I have played bass off and on for years but usually in a "pinch-hitting" capacity. I have owned an electric bass of some type or another for at least 20 of the last 30 years mostly to make sure that the low end was covered if I had any kind of jam with enough people. I bought a 7/8 double bass for my son to learn orchestral bass in middle school 7 years ago. As a longtime stringed instrument player, mostly guitar but more banjo in the last few years, I would noodle around with it from time to time and even play bass while my daughter played violin, ukulele or guitar and/or sang. A few years ago our two-some actually did a Christmas show and a Fourth of July show at a country club for my in-laws with both of us switching off on bass. I also ended up being the backup bass player for some local bluegrass picks. The regular bassist texts me when he can't make it. I requested this after several picks turned to mush for lack of bassist and too many "strummy" guitarists. For a variety of reasons I have been playing more and more bass in 2014 both at home alone and at Bluegrass picks and really loving it. I am about to be the bass player for a band at Pete Wernick's Bluegrass Band camp for the first week of January 2015. Part of my intention of band camp was to recruit other band-minded locals. I had hoped that I would be the banjo player in this imagined near-future band but the more I play bass the more I am enjoying it and am okay with anything. I was in a fairly successful rock band from 2002 to 2012 as guitarist and I miss the whole polishing up songs aspect. A banjo playing buddy of mine and I have started a conversation about getting a bluegrass/acoustic band in 2015. So I don't know where all of this is leading but I'm sure enjoying the ride and looking forward to expanding my universe/skills/knowledge on the low end.
