Bass Anxiety

[fendervox]

So I've been browsing the forums a lot and reading quite a bit how many guitarist think they are bass players. I am one of those people, however, I fully converted - sold my guitars, amps, etc and invested in bass gear... so there's no real turning back now. I've even been taking lessons once a week and dishing out a fair chunk doing so.

That being said, my heart is in the right place to play bass. But the more I read, the more I become anxious that I am going to be that 'guitar bass player' rather than the 'bass guitar player'.

Currently, I'm in two bands. Playing bass for both. In one, the drummer isn't the best with timing and often has somewhat peculiar beats, which I'm still not sure if they go right or not. In the other, we are still seeking a drummer, however, seem to get more done than the full band I am in. Reading how bassists should find a groove with the drummer, what should on do?

I like to believe that I come up with really neat bass lines, however, part of me keeps thinking 'maybe the guitars should be doing this instead'. Any advice for me here?

[ilovethesechord]

That's a tough one... what kind of music do you play? How long have you played electric guitar? Why did you choose to play bass? How many guitars are in the band(s)?

[bassteban]

The fact that you dumped all your guitar stuff tells me you want to play bass(subtle, yes- but I caught it ). Actually, I hope you saved one guitar, just because it's good(IMO)to play something you're not *comfy* with. Makes you appreciate your primary thing more when you come back.
Beyond all that, play the hand you're dealt; by that I mean make the best out of both situations. I helped a very formally-trained drummer friend do a rhythm section clinic, & IMO the *nugget* I brought was to point out that everyone is responsible for keeping time, not just the drummer. What if your pro-level super-session drummer keels over of a heart attack in the middle of your *IDOL* audition? Keep playing. Hold your time, and carry EVERYONE if you have to. I can't tell you the 'answer' to all your queries, but I think you're ding well(two gigs )- make the most of them & learn all you can. There will be more.

[EagleMoon]

Sounds like you just don't groove with that drummer and he needs some major practice time. There's nothing much more annoying than a drummer who can't keep a beat.

[mebusdriver]

Really I think that guitar players make pretty good bass players. I like listening to some of my guitar buddies when they're noodling on my bass. They have a strong sense of melody and chord tones wich I think helps them write pretty good lines. They also play a lot different than a "normal" bass player would and sometimes that's a good thing. Hell, if they actually practiced bass and improved at the technical aspect of playing bass, they'd actually be good players.

Don't get down on yourself man. Play how you want to play. Regardless of what it sounds like. If you're really trying to sound like a bass player, you're just gonna sound fake or bad. There is no right or wrong way to play. Just play what you want.

And don't just give on the drummer. Talk to him about time and grooving. Show him some examples. Practice with him. He may get better and you could end up clicking.

[ilovethesechord]

Originally Posted by mebusdriver

Really I think that guitar players make pretty good bass players. I like listening to some of my guitar buddies when they're noodling on my bass. They have a strong sense of melody and chord tones wich I think helps them write pretty good lines. They also play a lot different than a "normal" bass player would and sometimes that's a good thing. Hell, if they actually practiced bass and improved at the technical aspect of playing bass, they'd actually be good players.

Don't get down on yourself man. Play how you want to play. Regardless of what it sounds like. If you're really trying to sound like a bass player, you're just gonna sound fake or bad. There is no right or wrong way to play. Just play what you want.

And don't just give on the drummer. Talk to him about time and grooving. Show him some examples. Practice with him. He may get better and you could end up clicking.

+1

...the worst thing you can do is worry about what a bunch of strangers whom you are never going to meet think of you bass playing.

[TOOL460002]

Originally Posted by ilovethesechord

That's a tough one... what kind of music do you play?

i would say that is the determining factor. there are plenty of bass players that drive the song, though i would say the majority are support. if you play with two guitarists, youre probably going to be more in the background (though this doesnt mean you are consigned to root notes).

in my opinion, the biggest thing for creative support playing is percussion. i dont remember when i finally "got it," but it certainly wasnt immediate. if you have been playing guitar for a while, then you probably listen to music paying more attention to guitar. this will slowly change. i love stone temple pilots, and i really think robert de leo is a fantastic example of the traditional bass role.

the fact that youre concerned with it means youre going to change it. be patient, and listen to what other people do. you cant go wrong listening to blues rock. our lady peace has some great examples as well, at least their second, third and fourth albums are also excellent examples of solid blues rock bass playing. they are kind of the canadian stone temple pilots, at least until they ditched their good bass player and got bob rock to produce that garbage.

