Nobody notices the bass player....

[Bilbo]

This story needs a context.

Many moons ago, I was talking to the keyboard player in a Funk band I was playing with. He told me that, when the band leader had asked him to join, he said there was always plenty of women around after the gigs. He then added that he had never seen any.

I snorted and said that, in 30+ years of gigging, I had never even spoken to a woman after a gig and that, come to think about it, I had rarely even been approached by a bloke or even another bass player.

Last night I did a gig with Aussie saxophonist Brandon Allen in front of about 120 people. At the end of the gig, a bloke came up to me and asked ' are you the bass player'? (a strange question bearing in mind that I had just spent two hours on stage in front of him).

'Yes, I am', I replied.

He then asked 'is it true that you collect fountain pens'?

[The59Sound]

The thing is, if a bass player acts like a bass player then no wonder nobody (let alone a woman!) would talk to them after the gig.

[Len_derby]

Don't just leave us all hanging.
Do you?

[chris_b]

That's Norfolk for you!

[Heathy]

Ahh, the old fountain pen line...

[FinnDave]

I had several blokes come and talk about my bass playing night (no, it wasn't THAT bad!) and hugs and kisses from several young ladies, so I don't think we are always ignored!

[machinehead]

No one notices the bass player until you [b][i]stop[/i][/b] playing. They then realise what the bass brings to music.

What about the fountain pens then?

Frank.

Edited October 29, 2017 by machinehead

[chris_b]

I know the OP was humorous, but Bilbo, you've got to turn up. . . . and leave all those bloody pens at home.

I had a guy come up in the interval and say, "That bass sounds great. I'm not listening to the rest of them, only that bass." I really like compliments.

Rule of thumb: Do the best you can with the best gear you can afford and make them notice you.

[PaulWarning]

nobody will notice the bass player if they stand at the back staring at their fretboard not moving, feet slightly apart one knee slightly bent, wearing the obligatory scruffy trainers blue jeans and black t shirt with some bands name on it, but it's true singers and to a lesser extent, guitarists get the most attention, I'm ok with that, the singer has to deal with all the slightly pissed punters after the gig, he's good at that, he just talks about himself

[T-Bay]

Our last gig I had this middle aged woman come over to me after the bar and said I was a 'F'ing rock god' three or four times. She was half soaked and whilst it was nice to be complimented and I do think we played a good set, it was more than a little of an over exaggeration to say the least. She seemed to ignore both guitarists which was quite funny as one of ours is very animated when playing. Mind you a lot of people avoided our drummer as he had blood sprayed over his face like he had been in a big fight, he had cut his hand during the first song of the second set but just carried on spraying blood everywhere for a while. His kit was right mess when we unloaded it the next morning.

[bonzodog]

Rebel Rebel is the perfect way to be noticed as a bass player. We play it at every gig. Guitarist starts the song with the recognisable riff and a few heads nod. Drums kick in and a few more heads start to nod. i then do the run down on the bass and belt out the D note and the crowd really react.

[KevB]

[quote name='Len_derby' timestamp='1509272988' post='3397672']
Don't just leave us all hanging.
Do you?
[/quote]

You read my mind. Sod the bass stuff, it's all about the pens.

[Dad3353]

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1509281246' post='3397729']
You read my mind. Sod the bass stuff, it's all about the pens.
[/quote]

I wuz gonna 'fix' this post, but thought better of it.

[gjones]

I guy, from Glasgow, came up on stage and gave me a fiver last night.

Which was nice of him?

[SICbass]

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1509283478' post='3397752']


I wuz gonna 'fix' this post, but thought better of it.
[/quote]

That illustrates herculian self-restraint on your part.

Edited October 29, 2017 by SICbass

[oldslapper]

Presumably Bilbo is now referred to as "His Nibs"?

[Dad3353]

[quote name='oldslapper' timestamp='1509284134' post='3397757']
Presumably Bilbo is now referred to as "His Nibs"?
[/quote]

[Dad3353]

[quote name='SICbass' timestamp='1509284051' post='3397756']
That illustrates herculian self-restraint on your part.
[/quote]

[KevB]

[quote name='oldslapper' timestamp='1509284134' post='3397757']
Presumably Bilbo is now referred to as "His Nibs"?
[/quote]

He's the fountain of jazz knowledge round these parts.

[Norris]

I think Bilbo has amassed those pens in preparation for the hoardes of fans wanting his signature

[Bilbo]

[quote name='Len_derby' timestamp='1509272988' post='3397672']
Don't just leave us all hanging.
Do you?
[/quote]

No. Ironically, huh?

[Happy Jack]

Well I hope you gave him both barrels then ...

[Dad3353]

What, and leave a blot upon his character..?

[blue]

It's why I position myself front stage with a mic,right along side of our lead singer/ lead guitarist and the other guitarist and play with a pic.

People think I'm a guitar player. They certainly can't tell the difference.

When I joined 6 years ago, I made it clear I was not a stand in the back by the drummer kind of guy. I'm a poser. Lol

Blue

Edited October 29, 2017 by blue

[ivansc]

"Nobody sleeps when I'm onstage"

My motto since I first started playing. A bass player called Sid Barrett (different one but still from Cambridge) told me to think like this - and he was an upright player doing mostly big band gigs, but he DID stand out on stage, to his credit.

Edited October 29, 2017 by ivansc