Rhythm Section Conflict.

[Poetic Maggot]

Hey all,

I have been wrestling with this for awhile, and, against my better judgment, have decided to ask my fellow TBers for their opinions.

Anyway, I'm kind of torn. I am a few threads in already and seem to be really into wanting to play bass, and I am, but just ignore that for a bit.

So yeah, I am a bit torn between bass and drums. Both part of the rhythm section, both things I have wanted to do for years now. What do you guys think I should do? I love the raw energy and fun that comes with playing drums, but I also love the low-end foundation of the bass.

I dunno, please help, and please don't think I am being a Troll. I am not trying to be one in anyway, just asking for some honest opinions.

Thanks!

[PhiDeck]

For drums you need to have independent control of all four limbs. For bass, only two.

[PJMiDi]

simple test:

can you keep two beats at the same time(one with hands, one with feet)

If yes: Drums

If no: Bass

that's what my 5th grade music teacher would of said at least

[Poetic Maggot]

I dunno, to be honest. :\ is it possible to learn how to keep beats/control over all of my hands/feet?

[Epitaph04]

Do both. I've been playing (on and off) drums for about 4-5 years. Started playing bass a bit over a year ago. The stuff I learned with drumming made me feel right at home when playing the bass. Learn em both!

[Poetic Maggot]

^^I totally would, but wouldn't it be hard juggling both instruments at the same time? Plus drum kits can get pretty expensive and I dunno how I can budget that in with bass

[Epitaph04]

I have actually never owned a drum kit. For a couple of years now I've been playing at a guitarist's house, who has a drum set. All I have are a pair of Pearl Eliminators, sticks, and a practice kit I use every now and then.

In all honesty I'm not a very good drummer. I'm way sloppier than you'd think, but that's because I don't play around a kit very often, and well, because I've been playing a lot of bass : )

However, I still practice my hand speed, coordination, etc etc. One of the great things about drumming is that you don't need the actual instrument to practice it. You could try buying yourself a pair of sticks and a practice pad (preferably with a stand) and give it ago with some simple exercises and rudiments. Look up vids on youtube and if possible have someone check your technique. That's quite literally all I did in my first year or so of learning...I never touched a drum set until a few years ago!

[Poetic Maggot]

Ah okay, thanks for taking the time to help a newbie like me =p Much appreciated But yeah, I have heard a lot about getting a practice pad, but I dunno. Seems rather boring just hitting sticks on a little pad over and over and over for who knows when :\ Not trying to be whiny, just my observation. But since I don't have any friends with drums, or heck, any friends whatsoever, I guess I'll go with the practice pad route first.

[TolerancEJ]

There's no rule that says you need to stick with one instrument. Why not try to learn both bass and drums? There would be benefits. For one, a drummer should have excellent timing if he/she decides to pick up the bass.

[bassteban]

I vote both, but if you're young/broke/starting out you will likely need to focus on one instrument first. IMO/IME bass can have a slightly less bulky rig, as well as more headphone/silent practice options.

[etoncrow]

I play both; but then I am schitzophrenic and so am I....

[PJMiDi]

Originally Posted by Poetic Maggot

I dunno, to be honest. :\ is it possible to learn how to keep beats/control over all of my hands/feet?

Yes you can definitely learn to, it would just make it a lot easier

Good luck on your decision! I hope whichever one you pick you enjoy the crap out of.

[stflbn]

Whichever comes more naturally for you. Primarily because you will progress faster and be rewarded quicker.

You can always pick up the other later.

[tekhedd]

You can always change your mind and switch. Playing one for a while helps the other immensely, IMO. So, er, don't sweat it.

[smeet]

Do both, even if it's just sticks and a practice pad for now. The more instruments you play (even badly) the more you understand the role of each instrument and thus become a better musician.

[etoncrow]

I am old school because I am old; having said that, being a drummer will make you a better bass player and vice versa. Again, old school, listen to the simplicity and the back-beat of Al Jackson, Jr's drumming against Duck Dunn's bass lines in all the old Volt/Stax music. (Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett, Eddie Floyd, Otis Redding, etc)

[StuartV]

I played trombone all the way from 6th grade through college.

6 years ago, I was faced with same decision as you. I wanted to learn bass and drums. I chose to start with drums. I have been gigging regularly on drums for the last 3+ years now. Am currently gigging as much as I can handle with a rock (and a little country) cover band.

1 year ago, I started learning to play bass. I played my first gig on bass back in October. The singer and I both quit that band immediately after the gig (it was a fiasco that made a lot of things clear about the band leader).

Now, I practice my drums just enough to do a good job with my band and I spend the rest of my free time practicing bass and taking bass lessons.

Dang, I wish I had started on bass 6 years ago!

[TolerancEJ]

You don't even need to practice with a whole drumkit. Practicing with sticks and a pad still develops your rhythm.

In '96, I joined my drummer when he attended Drum Fest in Montreal. I learned a lot just by watching those pros play. Some of the performers included Dennis Chambers, Virgil Donati, Bobby Rock, Robin Dimaggio, and Anton Fig (Will Lee's Late Show co-hort).

It wasn't all drums & percussion though. I watched Alain Caron sit in with a few acts, so that was incredible. I got to see a performance by Tim Alexander's band Laundry. This was shortly after Tim's split from Primus. Laundry had a Chapman Stick player; at the moment I cannot recall the individual's name.

Anyway, throughout the show, they were drawing random seat numbers for different prizes. I happened to win a set of Dennis Chambers signature drumsticks. Of course, these prizes always seem to be awarded to the one person who doesn't play. I still have those sticks and I play with them a bit.

[HeadyVan Halen]

Have you ever seen a drummer load/set-up and tear down gear?!?!?!


Bass.

[Big_Daddy]

I found drums much harder to learn. It took me quite some time before I could move my limbs independently to do the basic 4-4 beat.

...If you can, why not learn both? It's certainly very useful.