my view for a bassist

[rottenramone]

..

there are also many bands without a bassist like the doors and velvet underground.

well, velvet underground has a bassist, but hes a lot more proficient in the viola.

 

[cold_static544]

i'm a guitarist and my favourite musician is jaco pastorius.

:lol:

 

[rylche]

Every instrument is important. Even though I'm a bassist, I still tend to think guitars, bass , vocals and drums are equally important. Losing even one component, the sound just wont be that magnificent.

 

[alka1987]

blame the music today? loL most of the popular bands today hav very simple bass lines.

 

[rottenramone]

..

what's wrong with simple basslines?

 

[litford]

yeah? what's wrong with simple bass lines?
one of the best basslines in pop history is "dreams" by fleetwood mac. when it works, it works.. don't need to overplay -)

 

[CrispyEgg]

Simple basslines? how about "no bassline", root?

Go listen to Maroon 5 - Secret, and tell me if you'd like to listen to that song without a bass. I've been listening to it nearly everyday because it's so full yet simple, soulful yet straightforward.

And Magekim, if your band does not treasure you as a bassist, why are you still with them? (unless it's your bread and butter) furthermore, bassists have to be humble people, and humble people only get to eat humble pie.

About bands that pick their friends to be bassists, this is for the simple reason that a band works better together when there is communication and friendship can push the limits to which musicians communicate with each other. Also, friends pick bassists whom they know for the simple reason that the bassist will (probably) not attempt to outshine any other instrument, compared to a experienced bassist who may feel that he is better than the other members in the particular band.

 

[slapadelic]

haha, how abt With or without you by U2... lol.. i could just play that forever... well... almost... haha.

 

[litford]

haha, tank me up and gimme some good hash.. and i'll play it till the war in Iraq stops.

no seriously, it's a good line, fantastic song, but i'd smack anyone who asked me to play it. *heh*

 

[amyhra09]

bass has that beat like the soul of the band eh ? thats what i feel when i go to gigs. I havent been in a band before so i dont know what to expect , but yeah in a way you'll feel empty without a bass .
Take for example, The White stripes-Seven Nation Army, ( maybe an easy song i understan) but frigging, just get a bass player !!

 

[setsuna83]

Hey where do i get to join this bassist's union?
i need to learn!!!!!!

 

[litford]

well, i don't know if these bands might sound better with a bass player, but it works that they don't to a certain agree. would a bass give them an edge..? it's really perception init?

but i enjoy:

the yeah yeah yeahs
&
jon spencer blues explosion

all without bass players -) ! and i think not having the low end gives them a unique outlook, forces guitarists to think slightly out of the box, think of new ways to cover the space.. and they also don't sound like anybody else (sort of). if i couldn't find a bassplayer, i'd still find some other way to make music.

and bands without guitar players
death from above 1979, just drums and bass.. very intense punk with bass covering alot of guitar parts

ben folds five.. drums bass and piano.. all very experimental and superb pop as well..

i'm just trying to make a point that we can all do ourselves a favour by thinking out of the box in terms of the line-up of a band -)

 

[RentaBass]

Hey there Magekim, sounds like you're going through a rough period....

I myself went through a period like that, where I was without a band for close to two years.

Before that, I was in and out of bands where somebody thought they were superstars, and the band eventually upped and left.

Like most of the forumites here, I'm also self taught, much like you are, so you really are not alone in this world.

Take heart, cos although it's hard to get into proper bands, the fun of being a bassist is that you learn the most when you band hop, cos being the pulse and soul of the band, we have to be adaptable.

At the end of the day, once a bassist plays with enough people and matures musically, he or she would have no shortage of offerings for places in bands.

I'm sure some of the more experienced forumites here have had that experience.

In the meantime, just keep at it, and remember that as a bassist, we play bass because we love to be the heart of the music, not because we have to be in a band to be popular (unlike some guitarists, cos we are NEVER in the spotlight.)

Cheers.

 

[Santa]

magekim, sometimes u just need to go learn a bit of shredding..

aiya there will always be unreasonable people and bands in life... so just try until u get lucky!

jiayou!

 

[liqnitro]

IMO I would guess all instrument in a band would face with a problem of their own, be it guitarist, drummer, bassist, keyboardist, vox, vocal. Every now and then, each and everyone of them wants to be like the other, my advice is enjoy the music more then anything. I know it may sounds old, but never forget what brought you here the first place.

woot~
2 cents worth

 

[phoenix]

Here's a local band that's without guitars, its just bass, drums and vocals. But they manage to rock!

www.myspace.com/destroyallmonsters3

 

[Guest]

my band isnt tt good at all..we are all pickin up slowly..
but my band mates have been supportive of me..ESP my drummer..he keeps telling me..

"cmon la..time for u to stand out la..u can do it la..juz try arh..show ur bass prowess"

but i rather be enjoying myself in the background,groovin to the rhythm of the song.

kinda obvious cos im always standing near the drummer. :lol:


we all have diff taste for music..all of us..i prefer metal.but..hell..even tho i may not like certain songs.but when i play the basslines..i can feel the groove and end up GROOOOOOVIN on it..

in other words.i juz end up playing the song.(and enjoying it)

 

[chan_derrick]

magekim, sometimes u just need to go learn a bit of shredding..

aiya there will always be unreasonable people and bands in life... so just try until u get lucky!

jiayou!

wow , i never knew shredding is possible.
da strings r so thick.. anyways maybe i should learn shredding too.

to all da people in this thread, i think most bassist feel the same.
most of the times we feel unappreciated cos the guitar distortion drowns our sound and some hurtful words which make us feel not needed.

i guess like all of you agree, we dont not wish to be in the limelight and its definitely for the passion.

anybody likes "lovefool" by cardigians? da basslines is good.

 

[chan_derrick]

Here's a local band that's without guitars, its just bass, drums and vocals. But they manage to rock!

www.myspace.com/destroyallmonsters3

they remind me of iggy pop !

 

[BongHong]

I met wif ur situation before.

I was without a band for most of my bass playing years.

You be surprised how easy it is to get "recruited".

Just be patient, dun give up.Ever.

For the love of music, keep grovvin'!!!