[fendervox]

I'm really appreciating all the advice here. Thank you all so far! To Ilovethesechord, we play kind of experimental pop rock? Maybe I guess? We don't venture into pure pop, or alternative, but we some progressive kinda stuff occasionally.

I REALLY enjoyed the threads too about playing what I want. Believe it or not, I never really thought of that. I think that after playing guitar for nearly 13 years, I'm used to people knowing me as a guitar player. I know when there are other guitar players in the crowd and as musicians, we usually tend to focus on our own instrument when watching another band. I had it in my head that I'd be playing to a crowd of 100 bass players who are all watching my technique and skills haha, sounds ridiculous now.

To be honest though, I actually really respect the bass. I feel as though I have to give it justice and thus I am very attached to it already. Part of me doesn't want to let the bass down.

The more I think about it though, the more I do like the idea of simply playing what I feel. I read a great advice piece in the 'the best advice you ever received' thread, and it was 'don't play the song, let the song play you', and that's honestly how I came up with a lot of my riffs.

Good thing I have you all on here lol!

[fendervox]

Originally Posted by TOOL460002

i would say that is the determining factor. there are plenty of bass players that drive the song, though i would say the majority are support. if you play with two guitarists, youre probably going to be more in the background (though this doesnt mean you are consigned to root notes).

in my opinion, the biggest thing for creative support playing is percussion. i dont remember when i finally "got it," but it certainly wasnt immediate. if you have been playing guitar for a while, then you probably listen to music paying more attention to guitar. this will slowly change. i love stone temple pilots, and i really think robert de leo is a fantastic example of the traditional bass role.

the fact that youre concerned with it means youre going to change it. be patient, and listen to what other people do. you cant go wrong listening to blues rock. our lady peace has some great examples as well, at least their second, third and fourth albums are also excellent examples of solid blues rock bass playing. they are kind of the canadian stone temple pilots, at least until they ditched their good bass player and got bob rock to produce that garbage.

I'm actually Canadian and have been lucky enough to see OLP a few times. I agree that they have some great musicians.

In both bands there are two guitarist, however, in one, he only occasionally plays - maybe every other song. When I approached the bass, I never wanted to be the Victor Wooten, or even Flea type player. I wanted to play like James Jamerson, who has great bass lines, doesn't go over the top, but doesn't just sit in the background either.

[seanm]

My take is there are three main groups of guitar players:

1) lead
2) rhythm
3) lead and rhythm

I think we all know lead guitar players who can't play rhythm. I believe it is this group that makes bad bass players.

[fendervox]

I was/am a rhythm guitarist

[Captain Howdy]

Just rock it and play what feels good and lay down tasty grooves and everything else will work itself out...don't worry that you started on guitar, it don't matter as long as you got that beat in your soul...

[lorenk]

I wouldn't worry...

As long as all of the band agrees on what is going on musically. And as long as you feel it grooves with the rest of the song.

lol and Captain Howdy....love the SN....haven't seen that in a few years (had a friend who loved Strangeland).

[TOOL460002]

oh, one more thing (aside from another olp fan [yay!]), is that if you play with quality musicians, they will definitely let you know if your playing sucks. sometimes constructive criticism takes a crude route, but it is still useful. play with confidence. thirteen years on guitar? yeah, i bet you know music. i have about the same on just bass, but i have still been told when i am out of line with a particular style. you know how a song is built, so just keep a healthy dialogue with the rest of the band. i can come up with fifty crap riffs, as long as the 51st is the right one. to quote the simpsons, "pobody's nerfect." just go for it. thirteen years man. you will know it.