19 Mar 2010
Filed Under : Rants
Posted By : Idle Promise | Comments : 57
Replies only from non bass players
Would love to get a truthful reply to this queastion from non bass players
GRENADE!!!! :-/
Are YOU a bass player? How do you feel about your own question? Did your mother and father encourage you to try and fulfil your potential? Were you picked on at school? And how do you feel about that? That will be £1500 please Same time next week, and tell the receptionist to book you in for the next 6 months. AlyerIcanwearawhitecoatwiththebestofthempal
No or Yes Willowplaysabitofbass
Al you nutter, I've just spat mi carlsberg all over the screen !
Then it was worth it. How do you feel about the wasted Carlsberg? Did you feel the need to lick the screen? See the receptionist also. Alyernowaprofessionalpal
hahahahahahaha ! I'm off now, see yooos tomorrow, Rick.
Genuine question lads answer it. Its directed at other members of bands not bass players. I know what I think but what do you think be truthful
Kingpin are you a bass player or not just trying to establish the perceived heirachy believed to be in a band. Actual serious question perhaps you answered it with your comment if your not a bass player of course
is a golf player better than a football player? is a car driver better than a bike driver, what a dumb question, you have just won my nob head of the year award for being thick as mince
Okay, serious head on. Are you having a laugh? Everyone in the world knows thst the only reason they tolerate drummers in the band is that they can keep time. So you need to pair them up with a bass player (someone who isn't good enough to play guitar, but is just that bit more of a musician than a drummer) and they then become a rhythm section. And as we all know, that is the heart, soul and driving machine of any band. All hilarity apart, you all know this is true. And Mr Idle Promise (sorry, don't know your name), every one in a band should feel equal. It should be that the sum is greater than the whole. So if you are asking this because your band are making you feel undervalued, then get another band. If you are asking this because your band think the bass player isn't good enough, do both of yourselves a favour: let him go to find a band he can fit in with and get yourselves a bass player that fits the band. And by the way. I'm a drummer, and I never feel inferior. Aren't we all in it for the same reason? Alyergoingtobednowpal
Did i ever say I felt inferior question was do other members of a band feel superior if you read if correctly oh and rob the bass player love the insult yes im a real nob head for asking a question that could have actually received a serious answer. Good reply Kingpin a good answer its just a point debate. trouble with this site a lot a people get personal when its just a topic of conversation. No I dont feel inferior I hope Im not a nob head I can assure you im good enough for the band im in and yes I up to having a debate about anything on here as for being as thick as mince well Rob thats a good question
Phew! You need some punctuation! I take it you ARE a bass player? And actually, your question WAS 'are bass players inferior' NOT 'do other members of a band feel superior' or 'do bass players feel inferior' - I'm not having a go, I'm trying to answer your question properly. Rob the bass player may have been a bit blunt, but if you are asking people's opinions, you are going to get them (and let's face it, drummers and bass players sre the most easily picked on - mind you, they'd soon miss us if we weren't there!) I would still like to know why you are asking the question - because from any angle it would look like you are a bass player in a band that doesn't value you - especially when you assure all of us in La La land that you are 'good enough for the band you are in'. Like I said before, all band members are (or should be) equal. I hope this helps - talk back to me AlyerIwanttohelpifIcanpal
OK I'll bite.Not a popular opinion but.....The most important part of a band is the rhythm section. Drums and Bass. Then comes the melody, usually (if you're lucky) supplied by a singer. Or solo instrument if you have your own band.Anything between the rhythm section and the melody is just filler. People like a tune and a beat. Of course the filler can be marginally genre defining, like a horn section and suchlike. THis may be a little surprising as an opinion coming from a bloke who plays guitar. But I know my place. lol
My punctuation is not good but I did direct it at non bass players in an attempt to get their attitude. Obviously any bass player is not going to believe he is inferior but some guitarist do have a bit of an ego and i did put truthful replies. I asked the question because i was watching bbc 4 and there was a bass player on there i dont know who it was who said he had given up playing because he never received any praise. Now before you pull me up i think it was a bass player but I could be completely wrong because the sound was low so dont all come back on me with that. I just thought it was quite a good question to debate but I certainly didnt expect to receive personal abuse about it. I can tell you that ihave played bass for over 25 years so if Im am no good then fair enough but i dont believe that is true. I agree all band members are equal and it was just a topic for coversation pity people have to resort to abuse when knowing nothing of the other person something I thought this site had got rid of. Just shows really whos thick as mince make your own mind up
I was not meaning this as a wind up just a genuine question, Thanks for the reply Mick as a guitarist you have made a good point and thats all I was asking for
Erm no our bass player is an equal member of the band, very talented and an all round good bloke and dammed good at what he does. Hes also able to play guitar and seems a capable drummer. What a weird question.
