I'm a one string bassist

[lolomgbass4lyfe]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

You know you don't play in a conventional way and limit yourself. It is fine if it works for you but don't expect anyone to say you are helping yourself playing like this. You're not.

Stylistically, I don't feel limited at all. I feel limited by the rest of the world and the feeling of being judged for the style.

[Mushroo]

Originally Posted by lolomgbass4lyfe

Stylistically, I don't feel limited at all. I feel limited by the rest of the world and the feeling of being judged for the style.

Welcome to talkbass. We are all highly opinionated here, but it's in good fun.

[lolomgbass4lyfe]

Originally Posted by Mushroo

Welcome to talkbass. We are all highly opinionated here, but it's in good fun.

Thanks. To be honest, I just came on here to ask this. It's been bothering me since I found out.

[Hopkins]

Originally Posted by lolomgbass4lyfe

To be honest, upon further thought, I don't think I'll live life as a bassist without ever teaching myself to play traditionally. I just don't know how soon that will be.

The longer you keep using your current style the harder it will be to learn a more traditional one. Its like learning a new language after speaking english your whole life.

Originally Posted by lolomgbass4lyfe

Stylistically, I don't feel limited at all. I feel limited by the rest of the world and the feeling of being judged for the style.

Stylistically you are probably not limited at all playing they type of music you do, but in the future you may want to play something other than punk. When that day comes you will be very limited stylistically.

[Jazz Ad]

You can't play a chord or even a double stop, can't play an octave unless it's on the open string, can't use drone strings... Again, if it works for you it's fine.
People don't care how many strings you use. They care about the music you play. The rest is up to you.
Besides, when did punks start caring about what people thought about them?

[lolomgbass4lyfe]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

You can't play a chord or even a double stop, can't play an octave unless it's on the open string, can't use drone strings... Again, if it works for you it's fine.
People don't care how many strings you use. They care about the music you play. The rest is up to you.
Besides, when did punks start caring about what people thought about them?

Haha, punk is all about individuality and I'm being an individual by caring

Actually, I probably should have mentioned this, I plan on learning chords. I learned a single one and I've been using it. It's distorted, but I made this recently.

[lolomgbass4lyfe]

That song is actually GGGG EEE, GGGG DDDD

[bassteban]

Study Klaus Flouride & try to play some of his stuff us ing your technique. Winnebago Warrior would be a good start.

[El Raro]

I'm not one to encourage mediocrity or anything but if the OP's music only requires the use of a single string then who is anyone to tell him otherwise? I play in a grunge/alternative rock band and I find myself relying on the E string a lot. In saying that, I do tend to also use the higher strings just as much when solo-ing or playing the same root notes on a higher register with modulation effects thrown in for...well...effect. Does that make me any less of a player than the OP or an actual professional? I'd like to hope not. That's simply what my music demands off me. OP shouldn't be shamed of playing on a single string if that's what he needs to make an impact.

Not all styles of music require the bass player to take the spotlight and show off their chops. Has anyone ever heard the term "In the pocket"?. Sometimes its great to see soloists go nuts on the fretboard and noodle away...but that's not something that's required in every genre. Sometimes its enough to have the bass player hold the bottom end tight and add depth to the music. Hardly a bad thing.

in b4 punk and metal isn't music then.

[lolomgbass4lyfe]

Originally Posted by bassteban

Study Klaus Flouride & try to play some of his stuff us ing your technique. Winnebago Warrior would be a good start.

Klaus is actually one of my favorites. I alternate between pick and fingers, and I'm faster with fingers so when trying to imitate him, I use those, even though I'm almost certain Klaus uses a pick. His sound is similar to Greg Norton from Husker Du and Tony Lombardo formerly of The Descendents, who used fingers.

[lolomgbass4lyfe]

Originally Posted by El Raro

I'm not one to encourage mediocrity or anything but if the OP's music only requires the use of a single string then who is anyone to tell him otherwise? I play in a grunge/alternative rock band and I find myself relying on the E string a lot. In saying that, I do tend to also use the higher strings just as much when solo-ing or playing the same root notes on a higher register with modulation effects thrown in for...well...effect. Does that make me any less of a player than the OP or an actual professional? I'd like to hope not. That's simply what my music demands off me. OP shouldn't be shamed of playing on a single string if that's what he needs to make an impact.

Not all styles of music require the bass player to take the spotlight and show off their chops. Has anyone ever heard the term "In the pocket"?. Sometimes its great to see soloists go nuts on the fretboard and noodle away...but that's not something that's required in every genre. Sometimes its enough to have the bass player hold the bottom end tight and add depth to the music. Hardly a bad thing.

in b4 punk and metal isn't music then.

Exactly. And I don't plan on being a "solo all over the place" bassist, though if I get to the point where I can do that, I'll give it a try, I'm just trying to hold together the rhythm.

[wideload]

OP
It seems you don't play across the fingerboard for the same reason I don't slap - I don't want to. But I don't consider those who do "elite", nor do I care much what others think of my playing. I'm the one getting paid to play, not them.

Just don't let a punk attitude keep you from expanding your ability as you develop or as your music changes. You might even find some cool chords are hidden in those other strings!

[Mushroo]

If anyone ever tells you "you're playing your instrument WRONG" show them this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5F59PkcDWM

[CraigTB]

I hear you man. For the first five years I'd only play bass by blowing in that little hole. Worked for me. Haters gonna hate.

[millsbass5]

Originally Posted by henry2513

If what you are playing fulfills the need of the music then who cares, if the music doesn't suffer from it then what's the problem with it?

What's a fill in punk music?

[daddy like]

Originally Posted by lolomgbass4lyfe

I'm really into punk rock and metal and have been a vocalist for quite some time. I recently picked up bass. I've been playing by ear and getting pretty good. I'm getting ready to start a band with a friend of mine who plays guitar. But when I started, I didn't know that you were supposed to move over to other strings and thought it was okay to just stay on a single string at a time. I found out after playing for a friend who had been playing a bit longer than me. He asked me why I was only playing the E string. Personally, I think it doesn't matter. It sounds just as good and could totally hold the rhythm together. But I feel like the snobby bass player elite wouldn't accept me, and I know I should ignore them, but I find that I can't. Please let me know if you think this is okay, and if you do it too I'd also like to know. Thanks!

would you drive a stick shift car in 1 gear?

[jordak]

Originally Posted by CraigTB

I hear you man. For the first five years I'd only play bass by blowing in that little hole. Worked for me. Haters gonna hate.

What little hole?
Also, I must be an elite guitarist. I can play bar chords, I can play major and minor scales, and I can play the smoke on the water riff.

[Kenzy]

Originally Posted by jordak

What little hole?
Also, I must be an elite guitarist. I can play bar chords, I can play major and minor scales, and I can play the smoke on the water riff.

He means the output jack on the bass

[Poopoutyouridea]

I've just realized that all of this could have been avoided if the OP had not asked the extremely irrelevant and pointless question at all. Who cares what you play or how you play? Its up to you to regret your lack of technique later in your life anyway. Exactly like how I regretted not learning how to slap now that I'm in a slap-heavy funk cover band. All I'm saying is that it's good to learn as much as you can and diversify. After all, the more you know, the better.

[revtime]

Nothing wrong with being one dimensional. If that does it for you more power to you.
Me thinks you came in and asked this question because you don't want to be one dimensional. There are plenty of DVDs, Youtube videos, etc if you really want to further your technique.