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How did you become a bassist?

#63
I fell into it. Friends had a band needed a bass player. I was 15. Bit by the Beatle bug. My mother bought me a Hofner copy and a cool amp (with a spring-loaded reverb) from Montgomery Wards. I took one lesson from an older country player. Learned a walking bass line. And then it was off to "Gloria." That must be the story of a million other guys. We kicked ass. Played dance halls around New England. And had a steady gig at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard enlisted men's club. Played Hendrix, the Who, the Beatles--and the f%$#in BeeGees! Had great bandmates and tons of fun. Made $300 a week when we were working a lot. Not bad for a 16 year old. Eventually bought a Vox Phantom IV bass and don't ask me why I never bought a big old Sunn amp. One of life's regrets.
 
#65
curbowkid said:
I was listening to KORN exclusively for a year or two basicly taking them an album at a time trying to learn them on a fender squire and the entire time I was doing that, their bass tone always stuck out too me. So I tried making the sound with guitar and it didn't work and I went and got a bass. Fell in love with it and haven't stopped since :) and yea I know KORN is a joke around here but I think they are actually pretty good at what they do
Click to expand...

THANK YOU!! Someone else who appreciates Korn! :bassist:
 
#68
At 15 I was: number 6 out of 26 trumpets in the school band, and facing lots of competition as a guitar player. One day in the late spring the band director came to me and asked if I would like to take the (school) bands 1969 Fender P home for the summer :hyper: and learn how to play it for the newly forming Jazz band starting next fall... By September I found out that as a bass player I was in demand in the circles of guitar playing buddies. That year I found my love musically, it was the summer of 1973 and bass has been my primary instrument ever sense.
 
#69
I started as a drummer back in elementary school but shortly into it I lost intrest cos I wanted to be Tommy Lee at the time and all I NEVER got on the set. Several years later I discovered this band called Nirvana, and it was over I had to play something with strings. Suddenly, I was running around with guys in bands and took up the guitar. However, I never could get things together, seemed like everyone I know could and would play 6 but no one played 4. Then a little over 5 years ago I got hanging out with a band and a bigger scene. I decided to play bass to get something going but it faded as quick as it started and I sold my gear. However, about a year ago I got the itch to really dig in and play again and after a few month experiment with a guitar. I decided I just wanted to and felt more natural on a bass. Ive stopped since and now Ive finally peiced a band together. Sad part is Ive known these guys for 10-20 years been nice to have gotten together in our late teens or 20's instead we are all middle age with familys. Been easier to chase the dream as a kid.
 
#70
I actually play keyboards, but I started playing with friends (after 20+ years of just playing on my own) and I noticed they needed a bass more than keys. So I figured 38 years old is not too old to learn a new instrument. And here I am: haven't played my keyboards in months now.
 
#71
7th grade, started a punk rock cover band with green day tunes / blink 182 (yeah, I know lol) no one wanted to play bass, so I was like, w/e I'll do it. Bought a squier affinity j-bass, all started there. Now, I'm 17 like Jazz, Funky stuff, Some alt rock, hip hop, and fusion. I'm not anywhere close to punk rock and I think it's hilarious that I liked it, but hey man, whatever works. I now own a '97 American Deluxe Jazz, American FSR Hot Rod Jazz, Markbass setup, effects, and I'm happy to say that it's mostly funded by mowing a ton of lawns / working. Parents help here and there when it comes to gifts / money contributions on holidays / birthdays.

Glad I'm playing bass, and I will never stop =D

Best regards,

Brooks
 
#73
Got "sucked in" to doing sound at church, discovered a whole new-to-me genre of music, saw how much fun the artists were having and wanted to serve and be part of the action. This all at the highly advanced age of 53, now 55 and playing in 4 bands now... Growing up on Jack Bruce, Paul McCartney, Chris Squire and John Entwistle didn't hurt either!
 
#74
My fingers are too fat to play guitar, and using a pick is pointless for me....

Since I was a kid I've always been able to hear the bass in songs on the radio. I remember asking my parents as a kid "What's that thing that goes 'doink' in the songs?" They had no clue, I had no clue. a few years later my friend sold me her bass, and I found the doinky sound I've hear my whole life. From there I was hooked.
 
#79
I have heard the saying "You don't choose bass... it chooses you." That saying could be true in with any instrument. I started playing piano at 5 then drums at 12 and started playing bass at 18. I did well at piano and drums but I have always loved the bass. The tone, the groove, just the fatness of it. I told myself if I were a bass player I wanted to be a good bass player that stood out. Not like whooo look at me but good as in paying the instrument the respect that it deserves. I think that good musicians are gifted by God with whatever talent you have weather it be trumpet, drums, guitar or bass.
 
#80
When I was 15 I answered a newspaper ad that said something like:
"Bass player needed for working County band. Band will provide equipment"

I called the # in the ad and it turned out to be a band of old guys that had honky-tonk gigs every Friday & Saturday night. I had a little school orchestra experience on string bass so I auditioned and they hired me. They provided me with a Fender P and a Fender bass amp and a cowboy hat and string tie. I worked with them for about 18 months and I think I was the only one under 50 in the band. They had to sneak me into the honky-tonks and I sat on a chair behind the drummer so the bar managers couldn't see me. I got paid $10 per gig and loved every minute of it.
 

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