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Off Topic On Playing Bass....

Butch Snyder

Butch Snyder

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Feb 28, 2003
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Lebanon, Ohio, United States
Though I am a guitarist and truly love the instrument, I have been playing bass more and more in my worship team at church. Every time the bassist is out, I am asked to fill in for him. We have two guitarists, including me, so not a big deal. At first, I'm always disappointed and would rather play guitar. Then rehearsal night comes and I start laying down the lowend thump. I don't own a bass so I use the regular bassist's. It's a Carvin 5-string. That's another issue in and of itself.

I have never been a bassist. I'm a guitarist who can play bass and there is a difference. A true bassist can understand the bassline and what is needed. A true bassist works tightly with the drummer to create a pocket for all the other musicians. When a good bassist/drummer combo is in the house, it's a lot easier for everyone else to play and fit in.

Anyway, I'm finding myself liking the bass more and more. Maybe because it's new to me and a new adventure? I have my favorite bassists too - Mark King, Victor Wooten, Nathan East, Billy Sheehan just to name a few. I don't play like them; but striving to is cool. One of the things I love about the bass is that you are most always heard in the mix. Guitar tends to blend and can get lost in a big mix. Bass is like drums; it's always there.

I was rehearsing last Monday and I texted my wife and said that I am living the bass. She replied back, "Remember, you're a guitarist who plays bass...." Kinda took a little of the wind out of my sails but, oh well. I was talking to a couple of praise band members; along with our music/worship pastor that night. I get the feeling that he likes that I can slip in and play bass and even add a new dimension that's a bit groovier and funkier (without being over-the-top); but I think he likes me better on guitar....

Oh well, I thought I would just share a little about my new adventure as a sub bassist.
 
Powman

Powman

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Jul 30, 2009
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1,086
Location
Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Interesting observations and comments.

First of all, I think that there are a large number of bass players who also (or used to) play guitar, so that is not unusual at all.

However, I notice the differences between how my son plays bass compared to me. My son is an amazing guitar player who shreds with lightning speed on his John Petrucci. However when he plays bass, he almost feels the need to jump into a bass solo all the time.

So I think you are right about how bass players understand how to lock in with the drummer and how to create a groove.
 
funkymofo

funkymofo

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Aug 1, 2010
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London UK
The bug has bitten.

You are only delaying the inevitable by trying to convince yourself you are still a guitar player.

I say order a Bongo now and be done with it! :D

I started out playing guitar when I was about 10, switched to bass when I was 14 and would now very much consider myself a bassist who also tinkers on a guitar, not vice-versa. I think it was ideal timing actually as I hadn't got that good on guitar yet but it enabled me to pick up a bass with relative ease and go from there. I know what you mean though with the whole guitarist playing bass thing, luckily no one has ever commented on me being that way inclined!

I'm just annoyed it has taken me this long to be able to afford my first MM bass.
 
adouglas

adouglas

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Aug 12, 2005
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On the tail end of the bell curve in Connecticut
In some ways playing bass is like golf (stick with me here).

What I love about golf is very simple. It's the pure pleasure of a perfect shot. The stars align, it feels fantastic, it sounds marvelous and it looks beautiful. I don't care if I shoot 125. If I hit that perfect shot my day is made.

Playing bass well is very much like that. It's the pure pleasure of a perfect groove... placing exactly the right note, the right tone, the right feel and the right timing exactly where it needs to be. It's as much about the spaces as it is about the notes.

Never forget that what allows the guitar to sound great is the sound landscape against which it is heard. Without bass and drums, what you've got is Saturday morning at Guitar Center.
 
toomanyslurpees

toomanyslurpees

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Jan 16, 2010
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Calgary, Alberta
Yep. I'm a converted guitar player too, and I still do play guitar, but I've found with bass there's always far more oportunities out there, especially since I can't sing to save my life.... Guitar players can kinda be a dime a dozen (I say that even though it's not true, the RIGHT guitar player can be few and far between) Another thing I love about playing the bass is that you have your own sonic space that's yours to deal with, not like having multiple guitars or whatever else where you have to watch that you're not stepping on anyone's toes... and I also find the better/more experienced bass player I become the less fancy anything I do is... maybe the odd fancy run but for the most part if I'm struggling to find the right bass line I try to do less and that's usually where I find it.
 
