Is it because I'm a Bass player?

[Jerry_B]

[quote name='arthurhenry' post='748241' date='Feb 17 2010, 11:40 AM']That's true, I guess when you're passionate about a particular piece of music you like to think someone else out there ( even in a pub crowd) will be the same and come and say so. But usually not![/quote]

Well, there still may be many reasons for that. Put it down to them being too wowed by your playing

In general though, people won't always spot nods you make to your musical inspirations. Also take into account that some people aren't even aware of music from the same genre of music that they profess to like!

[xilddx]

If you look good while you play, and really get into the music and move around, the punters will notice you. Trust me. But it won't be for your playing. I've seen bands with bass players that just stand, limply concentrating until they make a mistake which is the only time you'll see them smile, albeit weakly, and usually at the drummer. What is the point of seeing a band that dress drably and stand stock still? You may as well stare at Stonehenge for an hour with your Skull Candies on.


Ask yourself this question, is listening to the bass good value for money when you see a band? The way I see it, the rest of the band directly interface with the audience in a way they can understand, with frequencies, rhythms or words. Bass is not a direct interface with the audience, it is a glue binding all those haircuts together. Therefore, get a yourself a good haircut too, wear some fancy clobber, and bloody dance. You'll get compliments, but it won't be for your gorgeous minor second accent in the first half of the breakdown.

Edited February 17, 2010 by silddx

[Jerry_B]

It also depends on the music the band is playing, and whether your playing is given any chance to be heard on it's own.

[mgibson]

The thing with bass is unless you go out and say t yourself i will be the lead instrument, your job is to lay down the basis for the whole song. As a bassist your job is also to make that as iteresting as possible. The thing is though, because you are usually at the back when you feature with a hook line, like the version of So What by Miles Davis I did with my school jazz band everyone thinks that your great even if your a bit mediocure (spelt right...).

[xilddx]

[quote name='mgibson' post='748408' date='Feb 17 2010, 01:36 PM']if your a bit mediocure (spelt right...).[/quote]
Spelt is a carbohydrate crop.

Spelled wrongly.

Corrected "if you're a bit tapioca"

[HMX]

[quote name='silddx' post='748415' date='Feb 17 2010, 01:39 PM']Spelt is a carbohydrate crop.

Spelled wrongly.

Corrected "if you're a bit tapioca"




[/quote]


But seriously, good points you made in your previous post. We support the rest of the band and drive it, I don't need recognition for something I know I do quite well. Your band appreciates you and you could be inspiring some people in the audience to play bass in the future. It's happened with quite a few of us I imagine.

[Earbrass]

[quote name='silddx' post='748393' date='Feb 17 2010, 01:26 PM']What is the point of seeing a band that dress drably and stand stock still?[/quote]

Pretty good description of the Floyd when I saw them in 1974. Fabulous gig.

[quote name='silddx' post='748393' date='Feb 17 2010, 01:26 PM']Therefore, get a yourself a good haircut too, wear some fancy clobber, and bloody dance.[/quote]

I'd rather stick pins in my eyes.

[spacecowboy]

I have enjoyed the opposite side of the coin at one gig where someone spoke to my band after a gig and said;

"Theres one good thing about your band.... your bass player"

However of course most of the time i'm ignored and not really comprehended by the average punter in the mix, worst of all is a sound guy who doesn't appreciate bass and thinks playing 4 open notes as a sound check is adaquete enough....

[dave_bass5]

To be honest im happy to no be noticed too much.
This way no one hears the mistakes lol.

One of the bands i play with do funky music in to sex machine. In the middle of that there is a very short drum break and supposed to be a bass solo. As im not very good (or really interested in doing one) one night i started playing Groove is in the heart. The crowd loved it and the band loved it and now its become part of the song.
They also notice when i start songs like Town called malice and living on a prayer. My point is if its something with a strong hook and a lot of people recognise it you will see a bigger reaction.

Edited February 17, 2010 by dave_bass5

[fatback]

[quote name='silddx' post='748393' date='Feb 17 2010, 01:26 PM']If you look good while you play, and really get into the music and move around, the punters will notice you. Trust me. But it won't be for your playing. I've seen bands with bass players that just stand, limply concentrating until they make a mistake which is the only time you'll see them smile, albeit weakly, and usually at the drummer. What is the point of seeing a band that dress drably and stand stock still? You may as well stare at Stonehenge for an hour with your Skull Candies on.


Ask yourself this question, is listening to the bass good value for money when you see a band? The way I see it, the rest of the band directly interface with the audience in a way they can understand, with frequencies, rhythms or words. Bass is not a direct interface with the audience, it is a glue binding all those haircuts together. Therefore, get a yourself a good haircut too, wear some fancy clobber, and bloody dance. You'll get compliments, but it won't be for your gorgeous minor second accent in the first half of the breakdown.[/quote]

+1 to this

It's showbiz and showbiz > music and music > bass

ps. some wise person on this forum I think observed once: you don't play for their ears you play for their feet (or somthing like that, apologies if misquoting but you get the gist).

Edited February 17, 2010 by fatback

[discreet]

Yes, it [i]is[/i] because you're a bass player.

