Need a good 'comeback' for..."How do you get that thing..."

[Dave Martin]

Originally Posted by Richard Prowse

Dave, I feel you're being a little too sensitive. These people are seeing you and the size of your instrument (bass, I mean) is setting off a reaction in their minds.

I'm introduced in one show as "The man with the largest instrument in the band". I generally strike a manly pose much like the Jolly Green Giant but with my bass in one hand - I don't mind going for the laugh....

Seriously, don't be sensitive about it; be proud that you're memorable.

[Joel Larsson]

Every day, I go around feeling grateful that I don't play the drums. As for those piccolo flute remarks, I usually roll my bass around on one of those ingenious trolley/chair contrapments, and—given that I have the time—I can show the guy in question just exactly how un-cumbersome it is to play the bass! Which, of course, isn't the whole truth (between you and me, that big baby can be quite the burden sometimes! ) but like Richard says, we are the contrabass crusaders.

[Richard Prowse]

It'd be worse being a bass guitarist and having everyone think you're playing guitar!

[Joel Larsson]

Oh, but I've heard "Mooommy! Look at that big guitar!" quite a few times. I'd say I get a guitar remark for every two cellos.
I remember once, some kid gave me that guitar remark. His mother told him, "It's not a guitar, it's a cello!" She looked at me, a bit embarrassed. "Please excuse him. He doesn't know better."
"IN YOUR FACE!", I thought, but didn't say it out loud.