Gamble Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 To quote Chris Dale: I can’t get a job cause I can’t get out of bed. I can’t go to college cause I’ve nothing in my head. I can’t play drums and I can’t really sing I’ve tried to play guitar but it’s got far too many strings I’ll play bass It’s got four strings; I only use two. I’ve never worked out what the others do. I play bass I’m happy here just strumming along But I’m still not sure how to play this song I play bass Here we are in another verse The first was bad this can’t be worse I play bass Still don’t know quite why I’m here Never mind, I’ll get another beer I play bass NOW WE COME TO THAT PART OF THE SONG THAT ALWAYS SEEMS TO GO ON FOR SO LONG WE DON’T MIND IF YOU WANT TO NOD OFF COS THE BASS PLAYER’S ABOUT TO SHOW OFF. GO So if you can’t... And if you can’t... GO PLAY BASS Even the drummer’s doin’ it ===================================== And Chris Dale's the shizzle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leowasright Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Just remember it's what the bass and drums do that make the audience jump up and down. And if you have just joined a new band, and the rest cannot work out why the band is now going better, it's because of YOUR bass playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s_u_y_* Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Any guitarist who thinks that simply has self-esteem issues. Why else would you go of your way to try making someone else feel small? I just pity them for their problems and then ignore them. It is pretty sad though. If we take the "number of strings" argument, think about how many strings a piano has? Wow... I must be amazing to be able to play it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cantdosleepy Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 When people ask me what I play I tend to say: "I play bass. The gentleman's instrument." The drummer calls me a failed guitarist every month or so, usually about 65% in jest. 40% if I'm trying to use an effect. I strongly prefer simple basslines to technical playing. Worrying about this stuff is all insecurity. Answering accusations by mentioning technical players is a futile excercise and encourages the thought of bass as either being 'super easy' OR 'chin-stroking time-signature-changing w***ery'. It's all cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clauster Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 [quote]The drummer calls me a failed guitarist every month or so, usually about 65% in jest. 40% if I'm trying to use an effect.[/quote] Just point out that at least you're not a failed musician Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelk27 Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Playing all three staples for most band set-ups - guitar, bass, and drums - I don't encounter this much. Perhaps because I'm good enough to have secured work playing either at different times in life I don't notice the comments. Bass is just the instrument I prefer to play, and, for me, it's a more enjoyable instrument to express on, and write with. But, in the dim and distant past, when this sort of thing has come up, I've always just smiled, and said, "Yeah, but a chord isn't a chord until I decide the root, mate". Twist the guitarist’s melon, move the root around sometime, just to demonstrate to him that none of the power is in his hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cytania Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Simple answer is to suggest that halfway though a set you swap instruments. Tell them how impressive the audience would find this (it does go down really well I'm told). Think you might find they shut up ;-) The other thing I remember is when myself and the drums in the old band were enjoying things so much we played a whole song without the guitar/vocals (who missed the intro cue). Didn't sound too bad as an instrumental (Bruce Thomas bass part) definately altered the balance in the band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_nottm Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 (edited) I tend to use the analogy of Guitar and Bass being like Skiing and Snowboarding. Guitarists are Skiiers. Takes time to get the basics, a bit more technical and complex. We, however, are boarders. Easier to get the simple stuff and get going, but hard to get good, and of course, much cooler. And just to add - all bands i've played with have appreciated what I do, and the fact it's different to what they do. Not easier, not harder, just different. Edited November 28, 2008 by Steve_nottm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnylager Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 (edited) [quote name='M4L666' post='339327' date='Nov 28 2008, 10:24 AM']So you mean it was just Cliff, Lars and James kicking ass (well, Cliff at any rate) those albums?[/quote] Yep. Hammett just did the widdley widdley bollocks. Hetfield laid 6 or more identical guitar tracks using different gear. That's why it sounds so tight. Especially MoP. EDIT - I believe the production on every non-Cliff LP has been sh*te - was he really producing them? Edited November 28, 2008 by johnnylager Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tombboy Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 [quote name='joe_bass' post='339255' date='Nov 28 2008, 09:09 AM']I've found this is usually the remark of a noobie guitarist.[/quote] Absolutely.... My brother is a VERY accomplished guitarist of about 30 years standing now. Grew up learning Clapton, Young, Van Halen etc whilst developing his own style. He can wipe the floor with most guitarists that I know. Now when he picks up the bass he wipes the floor with me!! Probably because I never had the patience to practise and the raw talent to begin with. However, when he hears me play he says that I can 'feel' the song much better than him. It's not about how dextruous or flash you can be... it's about how you can 'feel'. I hope I've explained that so you can understand.