Feel like charity work sometimes?

Marty Hewes

Marty Hewes

Nov 20, 2014
17
16
4,551
70
Lake Geneva WI
#1
Sorry, gotta vent. Rant mode on :).

Why do I feel like I'm bustin' my a@@ to get this right, and nobody notices if I do (but the band sounds great). But If I lose it and drop out, the whole band falls apart, and probably doesn't even know why.

OK, I play bass because my hands are too big for guitar, never particularly wanted to be the center of attention, and I admit I'm on a power trip, the bottom octave is mine (barring keyboard intruders). I can make thunder, and I can use that bottom octive (with lotza watts) to make people move. But just once, when I kick a@@, I'd like somebody to notice?

Oh, and ask most people who their favorite guitarist is, and you'll probably get a reasonable answer, ask them who their favorite bassist is, they probably can't name one, if they even know what a bassist is.

Is this a thankless job? How often does a bandmate give you a high five or a fist bump for cranking out a great bass line?

Can I get a witness?

Marty
 
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#6
I dunno ... WHY do you play? Is it to be part of a team making good music, or is to be adulated by adoring fans? Can you find satisfaction in a job well done, a line well played; or does your satisfaction lie in being recognized for it? As for famous bass players, I've been playing for 50+ years and probably couldn't name a dozen. Some people are musicians, others are musicologists. And it's not "charity work". My band shows their appreciation by PAYING ME.
 
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#8
Actually, why I currently play is partly charity work. I'm getting back into it after a lot of years being too busy, living in a new town where nobody knows me. So I'm playing with the adult group at Rock Central, a not for profit music school. When the adult group gigs, we don't get paid, it's for the audience, personal satisfaction, experience, exposure, and the benefit of the school, which provides a performance based music program for kids. But...

I went to a lunch once, John Coleman was the guest speaker, the weatherman that created The Weather Channel. He made a comment that stuck with me. "Happiness is accomplishing something that you feel is worthwhile, and being appreciated for it." Maybe it's just because I'm an extrovert, a social critter, but without appreciation, it's a hollow victory.

So yeah, I strive to lay down a solid line, with nuance, percussion, and something unique. Occasionally our music director gives me some appreciation, but the rest of the group seldom notices. I'm also a little frustrated in that we use the school's gear, I'm playing my 5 string Jazz through 4 10"s. I normally play through 4 10"s for clean punch and an 18" sub, bi-amped, so I can play a solid foundation below the mix. I miss the thunder. I miss one whole octave being underutilized. Seems like Leo Fender decided early on that the bottom octave wasn't worth the trouble, and not enough effort has gone into getting it back now that the technology exists. I was disappointed back in 1967, I'm still disappointed.

Thanks for letting me rant guys :).

Marty
 
#10
@Marty Hewes
I can empathize and validate what you are saying.

There’s a great place on the west side here that I go to watch (mainly) and listen for open mic night. I gotta say that when the bass player (whoever it is) breaks out with a few lines and only a few in the crowd give him/her some love I get a little annoyed because I have just witnessed the crowd get gooey over the same thing the drummer, guitarist and vocals have done with their talents.

I attest it to a bit of ignorance but mostly by the appearance of effort. Generally, we as bassists are a pretty relaxed and poised animal and that carries over to musicianship. So, when the guitarist and vocalist have that look on their face like they’re trying to flip over a Volkswagen and the drummer is going at it like they’re beating up the enemy in hand to hand combat the ignorant masses see that as “really something”.

Myself, I just take pride in what I do and if someone appreciates it, great. If no love comes my way it doesn’t matter because, I’m still doing what I love.
 
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#11
Marty Hewes said:
Sorry, gotta vent. Rant mode on :).

Why do I feel like I'm bustin' my a@@ to get this right, and nobody notices if I do (but the band sounds great).
…
Oh, and ask most people who their favorite guitarist is, and you'll probably get a reasonable answer, ask them who their favorite bassist is, they probably can't name one, if they even know what a bassist is.
Click to expand...



You might be in the wrong business Marty.

Maybe you should consider switching to playing drums? ;)
 
#12
I've gotten like 2 or 3 positive compliments from band members in as many years. I know im thought of as reliable, though which is more important.

Yea its a thankless job. If that bugs you, adjust your approach or quit. ("You" meaning anyone who isnt satisfied with the results of their work not only the OP)
 
#13
It sounds like I'm more fortunate than I've been aware, but the originals band I play with is generally quite appreciative of one another's talents.

It's not without 'constructive criticism', but for every 'request' that I clean up my tone or leave a few of the notes unplayed perhaps, I do get the fist bump and the, "great bass part for the new song" comment.
 
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#17
There’s an old Ray Brown quote that says if you play a job on bass and nobody says anything about it afterwards, then you probably played really well that night.

Speaking frankly, most people just don’t know or appreciate what a good bass player is. This includes most musicians and bass players, and this site undoubtedly has proven that to me, many times. The most ironic thing is that if you’re really playing well in a band and holding it down and doing everything you’re supposed to like a pro, NOBODY notices or misses that until you’re not there anymore.
 
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#18
OP I’d stay focussed on your craft. Compliments will come eventually.

I say this b/c you’ve expressed what I believe to be an error, although it is conventional wisdom. Specifically the old cannard that 10’s are for mids and punch and you need an 18 (or at least 15s) for real lows. With today’s gear this simply isn’t the case in general.

So I would keep working on your playing, your listening, and your rig and tone. I’ve been at it almost 40 years now and not trying to brag, but just in all honesty I frequently get compliments from both band mates and audience members.
 
#19
Marty Hewes said:
Actually, why I currently play is partly charity work. I'm getting back into it after a lot of years being too busy, living in a new town where nobody knows me. So I'm playing with the adult group at Rock Central, a not for profit music school. When the adult group gigs, we don't get paid, it's for the audience, personal satisfaction, experience, exposure, and the benefit of the school, which provides a performance based music program for kids. But...

I went to a lunch once, John Coleman was the guest speaker, the weatherman that created The Weather Channel. He made a comment that stuck with me. "Happiness is accomplishing something that you feel is worthwhile, and being appreciated for it." Maybe it's just because I'm an extrovert, a social critter, but without appreciation, it's a hollow victory.

So yeah, I strive to lay down a solid line, with nuance, percussion, and something unique. Occasionally our music director gives me some appreciation, but the rest of the group seldom notices. I'm also a little frustrated in that we use the school's gear, I'm playing my 5 string Jazz through 4 10"s. I normally play through 4 10"s for clean punch and an 18" sub, bi-amped, so I can play a solid foundation below the mix. I miss the thunder. I miss one whole octave being underutilized. Seems like Leo Fender decided early on that the bottom octave wasn't worth the trouble, and not enough effort has gone into getting it back now that the technology exists. I was disappointed back in 1967, I'm still disappointed.

Thanks for letting me rant guys :).

Marty
Click to expand...
If the rest of the group consists of adults that are relatively new or getting back into playing, they may be too focused on their own playing to pay attention to you.
Are you expressing your appreciation of the other musicians? Do you compliment the drummer at the end of the show?
 
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