Kramer Ferrington III. Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Personally, I feel rather uncomfortable with the term "bassist". It sounds a bit pretentious. Subconsciously, I feel that unless you are really very, very good you shouldn't call yourself a "bassist". I prefer the more mundane "bass player". On the other hand, a band usually has one or more "guitarists" and I don't feel strange saying "Their guitarist sucked", rather than do the logical thing (by my lights) and rephrase that as "Their guitar player sucked". Does anyone else share this hangup? And are you guys "bass players" or "bassists"? Band MySpace My snazzy t-shirt empire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidMPires Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 bass student but in a band situation i'm a bass player. as you said, when i hear the word bassist, I think Patituci, Jean Baudin, Steve bailey etc.... www.myspace.com/davidbassportugal "And then the magical unicorn will come prancing down the rainbow and we'll all join hands for a rousing chorus of Kumbaya." - by davio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5 string Mike Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 I am with you, Kramer. Bassist, to me, is more of a term to be used for serious professional people that play anything and everything, doing alot of session work and the like. (sometimes used by people who take themselves too seriously, also) Mike "Political language... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind"- George Orwell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robitaille59 Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 I'm not sure why but I think of Bassist as someone who playes a stand up bass, maybe traditional jazz or even classical with a bow. A bass player plays a bass guitar and it's music like blues, rock or country. I'm not sure why my mind works that way but anyway that's my two pennies on the supject.... Rob Robitaille Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcadmus Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 I also agree -- I think "bassist" sounds doofy. Bassplayer or bass guitarist works better for me. "Tours widely in the southwestern tip of Kentucky" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trucks Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 I prefer Bass Monkey :-) No, Bass Player sounds more normal, although I don't associate a difference between the 2. Soundclick Myspace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil W Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Nope, I'm happy to me a bassist, at least that's what my business card says. I've never assumed any quality judgement in using the term bassist. It's just a specialist position. http://philwbass.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bear Jew Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 If they're good, they can be a "bassist" or a "bass player" or "the one who works the thud staff" (thanks Mike Watt!) If they suck, they're a "bass holder." Or, as Shakespeare wrote, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." \m/ Erik "To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting." --Sun Tzu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moot Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 I gotta go with Kramer on this one too. I am a Bass Player - depending on who you ask of course. "He is to music what Stevie Wonder is to photography." getz76 I have nothing nice to say so . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yourlord Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 I refer to my self as a bassist. "Bass player" to me comes off like I was relegated to it even though I didn't want to.. I chose the bass. I'm all about bass. It's my favorite instrument and my favorite tonal range. It's what I listen to the most in songs. The other instruments are mere window dressing for my bass!! ok.. going to take my medicine now.. Feel free to visit my band's site Delusional Mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 I am a musician. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bear Jew Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 You're a musician. \m/ Erik "To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting." --Sun Tzu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Will- Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 I think you guys are putting way too much thought in on this. Just play the bass and let people call you what they will. People usually call me a hack. Music has no boundaries. It is yours to discover, to enjoy, to draw from and to pass on to others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenfxj Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 I like Adam Clayton's quote on how he would explain what he does to a Martian. It used to be someone's sig, but I forget who. "I simulate love-making by beating a piece of wood with a metal wire on which it vibrates." Push the button Frank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fingertalkin Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 [quote name=Will-Bass People usually call me a hack. [/quote] Me too! How do you sign a computer screen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky McDougall Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Is there a "Bassist Magazine"??? If not, I'll be a bass player. Rocky "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb, voting on what to eat for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb, contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theTragicRich Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 I'm with Will-Bass. I guess I never really thought about it. I use both I guess, and maybe it's the context in which I'm speaking, or the person(s) I'm speaking to as to how I'd use it. Again, as with Will-Bass, I don't care what I'm called or labeled... bassist? bass player? I'll take either of those as a compliment as I usually get called things much worse! [Carvin] XB76WF - All Walnut 6-string fretless [schecter] Stiletto Studio 5 Fretless | Stiletto Elite 5 [Ampeg] SVT3-Pro | SVT-410HLF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul K Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 You're a musician. Timing is everything. Things are just the way they are, and they're only going to get worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kramer Ferrington III. Posted September 5, 2007 Author Share Posted September 5, 2007 Sure, you can't control whether other people call you a "bass player" or a "bassist" or whatever. But when you are calling about a band (say) and you HAVE to say, "Hi, I'm calling about your ad. I'm a ..." At that point you have to say whether you're a bass player or a bassist or "I play bass"... or something. Band MySpace My snazzy t-shirt empire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowfinger Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 If they suck, they're a "bass holder." I refer to myself as a bass molester. Epi EB-3 G-K Backline 600 2 x Eden EX112 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Will- Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 Sure, you can't control whether other people call you a "bass player" or a "bassist" or whatever. But when you are calling about a band (say) and you HAVE to say, "Hi, I'm calling about your ad. I'm a ..." At that point you have to say whether you're a bass player or a bassist or "I play bass"... or something. I guess my point is that I don't distinguish between the two, nor do I care to and to be honest I would probably use them interchangeably. As far as answering an ad I would probably use whatever term the band used to post the add. Music has no boundaries. It is yours to discover, to enjoy, to draw from and to pass on to others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcadmus Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 How about "basser"? Any votes for that one? "Tours widely in the southwestern tip of Kentucky" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edro Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 How about "basser"? And if you're really good, you can call yourself a master basser. I usually refer to myself as a hack, bass player, or combination of both. Having never read a complete definition of "hack" when referring to musicians, it still seems to be a good fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rizzo9247 Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 I am a person who plays bass. If I was good at it, I would be a bassist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhoadBlock Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 I have pondered this before but to no avail. I agree with those who say bassist refers to the greats: Jaco, Jamerson, Clarke, etc. However, I use them interchangeably when I'm not thinking deeply about the words escaping my mouth. But I would refer to myself as a bass player, even though my musical abilities are strictly limited to the bass. Ibanez BTB450 Ibanez SR905 Ibanez SRX400 Brownsville ABG2CRBS Palatino VE-500 EURB Crate BX-2115L Crate BT50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil W Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 My business card used to say Phil Wain - Bass. Now, as I said, the new one says Phil Wain - Bassist. It don't imply I'm any good. What does your business card say? If you have one . . . http://philwbass.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kramer Ferrington III. Posted September 7, 2007 Author Share Posted September 7, 2007 *LOL* There's a picture of a man saying "Bunnyhop Tees" really loudly. And my contact details are on a billboard next to the little man. Band MySpace My snazzy t-shirt empire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil W Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 :grin: http://philwbass.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rizzo9247 Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 My business card still says 'Piano Mover' even though I have been out of the business for 5 years. Technically, I was never in business; after moving a couple of pianos, I decided to create a card, and I haven't moved one since... -Anthony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 My business card says: Jeremy Cohen Electric Bass Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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