"Switching roles"

Kadin · #1 08-24-2010, 01:08 PM

I'm a near-hopeless amateur bassist for a local two (almost three) piece rock group, and I have difficulty in keeping up with fast progressions. I'm a somewhat slow player at times, I can't use my pink for fretting, I can't seem to slap, playing up the neck is difficult for me due to having tiny fingers, and I can barely hear the bass in other music to get inspiration.

Thus, my guitarist pal offered me a deal...
Since I tend to write a lot of melodies for the bass that translate better into guitar, he suggested that I kick up the gain and cover lead "guitar". On the bass. While he covers lows on his old Hagstrom (which he claims can really get the lows to imitate bass).

I was wondering, what are your thoughts on this? Has anyone done it? If so, does it turn disastrous? And if it's good, are there tips available for this kind of things?

Zitch · #2 08-24-2010, 01:23 PM

Doesnt sound like you like the bass very much, maybe you should find an instrument your more in love with. You have to love what you play. If im wrong and you do love it, stick with it.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #3 08-24-2010, 01:26 PM

While it can be done and has been done successfully many times (just about every 3-piece prog rock group has bass and guitar switching back and forth between lead roles), I wouldn't suggest it until you have a better grasp of how to play. Is your pinky injured/physically unusable? If not, you need to integrate it into your playing as soon as possible, whether it's comfortable at first or not.

Kadin · #4 08-24-2010, 01:26 PM

I learned to love the bass soon after I got into it. And I still love it. The primary reason for this "offer" is because I can't sing and play (still looking for techniques to help with this). I just have a lot of fun going up the strings, raising the midd and hitting the gain. I kinda need to be the bassist AND the rhythm guitarist, you see.

Kadin · #5 08-24-2010, 01:28 PM

And Bryan, I understand. I'm not aware of any actual handicap, I just need to get over the general weakness and inaccuracy.

Chris K · #6 08-24-2010, 10:46 PM

The outcome being no surprise, this is a very good poll. Experimenting and breaking away from tradition is good. But, Kadin, take lessons, teaching you to play all kinds of roles in the bands you will be in.