[Doddy]

[quote name='arthurhenry' post='748125' date='Feb 17 2010, 10:28 AM']At a heavy rock gig I played a load of Rush and Iron maiden licks at soundcheck - no one noticed.
At a classic rock covers gig I slipped the solo from Jethro Tull's Bouree into my solo - no one noticed.
At a covers gig someone kept shouting out for some Bee Gees. Later in the set I slipped in the riff from Stayin' alive - he didn't notice.
On the 20th anniversary of Jaco's death, I sneaked lots of Jaco licks into the set - no one noticed.
Shortly after George Harrison's death, I slipped the melody from Here comes the sun into a song - no one noticed.[/quote]

Bear in mind that half of the songs you mention would be relatively unknown to most people. Only a Bass player would
recognise the Jaco or Maiden licks ( i wouldn't know the Maiden licks),and most people don't know 'Bouree' unless they are
big Tull fans.
Maybe some people did notice but weren't impressed?

If you are hoping to get kudos for playing a line which may or may not fit,then you are doing something wrong. If you do a
good job and play well people will notice.
Sure,it's a nice ego boost when audience members give you compliments-but it's not as good as when the band leader hands
you your money and calls the next day to fill your diary.

[Low End Bee]

People notice me (and compliment me) far more at the gigs where I jump around like a div and play a few bum notes* rather than the ones where I'm more restrained and spot on in the playing department.
Most people just seem to like a bit of a show.


*I will now pass these off as Jaco memorial licks.....

[discreet]

[quote name='Low End Bee' post='748612' date='Feb 17 2010, 04:21 PM']Most people just seem to like a bit of a show.[/quote]

Ha! There was certainly a bit of a show when the current mrs discreet, the other mrs discreet, an ex-mrs discreet [i]and[/i] my girlfriend turned up at the same gig... I could really have done with not being noticed at all... mrs discreet still hasn't forgiven me, and it was ten years ago, now!

Edited February 17, 2010 by discreet

[Apex]

Besides agreeing with all the 'what do you expect' posts, I think there's another side to this.

Often the punters [b]do[/b] notice, it's just that they don't really know what's bass and what comes from another player. If the bass run from, say, Jumping Jack Flash, wasn't there they would notice immediately! And even with more general playing they would think the sound seemed rather thin if you weren't there.

They just don't know that it's you!

[Bassassin]

[quote name='discreet' post='748624' date='Feb 17 2010, 04:27 PM']Ha! There was certainly a bit of a show when the current mrs discreet, the other mrs discreet, an ex-mrs discreet [i]and[/i] my girlfriend turned up at the same gig... I could really have done with not being noticed at all... mrs discreet still hasn't forgiven me, and it was ten years ago, now![/quote]
"Discreet"? You sure you don't want to change your screen name?

J.

[skankdelvar]

[quote name='discreet' post='748624' date='Feb 17 2010, 04:27 PM']Ha! There was certainly a bit of a show when the current mrs discreet, the other mrs discreet, an ex-mrs discreet [i]and[/i] my girlfriend turned up at the same gig...[/quote]

Dude.

[discreet]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='748653' date='Feb 17 2010, 04:49 PM']"Discreet"? You sure you don't want to change your screen name? [/quote]

Ha, ha! I'm certainly a lot more discreet these days... not allowed out, you see.

[El Bajo]

[quote name='arthurhenry' post='748125' date='Feb 17 2010, 10:28 AM']At a heavy rock gig I played a load of Rush and Iron maiden licks at soundcheck - no one noticed.
At a classic rock covers gig I slipped the solo from Jethro Tull's Bouree into my solo - no one noticed.
At a covers gig someone kept shouting out for some Bee Gees. Later in the set I slipped in the riff from Stayin' alive - he didn't notice.
On the 20th anniversary of Jaco's death, I sneaked lots of Jaco licks into the set - no one noticed.
Shortly after George Harrison's death, I slipped the melody from Here comes the sun into a song - no one noticed.[/quote]


I just can't believe you've mentioned Bee Gees, Rush, Iron Maiden, George harrison, Jethro Tull and Jaco in one paragraph!

Do you have a (bass) split personality!?!

[phil.i.stein]

bass is not everyone's first point of reference when it comes to music. (except for us, that is..)

part of this problem lies in the fact that many peoples exposure to popular music is transferred via audio equipment which isn't set up for a varied bass-response (the radio, t.v. etc). bass clarity and volume requires large(ish) speakers or specialist accoustics.

therefore, you're right. 95% of people won't notice your playing unless you are a virtuoso. keep it tight, and do your job !!

[Cat Burrito]

I've heard it said (not on these pages) that the sign of a good bassist is only noticing him when he goes wrong.

I always get favourable comments in the studio, "Oh I like what you've come up with there". Usually I've been playing it that way for six months

[xilddx]

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='748816' date='Feb 17 2010, 07:14 PM']I've heard it said (not on these pages) that the sign of a good bassist is only noticing him when he goes wrong.

I always get favourable comments in the studio, "Oh I like what you've come up with there". Usually I've been playing it that way for six months[/quote]
On the other hand, do we know what our singers are singing about?

[Cat Burrito]

[quote name='silddx' post='748821' date='Feb 17 2010, 07:22 PM']On the other hand, do we know what our singers are singing about?[/quote]

I don't think they do half the time!

[M4L666]

I know a few lines, but only cos I sing them too. Mainly chant-y stuff.

[Pete Academy]

Silddx's list is spot on.

If you want the audience to notice you on a gig, stop playing. The whole heart drops out of the song. Your job is to make the band sound good, mainly the singer and the soloists.