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 I haven't had any comments like that in decades. Prolly 'cos I'm a sh*t-hot bassist... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Nope, never had anything like that said to me. I'm lucky because all the bands I play with hold me in reverence. Are there really that many bad bass players out there?? In my rock trio the guitarist introduces me as, "possibly the greatest bass player to walk the planet." Obviously it's not true, but let him think it, anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrenochrome Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 No. no one's ever said that to me. I don't think they'd last long in the band if they tried... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Interesting debate. I come from the background of being a drummer/bassist. In my experience, its always the rhythm section in general which people don't appreciate. I have had so many 'you'll be fine...' type auditions. They just automatically assume, its only got 4 strings, or you're just hitting stuff. A good response is to simply stop playing mid-song or guitar solo. They'll soon realise how important you are! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crez5150 Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='339599' date='Nov 28 2008, 01:59 PM']Nope, never had anything like that said to me. I'm lucky because all the bands I play with hold me in reverence. Are there really that many bad bass players out there?? In my rock trio the guitarist introduces me as, "possibly the greatest bass player to walk the planet." Obviously it's not true, but let him think it, anyway [/quote] I always get introduced as the Baldest man on stage...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agroupuk Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Thank you ! You just gave me my new signiture! [quote name='Delberthot' post='339251' date='Nov 28 2008, 09:06 AM']Bass may only be 4 strings generally but those are [b]man strings[/b] . None of you're tiny, sewing thread thickness, twangy rubbish here. [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 [quote]I always get introduced as the Baldest man on stage......[/quote] Hey Jay! We have the running joke that it's the drummer's turn for the wig this evening, as both Paul and I are severely folically challenged! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 [quote name='johnnylager' post='339540' date='Nov 28 2008, 12:59 PM']Yep. Hammett just did the widdley widdley bollocks. Hetfield laid 6 or more identical guitar tracks using different gear. That's why it sounds so tight. Especially MoP. EDIT - I believe the production on every non-Cliff LP has been sh*te - was he really producing them?[/quote] Hammett's rhythm is very tight though but The Het is a rock. MoP = Epic. Confused by what your trying to say man, the only Metallica albums with good/decent production are: Load, Re-Load and Garage Inc. and of course, Death Magnetic. The irony is the best ones they've made are the ones with the crappest mix...okay that dsoen't apply for St. Anger. Anyways for guitarists who slag us off, ah well let them have their fun, we usually walk away with more respect and our dignity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parker_muse Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Being such an amazing bassist i never get slagged off. Infact, i take great pleasure in slagging off the guitarist. *insert twighlight zone music here* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golchen Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 I'd just tell him to swap. I can widdle away pointlessly as well as the next guy on the old 6 stringer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 [quote name='arabassist' post='339001' date='Nov 27 2008, 10:30 PM']I'm just curious if all Bass-tards (bassists) get slagged off by their smaller, weaker and more feminine cousins: the G-tards (g**tarists).[/quote] Never happens to me. If it did I'd just laugh in their face until it got awkward and they had to walk away. I don't feel I have to prove myself to anyone else anymore and I don't see music as a competitive sport, so I wouldn't get into a slagging match. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pissman Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 I agree with the man strings argument. Grr. Plus, theres about ten thousand guitarists in every city. About five bassists Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 [quote name='crez5150' post='339904' date='Nov 28 2008, 05:23 PM']I always get introduced as the Baldest man on stage...... [/quote] As our drummer has alopecia, that's not going to happen to me... versus Not a lot in it, though - but I do have plenty of eyebrow... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 [quote name='tauzero' post='340215' date='Nov 29 2008, 01:08 AM'] Not a lot in it, though - but I do have plenty of eyebrow... [/quote] Lovely bass. (Snazzy waistcoat too - only word I could thing of to describe it) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 [quote]Sorry if I'm ranting like an old man[/quote] Fear not. I'm an old man and what you wrote was nothing like a rant. As for w*nky comments, never noticed any. But then I tend not to get into bands with t*ssers. You can spot 'em a mile off and take evasive action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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