General Music Chat

First of all, I love the "hair" JW!

From my experience, it seems like the problem is that the bassist isn't "expected" to do much. I've been to so many rehearsals where the guitarists look at me and say, "All you need to do is play be 'bass' notes, we'll take care of the rest." I ended up staying in the pocket and supporting the songs, but outplaying these fools who don't know what to expect from their bassist.

The bands are riding the guitars/keys for the majority of the musical interest, and therefore the bands have low expectations of bassists. Bass players, in turn, only practice mediocrely, and become mediocre players because that is what they think is expected of them.

Wow, i think ive been there a few times, and im sure most others can relate 100% to that too.

The bass player issue has popped up quite a few times on here, and the answers never cease to amaze me. Don't get me wrong, most of them are correct: Bass players CAN overplay. Bass players CAN be controlling. Etc. Etc.

The thing is, guys, that they can also NOT be those things. It's human nature to generalize-to try and solve an issue by making widesweeping statements.

The point I'm trying to make is this: As a bass player, I may be just what you are looking for...or I may not be. Style, ability and personality are individual qualities that simply cannot be summed up by vague explanations.
A lot of these posts say "Why do bass players do this?" "Why do bass players do that?".

They don't. Individuals do. You are not looking for an object to fill a spot in your band (I assume). You are looking for a person.

There where times in smaller towns that I could get bass jobs because. So I was told. Too good and they where afraid I would take the band over. It wasnt true. My job is to make the musicians in the band sound their best,

I happen to think the reason that good bass players are hard to find is cuz there's only 17 of us in the whole damned country!

I think you all should start training people then

I happen to think the reason that good bass players are hard to find is cuz there's only 17 of us in the whole damned country!

I think you all should start training people then

I happen to think the reason that good bass players are hard to find is cuz there's only 17 of us in the whole damned country!

What? And have actual competition? How stupid do you thing we are?

(Yes, that's right, I consider myself a member of the Gang of Seventeen.)

Besides, people wouldn't want to go through our gang initiation-having to deal with a bunch of schmucks playing guitar or drums!

C'mon...I'm jus' kiddin'!

Sod it.
I'm in trouble again

Gang of seventeen for life baby

Gang of seventeen for life baby

Time for a logo:

GOS

GOSFL

GOS For Life

I'm thinking something military in appearance.