"# Posted by Idle Promise - 20/03/2010, 00:07 (GMT)I was not meaning this as a wind up just a genuine question, Thanks for the reply Mick as a guitarist you have made a good point and thats all I was asking for"No problem. It's the kind of question I would ask. Only not on a friday night when some of the off duty players are relaxing with some beer. They don't mean any harm. ;o)For what it's worth I know there are some guitar players on here that won't be able to comprehend another guitar player diminishing the importance of guitar in a band. I'll probably get the cold shoulder from a couple of them. *sigh*
Not a weird question a question that has received a good number of replies and debate which is what the sites about. I thought gig promotion was frowned upon now
well..as a bass player..and I know you didnt want the opinion of us mere mortals but i feel I must comment... I kinda quite enjoy standing at the back and just "doin the business"..I never wanted to be the centre of attention..lets face it, if you are and you fekk up, you fekk up big time..great if you wanna walk that tight rope..me?, just wanna be part of a tight unit and if you are playin with a good drummist you can have sooooo much more fun interactng together than "joe wannabearockgod" desperately tryin to impress all and sundry...get a good drummist and a bottom ender who can really groove and the rest is easy..IMHO anyway..lol
"# Posted by Duke Bocks - 20/03/2010, 00:23 (GMT)well..as a bass player..and I know you didnt want the opinion of us mere mortals but i feel I must comment...I kinda quite enjoy standing at the back and just "doin the business"..I never wanted to be the centre of attention..lets face it, if you are and you fekk up, you fekk up big time..great if you wanna walk that tight rope..me?, just wanna be part of a tight unit and if you are playin with a good drummist you can have sooooo much more fun interactng together than "joe wannabearockgod" desperately tryin to impress all and sundry...get a good drummist and a bottom ender who can really groove and the rest is easy..IMHO anyway..lol"Yup.
I stand by my original amswer : No or Yes aaaaaaaye thank yeeow!
I personally think this is a valid question but feel it could have been worded a little better, my honest answer?.........a good bassist is very difficult to find that's why we have a little silver box that our bassist and drummer live in. They never argue and keep perfect time, although we are very concerned by the amount of people trying to poach them and their lack of input in song suggestions
What a crock of shit ! In my humble bass players opinion . Bass guitar is the most important part of the Band, PS,playing for over 25 years ,but also a competant Guitar player,and Cornet, and Trumpet , French Horn,Tuba,Mandolin Piano to ! What is it you play ??????? But did i chose bass coz i was shite at all the others ? NO MATE ! cOZ ITS THE MOST IMPORTANT !
Eeeeeeasy trig! lol.I had no idea you played brass too! I was in brass bands for years!
Ha Ha ! got my blood boiling Muck lol Shit ! what i should have said above to make it sound better is ...... AND ALL AT FUCKIN ONCE ! BEAT THAT And Mick yep nate , since i was Knee high lol, alltho lost my lip prob now , and would also prob pass out lol My dear old Dad who is sadly gone now played Cornet In Bedford Brass Band Leigh for years, and eventually got me there to from the age of 9 - 17 then i moved over to the Dark Side ! lol
Not in reggae
There's good bass players, and not so good bass players. Just like drummers, guitarists, singers, keyboardists, frigging flute players...............................there's no such thing as inferior in a unit or a team. If there is then you've got the recipe badly wrong!! Frankie
Our Bass player is by far the most tallented, best looking and most charismatic and influential member of the band.....
