I'm a one string bassist - Page 6

henry2513 · #**101** 01-15-2013, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tupac

Have we really become so underachieving that we think it's okay to ignore physically 3/4 of the instrument? I wouldn't go calling people who disagree with that notion "snobby bass elites". I can't make you do anything, and it's fine that you have fun, but it's not something you should take pride in with this "Haha, I'm ignorant and you can't stop me!" message.

Next reply: "Who cares, he's just having fun!"

I'm sure he is. The bass world would be very boring if everyone "just had fun" and put no work into it. I bet you'd have a lot more fun using the other 3 strings and playing with more people.

Flame war... BEGIN!

I'm a "snobby bass elite" but if the music isn't suffering then, who cares, really. It's about making music not PLAYING your instrument.

boristhespider9 · #**102** 01-15-2013, 01:38 PM

How about taking some lessons? Learning to practice the right way? Maybe even buying the Teach Me Bass Guitar program by Roy Vogt? I mean you bought the bass to learn how to play it right? So learn how and stop playing the tape in your head that "I can't do this, I can't do that, I only feel comfortable doing this...." Start a new self-talk that "I can do this, I'm going to play this, and I won't be intimidated by this instrument anymore." I mean sure, you could continue to do what you're doing, but you'll never be satisfied until you conquer these psychological barriers to becoming a better player.

Mushroo · #**103** 01-15-2013, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrenchBassQC

Spend the 7 hours a day you practice to learn this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBTcq...ature=youtu.be

LOL, that's a fairly ironic example, considering it was Bach who wrote (wait for it....) "Air on the G String," a beloved composition that is played only on the lowest/fattest string of the violin.

amimbari · #**104** 01-15-2013, 02:15 PM

The title comes from violinist August Wilhelm's late 19th century arrangement of the piece for violin and piano. By transposing the key of the piece from its original D major to C major and transposing the melody down an octave, Wilhelm was able to play the piece on only one string of his violin, the G string.

Mushroo · #**105** 01-15-2013, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amimbari

The title comes from violinist August Wilhelm's late 19th century arrangement of the piece for violin and piano. By transposing the key of the piece from its original D major to C major and transposing the melody down an octave, Wilhelm was able to play the piece on only one string of his violin, the G string.

Exactly, thus proving my point: there is an enthusiastic audience/market for music performed on just 1 string, even at a very high level of musicianship.

mikeythekid · #**106** 01-15-2013, 02:24 PM

IMHO playing everything on one string can be a great tool to get a specific tone (especially when playing with a pick). Ive often found myself using this approach when recording to achieve a consistent and driving sound. On the other hand however, I like to use the full fretboard when appropriate and for intricate lines.

I think the OP has something thats been working for him and thats great but you can only benefit from practicing some more options and being more well rounded.
Best of luck and keep rockin!

smeet · #**107** 01-15-2013, 03:58 PM

Yes, "Air on the G String" and Paganini's showmanship are examples of playing difficult pieces on a single string, but that proves the point - the reason for doing them (especially in Paganini's case) was that it is incredibly difficult to do, he was in effect thumbing his nose at the audience. You can play a four octave scale on one string of a violin, but it is not for the faint-hearted... Far easier to be able to play both along AND across strings.

That said, I had an epiphany a few years ago when I realized that learning scales and arpeggios up and down single strings gives you insight into the notes and intervals that you don't get when playing positions or "boxes".

To the OP: play with whatever technique you like. Hadrien Feraud and Billy Sheehan can do more on one string than I can do on 5 or 6. But I suggest you take a few lessons so you know the more conventional ways of playing the instrument also.

giacomini · #**108** 01-15-2013, 04:40 PM

tl;dr

did the OP already rage quit?

Tupac · #**109** 01-15-2013, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by giacomini

tl;dr

did the OP already rage quit?

Looks like it.

Mushroo · #**110** 01-15-2013, 09:47 PM

"Air on G String" has a killer bass line, by the way---fun to learn regardless of your style of choice. (but good luck playing it on one string

)

pbass6811 · #**111** 01-15-2013, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by giacomini

tl;dr

did the OP already rage quit?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tupac

Looks like it.

