Do you consider yourself a BASSIST or a MUSICIAN?

[geoffbyrne]

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='910160' date='Jul 30 2010, 12:25 PM']Funny, isn't it? I'd completely go the other way. As I improve on the bass, I feel myself becoming more comfortable describing myself as a bassist.[/quote]

Like some others here, I play other instruments (drums, keys, clarinette, flute, sax - all pretty badly) and I play a lot of guitar as well as a lot of bass, so I'm kinda musician-oriented, but ask me & I'll say I'm a bassist as that's where I see myself now.

G.

[Wil]

I dont care what I'm referred to as, but I do see myself as a musician, in that I can pick up almost any instrument and make music on it. Woodwind excepted.

[SteveK]

Surely, the word musician is a general term to describe someone who creates or performs music - regardless of instrument.
Bass player, guitarist, pianist etc is a more specific term to describe a particular type of musician.

So, I am both: A musician who plays bass guitar.

[Bottle]

[quote name='SteveK' post='910185' date='Jul 30 2010, 12:40 PM']Surely, the word musician is a general term to describe someone who creates or performs music - regardless of instrument.
Bass player, guitarist, pianist etc is a more specific term to describe a particular type of musician.

So, I am both: A musician who plays bass guitar.[/quote]
+1

I've gone from a 'bass owner' to 'bass player' to 'musician' in the last two years - having a tutor helps with the theory, so I consider myself a musician who specialises in playing bass guitar. I don't have a problem with the term 'bassist' either - it adequately describes my function within a band context( I draw the line at 'guitarist' though!! )

HTH, Ian

[xilddx]

[quote name='alexharvay' post='910135' date='Jul 30 2010, 11:59 AM']I don’t think it matters, I’m not that pedantic.[/quote]
Interesting you think it pedantic. To me there are fundamental and very important differences. The difference between a mechanic and a composer.

[Balcro]

[quote name='SteveK' post='910185' date='Jul 30 2010, 12:40 PM']Surely, the word musician is a general term to describe someone who creates or performs music - regardless of instrument.
Bass player, guitarist, pianist etc is a more specific term to describe a particular type of musician.

So, I am both: A musician who plays bass guitar.[/quote]

I have to agree with that.

Where you see yourself fitting into these labels will vary from person to person. [u]I play a bass guitar[/u] (not very well) for enjoyment. I can read music and can play piano [i](certificates up to Grade 7, 1 short of the diiploma)[/i], although I haven't done so for years. To me the word musician implies a certain high level of current ability on at least one instrument, so to me OTPJ (see earlier posts) is a musician. Currently [i](optimistic)[/i] I'm not.

I've always hated the word bassist. It sound like the creation of a mouthy TV presenter or or a muso hack - there; take that, biff!

Balcro.

[Lozz196]

[quote name='silddx' post='910193' date='Jul 30 2010, 12:52 PM']Interesting you think it pedantic. To me there are fundamental and very important differences. The difference between a mechanic and a composer.[/quote]
Depends on who I`m talking to.
If talking to a musician, I describe myself as a bassist.
If talking to a non-nusician, I describe myself as a musician, as in the majority of these times when I`ve described myself as a bassist, been met with the "glazed eyes of not knowing what I`m on about" look.
Just have to accept it, we are more mysterious than the others.

[xilddx]

[quote name='Lozz196' post='910212' date='Jul 30 2010, 01:04 PM']Depends on who I`m talking to.
If talking to a musician, I describe myself as a bassist.
If talking to a non-nusician, I describe myself as a musician, as in the majority of these times when I`ve described myself as a bassist, been met with the "glazed eyes of not knowing what I`m on about" look.
Just have to accept it, we are more mysterious than the others.[/quote]
I know exactly what you mean "Oh, you mean like a bass guitar?"

However, I meant this thread to be about how you consider [b]yourself[/b]. I should have said something like "are you a mechanic or a composer?" but folks would take that ill

[harvey1-8]

[quote name='silddx' post='910193' date='Jul 30 2010, 12:52 PM']Interesting you think it pedantic. To me there are fundamental and very important differences. The difference between a mechanic and a composer.[/quote]

I'm not that picky with language.

[xgsjx]

A few such as SteveK & McGraham sound like they think the same as me on this one.

I'm a musician because I play an instrument to create music. I'm a bassist/bass guitarist/bass player because that is my main instrument. Sometimes I'm a guitarist, sometimes I'm a keyboardist, sometimes I'm a drummer (not a very good one mind), but at the end, I'm a musician.

