BILL POSTERS Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Blademans thread about when to call your self a Bass Player got me thinking. i've sometimes been told by punters that I look like a Bass Player, and I know others have too. I dont think Its a physical characteristic, there obviously are tall ones, short ones, fat ones thin ones etc. Over 30 odd years my appearance has changed a hell of a lot, long hair, short hair, beards mustaches, T shirts, Suits, even a cowboy hat, but people still say it. So is it an insult I keep missing ? or is it a look, stance, posture, miserable facial expression, dress - what ? Who else hears it from punters ? The more I think about it, the more paranoid I'm getting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razze06 Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 people said I look the part when I sit behind the drumkit. Give that i'm a bass player, I'm a little concerned... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low End Bee Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 It's mainly in the eyes. We have normal ones. Not the cold dead eyes of a frontman. Not the maniacal gleam of the guitarist or the empty 1000 yard stare of the drummer. We just look like the normal person in a band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike257 Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 That, and the fact that we're holding a bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shizznit Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 I have been told a few times that I look like a 'typical bass player' because I don't smile much and I blend into the background. It doesn't bother me much because I am always chuffed when someone actually acknowledges that I was on the stage playing a bass in the first place! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razze06 Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 [quote name='mike257' timestamp='1351788857' post='1855452'] That, and the fact that we're holding a bass. [/quote] Oh, you mean the large guitar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seashell Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 [quote name='Low End Bee' timestamp='1351788687' post='1855450'] It's mainly in the eyes. We have normal ones. Not the cold dead eyes of a frontman. Not the maniacal gleam of the guitarist or the empty 1000 yard stare of the drummer. We just look like the normal person in a band. [/quote] Ha ha, brilliant post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 (edited) They just look cool Edited November 1, 2012 by lojo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 [quote name='mike257' timestamp='1351788857' post='1855452'] That, and the fact that we're holding a bass. [/quote] You have noticed that too!! You Genius you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 I say 'I am in a band' They say 'are you the bass player' er yes! must be the eyes or the lack of strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musophilr Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 [quote name='razze06' timestamp='1351787812' post='1855432'] people said I look the part when I sit behind the drumkit. Give that i'm a bass player, I'm a little concerned... [/quote] Is that 'cos you're the dead spit of Animal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomE Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 "Oh were you in the band?" is what i normally get Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jambo10 Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 I had that the other week.......while taking a break in the gig, some people walked into the venue, saw us milling around near the stage, came up to us, asked if we were the band, to which we all nodded and said yes.....and instantly one of the girls pointed at me and said....,,,, "you're the bassist, aren't you?, you look like a bassist!"......bizarre!! Again, at least I was counted as one of the band....Result!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 (edited) Just assembling 'the bass player' in the lab right now. Hands have immense strength with ability to span 5 frets. Eyesight permits sight reading in dark at 2 ~ 3 m unaided. Hearing is pitch perfect with total discrimination between different instruments, unaffected by volume. Physique never fails to impress, you can imagaine where this is going. Has mental resilience and iron cool temperament for dealing with others in band. Anything else needed? Clearly I fall a long way off spec Edited November 1, 2012 by 3below Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL POSTERS Posted November 1, 2012 Author Share Posted November 1, 2012 (edited) According to my missus, its cos I look like I'm falling asleep while the guitarist is charging about like a demented Wilko with a nose full of marching powder... Cant be that though, People know before we go on, and I havent always been so quiet. Edited November 1, 2012 by BILL POSTERS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollywoodrox Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Obviously it's because the bass player is uber cool, sting, kip winger,bill wyman,David ellefson, nikki sixx rudy sarzo,glen Hughes, all these dudes are cool, it must be a trait generic to bass players an inner charisma that refuses to hide its light under a bushel, that's what draws them to identify you man, it,s a heavy burden but being a bass player you can take it , it, s your birthright, go forth and let your notes ring low and clear shaking the very bowels of civilisation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL POSTERS Posted November 1, 2012 Author Share Posted November 1, 2012 [quote name='hollywoodrox' timestamp='1351804811' post='1855749'] let your notes ring low and clear shaking the very bowels of civilisation [/quote] So we should all tune down and try for the brown note at around 7Hz ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jambo10 Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 [quote name='hollywoodrox' timestamp='1351804811' post='1855749'] Obviously it's because the bass player is uber cool, sting, kip winger,bill wyman,David ellefson, nikki sixx rudy sarzo,glen Hughes, all these dudes are cool, it must be a trait generic to bass players an inner charisma that refuses to hide its light under a bushel, that's what draws them to identify you man, it,s a heavy burden but being a bass player you can take it , it, s your birthright, go forth and let your notes ring low and clear shaking the very bowels of civilisation [/quote] Aye......what he said!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingBollock Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 last summer I had the owner of a Guitar shop tell me he had me pinned as a Bass player the moment I walked into his shop. I'm not sure how he knew what one looked like, though, he only had one Bass in the whole place. Still, made me smile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Admiral Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 (edited) "You will not apply my precept," he said, shaking his head. "How often have I said to you that [u]when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, [i]however improbable[/i], must be the truth[/u]? We know that he is not an egocentric, posing, musically stagnant, pentatonic only guitarist. We also know that he is not a temperamental, big girls blousy, semitone flat all the time frontman and nor is he the cerebrally vacant, shorts wearing, 10 bpm faster at the end than the start paradiddler. Ergo - he must be the bass player". [i]The Sign of the Four[/i] [i]Four in A[/i] ch. 6 (1890) Sherlock Holmes Edited November 1, 2012 by The Admiral Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 [quote name='The Admiral' timestamp='1351806543' post='1855781'] "You will not apply my precept," he said, shaking his head. "How often have I said to you that [u]when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, [i]however improbable[/i], must be the truth[/u]? We know that he is not an egocentric, posing, musically stagnant, pentatonic only guitarist. We also know that he is not a temperamental, big girls blousy, semitone flat all the time frontman and nor is he the cerebrally vacant, shorts wearing, 10 bpm faster at the end than the start paradiddler. Ergo - he must be the bass player". [i]The Sign of the Four[/i] [i]Four in A[/i] ch. 6 (1890) Sherlock Holmes [/quote] [b] “It lives, Igor! It lives!”[/b] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollywoodrox Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 It is said that criminals can instantly identify a victim in a crowd , perhaps we all carry an unseen identifiable Aura that can be picked up upon by like minded souls wether they be musicians or audience whatever,many strange things go unseen in the world that defy reason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnalogBomb Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Listen, us bass players are cool. Nothing else. Guitarists are useless, forgetful liabilities, drummers, well don't get me started. Fact is we hold it together from start to finish. Standing at the back dealing out earth shattering tones and groovy bass lines. It's in our blood; we were made to do this. So no wonder people subconsciously know who we are?! Plus I have a beard. Beards are good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 [quote name='AnalogBomb' timestamp='1351810131' post='1855836'] Plus I have a beard. Beards are good. [/quote] Agree, totally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceChick Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 (edited) [quote name='AnalogBomb' timestamp='1351810131' post='1855836'] Plus I have a beard. Beards are good. [/quote] This must be where I am going wrong then Whenever I walk into new music shops.... It is always assumed I am buying something for my husband or son! Don't even have a son Cue much shock when I pick up a bass and start playing it! So I guess I definitely don't look like a bassist! That said, maybe its because I haven't been playing long enough to have developed that whimsical groove look whilst standing inconspicuously at the back! I do try my best in my band though Edited November 2, 2012 by SpaceChick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.