Open apology to bass players everywhere!

LCBurt · #1 05-13-2011, 09:42 AM

I filled in on bass for a friends band (he was desperate) and I had such a great time I thought maybe I should actually learn how to do this.

I have been playing guitar for quite some time, bass should be easy for me to pick up, right. Give me a month and I'll be wailing like John Paul Jones. Now I know some theory but have always been more of a feel and ear kind of player so maybe I will learn something along the way that will help my guitar playing. So far that was the only thing I was right about.

I have played in bands and know how important bass is but I never really considered what went into a bassline. I knew when it sounded good and know I like it better when it was interesting and not just the root.

The last couple weeks I have been playing bass nearly every day and spending time on studybass (great site) and finding lots of info here. It has really opened my eyes as to what goes into a well constructed bassline.... The way the runs outline the chords and lead the music through the changes.... the counter rhythms that supply the groove... I just never realized how it worked. I know I am just scratching the surface but this has really changed the way I look at and listen to music.

I have figured out its going to take a lot longer than a month to become a real bass player. I will probably never sound anything like Mr. Jones but I am having a great time learning and am becoming a much better musician in the process.

I guess what I'm trying to say is big props to all the bass players out there; I'll never take you for granted again!

bassteban · #2 05-13-2011, 09:45 AM

Somebody gets it.

Right on- IMO you are very much on the right track; also, welcome to TB.

Tituscrow · #3 05-13-2011, 09:46 AM

Prepare to embrace the love my friend...

MonkeyBass · #4 05-13-2011, 09:46 AM

You have seen the light!!

OmnitzGarima · #5 05-13-2011, 09:47 AM

Very cool, nice post. I came from the guitar side, and learning bass has been an eye-opening experience for me as well. I think of them as two different instruments, and neither one of them is easy.

Just wait until you discover fretless ... and the upright ....

Schlyder · #6 05-13-2011, 09:58 AM

Hahahahaha very good. I expect you will gain even more of an appreciation for bass when you get your first solo and everyone else in the band quits playing. (

if that hasn't happened to you already.)

jnuts1 · #7 05-13-2011, 10:15 AM

thanks i really appreciate the apology. i got sick before one gig & the second lead took over bass duties for the night. he got through one lick one time before going straight to roots for the rest of the night. sometimes they do get it

bucephylus · #8 05-13-2011, 10:20 AM

To the OP: not only does the bass playing open some new doors, but it will dramatically improve your guitar playing by way of opening your ears to more of the mix. Goood stuff.

tangentmusic · #9 05-13-2011, 10:23 AM

Apology accepted. Welcome to the deep end

jim777 · #10 05-13-2011, 10:25 AM

I came from the guitar side as well (or rather, I started on the guitar side, I never 'switched sides'), and I think it really helps you get more enjoyment out of music to be able to see the same piece from different points of view. All of your old favorite records take on a new dimension and depth when you change your primary point of focus from a 'playing the piece' point of view. I think every musician should learn at least two different instruments just for the joy you get out of all music - and guitar and bass really are two totally different instruments.

Welcome aboard!

Grateful · #11 05-13-2011, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LCBurt

.... The way the runs outline the chords and lead the music through the changes.... the counter rhythms that supply the groove... I just never realized how it worked.

Yep. Playing guitar is just playing parts of a bassline all at once.

Welcome, and thanks for the props. I hope it's contagious!

JimmyM · #12 05-13-2011, 11:04 AM

hee hee! we've got him fooled! he actually thinks that playing bass takes skill!

bluesdogblues · #13 05-13-2011, 11:09 AM

Welcome to the darkside as some may say

But seriously, actually the bass player is a 'silent leader' in a band. It can dramatically change the tonality of a chord with just one note, for example...

Just my 2 cents

pasta4lnch · #14 05-13-2011, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LCBurt

I guess what I'm trying to say is big props to all the bass players out there; I'll never take you for granted again!

same thing happened to me several years ago - I made the jump and am psyched learning a new thing . . . go dig out your old Zepplin albums and listen again. I nearly had a heart attack!

Bassman7PM · #15 05-13-2011, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pasta4lnch

same thing happened to me several years ago - I made the jump and am psyched learning a new thing . . . go dig out your old Zepplin albums and listen again. I nearly had a heart attack!

+1 Also, go back and listed to everything by YES and bow down to the genius of Chris Squire. Even better, listen a full discography of Motown hits and try playing some of those (simple?) licks and grooves.

**Staccato** · #16 05-13-2011, 11:29 AM

It was good of you to go public with the apology, that's one more in our column.

The numbers are still not in our favor!

John Wentzien · #17 05-13-2011, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

hee hee! we've got him fooled! he actually thinks that playing bass takes skill!

LCBurt · #18 05-13-2011, 11:38 AM

Thanks guys....

I am looking at getting a few instructional books or preferably videos. One name I have seen pop up on here frequently is the Standing In The Shadows Of Motown. I'm not a huge motown fan but I would imagine the theory would be sound for anything right?

My tastes are pretty eclectic and run from classic rock/metal like Alice Cooper, Zepplin, Black Sabbath, AC/DC (with Bon Scott), Tool, pre-Black Album Metallica and Megadeth, to kind of oddball stuff like Dr. Hook and Frank Zappa to country like Charley Daniels, Trent Tomlinson, Reckless Kelly, and I love me some Roger Miller. I even like some Pop kinda stuff like Joe Jackson, and especially like The Plimsouls.

Any suggestions on any good instructional videos? I'm not into the Slap thing (at least yet).

diehard70 · #19 05-13-2011, 11:43 AM

Welcome to the Low End

kreider204 · #20 05-13-2011, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LCBurt

Thanks guys....

I am looking at getting a few instructional books or preferably videos.

It all starts with the blues - I like these particular books:

Amazon.com: Mel Bay Blues Bass Method (9780786675319): David Barrett & Frank De Rose: Books

Amazon.com: Mel Bay Blues Bass Play-Along Trax (9780786673902): David Barrett & Frank De Rose: Books

These are the rock bass books I used when I was starting out, and I think they still stand the test of time:

http://www.amazon.com/Improvising-Ro...5309243&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...d+bass&x=0&y=0

Obviously, those last two are only available used, but hopefully you can find copies in decent shape.