Do You consider yourself a natural born bassist?

*smb · #2 04-13-2008, 01:14 PM

No. I've had to work to get where I am with bass skills.

fenderhutz · #3 04-13-2008, 01:14 PM

Nope I am a drummer. In the few months I have spent playing drums I am picking up things MUCH quicker than I ever did on bass.

I also had a Muppets drumkit when I was 5.

Tamarack · #4 04-13-2008, 01:16 PM

Nope. I'm actually a natural born botanist - playing bass, etc. my main hobby.

optikhog · #5 04-13-2008, 01:18 PM

I am a naturally born wreck. Any coordination I've managed to muster is the result of hard work.

JEDI BASS · #6 04-13-2008, 01:23 PM

I think I was born to be a bassist. But, life/destiny/fate had other plans for me. I was born to play bass, just not destined to be a great musician, I suppose! I suck!! HAHA, but I love playing bass as a hobby.

I wouldn't change a thing, actually.... 'cause I may not have had my daughter, which is the most important thing in my life!!

Dogbertday · #7 04-13-2008, 01:25 PM

Damn i hope so... seeing as it's what i'm devoting my life to...

I think naturally i am but i could have used more being engulfed in music growing up

The Lurker · #8 04-13-2008, 01:37 PM

Nope. I had no sense of pitch, rhythm, or anything else-- I had to force-learn those as I went.

JEDI BASS · #9 04-13-2008, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogbertday

Damn i hope so... seeing as it's what i'm devoting my life to...

I think naturally i am but i could have used more being engulfed in music growing up

I almost devoted my life to it as well. But, I fell in love and let my first band (with the best guitarist/music phenom I've ever played w/ or seen for that matter) go to Seattle (in '91) without me. All but the guitarist came back and quit music altogether. He stayed and was able to make a living doing music, no fame and fortune....he's dead now, suicide. Musical geniuses are never stable you know! I finished college, stayed off drugs (unlike him) and I'm still here to live and love and play.

Damn, I wish he'd stayed here! We could've had a lot of fun together. And, maybe, I coulda helped save him from himself.

Sorry, for the BIG BUMMER story guys!! But, you know the quest for fame and fortune in music can really ruin a person's life, sometimes.

neurotictim · #10 04-13-2008, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by optikhog

I am a naturally born wreck. Any coordination I've managed to muster is the result of hard work.

+1

I hated my brother for being a natural, but I got farther (albeit more slowly) by being persistent.

capnsandwich · #11 04-13-2008, 02:01 PM

There's no doubt that I was born with the gift of music. I was learning to play by ear cartoon theme songs and church songs on keyboard at age 3 and learned the song "Chariots of Fire" at age 5. I don't think I'm a natural born bassist but I have focussed all my talent and musical energy towards the bass these past 3 years. I've been a guitarist for 20 years but started playing bass about 10 years ago. It does come easier to me than many other bassists I know but I still have to put forth effort to get better.

plastik-bass[?] · #12 04-13-2008, 02:03 PM

yes. i blow at every other intrument

YCBass · #13 04-13-2008, 02:09 PM

Nope, not even close... I started playing guitar in 6th grade cause everyone else was doing it, I guess it stuck with me - not really sure how many of my former classmates are still playing.

I've had to work hard to have whatever skills I have now - which is nowhere near what your typical trained or naturally gifted (I'm not on both counts) 15 year player should be, hahaha.

But I love it nonetheless.

BassXgirl · #14 04-13-2008, 02:22 PM

I think I'm more of a "natural born drummer". The first time I sat on a drum kit I was able to play whatever I heard in my head. My drummer friend used to have fun with it. He would play a drum part or just 'beat box' some parts and I would repeat him on the drums. He would just laugh hysterically and say 'How do you do that!!??'. "Who showed you how to...!??" I've been offered gigs as a drummer but it didn't feel right being that I never 'practiced' drums.

Drums were my true "natural" calling but bass is where my heart is.

I prefer the LOW FREQUENCIES and role of the bass. I took pretty natually to the rhythmic and tonal aspects of bass, but learning the music theory part of it has NOT been natural for me AT ALL.

Moreau · #15 04-13-2008, 02:29 PM

not at all. am i a bassist now? i spose...

Time Consumer · #16 04-13-2008, 02:42 PM

Naw, I was actually a percussionist in the school band program since like, fourth grade, I was never really awesome at drums, guess i wasnt that into it, i was mainly there for the trips. I picked up bass a couple years ago and never looked back. I love it.

OptimusPrime · #17 04-13-2008, 02:57 PM

I've got long arms, real big hands and real long fingers. But I've still had to work to get where I'm at now.

tomvelsor · #18 04-13-2008, 03:27 PM

sure ive had to play my ass off to get to where i am now but..

ive always felt kinda like "ive got the funk." even as a beginner i felt like i could groove on one note and sound funky..

weather that makes me a bassist or just a really big george clinton fan, im not sure..but either way, i like it..

Dr_Funkdamental · #19 04-13-2008, 05:45 PM

I would have to say yes. Ive actually thought about it too. Ive played alot of instruments (10 to be exact), but Ive always been drawn to the foundation of songs. I had feel before I knew what feel was, and I had a very sharp ear. Also because my personality matches the instrument. I love to be the person that you depend on but not necessarily in the spotlight. I fit in pretty much with anyone and I dont mind holding down the bottom while everyone else does their thing. Plus, I LOVE THE GROOVE.

unclekebm · #20 04-13-2008, 05:49 PM

i think i'm a natural born drummer/percussionist, everytime i play drums in a band i'm crazy happy, i'm always beatboxing and when i write...it's drums & beats first...
i play bass for a living and i do think it's important for bass players to play drums and drummers to play bass, it creates a deep understanding of the rhythm sections role...