How has playing bass changed your life?

[Joshuadriller]

I'm interested to know how playing bass has changed YOUR life??

[msb]

Now I enjoy making a spectacle of myself , I suppose I've become utterly shameless at this point .

[Marial]

I'm fairly certain it's taken a few years off of my life, but who wants to live forever? It definitely made me more social though I'm still more awkward than most.

[Nev375]

Playing bass completely ruined any chance of success in my life, but I'm probably a better person because of it.

[garmenteros]

Its a great way to relate with others, it makes me feel good about myself. It keeps me busy and gives my free time purpose instead of long hours of waiting for the workday to come. It practically kills any bad vibes I may have once I pick my bass up. BEST thing I've ever done by far.

[drummer5359]

Drums and percussion have always been my principle instrument. Playing bass has made me a more rounded musician. I get a kick out of playing bass with my drum students and drummer friends. It's also cool to get to play bass with guitarists who have only known me as a drummer all of these years.

Besides, it's nice to have another outlet for music equipment GAS.

[whitefuneral]

Originally Posted by Marial

I'm fairly certain it's taken a few years off of my life, but who wants to live forever?

Your my hero!

[nashman]

For me, it's a great escape from the stresses of life. When I play bass, it forces me to concentrate on playing/the music - everything else fades away for awhile.

The second impact on my life - I am poorer but happier !

[Old Joe]

It got me to meet the love of my life.

Corny, I know, but true.

[klejst]

I have always loved music. I first started playing music in 1997 on the electric guitar and then picked up the bass a couple years later. It has given me a creative outlook and a hobby. Also I have met a lot of cool people through the music scene and also met some of my best friends aka my band mates. I also enjoy playing shows and performing. It is indeed a great stress reliever too, however can also cause a little bit as well. I love playing bass and music has become a even greater part of my life.

[HeadyVan Halen]

Alot more access to woman with instant validation...coming off the stage during break is so much better than..."so, you come here often..?"

Well that and probably subtracted a few filtering abilities from my liver..but we got 2 of those right..?

[Duckwater]

I used to work, exercise regularly, and actively socialize. Now I sit around with my basses all day listening to Motown and browsing Talkbass. I only leave my house for band practice.

[jimmydean]

Got to travel and meet people I would have never met in "real life". Made good friends and met too many A**HOLES too mention , but have loved it all . Can not imagine life without music !

[Baird6869]

A few ways....

- I went from running marathons to drinking beer in bars every weekend until 2:00-3:00am.
- I now know lots of useless info such as when certain bass manufacturers changed the colour of their tone knobs and when they changed the number of screws on their neckplates than I do about the actual products I sell at my real job.
- I have more $$$ invested in bass equipment than I do in stocks or my cars.
- It is a blast and I have met a great many friends through playing. Musicians as a group are some pretty cool people.
- I have been able to play with (and meet) some pretty cool and fairly famous characters
- Playing bass in a couple of large music festivals and in Vegas and Mexico was pretty damned awesome.

Still loving it after gigging for 25+ years!

[chuck3]

Originally Posted by Duckwater

I used to work, exercise regularly, and actively socialize. Now I sit around with my basses all day listening to Motown and browsing Talkbass. I only leave my house for band practice.

ha ha - so true.

Not exactly, but I know what you mean.

[schmig]

Greatly improved social life and social skills. Emigrated for years and when came back, knew nobody in my city. Used to hang around drinking with my brother. Must have gotten to know a couple of hundred people in one way or another over the last few years. Have become good friends with 5 or 10 people. DELIGHTED I took it up.

[Marial]

Actually, it's kind of interesting how parallel my experiences with music and motorcycling have been. My best friends at this point, other my wife, I met through one or the other activity. I've certainly met a lot of people I wouldn't have otherwise.

[kevteop]

Pretty sure my wrist tendons used to be healthy.

[Matthew_84]

It's made me poor

[kander]

Originally Posted by Matthew_84

It's made me poor

Me too! Basses, amps, and a few thousand dollars out-of-pocket to record a full-length cd. I guess this is better than a coke habit.