Alex Webster thinks bass is easier than guitar?

BrandonBass · #1 07-29-2006, 07:42 AM

He revealed in a making-of DVD for The Wretched Spawn that he initially started playing guitar but changed to bass because he felt he could master the instrument more quickly.

from his wikipedia

vindy500 · #2 07-29-2006, 07:44 AM

coz it is. 4 strings one note at a time

but seriously its a lot easier to learn bass

Metal Chuck · #3 07-29-2006, 08:12 AM

To learn and play at a basic level, yes, to master, hell no.

superbassman2000 · #4 07-29-2006, 05:29 PM

idk why everyone gets so bent out of shape with bass being easier than guitar...so what if it is? does that make you dislike the bass?

Spencer! · #5 07-29-2006, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbassman2000

idk why everyone gets so bent out of shape with bass being easier than guitar...so what if it is? does that make you dislike the bass?

+1

The bass is what you make of it. I love the bass regardless of whether or not people think it's easier or harder to play than guitar.

s.m.80808 · #6 07-29-2006, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbassman2000

idk why everyone gets so bent out of shape with bass being easier than guitar...so what if it is? does that make you dislike the bass?

+1

PsionAxis · #7 07-29-2006, 05:41 PM

Well, in the style of music Webster plays (Death Metal) only the slightest bit of musicianship is required from a bassist so for him to say that is not only logical but true in a sense that he is comparing metal bass playing to metal guitar playing which is more complex with the shredding and stuff. Now I know not all cases are identical but in most circumstances, metal bass playing is extremely easy.

Now with all that said, when he made that comment, he overgeneralized and protrayed that he thought "the bass" was limited to metal bass playing which in fact it is not. If you want my opinion, I think the bass is a harder instrument to master or even become proficient in because I personally view it as a more intellectual instrument. You have to kind of see what this guy was thinking when he made this statement. Do I agree with it? Absolutely not. But at the same time I have realized that the majority of people who own bass guitars (or regular guitars for that matter) and play in bands arent the most mentally sophisticated musicians in the world and do not care to be. Therefore I do not anticipate their comments about music to be the most accurate either.

SOA_bassist · #8 07-29-2006, 05:47 PM

he said he felt it would be when he made the change, which was 15 or 16 years ago, and i think it is stupid to even be discussing this subject so much and getting so in depth with it when it isnt even his current position on the subject.

PsionAxis · #9 07-29-2006, 05:53 PM

Haha, Hammer Smashed Face remains a classic!

NecroticImbecil · #10 07-29-2006, 08:49 PM

who? this guy?

never knew he had a first name.

Jazz Ad · #11 07-29-2006, 09:05 PM

Many of you guys seem to have a serious complex of inferiority.
For decades you got the bass player spot when you weren't good enough for real guitar. It's not a secret.
So what ? Get over it. Shut up' n' play ur guitar (because yes, your bass is a guitar, like it or not).

parkerd · #12 07-29-2006, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsionAxis

Now I know not all cases are identical but in most circumstances, metal bass playing is extremely easy.

I've found metal bass playing to be a step up compard to playing punk/some alternative/simple rock.

I mean, compare master of puppets (metallica) to any blink 182 song, or whatever, and you get the idea...

Of course, as you said, there are circumstances where some metal songs (or bands) have very simple basslines, and vice versa, with some punk/rock basslines being more complex.

superbassman2000 · #13 07-29-2006, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

Many of you guys seem to have a serious complex of inferiority.
For decades you got the bass player spot when you weren't good enough for real guitar. It's not a secret.
So what ? Get over it. Shut up' n' play ur guitar (because yes, your bass is a guitar, like it or not).

+1

a lot of bass players seem to get the napoleon complex, just because the bass has two less strings, some feel that they are out to prove to the world that bass is just as good...so what...play the bass

**Adam Barkley** · #14 07-30-2006, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbassman2000

+1

a lot of bass players seem to get the napoleon complex, just because the bass has two less strings, some feel that they are out to prove to the world that bass is just as good...so what...play the bass

Doing so by putting out derivative sounding solo-bass wank.

Blunt · #15 07-30-2006, 06:58 AM

The quote is old and also such a pathetic cliche.

Webster has gone on to display his chops in his genre.

It may not be fusion or jazz but he is quite brilliant in his field.

vindy500 · #16 07-30-2006, 07:06 AM

is bass really harder to master than guitar. i mean theres some pretty hard out things you can do on the guitar.

PsionAxis · #17 07-30-2006, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkerd

I've found metal bass playing to be a step up compard to playing punk/some alternative/simple rock.

I mean, compare master of puppets (metallica) to any blink 182 song, or whatever, and you get the idea...

Of course, as you said, there are circumstances where some metal songs (or bands) have very simple basslines, and vice versa, with some punk/rock basslines being more complex.

I guess I should have rephrased, I was saying metal bass playing is easy in comparison to Jazz or fusion bass playing. But what you said is pretty accurate as far as metal bass playing in regards to punk and rock.

crkempton · #18 07-30-2006, 10:18 AM

the bass is better, that's all there is to it

badstonebass · #19 07-31-2006, 07:06 AM

heh heh...

I am a converted(and still am) rock guitarist and this is what I have to say on the subject.

Certainly bass in the vein of Judas Priest or AC/DC is FAR easier than the guitar on the same songs.

Music by the Beatles and KISS becomes stagnant and boring if not for the basslines.

Geezer Butler, Leon Wilkerson, Cliff Burton and Mel Schacher are players who are equally(or even more) difficult to master as their guitar playing comrades in their respective bands.

Bassists like Geddy Lee and Flea have abilities that often surpass even the good guitarist.

Personally I find bass very boring to practice...just me. However onstage I am finding that I prefer to wield the REAL POWER of the low end beast.

In the short time I have been a bassist, I have worked my way up to the Geezer/Schacher level(not that I am saying I equal these legends). Knowing my way around a guitar neck surely helped my speed in learning. As well, playing what is right for the song goes a long way. Geddy Lee would sound like crap in AC/DC......Ian Hill would add little to RUSH.

Now that I am at the point of the REAL virtuoso's I find that I am at a roadblock. I am lost in the technique's of a Geddy or a Flea. I don't know that I will ever be able to master it.

The masters of both guitar and bass are brilliant musicians that have equal talent.

Let's just say that I never found guitar really all that hard either. It's not like R&R is Paganini.

Bassist4Life · #20 07-31-2006, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

He revealed in a making-of DVD for The Wretched Spawn that he initially started playing guitar but changed to bass because he felt he could master the instrument more quickly.

from his wikipedia

Using this logic, I think a lot more guitarists should switch to bass (based on what I've heard from people playing guitars at GC).

I think that almost anyone would make this assumption switching from guitar to bass. It's not a big deal. Every instrument is difficult to play well.

Joe