Prunesquallor Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 [quote name='StephenFerguson' timestamp='1351033678' post='1846593']I know loads of "tech" players with theory coming out their arse that have not an ounce of feeling behind their playing, if you play bass then you are a bass player. I find that a player who feels the music and interprates the music with an honest and personal aproach will impart more to a piece of music than someone who is aware of the aceptable chromatic logic in the notes and chords in said peice.[/quote] That's pretty much how I define musicality. I think guys like Lemmy and JJ Burnel who play with passion and have carved out their own sound are way more musical than interchangeable, flashy, speed typists. You know who they are. Back to the main question. I'll consider myself a bass player after I gig for the first time. Right now I feel a bit of an impostor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 [quote name='Prunesquallor' timestamp='1351064271' post='1846711'] Back to the main question. I'll consider myself a bass player after I gig for the first time. Right now I feel a bit of an impostor. [/quote] That mattered a lot to me, too, and was one of the main drivers in getting into a gigging band. If I claim that "[i]I'm a bass player, but I only play at home for my own pleasure[/i]" then that's me calling myself a bass player. If I get up on stage in front of an audience and play a bass, then it doesn't matter what I call myself, I [u]AM [/u]a bass player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I try not to tell people I'm a bass player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuzzbass2000 Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 [quote name='clauster' timestamp='1351064054' post='1846703'] As soon as you realise you'll never be any good at the guitar. That's when you become a bass player And just in case you missed it [/quote] .... when all the other slots in the band are taken.... and there's some truth in that for me.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 When you realise that you're halfway between a drummer and a musician... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seashell Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I was musing upon this while driving to work the other day. It suddenly occured to me that I now feel like a person who can play a musical instrument, rather than someone who is learning to play an instrument. (Bass being my only instrument). I think one of the things that brought it home to me was that at band rehearsal last week we were trying to come up with a new song, and although we had some chords and a bass line no one could come up with a melody as such. So I just started doing something very simple based on arpeggios and the rest of the band liked it. I surprised myself that I was able to just think of it and play it then and there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 (edited) Difficult one really, as although I play both bass and guitar, I would describe myself as a bassist who can play guitar, and never a guitarist who can play bass. When did I reach that distinction - probably only a few years ago. Why, well I joined a band and after I`d joined, both band and audience alike started to say that the band was much tighter now, and indeed, the guys in the band started to say that they realised they now needed to up their game now i was in the band. Which is funny, because i thought that now I was in the band, I`d better up my game. So I suppose it was after receiving compliments along those lines that I reached the conclusion, bassist. Still don`t know theory/scales etc - am sure I could be a lot better with this knowledge. Although, maybe I do know it, but am unaware of it? Edited October 24, 2012 by Lozz196 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 [quote name='bremen' timestamp='1351067829' post='1846780']When you realise that you're halfway between a drummer and a musician...[/quote] I was once introduced to a pianist who was MD-ing a show at a local theatre as 'This is Kev, he's a musician' - I immediately said 'Well, I'm a bass player'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looper Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I'd say you're a bassist once you stop questioning if you are or not. When you know it's your instrument and that bass is your part in it the music. Nothing to do with how good you are, but a matter of what you are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JellyKnees Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 When you can play well enough to keep the drummer in time.... I used to call myself a bassplayer when that was pretty much all I played, now I tend to think of myself as a musician whose main intrument happens to be the bass. I'm certainly not a virtuoso bassist and don't have any desire to be, but I've developed enough skills over the years to be able to handle most things. Deveoping musical ideas for my band is my main focus these days, so for me it's all about the expression of musical ideas and bass is merely one tool for achieving that end. Other tools for me would include guitar, keys, percussion and a computer + cubase - I'm reasonably competent on guitar and can play keys well enough to get some basic ideas down. But I still probably enjoy playing bass the most... a good bass would be my 'desert island' item of choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlin Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I get up on stages,well the corner of a pub really and do the entertaining bit,I play the bass guitar,and have done for 35 years now,so perhaps I may be a bass player??Well after all these years when Im intoduced to people as a musician,they allready know I play bass,just from the way I look??