just chiller.

honestly tho ive got mixed experiences. i have some bassist friends that like to argue about really dumb stuff and just dont get it when i say stuff like "whatever works for you man". i always like to have a "to each their own" attitude but some people just wanna feel like theyre right

 

[Kirby]

I noticed that all the bass players I hang out with have a lot of the same interests other than bass. Might play into it some?

+1

Plus most bassists I know tend to take more on in the band like promotions & such so you really have to be a good team player.

 

[screaminhugger]

It's the "groove"...I spent a few days recently learning some Curtis Mayfield tunes, mellowed the sh*t out of me...I came to our weekly rehearsal and the guys in the band said..."what happened to you?", "you stoned or something?"...infectious grooves mellow us out, like good weed mellows a hippee, ever notice how hippees are kind of like bass players?

james

 

[MingusBASS]

uhhh you stoned or something?

 

[Alvabass]

I can tell that in the symphony orchestra from the university, all of us double bass players have good laughs all the time and we get along REALLY well, whereas I know there are sections in which players don't talk each other. Our section's leader, who is a veteran player, always says that "the bass clef is the orchestra's best section anywhere", although I think he should be more specific in his statement (not "bass clef" but "double bass") since the cellos' leader from our orchestra doesn't seem to be a nice person as far as I've noticed.

 

[PocketGroove82]

those cellists get all antsy from reading to much tenor clef