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Are you monogamous? Or do you play around?
- Thread starter Dlew919
- Start date
Ms. encourages and supports my playing whatever I want, whichever way I want, as much as I want, with whomever I want.
It's an open relationship. The romantic stuff is something else.
It's an open relationship. The romantic stuff is something else.
I played guitar for 15 years before picking up a bass to form a band. I have only played guitar in three groups in the 7 years since. Funny how no one cares how well you play guitar once you own and operate pro level bass gear.
I have a DW Collectors kit and a 1931 Steinway M. I can make them sound about the same and it is not too musical.
I have a DW Collectors kit and a 1931 Steinway M. I can make them sound about the same and it is not too musical.
I started on guitar and still have two electrics--a PRS Custom 24 Core and a Gibson ES-335. I also have a Gibson acoustic I hardly ever pull out. Though, I do have five basses, which I think is a much cooler instrument. Every time I think about playing guitar, I feel uncool. So, I put the guitars away and pull the basses back out. J/K. On a serious note, I struggle which to play a lot, so I never reached expert level on either. At least I don't think I have.
Mostly bass. I also have a six string electric guitar and two acoustic guitars, but haven't really played the guitars in several years.
I bought my nicer acoustic about a year or so into the COVID-19 pandemic (a lower end Taylor, but still a Taylor), thinking my band was going to be on pause for a long time and I could work on my guitar skills again while I wait to get back into it. But things started to open up again not long after I bought that guitar and my band was starting back up, so I never really played it much. I'm pretty busy with some family care responsbilities right now but, once those are over, I'd like to start playing some guitar again.
I bought my nicer acoustic about a year or so into the COVID-19 pandemic (a lower end Taylor, but still a Taylor), thinking my band was going to be on pause for a long time and I could work on my guitar skills again while I wait to get back into it. But things started to open up again not long after I bought that guitar and my band was starting back up, so I never really played it much. I'm pretty busy with some family care responsbilities right now but, once those are over, I'd like to start playing some guitar again.
Bass and guitar/vox.
Played guitar in a band in the 70s, bassist quit, I became the bassist by nature of being the weaker of two guitar players.
Got a couple gigs under our belt, then I went back to guitar for a short while - about 45 years.
Started gigging on bass again 11 years ago, went to 50/50 both a year and a half ago, then 25% guitar/75% bass in January, lost a weekly guitar gig in early Sept and went 100% bass with maybe one gig on guitar.
Haven't touched a guitar in two months until a gig Sat when we let a friend come up and spell me on bass for a few tunes, thinking I was going to get a nice break in an otherwise long night. After a couple songs, the BL announced - on mic - he'd like to take a break and called me up to spell him on his guitar & vocals.
Not sure if I was the weaker of two bass players or not, but I was back on guitar/vox again for a set. We covered some standard jam tunes; Chameleon, T-Bone, Oye Como Va, the gospel blues Ain't Nobody's Business etc. It was fun.
Glad to be woodshedding for another bass pickup gig this Friday and on bass with my regular band Sat and Sun/NYE.
Maybe I'll break some of my guitar gear out of its cases after the new year:
Played guitar in a band in the 70s, bassist quit, I became the bassist by nature of being the weaker of two guitar players.
Got a couple gigs under our belt, then I went back to guitar for a short while - about 45 years.
Started gigging on bass again 11 years ago, went to 50/50 both a year and a half ago, then 25% guitar/75% bass in January, lost a weekly guitar gig in early Sept and went 100% bass with maybe one gig on guitar.
Haven't touched a guitar in two months until a gig Sat when we let a friend come up and spell me on bass for a few tunes, thinking I was going to get a nice break in an otherwise long night. After a couple songs, the BL announced - on mic - he'd like to take a break and called me up to spell him on his guitar & vocals.
Not sure if I was the weaker of two bass players or not, but I was back on guitar/vox again for a set. We covered some standard jam tunes; Chameleon, T-Bone, Oye Como Va, the gospel blues Ain't Nobody's Business etc. It was fun.
Glad to be woodshedding for another bass pickup gig this Friday and on bass with my regular band Sat and Sun/NYE.
Maybe I'll break some of my guitar gear out of its cases after the new year:
I like to play all sorts of guitars, and noodle on my viola da gamba. I can play a string bass very well. Someday I'll get a handle on my cello (5th tuning throws me off!). I played trumpet as a youth but haven't owned one since I lived in Russia. I have an 88 key piano but barely use a couple dozen of them (but someday I will find time to channel my inner Nicky Hopkins!). Secret Service (vice!): I'm a drummer (I have 15 drum kits). I do identify as a bass player!! ("electric bass guitar") 
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I'm generous in my musical affections. In order of appearance: piano, violin, trumpet, bass guitar, bagpipes 
Sort of got into bass as the quickest way of getting into a band. Understood harmony, and a bit like violin. Definitely enjoy being the bottom end. Still play classical and gaelic music. Makes me an annoying neighbour
Sort of got into bass as the quickest way of getting into a band. Understood harmony, and a bit like violin. Definitely enjoy being the bottom end. Still play classical and gaelic music. Makes me an annoying neighbour 
Why should that be any criteria, or why should instrumental prowess be mutually exclusive? It’s self-limiting. You don’t forfeit skills on one instrument due to having passing ability on others; if anything, it enhances your understanding of music, makes you a better overall musician, and aids in your knowledge of the role of the bass. And…any time spent on any other instrument should increase your dexterity.
You don’t have to become a virtuoso on everything, a cursory knowledge/ability should suffice. A vast number of notable, game changing bassists have other skills…in just the realm of rock, think of everything that McCartney, JPJ, Bruce, Entwistle, Kaye, Geddy, and others can do/have done besides bass(even if it’s just one other)without distracting them from the main event. Even Jaco played drums, fiercely at that, not to mention piano.
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Just electric bass guitars.
Have one tele copy inherited from a buddy (RIP). Tried to learn to play, but just couldn't "get it". Learned a lot of chords, but just didn't stick.
I own a couple of electric piano/synth/drum machine things. My wife is a classical pianist and has a ton of keyboard/synths laying around. Spent a good seven years earnestly trying to learn to play. Learned a LOT of stuff (chords, 5 octave arpeggios, all keys, progressions and turnarounds, etc), but like guitar I learned to "work" these things, but when it came down to it I couldn't PLAY these things - at least not good enough to play out in public.
I do have one tic-tac 6 string baritone bass given to me by my brother, but never play it. My guitar buddies think it's very cool.
Have one tele copy inherited from a buddy (RIP). Tried to learn to play, but just couldn't "get it". Learned a lot of chords, but just didn't stick.
I own a couple of electric piano/synth/drum machine things. My wife is a classical pianist and has a ton of keyboard/synths laying around. Spent a good seven years earnestly trying to learn to play. Learned a LOT of stuff (chords, 5 octave arpeggios, all keys, progressions and turnarounds, etc), but like guitar I learned to "work" these things, but when it came down to it I couldn't PLAY these things - at least not good enough to play out in public.
I do have one tic-tac 6 string baritone bass given to me by my brother, but never play it. My guitar buddies think it's very cool.
I have far more guitars than basses. I am once again taking guitar lessons with the goal of becoming a passable guitar player.
I have 3 basses though and find it to be far more of a natural instrument for me to play. If I were smarter, I'd dive in full tilt on the bass and find myself a band.
I have 3 basses though and find it to be far more of a natural instrument for me to play. If I were smarter, I'd dive in full tilt on the bass and find myself a band.
I have a few guitars. And a set of bagpipes.
