One of the keys which unlocks the many mysteries of life related to the true art forms of making quality instruments in my view, are becoming endangered by the visionaries of virtual gaming.
Clearly, it don't take a rocket scientist to see where the commercial markets are leading the herded-masses of gamers and our potentially gifted young musicians entering the mediocre limits of a simulated computer program.
With insight of these trends, there's a underline culture which maintains the 6 string electric guitar as THEE primary instrument, and drums as a close second. Now, where does this puts the bass?
Exactly, nowhere.
I am totally convinced, for as many guitar sounds and songs, in Soul and Funk genre, there's countless bass lines that should be recognized for generations to come. The bass is a dynamic fingering, strumming, and serves as a powerful and tactical tempo percussion instrument. Nothing can compare to a electric bass holding a groove in a song or instrumental compilation(s) in many areas, Not even 6 string highly over-driven guitar can dominate the bass domain. The bass is clearly it's own force and of its own invisible forces in creating music. Unfortunately, not much attention is given to the details of basses and the artist tactics thereof, for their skills go totally unrecognized and completely over shadowed by these so-called guitar entertainment virtual software engines. Therefore, as a means of survival (like other urban art forms), and if a virtual basses is not to be recognized to mass media, it will simply go underground until it becomes a cash cow.
Who makes these decisions anyway? My guess it just a hand full of investors and market researchers who lacks credential, and dynamism of the electric bass instrument. To put it firmly, the games lack the Funk, and the physical forms of playing the bass which I am sure, would be a very enjoyable experience for patrons, but these market segments are completely ignored and probably not even validated and studied as a group. What scam. Why should only guitars get the appeal? What is the underline message here? Basses are not important enough?
From a aerobics exercises perspective, the bass in many ways, provides a better workout than simply picking, pressing a note on a typical electric guitar finger board or keyboard. The bass becomes a whole different animal when you convert your hands from fingers, to slapping, thumbing, popping and strumming.
Maybe we need to take a stand, to make sure the dynamic forms of bass playing are not under, or overlooked due to a push of virtual musical expediencies. I believe the bass is being push to the back again.
How long will it take before we would see a bass hero slamming or even a interactive bass gaming systems?
Ain't a dam thing changed!
Maybe I should pitch this to China!
I can see it now... FUNKSTAR, Presents...!
While some see a problem, I see the opportunity.
Some people CAN handle the truth!
I'll be impressed when I see a virtual Alembic bass used as a musical weapon, kicking some virtual Alien's ass!
Peace,
Hal-
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on October 25, 2009)
