I'm a one string bassist

[SquierJazz72]

I don't think it's fun at all, I just got the impression he was more interested in defending his choice than really learning.
How is any of us thinking that one should learn to play the instrument being a snob. Maybe I was being over sensitive, as it kind of rubbed me the wrong way.

All I'm really saying is if someone has problems with something and really wants to improve, there is only one way: push outside your comfort zone and practice until you can do what you couldn't before. Then, if you make a certain stylistic choice, it's a choice, not a result of locking yourself into being a one trick pony.

[Itzayana]

This is hugely amusing to me.
The fact there is a person who thinks that snobby bass player elites are players who use more than one string is almost beyond comprehension.
But I remember hearing once about a band that part of the act was that one of the band members actually took a crap on stage so I shouldn't be too surprised.

[puddin tame]

One string rules, im pretty sure jaco only used one strig anyway.
Dont listen to these nerds telling you stuff like you need to learn notes and all that boring elitist snobby crap like theory and scales, total wase of time. Keep up the seven hours a day on the e string (thats the biggest fattest one)


.....dont look at me like that. More gigs for me

[Hobobob]

Originally Posted by Itzayana

This is hugely amusing to me.
The fact there is a person who thinks that snobby bass player elites are players who use more than one string is almost beyond comprehension.
But I remember hearing once about a band that part of the act was that one of the band members actually took a crap on stage so I shouldn't be too surprised.

That would be GG Allin.
+1 on this thread being hilarious. We've got a teenager who's basically saying "LOL I do this thing like so different from everybody else lol DONT JUDGE ME!!!" and folks are actually taking him seriously. Just let the kid figure it out on his own, since he's bent on doing it anyways. You know what they say about leading a horse to water...

[henry2513]

Originally Posted by Fergie Fulton

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.

This I agree with 100%

[Maz]

Originally Posted by Itzayana

This is hugely amusing to me.
The fact there is a person who thinks that snobby bass player elites are players who use more than one string is almost beyond comprehension.
But I remember hearing once about a band that part of the act was that one of the band members actually took a crap on stage so I shouldn't be too surprised.

+1 for the GG Allin reference. In fact, one of my favorite GG songs Bastard son of a Loaded Gun is totally a one stringer. Still, even Merle Allin played more than one string on most songs.

[vishuddha]

If it works, it works... but you are going to catch HEAVY flak when people start noticing.

I, and many others here, just would have a VERY hard time taking someone seriously if they only use one string. But the idea is that we all started there... at least I did, as well as others I know.

Play what works, but make yourself use other strings every so often, or you are going to be stuck at the same skill level for a very long time.

[njo741]

Why ask for opinions if you're going to get mad when someone gives you one that you don't like??

[4dog]

Dude,you wear that string out, you go boiiii, and when it breaks, you learn that next one, and so on, thats how i learned the neck, ROCK ON!!!!

[Russell L]

I wanna be different and just play the D string. I'm that type.

[Ragoo]

He sounds a bit like the next Sid Vicious to me!

[Kenzy]

Originally Posted by Russell L

I wanna be different and just play the D string. I'm that type.

So...so what you're saying is...that you...you want the- ahem... You want the D?

[SquierJazz72]

Don't want to say the OP is in this category, as I hope he'll learn to expand his capabilities, before his style does become a limitation, but it does remind of something years ago.

Some punk band(I don't remember their name) featured in a guitar magazine.

The guitarist was going on about his punk attitude and how proud he was to be ignorant of anything even resembling musical knowledge. When asked about scales, he said "I'm proud to say I can't do them."

Like I said, I don't remember their name. Mostly because I never saw or heard anything from them again. Just food for thought.

[ronaldpdbrandt]

lolomgtalkbass4fyveminitz

[Fergie Fulton]

People talk about limitations, but he has all the notes he requires, time signatures, syncopation, tone, etc are all there for him to work on.
I have seen plenty players with all the strings, and more, that are limited, because it is their thinking that is limited, not what they play on how any strings.

For some players, more strings just represent a way to change key, because they use the sonics of driving a root note or a pedal bass through the song.
Having limitations demands that you have to think about what you want to achieve, find a different way to get close to what you want.
OK you can argue "why put limitations on yourself" but it will always come down to choice, and if the person making that choice is happy with it......then respect it.

If the OP only came here to make a point or defend a position, or to up-set the apple cart......or whatever, that is their choice......so just pat them on the back, say "well done" and live in the knowledge that what your doing is much better than them.
But if for any reason he makes is big, has that shot at some fame and fortune doing what he does, then remember we all had the same choices, we could all have just played one string.....but choose not to.
If the OP gets interest and publicity because of his unusual approach to playing bass, then he is already a player of note, because with interest and profile comes opportunity these days.....not so for talent.

Seasick Steve gathered more interest and fame playing his three stringed guitar (now reputed to be a collectors Item and worth a fair bit of money) than most guitar player could ever dream of playing six strings........it is the sound, not the amount of strings that matter, it what you do with it......not what you got.

[Russell L]

Originally Posted by Kenzy

So...so what you're saying is...that you...you want the- ahem... You want the D?

Heh, heh, just cuttin' up. And no offense intended. If anyone wants to play one string, hey, my first guitar ever had only one string when I got it. I thought it was wonderful, and I played with the radio for awhile before I went and put three more strings on it and played it like it was a tenor guitar for another while. Then, I finally went for all six strings.

Fergie is right.

[CraigTB]

so ok, am I really the only one that suspects this whole thread was a troll?

[4dog]

Get off the bridge!!!!!

[SquierJazz72]

so ok, am I really the only one that suspects this whole thread was a troll?

Probably not. I just rolled with it, and said what I wanted to say, regardless.

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by CraigTB

so ok, am I really the only one that suspects this whole thread was a troll?

If it was/is then getting all up and in his face is the reaction he will expect and want......being sociable, nice and amenable will rile him even more, so a win win situation for not being confrontational and rising to the bait.