- Thread starter PocketGroove82
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shamus63
Well-known member
You're made of stronger stuff than me, my friend. I must admit that it makes my blood boil to hear those words.
R
You have a lot more power than you think, regardless of where you are technically...you're the one standing in the bass corner.
I also look at it as "If I don't play bass for these guys, there's always another spot in another band...or at least in my living room."
Not to be taken as a snobbish attitude...just a reality that I can live with.
Caca de Kick
Well-known member
Blues jams are another place you get the 'holier than thou' guitarists...or Jimi-Ray-Claptons as I like to call them. It's gotten to be sort of a drag I don't go much anymore.
But the rock scene is a little different, they're usually very appreciative of bassists who work the song and they compliment you on it.
"you're just the bass player" Yeah that one gets me boiling too. I write songs, sing, arrange, and produce in the original projects I do.
Then when I'm not playing, I'm out with my truck and flatbed trailer picking up and fixing my guitarists dead car(s), or repairing his tube amp and/or guitars. What is it guitarists lacking mechanical inclination? In 18-19yrs of my playing, I've never met a guitarist who could fix much of anything.
But the rock scene is a little different, they're usually very appreciative of bassists who work the song and they compliment you on it.
"you're just the bass player" Yeah that one gets me boiling too. I write songs, sing, arrange, and produce in the original projects I do.
Then when I'm not playing, I'm out with my truck and flatbed trailer picking up and fixing my guitarists dead car(s), or repairing his tube amp and/or guitars. What is it guitarists lacking mechanical inclination? In 18-19yrs of my playing, I've never met a guitarist who could fix much of anything.
KennethB
Well-known member
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
Well-known member
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 $$$. My self respect is more important and I can get gigs elsewhere.
He made a few cracks about bass players on the mike a few times at my expense and I refused any more gigs with him for about 3 months and made sure he knew why.
Played with him a few weeks ago.....no more wisecracks. I let my playing do the talking for the most part and I don't suffer fools gladly, even if they throw a few gigs my way. And don't think with a new house I don't need the $$$. 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
Well-known member
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.
strummer
Enormous Member
RitchieDarling
Well-known member
stretch80
Well-known member
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!
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!
