General Music Chat

I have my opinions, but I want to see what everyone else thinks as well. Who do you think gets more respect than they deserve? Who doesn't get enough? This isn't directed toward any one particular instrument or profile; this is intended to be a friendly topic of discussion and/or debate. Cast your vote and give your two cents.

It's hard to generically pick one, but IMO bassists tend to be more laid back and audiences watch the action.

Respected by who, other musicians or the public at large?

Eh...either way it's the bass guy, except of course in my case, cuz I reach out & GRAB their respect just by being me, in my own humble way, of course!

Today I would have to say it's the keys guys.

Here's one for you Phil.

After the show the other night one of the comments I got was:
"No disrespect to you other guys but yall wouldnt have nothing without that bass and drummer"

I am not egocentric (as a musician) but that was kind of a low blow.
Glad those boys are on my side.

up where I live jam bands are kinda the norm, and there are a few exceptions to the rule of bassist just plays the melodic rhythm so some guys on 4 (5, 6) strings get respect recognition and attention, but the norm doesn't catch anyone's attention, why I don't play normal bass either, what with the slap and right hand tapping I can throw in, I'm learnin how to play well with the others haha I love music for the stuff you can say

Respected by who, other musicians or the public at large?

Good question philbymon; I wasn't really thinking about that when I posted this question. Let's say both.

ted_lord brings up a good point too, in that with a jam-band environment, it is up to the bassist to not only carry rhythm, but melody as well. This way, the other instruments can solo. I'm with you on the slapping and tapping ted; let's show these guitar players what we've got!

check out my tunes its either a really aggressive rythym line, a cover of a pretty tough band, or a lil of that slap tap I do, ok so I haven't actually come up with anything truely original that I've streamed yet buut in time, and its always a bassist who brings up who's the least appreciated in a band...unless your name is Les Claypool, then you are the band hah

It really depends on the genre. The lead players usually get most of the attention. But they really can't do sh*t without a good bassist and drummer. I think for the most part the audience pays attention to the lead players and lead vocalists. There's "frontmen" and "sidemen." I'm kind of both because I sing lead and play bass. Pro musicians will pay attention to the people who have the most skill, especially if it's on the instrument they play. I get attention to my vocals because of the power of my voice, but I don't get attention for my bass playing, it's just steady and not too flashy, although I do take a few bass solos every gig. I'm not really an animated "frontman", just very workmanlike. Our harmonica player gets attention because he just has the flash and animation and women love the guy. Plus he's a fine singer and harp player. Bottom line it depends on the personalities, skill, and genre. It varies from band to band.

I feel our group is an equal opportunity gig.

All the parts are as important as the next.

Who do you think gets more respect than they deserve?

Singers. I lost count of how many of them are in bands, just to say that they are in a band.. won't help set up/ break down gear, show up late, miss rehearsals, etc... Seems like many just use the band as a pooty magnet and fuk-all the rest.

Who doesn't get enough?

Guitarists. Mostly because there are so many of them that you can swing a dead cat and hit 10 of them at any given moment. Alot of us suffer from the "yngwie" haters, thinking all guitarists are wankers/showoffs/volume whores... just doesn't fit most of us.

I think Bass and Drums get off easy regarding criticisms, simply because they are harder instruments to master, and the talent usually speaks for itself.

But really.. it's not so much about the instrument as the player. I've known drummers who beat the drums like Conan the Barbarian on every..single..song.. and bass players who think every..single..song needs a 40-note-full-neck jazz progression between each and every measure, guitarists who use so much distortion that the actual tone left the building twenty decibels ago, and of course the egomaniac singers who think they run the band even though they have no concept of what a major scale in music even is...

In general:

Singers get the most attention. And why not? In a commercial music group the singer is the first thing people notice. A singer has to be able to sing the material or at least put it across in a convincing manner. They also have to keep the show rolling along. In most groups with a singer he or she is the percieved leader.

Guitarist get the second most attention cause they play leads or if you happen to have a keyboard player that fronts the outfit, then he or she may get the nod.

Id say that drummers are the next to get the attention, cause they are doing something very physical that audiences key in on. Also if he is missing cues, it becomes very obvious.

Bassist and I hate to say this cause I started on bass get the least attention. Unless they are Les Claypool, Flea, or Geddy Lee. The bass to me is the glue that holds it all together. But the bassist in most bands I see these days is kind of in the background.

I dont know what difference this post means to me, cause as I said at first its all about the total package to me and whether a group puts emotion into their playing that grabs an audience whether you are playing covers or originals.

the piccolo player

www.myspace.com/blunderingeye
www.myspace.com/445175001
http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/6039/

"my dog is a bitch"

Sorry Hayden, I didn't mean to leave out the piccolo players!

I agree with JW that the singers get more attention simply because they are the singer, and that the bassist is the "musical glue." Our roll as bassists is more of a background roll, and that's fine. I just wish that the great players that actually hold down the pocket were recognized a little more.

I also agree with Kramer from the band's perspective with the singer as well. I've only been involved in 1 project that the singer actually pulled their weight. The others were wankers.

He said, "Wankers"

I love it when I meet a guy with real long beautiful hair & a lot of attitude who tells me he's in a band.

"Oh, really? What do you play?"

Invariably the answer is the same.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

"I play lead, man."