That was an enjoyable way to finish a Friday night certainly got a bit of discussion going. I did badly word it though. I was really trying to see if anyone actually believed that, who wasnt a bass player but seem to have extracted the wrath of other bass players. Sorry Trig sorry Rob and others not meant in that way and it was badly worded. It all stemmed from watching that guy on BBC4 I will have to go to bed early in future when not out gigging
Im a bass player and couldnt give a tinkers cuss at the perceived level of value band members attach to me and my art. Wouldnt lose sleep either way. Daft post in my opinion, however lets get to the crux of the band issue...why are drummers thicker than whale omelettes ha ha ha?
errrr..what is it with brass players and bass guitar..I played on the front row with Brighouse and Rastrick for 6 years..lol how about we start a NWB brass ensemble?........ok....maybe not..lol
any band where one member in inferior to the others isnt worth being in,
Our bassist is probably the most talented in the band, fantastic voice and a real musician.Because of this he is treated ,like the drummer, with contempt. We all know the focal point should be the singer and the guitarist :o)Mark
@ trig, mick, duke bocks.... Hey, I played front row in Leyland vehicles for years too!!, in my younger days, did a bit at bedford Trigg, also in NYBBGB, well there you go, and now I play bass!!!! Probably means the bass player is the most musically talented, but doesnt brag about it.....
ARE BASS PLAYERS INFERIOR TO OTHER MEMBERS OF A BAND No.
And if your in a band where this inferiority exists - get out.
Well I think we have proved bassism doesnt exist at least on NWB. I still dont quite understand why alot of you think I feel inferior in my band. That was never mentioned and just assumed by some of you. I dont really think people read blogs thoroughly and just jump to conclusions. I think we have exhausted this one now its getting boring
face in palm moment.
bass is completely and totally awesome.
Bass players are shit hot.
the bass player is usually 'the rubbish one' in loads of bands though... I think you can get away with being a mediocre musician on the bass probably a bit more easily than other instruments... certainly in rock/indie etc, just because what you have to play is usually so simpledon't jump on me, you know i'm a bass player too... but it IS easy, let's face it :)i've seen more bobbins bass players than any other instrument in north west bands
Bass players pull the best faces! We have a whole range of pics. This is "Bass Face #4"
No offence taken heard it all before to ! Anyway looks like we may just have a Brass rock band in the making here lol
i love depping on bass, even though i play with a pick, its great all that bottom end BOOM BOOM
Let's face it two of the most exciting musical jobs in music, playing bass for ac/dc and U2......Not !!!Billy Sheehan...........Nuff said !
Bass bloke and bad horsie Mick - having also started my drumming years in a brass band,then Trad Jazz, im also up for a rock style brass band collaboration - bring it on!!!can only play drums though im afraid, but can read drum score if that helps? bloody hell Nige - a night off and look what chaos you cause!!! lolSorry we were gigging last night so im a bit late with this one!Anyone who has SEEN Idle Promise will acknowledge that they are a brilliant band - and that Nigel is a brilliant bass player.Anyone who KNOWS Idle Promise will appreciate the friendship and comerarderie that they have both as a unit, and as individuals.We (shine) have had the pleasure of having this band support many of our gigs in a bid to get their 'foot on the ladder' and all the venues have booked them immediately upon hearing them with glowing reports!Am i biased?? HELL YES - and proudly so!Nigel - go n fix ur roof and chill for a few weeks - catch u soon x
Plenty of bands with two guitars, even two drummers and two keyboards in a few, plenty with two /three singers. Only ever one bass player though, coz the bass player is the man who sets out what the band is. How can a thumb-slapper work in a heavy rock band? How can a fret-wanker play in an AC/DC tribute? How can a pick-player play Jaco? The bass man is the man with ALL the power, he drives the band, where he goes, you just have to follow, This of course assumes you have a great bass player, not a failed guitarist. I think that is where the inferiority creeps in. Oh, yeh, I'm the bass-man. P.S. Yes I know Stanley Clark played with a 2nd bassist, but he was just wanking on a bass.