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 anyone who plays a bass, badly or well...occasionally or regularly is a bass player there's enough elitism elsewhere in the world already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harleyheath Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 (edited) as soon as you can play the 'smoke on the water' riff, lol Edited October 24, 2012 by harleyheath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL POSTERS Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 [quote name='merlin' timestamp='1351071487' post='1846837'] I get up on stages,well the corner of a pub really and do the entertaining bit,I play the bass guitar,and have done for 35 years now,so perhaps I may be a bass player??Well after all these years when Im intoduced to people as a musician,[b]they allready know I play bass,just from the way I look[/b]??? [/quote] I get that as well. Strange isnt it ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL POSTERS Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1351023754' post='1846428'] [b]but you are in the gang![/b] [/quote] And you can never leave, Never. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harleyheath Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 [quote name='BILL POSTERS' timestamp='1351074578' post='1846894'] And you can never leave, Never. [/quote] LMAO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simes Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I play (bass)....therefore I am (a bass player) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mentalextra Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 [quote name='gjones' timestamp='1351027262' post='1846489'] I think you mean at what stage you can call yourself a 'bass player' i.e. someone who can play the bass to a certain level of competence. Personally I think it's a title that can only be bestowed upon you by others - like a knighthood. It can't be bestowed by someone on themselves. [/quote] Agree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4 Strings Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1351023754' post='1846428'] I am a bass, guitar and saxophone player. I do one well, one poorly and one extremely badly. You are a bass player as soon as you start playing a bass. You are just a beginner. Ownership is not enough. The clue is in the verb 'play' and the noun 'bass'. If, in your life, you verb the noun. then you are, by default, a noun verber. If the verb is play and the noun bass, you area bass player. You may wish to add a caveat that gives greater detail (good, bad, professional, amateur etc) but you are in the gang! [/quote] I agree. Unless you're american. I was irritated to be asked if I wanted to 'monetize' a video when I put it up on Youtube and participate in their 'monetization' scheme. In which case I'll be involved in the verbization of a noun. Nothing to do with bass playing, just a grump at some grammar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 at the stage in the evening when you do not wish to be asked about your musical exploits, and only wish for the reply, "oh that's nice". That is the stage at which you should call yourself a bass player, rather than a musician or other instrument player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 [quote name='Blademan_98' timestamp='1351023147' post='1846408'] Seeing posts by multi instument players, it got me to thinking....... When do you consider yourself a player? Personally, it is when I can play with my eyes shut. I can do that on a guitar (electric or acoustic) and an electric bass. How about you? [/quote] Well i play bass in a gigging band, so i cant see what else i need to do to qualify. Im definitely not a great bass player but im out gigging with my bass and holding down the low end, i'd say thats more qualified than the bedroom bass heroes who know everything there is to know yet never get the chance to show it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shizznit Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I started life as a guitar player and I picked up the bass 8yrs after. I would say I am equally skilled on guitar as I am on a bass, but I enjoy playing bass more and I get more work as a bass player. No one has offered me a guitar job for years, so if the hat fits... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin8708 Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 When a Precision feels more at home in your hands than a Strat or a Tele. When other musicians call apon your skills to supply the low end to their music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted October 24, 2012 Author Share Posted October 24, 2012 [quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1351093277' post='1847264'] Well i play bass in a gigging band, so i cant see what else i need to do to qualify. Im definitely not a great bass player but im out gigging with my bass and holding down the low end, i'd say thats more qualified than the bedroom bass heroes who know everything there is to know yet never get the chance to show it off. [/quote] Yes, I too am in a gigging band. It was after the moment of 'I reckon I could do this in a band' that I joined one That is what I was asking. When did it happen? When I stopped looking at my hands, I had the confidence to gig (and say I was a bass player). I certainly did not just pick up a bass and think I was a player straight away! Perhaps you and many others did, and that's great. Sadly I did not have that skill or confidence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Well I considered myself a bass player before I got my first bass. I decided I wanted to play bass as it looked easier than guitar so I went and got one and I was then the bass player. Of course I wasn't a good one, then and now, but from the moment I wanted to play bass I was a bass player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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