I suppose it's a bit like a surgeon, you get different types. Are you a doctor or a brain surgeon, etc. same difference really. Each has their own specialist fields but are all doctors.

Have I got tiolet paper sticking to my chin? I think I better stop now!


Haha, I see there's been more posts whilst my speedy fingers are at work!

Amongst my fellow forumites I's be scared to call myself either! lol

I'm a bassist.

Edited July 30, 2010 by xgsjx

[chris_b]

All players of musical instruments are musicians. Maybe some believe that there is a hierarchy of musicianship but I don’t.

[xilddx]

[quote name='alexharvay' post='910218' date='Jul 30 2010, 01:07 PM']I'm not that picky with language.[/quote]
Mmm. Really? You don't see a difference, semantically if not philosophically?

How can you communicate effectively, ie. beyond a very basic level like that of a child, if you are not picky with language, by which I presume you mean use of particular words to convey meaning or intent? It must be quite limiting for you, not to say dangerous.

Music is a language so presumably, being a microwave, you are more picky about the newts you use?

[harvey1-8]

[quote name='silddx' post='910232' date='Jul 30 2010, 01:17 PM']Mmm. Really? You don't see a difference, semantically if not philosophically?

How can you communicate effectively, ie. beyond a very basic level like that of a child, if you are not picky with language, by which I presume you mean use of particular words to convey meaning or intent? It must be quite limiting for you, not to say dangerous.

Music is a language so presumably, being a microwave, you are more picky about the newts you use?[/quote]

Are you calling me a child?

[xilddx]

[quote name='chris_b' post='910231' date='Jul 30 2010, 01:17 PM']All players of musical instruments are musicians. Maybe some believe that there is a hierarchy of musicianship but I don’t.[/quote]
Interesting, I'm not sure I see it that way. Does that mean a luthier, or a retailer of instruments, is a musician?

[RhysP]

I've never thought of myself as a musician because I have no musical knowledge.

[thepurpleblob]

One battle at a time... most people don't know the difference between a bass and a guitar. If they recognise that I'm not just a second-rate guitarist I am impressed.

[xilddx]

[quote name='alexharvay' post='910235' date='Jul 30 2010, 01:22 PM']Are you calling me a child?[/quote]
Oh dear. No I'm not, not that being called a child should be taken a certain way. I meant not being picky about language means you can only communicate in a basic manner. However, your response clearly illustrates the importance of being picky about language.

[TimR]

[quote name='silddx' post='910216' date='Jul 30 2010, 01:07 PM']I meant this thread to be about how you consider [b]yourself[/b]. I should have said something like "are you a mechanic or a composer?" but folks would take that ill [/quote]

You muddied it a bit by throwing in the Guitarist v Guitar player quote. By then I had forgotten the original question.

So I am a musician. Would I still be a musician if I only played bass?

That's a difficult one to answer. I think learning all the instruments I have and playing in the different types of orchestras/bands that I have has shaped me somewhat from just a player of instruments into what some high brow musicians would call a musician.

My non musician friends would say anyone who plays an instrument is a musician.

Once you start to play an instrument you find that there a many different levels of competency. From the bassist who knocks out the roots that he has been told to play by the band leader - through the bassist who plays the notes on a score- through to a musician who fully understands why he is playing the notes he is and would be able to make his own choices on which notes to play in any given context - through to the accomplished musician who can do this in any genre.

Did you see what I did there?

Musician for me every time with the caveat that everyone has something to learn (some of us lots!) The day you stop learning is the day you die.

[xilddx]

[quote name='TimR' post='910246' date='Jul 30 2010, 01:29 PM']You muddied it a bit by throwing in the Guitarist v Guitar player quote. By then I had forgotten the original question.

So I am a musician. Would I still be a musician if I only played bass?

That's a difficult one to answer. I think learning all the instruments I have and playing in the different types of orchestras/bands that I have has shaped me somewhat from just a player of instruments into what some high brow musicians would call a musician.

My non musician friends would say anyone who plays an instrument is a musician.

Once you start to play an instrument you find that there a many different levels of competency. From the bassist who knocks out the roots that he has been told to play by the band leader - through the bassist who plays the notes on a score- through to a musician who fully understands why he is playing the notes he is and would be able to make his own choices on which notes to play in any given context - through to the accomplished musician who can do this in any genre.

Did you see what I did there?

