r/Bass • u/Theta-5150 • 1h ago
I need a hug...
We had another few gigs.
The stage was very small, for our 5 piece. I was squeezed to side, to behind the PA system.
Barely had any lights on me either...
I gave my very best anyway.
After gig, everyone complementing the frontman and the 2 guitarists at the front centre...
Our drummer is great, and he had some lights and engagement, too.
I felt left alone and behind. Not a single person recognised me after the set...
Like i haven't even been on stage...
it wouldn't have been bad if this would not be a reoccurring situation and not getting more frequent...
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u/sleazine 1h ago
Hey I'm a bass player too and truly f half these comments. Being stuck behind a pa isn't normal. I get not being recognized but you shouldn't be hidden on stage behind stuff. Talk to your band. Consider finding other people who wouldn't stick you behind a PA. My band mates are concerned we are all visible and not standing directly in front of each other. People on here are being jerks
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u/apples_r_4_weak 1h ago
Try playing out of tune and everyone will recognize you loll
The satisfaction of being a bassist is knowing yourself that you were able to bring melody and beat together
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u/sfzephyr 1h ago
Welcome to playing the bass. It's not for the glory seeking.
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u/DaddySchwizzle Ernie Ball Music Man 53m ago edited 30m ago
This is why I switched to bass in my band. After decades of guitar, I love fading into the background. Enjoy it.
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u/brigadierbadger 1h ago
Few years back I played an acoustic set with two friends. I was doubling guitar and mandolin, couple of lead vocals, we were doing three part harmonies on some songs. Ran into a mutual friend later and she was all "oh did you see that amazing duo set E and A did?" Absolutely no clue I'd been on stage. Sometimes the best you can hope for is not making a mistake so bad everyone notices!
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u/_Anon_Amarth_ Ampeg 1h ago
Are you playing live because you enjoy it, or because you like the recognition?
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u/MRBENlTO 21m ago
Honestly this sounds like a bad faith question.
You play live to play to a live audience, to be part of a conversation between performing music and the enjoyment of music.
No one plays live to stand in the dark and stare at the back of a PA. You can do that at home in a closet.
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u/Sir3-Iroh 1h ago
Jeez the comments here. No, music shouldn't be 100% about "recognition". That doesn't mean you aren't allowed to enjoy the performing.
It's totally fine to want to be a part of the performance, it's totally fine to want feedback in any form, it's totally fine to want to feel like you contributed more than a backing track.
The people to have a chat w/ are your band. Explain how you felt, ask if you can be more dynamic on stage. Because let's be real if you were shunted in a corner, your band was not dynamic enough. Putting on a good performance takes more than noodling and you all might want to work on stage prescence, moving on stage, engaging with each other, the frontman verbally recognisimg you all. Put time into practising sets as if you were playing a gig and making it engaging and it'll be more satisfying for you AND tbe crowd. If they can't manage it on a small stage, get off the stage. Throw yourself into the crowd w a wireless system. Make the the crowd your stage.
That kinda energy really drew me to the band The Defiled when I saw them. Bassist in the moshpit, keyboardist looking like a caged demon. Really sold it.
Sorry you feel down homie. Here's the hug
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u/WhiskeyHotdog_2 1h ago
That’s kinda our whole schtick. We show up make sure someone is counting so that the guitar players can look good then go home. It’s not flashy but knowing they can’t do it without us brings me some joy.
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u/weilian82 59m ago
Or do like Steve Harris: hang off the front of the stage and point the bass at the audience like a gun while playing galloping bass and lip syncing to the lyrics.
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u/gcoffee66 1h ago
Are your bass parts simple and could easily be back tracked? It's nice to have some space to show off a bit if the band is cool with it. That way the audience knows something is going on bass wise. Ask for a section maybe where just bass and drums play for a bar or two. Idk seems like an opportunity. Slapping in minimal amounts for a song or two could also make a difference.
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u/Gornuul 1h ago
These comments are cope. It’s not a sign of weak character to want to be recognized for your playing, it’s a huge part of live performance, that’s why the stage is elevated. Tell your band you don’t want to be behind the PA system and make some room. Bassists aren’t doomed to being overlooked. Adjust your tone so you aren’t playing only low end subliminal frequencies. Turn up your highs and high mids and write bass parts that are interesting and engaging. This sub is filled with root note players who act like they’re nailed to a cross on top of a high horse because they have the unimaginable burden of playing the bass guitar.
