Off Topic Am I a bass player?!

[Basspro]

I play bass, I play guitar, I suck at both but it's a lot of fun

As long as it's fun, that's what counts!

 

[Powman]

Guitar players are everywhere. Bass players are in demand. Bass is cool.

Don't pay attention to those people giving you "advice." Bass is NOT a "dull instrument" and many, many things are possible. You can take it as far as you want to go.

Bass is what drives the groove.

The groove is what gets people out of their seats and dancing.

The groove is what moves your soul.

When you listen to music, do you pay more attention to the groove or to the showy, hooky parts? If you're listening to the groove, you're gravitating towards the bass.

I couldn't have said this better myself. Bass defines the song IMHO. Also, listening to e-guitar by itself sounds horrible without bass...especially with lots of distortion. Acoutic guitar is a different story of course.

I too played some guitar and still do. In the event I get a little lost while playing bass, I love how I can glance over at the guitarist and see what chord he is playing and get back on track. So its good to learn both.

 

[Psycho Ward]

I own lots of basses...

 

[ZiggyDude]

Hi ReB87

OK – my two cents.

To a certain degree I think that you are overanalyzing. Choose what you want to do from the perspective of what is inside you and not from just empirical logic. And certainly not because others tell you what to do. You need make that choice for yourself. But, I am sure you know that.

What the folks have said so far is pretty much on. You need know what grooves your soul and follow that – but there is no harm in learning both instruments. I honestly wish I had the time to learn some guitar. I might be driving home and hear some really great metal solo or power chord, oir just want to strum an acoustic at the beach. I started learning a few times and have a kick butt vintage Warlock (early NJ) that so far I have only heard in action at the hands of my guitar player. Time constraints.

Granted – playing guitar will eventually help your bass playing and certainly any song writing.

One thing that I will take an exception to what some said. Not every guitar player can really play bass. They may hit the notes but it just does not sound right. It is missing a certain percussive rhythm and is usually sickening smooth. It is style more than blistering speed that makes a bass player. Just my thoughts at least.

So, where am I going with this? People learn best when motivated. Take lessons in the instrument you are currently motivated for. Unless you are a super cool bass player already maybe. But motivation is key.

Just my penny and half.

- Ziggy -

 

[Ole Man Blues]

I play on Church Worship team, Bassist. Love it. My Bongo drives the group. The drummer loves it. When I see the heads bobbing and the people dancing and smiling I know I'm getting the job done. It's a good fit for me. Find your fit. Like one person said in this thread, do you find yourself listening to the drive and the groove or to the lead guitar and the showy stuff up front?

I started playing guitar in the early '60's and it has helped me to become a better Bassist. I love introducing new songs to our group. I must first learn them and transpose them into a key that works for everyone. That's where the guitar comes into play. I own an old '69 Gibson Acoustic and it's perfect for writing songs, transposing and learning new stuff. But I know that the Bass is ultimately the sound I'm working toward when I write or transpose anything. I also play Mandolin that I use once in a while. Nothing wrong with learning and knowing a few instruments, it really makes you a more complete musician, and in some cases it's just plain job security when push comes to shove . Now where do you fit? Think about it...... OMB

 

[Mogee]

I started out on guitar, but got into several bands because they needed a bass player and I said sure, I can do that. So thats when I started playing bass. Now looking back, it was a good decision. Guitar players are a dime a dozen, but a good bass player is much harder to find. Plus, bringing the thunder when playing live is so much funner than strumming chords.

 

[KoreyD]

To me, it sounds like maybe you DO want to play both. Don't go crazy trying to force a decision, give it time, let it happen. Save your pennies, buy a used Sterling and have the best of both worlds. I went one step further this year and got V Drums! It's been a huge help to my guitar and bass playing, plus it's fun as hell! I've got no confusion though, I love playing them all. Sting was mentioned earlier - I think he could make music with a box of rocks. They're all just tools. Good luck on your quest.

 

[DTG]

learn "hit me with your rythm stick" on the bass....thats what made the choice for me

i still suck btw....but man i love the bass

 

[metalarch]

I was in the same situation a couple of years ago, and now I'm only a bass player (of course that I still play with my guitars, from time to time) and the thing that help me to stay in bass was my Bongo 6 string, with that I found the passion for bass...and a large range for soloing...

But that's my point of view...

 

[CDRhom]

Something that hasn't been mentioned yet is your personality. I'll assume that you eventually want to play with a band, as that is the goal for about 95% of us.

So where do you see yourself in the band? Where is your personal comfort zone in a group/team environment? Do you see yourself in the spotlight, the quarterback calling the big plays? Or are you happier laying down that solid foundation that everyone can count on, the backbone? This gives you a clue about where you will be happy on the team. One place is not better than another, everyone has a crucial role to play.


As for being limited as a composer by the bass, I give you Sir Paul McCartney, Jaco, Marco Panascia, and John Lindberg just to name a few.

 

[RocketRalf]

Play both!

I have both instruments. I started out with bass but I found I didn't like the role a bass player plays in a band situation (it's quite important, more so that the guitar itself, just not made for me). But I do enjoy the bass as an instrument, a lot.

All that stuff about bass being dull, limited, and you'll miss some theory is crap. An absolute big mountain of crap. There's some great players out there who can play ANYTHING on bass, and if you look back to history, from the Beatles all the way to Bach and Beyond -notice a trend here? they all start with B - bass has been the foundation of harmony, always present, and thus, what builds up all of occidental music since polyphony was invented.

Actually a guitar can play bass parts too, it's just much more limited for that. I say start with guitar now that you have a very good one, but always keep in mind the respective roles of each instrument. Once you know enough guitar to tackle each role, you may consider which one you like more and go for a bass or not.

Or just play what makes you happier

 

[Bass Case]

I sympathize with your dilemma but it's one that I've never had. I knew as a teen that bass was what I wanted to play. I'm much older now but have never regretted my choice. I to agree that if you can play guitar stay at it, it never hurts to know how to play more than one instrument. Remember which ever one your heart is really in,it will over shadow the other.

 

[TheBassGuy]

Thanks for all the reply's. I've been thinking about this "issue" a lot this week and came to the conclusion that bass speaks more to my imagination. What I'm gonna do is make an appointment with the local bass teacher and check things out. I have the feeling that I will be way more excited when I come home from that. In the mean time I will start advertising my Super Sport. I need funds to get back a bass, and there is no way I will play anything else than a Musicman (never had, never will, never want ).

Thanks again for all the thoughts and advice. It helped me a lot and it means a lot.

 

[cjames83]

Something else I noticed - and this is coming from a bass player who started with guitar, I used to get bored with the guitar. When playing live, it almost felt like a job sometimes. Sure it was cool and all, but strumming a chord and letting it ring... well, that's not all that intense. But when you thump a good hard chord and you feel it vibrate through it, there's nothing quite like it. I used to be one of those guitar players who kinda just stood there and would walk around a bit, with bass I'm constantly moving and 'feeling it.' I'd say go where your heart tells you.

 

[TheBassGuy]

I just had my first "test" bass lesson yesterday. It was really fun and it got me even more excited about playing the bass. Right now I'm trying to trade/sell my new Super Sport so I have the funds to get a bass again. Once I have the bass I will start with the lessons!