Basses Affect Your Playing...

[AboutSweetSue]

I was sitting here playing some Rick Danko lines, using this modded up Fender J, when I was reminded of my theory that the bass affects your playing. I play more or less, more aggressively, more calmly etcetera etcetera depending on which bass I use.

What do you say? Am I just justifying why I need more basses?

 

[AboutSweetSue]

Here is the bass that spurred my thought.

 

[k31bassman]

What do you say? Am I just justifying why I need more basses?

Yes, and yes.

 

[Fender4Me]

I tend to rock-out on my Jazz and lay back on my P.

 

[el murdoque]

In my experience, every setup has a sweet spot. By setup I mean bass, strings, pickups (pedals) and amp.
One of my basses growls when you play it harder. So I raised the action a bit and use it for musical styles that accommodate a growly bass. Another has a super low action and sounds just right when played with a soft touch, so I use it that way.

 

[brianrost]

my theory that the bass affects your playing. I play more or less, more aggressively, more calmly etcetera etcetera depending on which bass I use.

Yes, I agree 100%. Many things I can do on a P-bass don't translate to a Steinberger and vice versa.

Am I just justifying why I need more basses?

Yes.

 

[shawshank72]

Absolutely.

 

[Inara]

Basses definitely affect my playing. Not just in terms of calm vs aggressive, etc., but in terms of inspiration. I've had a change of instruments break me free from a plateau so that I made sudden advances after a period of stagnation.

 

[Moving Pictures]

I was sitting here playing some Rick Danko lines, using this modded up Fender J, when I was reminded of my theory that the bass affects your playing. I play more or less, more aggressively, more calmly etcetera etcetera depending on which bass I use.

What do you say? Am I just justifying why I need more basses?

I agree that every bass influences how you play to some degree. The answer to your second question is yes.

 

[JRA]

my attempt is to manhandle every instrument into obedience. all of mine have nice necks, so it's pretty easy.

 

[Kro]

Everything affects your playing. Your bass, fingers vs. pick (and type of pick), strings, your mood... the last thing you listened to...

Now I'm not sure that's necessarily good justification to get another bass... try changing some of the other things first for a change of scenery.

But I also know I'm a TB anomaly on that front.

 

[luciens]

I was sitting here playing some Rick Danko lines, using this modded up Fender J, when I was reminded of my theory that the bass affects your playing. I play more or less, more aggressively, more calmly etcetera etcetera depending on which bass I use.

What do you say? Am I just justifying why I need more basses?

Totally agree. And no, you're not justifying a new bass. All of us always need more basses no matter what, so it doesn't make any difference.

Personally, I kind of tend to play any bass the same way. No matter what bass it is, I usually turn on the bridge PU and everything else off and pluck directly over it, and attempt to play clean notes. I've never learned how to slap and I never play harmonics either. I play them all equally badly, though I keep trying to improve and expand my horizons.

Lately, I've found bass backing tracks on youtube and try to play along. For example, this morning I did this playing along on my Tony Franklin with my laptop and putting the iPhone between it and my GK amp (it's very quiet because I'm trying not to disturb my neighbors or drown out my laptop. Listen close and you can hear the phone picking up the slapping of the strings on the fingerboard):



I don't know why but the Tony Franklin is suddenly becoming the only bass I play; I've barely touched my jazz bass in the last week and half or so. It just gives me much easier to hear notes and I don't yet know quite why.

L

 

[moon-bass]

Absolutely. Every one of my basses is different and lend to different styles and purposes.

 

[mattj1stc]

I used to firmly believe that my choice of instrument significantly affected my playing. In a very basic sense, this is still true (you can’t play notes that aren’t physically there). However, over time, I’ve come to see it more that I sound and play like me, whatever it is that I’m playing.

 

[58kites]

Here is the bass that spurred my thought. View attachment 3890636

It all seems better when you add a big humbucker at the heel of the neck!
Don't need no stinkin' bridge pickup.

 

[matthewwithanm]

What do you say? Am I just justifying why I need more basses?

This is an interesting theory, but I'm afraid it needs more data points

 

[Killing Floor]

Funny, I was thinking I was better at slapping when I had my Kubicki X Factor.

But yeah, studies show you need more basses.

 

[Cliff Colton]

How many basses did Rick Danko play?

If you can find the answer to this question, then you’ll have a ball park figure as to whether you have enough basses.

 

[Thegrandwazoo]

I was sitting here playing some Rick Danko lines, using this modded up Fender J, when I was reminded of my theory that the bass affects your playing. I play more or less, more aggressively, more calmly etcetera etcetera depending on which bass I use.

What do you say? Am I just justifying why I need more basses?

I FIRMLY believe different basses (or even different setups on otherwise identical basses) affect a player's style. They damn sure do for me.

 

[bobyoung53]

What do you say? Am I just justifying why I need more basses?

You seem to be saying that like there is something wrong with it.