Advice for keyboardist switching to bass

[cryptojunkie]

Hello all, I've searched, found and read the threads on general bass tips, and the keyboardist to bass club threads. Searched for specific advice for the keyboardist to bass, and if I've missed it please forgive me.

Been playing piano, keyboards and B-3 organ for around 25 years. I've been "tinkering" with guitar for quite a while, so I have some limited left hand technique.

Just picked up a highway 1 J bass and an Ampeg BA115, and will be taking lessons for sure. Concentrating on 70s and southern rock initially.

I'm looking for specific advice on avoiding the common mistakes and pitfalls keyboardists make when switching to the bass.

[rodcheapo]

Speaking from experience here - I had 15+ years as a classical pianist and keyboard player prior to adding bass into the arsenal.

Most importantly, I'd try hard to remember the role of the bass as a supporting instrument primarily. My experience on keyboards had been mostly solo work or as a centerpiece. I found it difficult in the beginning to sit back and let things happen around me. It might take a while to realize how melodic the bass can be without being flashy. Once you get adept enough to add a little flash, it only gets better.

Technique wise - watch your wrists. I found it rather difficult to adapt to the positioning of the instrument after years of sitting in one posture. I personally don't believe there is a necessary position for either hand - just find comfortable positioning that enables you to be accurate (ignore speed at first) and consistent. In my experiences I had wrists going all over the place at first!

[MalcolmAmos]

As mentioned technique and how you play will be the big difference. Playing from lead sheet and or fake chord - as there is no bass cleft - and then having to compose the bass line from the chord name instead of relying upon what the bass cleft would have written will be a small learning curve.

Chord tones to a groove will take some thought. Instead of melody we are responsible for the groove. You mentioned Country. Country bass line revolves around a generic R-5-R-5 with chromatic runs to the next chord. Why? Country is major and will use a dirt simple chord progression. Every chord used is going to have a root and a five. In Country the melody (actually the vocal) is King - so the bass line tends to be dirt simple to stay out of the vocalist's way. My point - a new 6 string guitarist will normally fill his bass lines too full right at first. I think this will be something you should watch. Think groove. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1CnyJOQMos



Now echo melody - echoing the vocalist at specific points (as is done in gospel music by the bass vocalist) is very effective in Country music and your keyboard experience here will come into play.

The transition should not take you very long.

Good luck.

[4Mal]

Other than prepare to starve . No, not much... In my neck of the woods, a guy that can B3, Rhodes and Clavinet - can gig as much as he can stand...
At least when you tire of stqrving and go back to key's you'll probably have experienced the left hand of the key's stepping on the bass line and you'll have more sympathy for the bass guy.

(OK - I am kidding to an extent with that last little bit ...)