Compliment?

[Nicko]

Showed a mate of mine who is in a (fairly good) covers band some vids of our weekend gig. He described my bass playing as "solid" He means it as a compliment - I asked.

Who's happy to be described as solid?

[JapanAxe]

I am - I take it to be a compliment on timing, without which we are nothing!

[RhysP]

I'd very much take that as a compliment.

[mep]

Definitely. Also goes for Tight.

[phil.c60]

Same for me - I am by no means a flashy player, and tend towards the "less is more" approach which on occasions makes me wonder if I am lazy or just not very good! Current guitarist tells me off if I get to too down on myself about not being able to charge up and down the fretboard at wiill: the word "solid" was used as was "you're a groove/in the pocket type player which is great for me because I always know where you are" (I think he means he always knows where he is because I'm always (!) in the right place). Both of these things were all I aspired to when I started playing so I'll gladly take them as compliments.

Edited August 18, 2015 by phil.c60

[JapanAxe]

'Solid' is sometimes taken to mean 'non-flashy'. Hey - another compliment!

Jamerson was definitley solid mind.

[neepheid]

I'd have no problem with my playing being described as solid

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

Me too

[Phil Starr]

Compliment definitely. I'd settle for that.

Two of the audience for us on Sat came up at the end and compared us favourably with other cover bands 'because our rhythm was just so much more'. I have to say drummist and myself just glowed. Praise for the bass doesn't happen very often so just enjoy it.

Well done

[Muzz]

Yup, that's what I'd aspire to - I got a "tight" from a punter (admittedly a guitarist, but hey, I'll talk to anyone after a gig... ) last Friday, and that'll do, too...

[JTUK]

It means 'fine'... which is a bit dismissive, to be honest.

He couldn't think of a proper compliment so maybe he didn't rate it..so 'fine' and 'solid' kind of insults you but you're not entirely sure..

[uncle psychosis]

In my opinion "solid" could only be seen as an insult if you're either massively insecure or you have a chip on your shoulder about something.

I'd be very happy to be called solid. Similarly reliable, steady, and all the other synonyms.

[neepheid]

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1439902045' post='2846614']
It means 'fine'... which is a bit dismissive, to be honest.

He couldn't think of a proper compliment so maybe he didn't rate it..so 'fine' and 'solid' kind of insults you but you're not entirely sure..
[/quote]

The word "fine" has different meanings depending on context and emphasis. Fine wine usually means excellent or outstanding rather than acceptable. To further muddy the waters, up in the North East of Scotland, the word "rare", pronounced correctly has the same positive connotations as fine as in wine. Even though the thing you are describing is commonplace and not rare in the slightest

[4-string-thing]

In my opinion, there are two types of bass player.... Solid and flashy, I have also been described as solid, I took it as a compliment and so should you!

[tauzero]

If he didn't use any synonym for faeces then assume it to be a compliment. Note that the suffix "-hot" is a qualifier which reverses a synonym for faeces into a compliment.

[cheddatom]

I think solid for a bassist is cool. If he'd said your front man/woman was solid I'd be a bit concerned!

Edited August 18, 2015 by cheddatom

[ubit]

Definitely a compliment. Solid can also mean hard as in, that test was really solid, but in this context, you are on a winner!

[Lozz196]

Def a compliment. Solid = working for the band/song imo, rather than for yourself.

[lojo]

If I get labeled as Solid in any aspect of life id take it, be it bass playing, sport, or relationship.

Its only guitarist and singers who want more and will never get enough of it.

[seashell]

I always take it as a compliment. No one could ever describe my playing as flashy, so solid it will have to be. If I had to describe my own playing in one word, I would probably say 'tentative'. So I like to be called solid!

[Cameronj279]

I'd take it as a compliment however I can't take compliments so I'd probably end up looking offended when I responded.

[Bassjon]

Once again I have to play Devil's advocate on here and say yes, while its a compliment personally I wouldn't like it. Solid implies boring to me. I play like Jamerson, very syncopated and busy .... and hopefully tight as well!

[Acesn8s]

Solid, in the groove, good foundation, like a rock, all would fine by me. Of course that is my goal. If your goal was to impress in other ways, then compliment - not so much.

[TimR]

[quote name='Bassjon' timestamp='1439917606' post='2846774']
Once again I have to play Devil's advocate on here and say yes, while its a compliment personally I wouldn't like it. Solid implies boring to me. I play like Jamerson, very syncopated and busy .... and hopefully tight as well!
[/quote]

I think 'solid' covers that as well. Dependable, not many/any mistakes in playing, no hesitancy, driving the band, locked with how drums, tight.

Not airy fairy and twiddly or overly busy.

[TimR]

I played with a drummer who was described as 'a bit busy'.

That wasn't a compliment.