Something i (and possibly other bassists) Hate

[Ironderby]

When guitarists buy a £150 bass, use the same guitar skills, think bass is just a drop tuned guitar and call them selves bassists. I am by no means good, im still learning, and still suck at fingerstyle, i've been practising every day for over a year. Thats what grinds my gears.

[Muddslide]

Yeah, I think this is a common (and frustrating) misconception, and not only among guitarists and musicians, but people in general (if laypeople, indeed, even recognize the difference between guitar and bass.)

To me, the bass is not simply a low-tuned four string guitar. It's fine and perfectly valid if a player just plays root notes on the beat. Some songs are perfect for that and don't require anything else from the bass.

But the bass is really unique in a band situation. You can do a lot to divide up those rhythms and provide harmonies and counter-melodies to the music. If you are skilled, you can even do these things without muddying up the mix!

What I always say about the bass is that it requires a different approach than other band instruments. It occupies a certain unique area as BOTH the melodic rhythm instrument AND the rhythmic melody instrument.

IMO, bass is no easier to master than guitar. It's a different thing. Its own thing.

[Thaos627]

personally i dont really care cause most bands can tell the difference between a good and bad bassist so he's not taking anyones spot.

i do believe bass is harder to master than guitar simply because of the neglet its gotten for years. we have less than a tenth of the learning material that guitarists have but other than that i believe they are separate and even only on skill it takes to master.

[cnltb]

Originally Posted by Ironderby

When guitarists buy a £150 bass, use the same guitar skills, think bass is just a drop tuned guitar and call them selves bassists. I am by no means good, im still learning, and still suck at fingerstyle, i've been practising every day for over a year. Thats what grinds my gears.

Why?

[ShredderMaximus]

I like to think that the bass is the most versatile instrument in a band setting, not strictly limited to melody and not strictly limited to rhythm. In the hands of a good bassist miles of extra depth can be brought to a song and can add tons to even the most basic of chord progressions.
And understanding of that basic principle is imo what separates the guys that play bass from the bassists.

[grendle]

Originally Posted by ShredderMaximus

I like to think that the bass is the most versatile instrument in a band setting, not strictly limited to melody and not strictly limited to rhythm. In the hands of a good bassist miles of extra depth can be brought to a song and can add tons to even the most basic of chord progressions.
And understanding of that basic principle is imo what separates the guys that play bass from the bassists.

+1

[skunky36]

Yeah, There are bassists, and those who play guitar on bass.

[steelhead2]

all i can add is,i'd rather play bass by a mile or 1400 than a guitar,ok yes,,there are higher tones and more chords but,i'll also mention that tons of new rock songs('New Rock') you hear bass being utilised as the lead instrument with fills being done by guitars,

it's all good,i just don't understand why one person embraces a bass and he's 'not as good' or 'if you can't play a bass then buy a drumset' mentality,it's not supposed to be a grading deal,,(EDIT i have an old high school budy who plays drums,that's WHAT he does and that's all he's ever done,that's HIS instrument(for 40 years),he's no less a playa than anybody else in the lineup of his band.,i know one drumer who started in 65 and that's also all he's ever played.

that would mean a congo player was a rabid baby raper that couldn't read a stop sign,or something like that,,maybe they are but=i can't play em!,i play bass,if they wanna lay their congos or drums ,horns OR guitars in beside me it's all good

oh ya! did i mention effects?,,no geetar can do what i can do,they never will and think how the Chilis would sound without Flea,they'd be dust in wind baby,,ok,done for the night but glad you got me fired up before bed(i can use it @ 6AM)