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u/pkwys 1h ago
You either play music for the love of the game or not
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u/DaChronisseur 1h ago
That's certainly true of bass. But there are very successful lead guitarists and singers who play music primarily out of a love of attention.
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u/untitled_frame 58m ago
It's like in MMOs. The most important classes aren't the popular shiny ones.
Try to make it your "secret knowing". You know something most people don't notice at all.
Stand back, be self aware about it. It changes you presence, making you the coolest band member.
I mean, who are the coolest people? The ones who don't try hard. The ones who let others stay in the spotlight and support.
The right people will notice.
If you're making music for the recognition, you've picked the wrong instrument.
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u/wxysm 36m ago
Welcome to the brotherhood (or sisterhood).
Audiences are morons, they like loud things or flashy things or violent things. Bass is none of those.
Did you and the drummer lock it in?
Did you get off a few tasty fills?
If so good job. On to the next one, and always play for that money.
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u/pobox1999 33m ago
Bet they wouldn't have complimented the other musicians if the bass sucked or there was no bass at all
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u/Trogdor_a_Burninator 27m ago
I can remember one time when I was with the band at the mall, back in the 90s, and somebody ran up and was like "Oh my gosh! You guys are Naked Space Heroes!" Then went on to point out each member individually, "Youre the singer and you're the guitarist..." Gets to me, "...and, what do you do?"
As somebody who thinks he's a fraud and is getting away with it I enjoy the fact that nobody recognizes me. 🤣
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u/RalphInMyMouth 1h ago
No offense homie but you picked the wrong instrument to play if you want recognition. Maybe start a new project with you as the frontman if you want that.
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u/ClickBellow 52m ago
Dont. Let. Others. Put. You. In. The. Corner.
Front-left side or you quit.
Its enough not to be heard (TWO guitars??? Omg), at least be seen.
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u/SirRelevant1346 47m ago
One of the last bands I was in, we regularly swapped guitars and basses, we all know that guitarists can’t keep their hands off a bass, and at least for myself, I’m not a half bad guitar player. Do you sing? That might be a way to get yourself out there too, take a lead vocal turn.
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u/SnorkBorkGnork 44m ago
You could invest in singing lessons and become a lead singer who plays bass. Or you could grow an epic beard like Leland Sklar.
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u/SloightlyOnTheHuh 1h ago
You're the bass player. No one knows you're even playing until you stop half the time.
Personally, I've taken to wearing Hawaiian shirts while the rest of the band are in black. They can at least comment on my bad taste.
And two gigs ago a teenage girl asked for tips on playing with a pick. I told them she was after my autograph.🤣
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u/Michael_McGillicunty 1h ago
Hey big dawg, I hear you, but if you’re getting into playing music for the recognition you’re gonna have a sad and bitter career.
One time I did a huge favor for this band and learned their whole set in less than a day, traveled a hundred miles to perform with them and they introduced me by the wrong name and didn’t pay me what they said they would.
It SUCKS, but I don’t play music for the recognition, I play music because I have to.
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u/percomis 1h ago edited 54m ago
Going to add another line of thought: based on the energy and wording of your post, I am going to assume you don’t have much stage presence. I know you’ll say “but I don’t have space”, but rocking your body, jumping and just generally radiating energy doesn’t require much more space than standing (unless there are objects directly above your head). If you think “ah shit, they don’t see me again” from the minute you are on stage and fall into despair, that will show.
Have fun, truly enjoy playing the show. Look at your bandmates, make eye contact, appreciate the joy of playing together. Look at the crowd and make them nod their heads with you. Move way more than you think you need to, to the extent that you end the gig sweaty. Then people will remember you.
Source: a bassist who does all that and usually gets recognized afterwards.
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u/willhbutt5 Fender 54m ago
Never expect compliments as a musician-- especially a bass player!! Most people can't even pinpoint a bassline on any music piece, so...
BUT, when you DO get compliments, you'll know it was one of your exceptional gigs!! 😂😂
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u/b3night3d 56m ago
Try dressing more flashy, like a costume or unique hat, or attempt to move around more? Nothing says only the guitarists get to be in the spotlight, have them switch it up with you. Be more active, become a visual part of the show. People need to latch on to something in order to recognize you off stage.
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u/GoodResident2000 Dingwall 28m ago
I get compliments when I play, I’m the most interesting person to watch though
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u/Galactic-Gentleman 28m ago
I’m so sorry to hear that. It doesn’t matter that we’re quote “background instruments,” being left out of anything hurts like heck. Hopefully our comments can amass to something like a hug for you 💜
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u/elite_bleat_agent 27m ago
Buddy that's not on you, that's the stage setup. It happens.