Thanks Karen for your comments Im going on Friday to fix my roof for 2 weeks I obviously need it causing too many discussions with my free time
If I thought I was any way 'inferior', I wouldn't be able to face going out on a stage. I've been doing this since the 70's. Bass is what jumps out at me on anything I listen to and it's what I want to play. I'm a functional guitarist at best when I pick a 6 string up - not a failed one. But I'm not interested in 6 string, except for on my home recordings. Anyone who thinks the bassist is the crap one in the band needs to consider the following: Chris Squire Jim Lea John Entwistle Tom Petersson Sting Steve Harris Paul McCartney My guitarist is the best I've ever played with and the band is the happiest one I've ever been in. As the bassist don't feel inferior to anyone!
Stu Hamm is also a great player , Geddy Lee, guy Pratt I could go on...
...and you do usually! Alyerhadtogetitintherepal
# Posted by PEACEMAKER Plenty of bands with two guitars, even two drummers and two keyboards in a few, plenty with two /three singers. Only ever one bass player though, coz the bass player is the man who sets out what the band is I rest my case !
No member of a band is inferior to another, I've played in guitar bands all my life but I always key off the bass player...invaluable people and generally speaking (with the Drummer) the backbone of the band or as John Walsh a bass man of great repute once referred to bass players "Kingmakers"
I think we're getting importance mixed up with required skill here...course the bass is important to a band... it's the glue that ties everything together... it's the harmonic & rhythmic foundationbut that's it... FOUNDATION... in rock, often you can perform your job perfectly well with bass lines as exciting and glam as concrete poured in a hole in the groundthe fact that bass players like John Entwistle and Geddy Lee exist DOESN'T mean you have to be as skilled as that to be a rock bass player.... (how come nwb isn't full of amazing bass players if that was a job requirement.. there's a lot of great guitarists here)
A good band is a team where everyone plays their required part consistently. If someone's featured - good. Bsss solos and drum solos are a complete no-no for me and Colin. I wouldn't dream of playing a long bass solo and have never really wanted to dream one up. Unless you have the mentality to dream them up (I've no problem with that if someone has the imaginaton to do so - good for them) then they are a bit of a chore. Drum solos are a good excuse for a bog break and I've only ever seen two band with bassists who did solos - fortunately they were great - Slade and The Who (with Entwistle, NOT Palladino).
well if the only thing i learn today is how to avoid answering said blog and go off on a rant of my own its a sad day indeed... Anyway. In response to the actual point made by Idle Promise... I dont think so matey, Mike our bass player does a bass solo at the end of the night and for every riff i pull out, every solo... the swine always steels the show and now Martins found a love for drum solo's im fucked. Also ive recently started palling about with a chap who was a bass player for many years and has recently gone back to playing guitar and is a master of the pair, some frightening bass players out there. i think some make themselves inferior. good topic tho.
...now if you'd said"are black, midget, female, scottish bass players inferior... You'd have been in trouble!!"Gary(small celtic women musicians appreciation society member #35)
back to top
Blog Search
Follow NWB on Facebook and Twitter
Help Support NWB - Find out how.
Shopping online? - Select your stores, enter search text, and click go!
Cottam Guitars
10% Discount for NWB members, email max@cottamguitars.co.uk
Bakehouse Studio
Accrington's cosy project studio. Book online 24/7. Use code NWB20bc110301 for NWB members special 20% discount.
Pat Testing NW Mention NWB when contacting