Dangit! I was just about to jump in and regale the OP with my "Yes, I am a snobby elitist because I do use all 5 strings on my basses, BUT, there is one song that we do that I play ENTIRELY on one string" story...

So I'll tell it to you guys,

We play We Die Young by Alice In Chains. It's in C#. Not only do I play the whole song on one string, but I only retune one string to play it. I decide which bass I'm gonna play it on(usually right before we play it), tune the B string to C#, and away we go. I take 3 basses to each gig, one tuned standard, one tuned down a half step, and one tuned to Drop C. It doesn't matter which one I pick up as I only retune the lowest string. Fun song. I think it'd be damn near impossible to play more than one string on that song since they tune to Drop C#. I make up for it by playing Slither by Velvet Revolver on standard tuned 5 string...

Since the OP seems to have taken his single string theory to more accepting pastures, I will keep the "I'm glad that's working for you right now, but someday you're probably going to have to actually learn how to play" speech to myself...sorta'.

ibateur · #**112** 01-16-2013, 06:37 AM

I kind of still miss the OPs definition of using one string only... he does mention that he uses other strings, but not at the same time (? like a chord?)

I'm mis-translating that he only plays roots, and/or never plays chords

Meyatch · #**113** 01-16-2013, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibateur

I kind of still miss the OPs definition of using one string only... he does mention that he uses other strings, but not at the same time (? like a chord?)

I'm mis-translating that he only plays roots, and/or never plays chords

I'm pretty sure what he was saying is that he will play one part of a song on one string only, then switch to a different string to play a different part of a song. Like, play the verse on the E string, and a chorus on the A string, and a bridge on the D string.

It seems like an odd way to play at best.

SquierJazz72 · #**114** 01-16-2013, 08:16 AM

Regardless of whether the OP is still around, I definitely think people should be learning the full range of the instrument properly, and how to handle it. Anything else just seems like sheer laziness, to me. In my opinion.

Then, if you choose to stay with a more limited style, and it works for you and your music, it's at least by choice, and not because you CAN'T do anything else.

Russell L · #**115** 01-16-2013, 08:20 AM

Think what a skinny neck ya could have with a one-string bass.

amimbari · #**116** 01-16-2013, 08:22 AM

did you folks listen to his mp3? ( cough-cough )

I played on one string as well when I first started. It lasted about 2 days because nothing I needed to do could be done on one string, but I never made an argument on how my way was the best way to play.

This reminds me of the battle between " I'll tune my 4stringer to BEAD, and you can keep your 5strings for yourselves, because anything you can do on your 5'er I can do on my 4"

ibateur · #**117** 01-16-2013, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amimbari

did you folks listen to his mp3? ( cough-cough )

yup. i hope it was just an example

Immigrant · #**118** 01-16-2013, 03:22 PM

Wow. I thought what I'd posted pages ago was rough, but you guys are harsh. It's made me rethink what this kid is going through.

Everybody started somewhere and we're all at different levels in our progression (maybe) towards being a better bass player. Constructive criticism is probably welcomed by the OP. I think he started the thread with subconscious hopes of TBers easing him into a "better" way, and it seems he rage quit after a few disparaging remarks and the remarks continue. Pile on, I guess.

OP, if you're still reading this, continue on. Play what you want and after you get good at it, you'll be inspired to play more complicated (fun) stuff. Good luck!

henry2513 · #**119** 01-16-2013, 04:09 PM

You guys think its fun but now instead of adding a member to our community he's going to go tell his buddies that, "the dudes on talkbass are elitist dickheads".

Everyone here who's been thumbing their nose at the OP should post a sample of their playing so that we can all critique it.

Fergie Fulton · #**120** 01-16-2013, 04:17 PM

So many views but missing the point maybe, a one string bass works fine if the circumstances afford it.
It has access to the 12 notes we use (and more) and is a modern construct of a tea chest bass.
In skiffle, tea chest basses were the instrument of choice, so a tea chest, a broom handle and a length of thin rope as the string was all that we needed.
As a diddley bow is a common one stringed instrument around the world, you will find them in many sizes to function in many areas of tonality.

So if one string works for you, then embrace it...if I does not then use more......I for one when listening to a recording would find it hard to hear if the line is all on one string.....and really would not care....if it sounds right....it is right.