I witnessed a guitard settle the "which is easier" debate

[Just J]

Probably the dumbest argument known to man, but either way:

I went to guitar center to try out a few amps to replace my current Lowdown 115 tiltback since it can't really keep up with the other amps and PA. Anyway, after I finished tinkering around with a 6 string on a few Ampeg 115s, this kid and his friend walk in. They both looked like they just got out of Sunday School, probably late teens, MAYBE early 20s. The larger of the two asks me if I was finished since GC was oh so kind as to leave one friggin cable in the bass room. I say "yea, knock yourself out" and mill around for a bit.

He reaches for the nearest bass, a 5 string Fender Jazz and before he starts playing I let him know that the Ampeg 210 in front of him hisses something horrible as a courtesy. He didn't seem concerned, so I stuck around to watch him play for a min. Plugs in, instantly starts playing it like a guitarist. Finger picking, no groove, running scales, etc. He then tries slapping... I'm still learning the technique so I have little room to critique but jesus, it was god aweful. Just random noise.

I turn to leave and I overhear him say smugly to his friend: "well, I guess that settles the debate." I just walked out shaking my head.

I later saw him "shredding" on a guitar and the first thing I thought of were some of the "guitard" comments I've seen around here. Comedy.

Damn kids. Stay off my instrument!

[cricketfever32]

you should have picked up that 6 string and started showing him how real bassists do it, and settle the arguement that way

[MarkMyWordsXx]

hater in the house

[Chili]

why do people have to turn music into a competition, bah!, i hate it when someone trys to show off how good the think they are, and usually the people like that arnt very good musicians, or composers or song writers, they can just play a few fancie licks and there done

[hbarcat]

Perhaps this is on a tangent, but in the past few years I've developed a greater respect for some of the musicians I know personally who can play more than one instrument..... and play them properly. My classic rock band's lead player can also play bass, and he mentally shifts gears to lay down the groove as opposed to the very up-front work he usually performs on guitar. Actually, he's also a great drummer, and it's a lot easier for me to lock into his groove than with our "real" drummer.

I try to put in a few hours here and there to play rhythm guitar on my own to keep my mind flexible for that type of playing and because I can get a better sense of the overall sound by playing a different component of it.

[Basshole]

Knowing how to play other instruments means knowing better how your instrument fits in with them.

[rodl2005]

Originally Posted by Chili

why do people have to turn music into a competition, bah!, i hate it when someone trys to show off how good the think they are, and usually the people like that arnt very good musicians, or composers or song writers, they can just play a few fancie licks and there done

THATS what I feel about a lotta those bass clips (& I s'pose guitard too) on U tube. All flash, fast slappin-NO FEEL!!!!
I mean-sure some bass can go like that, but a lotta ppl these days are thinkin that they gotta fill up EVERY space in music............for GAWD sake LEAVE A SPACE!!! as one TB'er has in his sig. "give yo'self a raise-play fewer notes"

[The BurgerMeister]

Originally Posted by Basshole

Knowing how to play other instruments means knowing better how your instrument fits in with them.

well said!

[SirCanealot]

I think if I was ever asked to demonstrate my skill on bass by some idiot child I'd sit there playing the low A in a bluesey style, with a tiny fill for about 5 minutes.

Groove! That'll show 'em... I'll win in my head anyway... Then I can just bust out YYZ when they're getting bored...

[mattofash]

Originally Posted by SirCanealot

I think if I was ever asked to demonstrate my skill on bass by some idiot child I'd sit there playing the low A in a bluesey style, with a tiny fill for about 5 minutes.

Groove! That'll show 'em... I'll win in my head anyway... Then I can just bust out YYZ when they're getting bored...

Thats the way to do it, keep it simple but with decent fills and feeling, dont have to be flash

[mjolnir]

Originally Posted by hbarcat

Perhaps this is on a tangent, but in the past few years I've developed a greater respect for some of the musicians I know personally who can play more than one instrument..... and play them properly. My classic rock band's lead player can also play bass, and he mentally shifts gears to lay down the groove as opposed to the very up-front work he usually performs on guitar. Actually, he's also a great drummer, and it's a lot easier for me to lock into his groove than with our "real" drummer.

I try to put in a few hours here and there to play rhythm guitar on my own to keep my mind flexible for that type of playing and because I can get a better sense of the overall sound by playing a different component of it.

I think it's very important to at least have a basic knowledge of all the other instruments you're interacting with. It's easier to groove with them that way, IMHO.

Though in reality, I can't really say I can play rhythm guitar like a rhythm guitarist. I play like a bassist, all groove...

[cnltb]

And there I was thinking that debate had starved to death in the " things to do when you got no life" cubboard...sily me

[Jedi Of Syrinx]

LOL... I dislike Guitards immensely.... -_- Well. Most Guitards. So cocky.