Feel like I'm in a funk

zaviere · #1 03-01-2013, 08:55 PM

Dont mean to "troll". if thats what that means. not really sure I ever grasped the meaning of the term. Just kinda wanna vent by typin it out.

I'll be honest, I started out playing guitar. So im one of THOSE bass players.

So yeah I feel more comfortable playing guitar since Ive been playing guitar for about 15 years now. And bass only 1. But I think I really enjoy playing bass more. I'm more into grooving than playing solos nowadays. But now I kinda feel like I'm "starting over" with switching to bass. Plus all my friends really think I'm kinda wasting the little talent I DO have by not playing guitar.

With bass I kinda enjoy myself more. Kinda like I get into the music more and enjoy it more. With guitar I kinda feel like I'm too focused. almost tunnel vision and concerned with not messing up. Even though I've played guitar for pretty much half my life. I feel comfortable on the fretboard but for some reason I'm more nervous on guitar. Maybe cause I feel like people always look at the singer and then the guitarist.

But then theres that "other" side to me that WANTS to be the center of attention. To rip through a solo. Or signature ac/dc riff or something. Kinda break outta my shell since I'm a pretty shy and timid guy.

Anybody ever been in the same situation? Like you cant decide whether to play guitar or bass?

two fingers · #2 03-01-2013, 08:58 PM

Being in a FUNK is a GREAT thing for a bass player. Maybe you're just playing the wrong music?

zaviere · #3 03-02-2013, 08:06 AM

Yeah I suppose. But being in a cover band, u kinda gotta play crowd pleasers vs playing what we actually like to play.

iamlowsound · #4 03-02-2013, 10:07 AM

Don't fake the funk and play on the one.

lowsound

P. Aaron · #5 03-02-2013, 07:15 PM

Just keep learning new stuff-songs. Also, do not neglect the ones you've learned in the past.

Revisit & refine. Using pop music as a premise, even when you think you know a song, there's always nuances that may be missed and hearing them again always keeps me working on something.

I also only do an hour here, 20-30 mins there. Don't cram, it's very difficult to retain so much.

Don't forget recreational playing too. Just run a list of songs you know or are familiar with and test yourself, one after the next after the next.

Sometimes, leave it all alone for a day or 2. Much like working out.

Midfour · #6 03-03-2013, 06:18 PM

Try writing your own stuff. Who knows, you might come up with a few crowd-pleasers of your own.

zaviere · #7 03-04-2013, 06:38 AM

Thanks guys. Really appreciate the feedback. Yeah I play all the time. Not forcing myself. But I just get the itch to play. Maybe not everyday but pretty often.

And yeah I need to go back to some original stuff and see what I can do.

Thanks guys

pflash4001 · #8 03-04-2013, 06:45 AM

Quit worrying about those who think you're squandering your talent. If you're having fun, do it. this reminds me of an observation by the young shepherd in Paulo Cohelo's The Alchemist. He muses that "everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own." Let them worry about wasting their own talent. If you want to play both, find a situation where you can alternate. Sting does that with his guitarist live.

pbagley · #9 03-04-2013, 06:56 AM

Speaking of bass players who receive an appropriate amount of attention ...

I suggest you start looking for more solo opportunities on bass. Some cover songs have pretty stagnant and boring bass lines. In some cases this is the foundation of the song, and you can't do a lot with it. In others you can get creative, introduce some motion, melody, additional rhythms, etc. Make the song your own. No longer just a cover of someone else's creativity, but a new creation within a familiar framework. Little by little you'll have a more interesting set of tunes to play, and some people are going to realize it's you making the music more interesting.

Good luck!

carlthegroover · #10 03-15-2013, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaviere

Dont mean to "troll". if thats what that means. not really sure I ever grasped the meaning of the term. Just kinda wanna vent by typin it out.

I'll be honest, I started out playing guitar. So im one of THOSE bass players.

So yeah I feel more comfortable playing guitar since Ive been playing guitar for about 15 years now. And bass only 1. But I think I really enjoy playing bass more. I'm more into grooving than playing solos nowadays. But now I kinda feel like I'm "starting over" with switching to bass. Plus all my friends really think I'm kinda wasting the little talent I DO have by not playing guitar.

With bass I kinda enjoy myself more. Kinda like I get into the music more and enjoy it more. With guitar I kinda feel like I'm too focused. almost tunnel vision and concerned with not messing up. Even though I've played guitar for pretty much half my life. I feel comfortable on the fretboard but for some reason I'm more nervous on guitar. Maybe cause I feel like people always look at the singer and then the guitarist.

Now, if you want to solo and have the spotlight, you can do so with the bass. Just try genres such as jazz or funk. Or if you want to play grooves that are prominent over the mix, try latin music and reggae.

But then theres that "other" side to me that WANTS to be the center of attention. To rip through a solo. Or signature ac/dc riff or something. Kinda break outta my shell since I'm a pretty shy and timid guy.

Anybody ever been in the same situation? Like you cant decide whether to play guitar or bass?

Man, what you seem to feel about moving on to bass is kinda complex. But I understand your feeling, I also enjoy bass a lot more than guitar (plus, I'm now way better at the former). Each one is a different creature, so just remember to think like a bassist when you pick up a bass (sounds redundant, but it isn't), not like a guitarist.

If you love the groove, maybe this is your natural evolution as a musician. Forget about others, they're probably projecting their expectations / prejudices onto you. You should do whatever you feel like doing, and that doesn't mean you stop playing guitar, but there is nothing wrong if you wanna focus more on bass.

Now, if you wanna solo, try genres such as jazz or funk. Or if you want a prominent groove, try latin music or reggae, or funk. I've been playing a few ska/ reggae tunes on bass, and I tell you, I have such a blast. They're groovy, somewhat complex, and definitely prominent.

Myself, I'm planning on dabbling on different instruments (right now is the drums), but I have this feeling I will still play the bass as my primary instrument, partly because I'm now in love with the instrument, the low end and the groove.