TGL

TGL

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Jul 28, 2010
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OHIO
Dude

If you are going to play bass--watch out now--some sound guys and the other dudes(band members) may just want you burried in the mix. We have a new soundman as of last month. He says I'm too loud. I've been in my band for going on 4 years and have never turned my amp passed 12 oclock. We've worked with 4 or 5 different sound companies. None of those guys have ever said a word. The best guy of all of them had me so stinkin loud on stage I had to call him up there and tell him I thought it was too loud. He said" NO--I have it sounding great! Don't turn it down!" Go figure.

I hear alot of Pop Rock lately that has the bass pretty much burried.

Drummers make good bass players.
Bass Players make good soundmen.
 
dio-bass

dio-bass

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Oct 30, 2009
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I'm a keyboardist playing bass so you are not the only one out of his instrument that is loving the power of the bass
 
LawDaddy

LawDaddy

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Auburn, CA
I'm a guitar player of some 30+ years. My daughter picked up bass a couple of years ago when she was 14. To help her learn, I went out an bought a bass (Stingray, naturally) for myself. I ended up putting the guitar down for a good few months, and really enjoying it. I studied books (thanks Ed Friedland!), videos, etc. I've always played a little bass, like tracking lines on demos etc., but never woodshedded the bass, including walking lines and such.

I came away a much better guitar player. The experience really helped my ear, and sense of harmonic movement. Much better appreciation for the pocket. Even though I was already considered an outstanding rhythm player by many and get hired just on that alone, I'm now a much better groove player. I serve as a bandleader, and the experience has made me more appreciative of the rhythm section.

I also ended up breaking down my tone stack, pulling out some older gear I had put away, basically simplifying my rig. I see the experience as one of the key turns in my career. Sometimes it's easy to get trapped in a creative box, especially in the blues that I play. Really sitting down and learning bass as a bass player would blew a fresh clean breeze into my guitar playing.

A pleasant surprise: I asked one of the bass players I admire who his favorite bass player was, and he replied "Jimmy Smith's left hand". And he was right! I now have tons of organ jazz on my iPod.
 
TGL

TGL

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OHIO
Bass should be requiered for all -- as long as they don't take my gig!

That was great to read. I really wish more guitar players would do what you did. It might gain us all a little more respect. Sometimes I notice that people don't have a clue how important bass is. I just get the feeling that the general public thinks that anyone can play bass, it's no big deal.
Is it me or what?:confused:
 
Holdsg

Holdsg

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Alta Loma, CA
dio-bass said:
I'm a keyboardist playing bass so you are not the only one out of his instrument that is loving the power of the bass
Click to expand...


+1 me too, except adding the bass to my repertoire has openned up many more doors to me than had I stayed a keyboard only player. And led me to discover more musical styles than I had ever considered before. Bass broadens the musician's soul.
 
tkarter

tkarter

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Jun 22, 2004
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Kansas
I played guitar 25 years before picking up the bass. When I did I wanted to sound like a bass player so I learned.

You never hurt a bass line leaving guitar player notes out.

:D

tk
 
AnthonyD

AnthonyD

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Mar 23, 2005
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New Jersey
It's All About the Bass...

...and always has been.

I started with the bass guitar. I picked-up the guitar and the drums along the way and play both instruments more than reasonably well.

But it's always been and always will be all about the bass!

Sorry Andrew - I don't get the golf analogy. ;) I do LOVE the "Saturday morning at Guitar Center" line! :D

Some of my greatest satisfaction playing live is admiring a packed dance floor and knowing it's the bass their feeling. Especially when doing a boogie line. I wander across the stage and get my lead guitarist's attention...

"See all that out there? - That's ME their moving to!" He smiles, and knows it to be true.

Soloist and virtuosos aside, there's generally no flash or spotlight moment for the bass, no accolades, no "great solo" or "wow" moments - just the solid and steady foundation that everything else is riding on. And the pleasure and confidence comes from knowing, really knowing within that you're making it all happen.

Creates a very peaceful and powerful place to hang your hat.

Very Zen... :D
 
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