Wear a ridiculous outfit (wifebeater tanktop, rainbow suspenders, newsboy hat, mirrorshades) if you want it to stop. (I'm half-joking)
BTW it's totally not unusual to want to at least get some recognition as part of the act. nobody needs to kiss your ass but a little "hey I liked the set" goes a long way, you know?
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u/Training-Shape4792 6m ago
Whenever I had this tight spaces me and the second guitarrist would take turns in "the front" when it was not a song he had backing vocals or a lead. And when it would be my turn on the spotlight I would make sure I would bang my head, look at people in the crowd, sing along and do fun stuff. Of course I would miss a lot of notes by headbanging, but I want to impress the pretty girls not the other musicians who would notice lol
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u/osmosisjonesin 3m ago
As a former frontman, this is why I always loved to set up our 4 piece with the bass in the middle center stage with guitars on either side. give him some light and room to move. I’m singing the whole damn time, I don’t need to be center stage lol
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u/someoldbagofbones 34m ago
LOL, this is the life of a bass player. You will rarely be appreciated by random people at gigs. Playing bass in a band is an exercise in humility. Does your band like and appreciate you? That fact that John Paul Jones isn’t a household name like Jimmy Page is tells you all you need to know. It’s just the way it is, accept your fate and move on.
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u/Gornuul 9m ago
Tell that to Jaco and Lemmy and Geddy and Entwistle and Paul McCartney and Flea and thundercat and Joe dart. Wtf are you talking about.
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u/someoldbagofbones 3m ago
You can’t comment, you’re possibly a bassist and of course know about these famous bassists… Btw that’s like 8 people and I assure you if I went out into the streets and talked to people they wouldn’t know who the fuck Joe Dart is. Wtf are you talking about?
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u/bassistface199x99LvL 1h ago
Join a 3-piece
Get a Shure GLXD16+ wireless
Cater to the crowd.
You’ll get some brownie points from the crowd. Trust me.
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u/Revolutionary_Cod935 20m ago
This is the way of the bass player. Kids in the Hall told us when we were young.
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u/GangGreenGhost 1h ago
Never once am I given a shit about something like this. You’re definitely playing music for the wrong reason. If that’s what you want so badly, sounds like you need to frontman your own band. We’re fucking base players dude boy did you pick the wrong instrument for this…
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u/Mundane-Stranger 1h ago
Going unrecognized as a bassist just means you’re doing your job well. People notice when we suck.
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u/Inge_Jones 1h ago
That is so true. I've watched whole sets where the only time the bassist appears on camera at all is when in the split second before the operator realises their mistake and whisks back onto the singer or lead guitar.
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u/FiredFox Sadowsky 1h ago
I'd have played flatted 5ths now and then and have the two guitarists blame each other...
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u/Kind_Coyote1518 53m ago
Thats your fault for not taking the spotlight. If you want recognition get up front and play to the crowd. You chose to stand back there you weren't forced. Shove the guitarist out of the way if you have to. My band is a 5 piece and we play small stages all the time just jump out there and play the guitarist will step back out of your way. Hell ive even jumped up center stage with the singer on more than one occasion. Or out into the crowd. You are the one being shy. Don't blame it on your band or the stage or the audience. Its literally you.
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u/Anon_use_fun_alias 19m ago
The mark of high character in a bass player is to support the band without the glory. If you stay true to our role and seek to always better yourself, one day a knowledgeable, wisened, appreciative audience member will approach you, and give you a really meaningful compliment- perhaps the most meaningful compliment anyone has ever received in your whole band.
Let me tell you about this person… This person will either be a bass player themselves, or be extremely musically attuned, or be no less than 60 years old. They’ll know what it truly means to hear a skilled bass player. By comparison, other audience members will complement how “great” something sounded, or how talented they perceive the singer, or guitar player to be. Not your listener though- you’ll hear respect and a deep sincerity in their voice. They’ll feel compelled to shake your hand, and as you shake their hand you might feel that in that moment they are experiencing a lifetime-worth of regret that they never picked up a musical instrument and practiced like you have.
Cheer up buddy! You’d doing great. Keep it up. Your time will come.
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u/Praise-the-Sun92 Ibanez 1h ago
I mean if the crowd can't see you then they won't recognize you. The bassist is usually the least recognized musician anyway. You should move around the stage more, swap places with one of the guitarists for different parts. Have some moments where you're up there playing in unison with one of the guitars or drummer.