Musician for me every time with the caveat that everyone has something to learn (some of us lots!) The day you stop learning is the day you die.[/quote]
That's an excellent post, and you are right, I completely muddied the water

What I mean is, the difference between a skilled operator and a composer. To me, a composer is a musician and a skilled operator is a bassist. If you are unable to improvise effectively, you are a bassist.

It is like the difference between someone trained to operate a lathe and someone who designs things which can be made on a lathe and understands the nature, application and limits of the machinery. Naturally these distictions can be blurred. But I was interested in whether people see themselves as lathe operators or product designers.

[harvey1-8]

[quote name='silddx' post='910242' date='Jul 30 2010, 01:27 PM']Oh dear. No I'm not, not that being called a child should be taken a certain way. I meant not being picky about language means you can only communicate in a basic manner. However, your response clearly illustrates the importance of being picky about language.[/quote]

I found your last comment quite offensive.

I’m just saying, to me there’s no point agonising over whether you prefer being called a bassist or a musician. Does it really matter?

Let me know when you’re ready and I shall retrieve the step ladder so as you may dismount your pedestal.

I'm off to play in my sand box.

[Stingray5]

Nigel, you've made exactly the point with your OP that I kept thinking I would make in that 'Macca' thread, except I couldn't be ars*d as, for me, that thread was just way too tedious to bother with in the end.
Personally, I've played guitar for 45 years, bass for 40 years, keyboards (sort of!) for another 20-odd years, I've also sung (b/v's and some lead) in every band I've ever been in plus written my own songs for as long as I can remember.
In my passport, I would put 'Musician'. Talking with anyone who asks, I'm a musician whose primary instrument is bass (...that's bass guitar! ). That's what has given me most work as a musician.
I view the likes of Macca and also Sting in a similar way. They are musicians whose primary instruments happen to be the bass. But they also play guitar, keyboards, even a bit of drums in Macca's case, plus sing and write their own material.
Likewise, I wouldn't just call Stevie Wonder a keyboard player!

[TimR]

[quote name='silddx' post='910252' date='Jul 30 2010, 01:39 PM']....

But I was interested in whether people see themselves as lathe operators or product designers.[/quote]

I'm a skilled lathe operator who comes up with designs that work but won't win any iPod like awards.

[Low End Bee]

[quote name='silddx' post='910216' date='Jul 30 2010, 01:07 PM']However, I meant this thread to be about how you consider [b]yourself[/b]. I should have said something like "are you a mechanic or a composer?" but folks would take that ill [/quote]


I play my own compositions mechanically.

[xilddx]

[quote name='alexharvay' post='910254' date='Jul 30 2010, 01:40 PM']I found your last comment quite offensive.

I’m just saying, to me there’s no point agonising over whether you prefer being called a bassist or a musician. Does it really matter?

Let me know when you’re ready and I shall retrieve the step ladder so as you may dismount your pedestal.

I'm off to play in my sand box.[/quote]
Alex, you interpreted my post incorrectly. Why are you offended? What did I say to offend you?

I get really concerned about things like this. You state that you are not picky about language then proceed to get offended by something you read because you interpreted it incorrectly. Language should perhaps be more important to you then.

I also see from your last two sentences that despite my protestations to the contrary, you still think I called you a child and are now taking names to yourself, and you think I have put myself on a pedestal. You are wrong.

I see no more point in discussing anything with you if you behave like this. You clearly take offence very easily and without trying to understand what was written.

Let's just ignore eachother shall we?

[xilddx]

[quote name='Stingray5' post='910257' date='Jul 30 2010, 01:43 PM']Nigel, you've made exactly the point with your OP that I kept thinking I would make in that 'Macca' thread, except I couldn't be ars*d as, for me, that thread was just way too tedious to bother with in the end.
Personally, I've played guitar for 45 years, bass for 40 years, keyboards (sort of!) for another 20-odd years, I've also sung (b/v's and some lead) in every band I've ever been in plus written my own songs for as long as I can remember.
In my passport, I would put 'Musician'. Talking with anyone who asks, I'm a musician whose primary instrument is bass (...that's bass guitar! ). That's what has given me most work as a musician.
I view the likes of Macca and also Sting in a similar way. They are musicians whose primary instruments happen to be the bass. But they also play guitar, keyboards, even a bit of drums in Macca's case, plus sing and write their own material.
Likewise, I wouldn't just call Stevie Wonder a keyboard player! [/quote]
Excellent, that's what I'm talking about!

Actually I'm very similar to you except I play a bit of drums, not keys. And I see myself in a very similar way.