Howdy all, I'm a long time musician and new(ish) bass player. I say newish because I have actually played bass many many times and I have even owned several (sold tons of them). However, my playing has always been rather on the fly. Well I'm getting ahead of myself.
My first and still most professional instrument is the drums. I started playing in 1978 and I've been in who knows how many bands. Some that I've played the bars with and some just for fun or wedding, parties etc etc etc. I even have one old band that still gets together just a couple times a year to play charity events. Another band was a two piece band, nice splitting the pay check two ways, instead of three or four. LOL
I have always been a singer as well and picked up guitar in 1990 or so. Never giving up on drums but joining a different band to sing and play guitar. Same deal, some bar playing but mostly just messing around and having fun. Had a steady gig for a while but those guys wanted to go big time so they moved to the big city and that just isn't for me. They are doing fantastic and it kinda makes me wish I had gone but family comes first for me. (Supported my wife and kids for 7 years fixing and selling instrument on-line).
For the last 10 years or so I've been in three bands pretty much continuously. We pick up gigs when we feel like it and the members swap back and forth between the bands. Total of seven guys between the three bands. Goofy I know but it's fun and that's what it's all about for us. We are all in our 40's and 50's and all of us can play various instruments. Well as it goes we only have one full time bass player in the three bands and he isn't always available so that leaves the rest of us to take turns on Bass. Which is what I've been doing for the last ten years when it comes to Bass. Just kind of stepping in when the moment calls for it and winging it. I know my scales and I know my songs so it works out ok, not great, just ok.
Well as it goes our Bass player is getting older and is having some health issues and I have never really taken up bass seriously. It's time to change that and that's why I'm here!!! It's time to learn to play music on my Bass, instead of just keeping time and helping the songs move along.
As for musical taste, it's so varied that I can't really say I have a genre. Everything from death metal to country. I'd play rap if someone wanted to pay me, well come to think about it I have a couple times! Basically I just love to play and love to entertain people and if they want to hear something specific I'll do my best to pull it off. I guess you could say it really depends on who I'm playing for and who I'm playing with that day. It's all good and it's all fun and it's all about finding that sweet spot where you feel like it's more than just hitting the notes, it's about getting in that groove and making music. I'm sure you guys know what I mean. Kinda like hitting that zone where you can FEEL it click. There is just something special about taking that extra step from playing THE song to making MUSIC. Know what I mean?
(Long winded, I know)
Well anyway, I've been lurking and felt it was time to say howdy. I'll be around and I have a few questions but I'll try and find the right sub-forum for that (short scale bass questions actually). I'll post some equipment pics too, those are always fun.
Peace and love brothers and sisters, peace and love!
My first and still most professional instrument is the drums. I started playing in 1978 and I've been in who knows how many bands. Some that I've played the bars with and some just for fun or wedding, parties etc etc etc. I even have one old band that still gets together just a couple times a year to play charity events. Another band was a two piece band, nice splitting the pay check two ways, instead of three or four. LOL
I have always been a singer as well and picked up guitar in 1990 or so. Never giving up on drums but joining a different band to sing and play guitar. Same deal, some bar playing but mostly just messing around and having fun. Had a steady gig for a while but those guys wanted to go big time so they moved to the big city and that just isn't for me. They are doing fantastic and it kinda makes me wish I had gone but family comes first for me. (Supported my wife and kids for 7 years fixing and selling instrument on-line).
For the last 10 years or so I've been in three bands pretty much continuously. We pick up gigs when we feel like it and the members swap back and forth between the bands. Total of seven guys between the three bands. Goofy I know but it's fun and that's what it's all about for us. We are all in our 40's and 50's and all of us can play various instruments. Well as it goes we only have one full time bass player in the three bands and he isn't always available so that leaves the rest of us to take turns on Bass. Which is what I've been doing for the last ten years when it comes to Bass. Just kind of stepping in when the moment calls for it and winging it. I know my scales and I know my songs so it works out ok, not great, just ok.
Well as it goes our Bass player is getting older and is having some health issues and I have never really taken up bass seriously. It's time to change that and that's why I'm here!!! It's time to learn to play music on my Bass, instead of just keeping time and helping the songs move along.
As for musical taste, it's so varied that I can't really say I have a genre. Everything from death metal to country. I'd play rap if someone wanted to pay me, well come to think about it I have a couple times! Basically I just love to play and love to entertain people and if they want to hear something specific I'll do my best to pull it off. I guess you could say it really depends on who I'm playing for and who I'm playing with that day. It's all good and it's all fun and it's all about finding that sweet spot where you feel like it's more than just hitting the notes, it's about getting in that groove and making music. I'm sure you guys know what I mean. Kinda like hitting that zone where you can FEEL it click. There is just something special about taking that extra step from playing THE song to making MUSIC. Know what I mean?
(Long winded, I know)
Well anyway, I've been lurking and felt it was time to say howdy. I'll be around and I have a few questions but I'll try and find the right sub-forum for that (short scale bass questions actually). I'll post some equipment pics too, those are always fun.
Peace and love brothers and sisters, peace and love!
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