Bass Enthusiast vs Bass Player

[ffutterman]

I had a recent realization that made me a lot more comfortable about where I stand in the musical universe. I love listening to music of almost any kind - my playlists often bounce between things like a fugue by Bach or some Geto Boys song to Steve Miller and finally onto a Scott Joplin rag. I also love musical instruments, and am obviously partial to bass. I like playing along to songs, and I like just picking an instrument and mindlessly plunking away on it while I watch TV or something.

However, I don't care at all about coming up with any original tunes or learning theory and have no desire to play in a band. Anytime someone sees one of my basses or my mandolin, banjo, or uke, they always say "Wow! You play <insert instrument>?!" and my immediate response is a hesistant "Well...'play' is kind of a strong word."

Then I realized that I'm not actually a bass "player", I'm a bass enthusiast. I like basses; I like talking about them, I like hearing them, and I like playing them. And it doesn't need to be anything more than that.

Just thought I'd get that out there. I'd also like to say that I have absolutely NO intention of owning a guitar.

[mmbongo]

I was once just like you, except I actually always wanted to play in a band. I just figured it would never happen, I sure don't look the part and the music scene here is not huge but it's not bad. At one point I had about $3000 tied up in Spector, Zon, and Steinberger basses. Loved them. Couldn't play a single song.

I never even tried to join a band, just figured I wouldn't be able to do it. But a guy at work kept on me about coming to play with them and I finally gave in and joined them. Best thing I ever did in my whole entire life. I freaking love it, I've made some great friends, met some great people at the shows, and not to toot my own horn...but we ROCK it

Luckily for me, I had years of technique down. My technique is dead on perfect as my fat fingers will allow, just from years of noodling. Once I learned where the notes were and put it with my technique, it was like magic happening! And most importantly, I still learn something every day. I get bored if I don't.

Find a band. You'll change your mind.

[Kawai-chang]

[quote=ffutterman;11326553]I had a recent realization that made me a lot more comfortable about where I stand in the musical universe. I love listening to music of almost any kind - my playlists often bounce between things like a fugue by Bach or some Geto Boys song to Steve Miller and finally onto a Scott Joplin rag. I also love musical instruments, and am obviously partial to bass. I like playing along to songs, and I like just picking an instrument and mindlessly plunking away on it while I watch TV or something.

However, I don't care at all about coming up with any original tunes or learning theory and have no desire to play in a band. Anytime someone sees one of my basses or my mandolin, banjo, or uke, they always say "Wow! You play <insert instrument>?!" and my immediate response is a hesistant "Well...'play' is kind of a strong word."

Then I realized that I'm not actually a bass "player", I'm a bass enthusiast. I like basses; I like talking about them, I like hearing them, and I like playing them. And it doesn't need to be anything more than that.

QUOTE]

You are my brother from another mother.

[Pilgrim]

I don't need to write anything. There's tons of great music waiting to be played, much of it better than anything I could write.