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Is bass your best instrument?
- Thread starter Fingerpickingood
- Start date
Lovin' all the trombone and euphonium action….Low brass and bass are a natural double….same register, comprehension of root motion and counter-melodies…it's all good...
I was a pro 'bonist from 1976-85, continued gigging through law school without practicing, stopped entirely when starting into the workforce. Have had a number of false starts in trying to play again, but as largely self-taught, it's been tough - At one time I played quite well, but never really knew "how" to play.
But even if just playing along with jazz standards (Aebersold CDs) with no chops and two martinis, it's no contest - I had years of gigging, jamming and practice, so even if execution is flawed, the fundamental comprehension, and muscle and emotional memory of various scales and melodic fragments, make me far more fluid and adventurous on 'bone than on bass. I've sort of plonked on basses as a goof since the mid'70's, based on rudimentary guitar chops, but have only been more serious about bass in the last 6-7 years, so it's been a great hobby instrument, presenting lots of opportunities to play out in contexts where a trombone would be like a priest in a whorehouse, but I simply have not put in the time on bass to develop the chops and fluency I can cop on trombone. And I've now had several eye-opening lessons on trombone - the lessons I should have had when I was 15 in order to develop some genuine technical foundation - so I think I'm headed for more of a leap on 'bone than on bass. But that's just me.
To steer this in a slightly different direction, I'm hugely grateful for the insights I've gained concerning "time" through playing bass. I have a strong background in R&B, salsa and Brazilian forms, and can solo with some fluency in 5/4 and 7/4, but really learning about time, through the bass, has been humbling, and rewarding. It's not just keeping a better pulse, but also being more conscious of in front/in the middle/behind-the-beat approaches. I find this new comprehension is assisting me in pulling the trombone chops together, and really like this cross-pollination.
And in turn, my current main bass project has a fair amount of solo space for me in a latin/rock vein, if I want it, so I'm starting to be a lot more conscious of developing this aspect of my bass playing.
Net net - all horn players also should work a rhythm-section instrument.
And maybe all bassists should work a wind instrument as well - it certainly helps with comprehension of space and air as a manifestation of phrasing akin to breathing, instead of endless shredsville…Consider Marcus Miller's work on bass clarinet…or Avashai Cohen on trumpet…
The real trick - how to balance my aspirations for both instruments with work and family. Maybe it'll be all about some level of vague dissatisfaction on all fronts, but still making progress nonetheless...
I was a pro 'bonist from 1976-85, continued gigging through law school without practicing, stopped entirely when starting into the workforce. Have had a number of false starts in trying to play again, but as largely self-taught, it's been tough - At one time I played quite well, but never really knew "how" to play.
But even if just playing along with jazz standards (Aebersold CDs) with no chops and two martinis, it's no contest - I had years of gigging, jamming and practice, so even if execution is flawed, the fundamental comprehension, and muscle and emotional memory of various scales and melodic fragments, make me far more fluid and adventurous on 'bone than on bass. I've sort of plonked on basses as a goof since the mid'70's, based on rudimentary guitar chops, but have only been more serious about bass in the last 6-7 years, so it's been a great hobby instrument, presenting lots of opportunities to play out in contexts where a trombone would be like a priest in a whorehouse, but I simply have not put in the time on bass to develop the chops and fluency I can cop on trombone. And I've now had several eye-opening lessons on trombone - the lessons I should have had when I was 15 in order to develop some genuine technical foundation - so I think I'm headed for more of a leap on 'bone than on bass. But that's just me.
To steer this in a slightly different direction, I'm hugely grateful for the insights I've gained concerning "time" through playing bass. I have a strong background in R&B, salsa and Brazilian forms, and can solo with some fluency in 5/4 and 7/4, but really learning about time, through the bass, has been humbling, and rewarding. It's not just keeping a better pulse, but also being more conscious of in front/in the middle/behind-the-beat approaches. I find this new comprehension is assisting me in pulling the trombone chops together, and really like this cross-pollination.
And in turn, my current main bass project has a fair amount of solo space for me in a latin/rock vein, if I want it, so I'm starting to be a lot more conscious of developing this aspect of my bass playing.
Net net - all horn players also should work a rhythm-section instrument.
And maybe all bassists should work a wind instrument as well - it certainly helps with comprehension of space and air as a manifestation of phrasing akin to breathing, instead of endless shredsville…Consider Marcus Miller's work on bass clarinet…or Avashai Cohen on trumpet…
The real trick - how to balance my aspirations for both instruments with work and family. Maybe it'll be all about some level of vague dissatisfaction on all fronts, but still making progress nonetheless...
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I dabble in keyboards, but I can't play drums or guitar to save my life.
For me it’s all about “trying on different musical hats.”
I started playing guitar and feel the most comfortable on it, but also the most derivative in terms of licks and approach. I’ve listened to so much of the music of Jerry Garcia that I sound like him when I play lead guitar, which lead me to playing the mandolin to get away from my Jerry-tendencies.
It took decades to move to a place of total confidence on mandolin – playing bluegrass, blues, jazz, swing, boogie and even psychedelic. I am way past single note leads and into double stops, chopping like Sammy Bush and play a ton of fiddle tunes as well as bluegrass and real book jazz.
As for bass – I play a lot of upright, mostly in bluegrass contexts and I’ve gotten past being merely a time keeper – but now I really need to ramp up my slap, piz and even arco lead skills. I’m pretty much still a beginner when it comes to soloing, but frequently play multi-set gigs and have no trouble getting through evenings of music as a double-bassist.
I find electric bass, the most fun of all this – grooving with a tight drummer is a blast.
I also love to play fretless, especially on ballads and have gotten to a point where it doesn’t matter what style of music I play on fretless. It’s become seamless and fun.
I’ve dabbled with keys and drums for decades. You wouldn’t want me in your band on these instruments but I can make music and contribute rhythmically to any band with competence.
I started playing guitar and feel the most comfortable on it, but also the most derivative in terms of licks and approach. I’ve listened to so much of the music of Jerry Garcia that I sound like him when I play lead guitar, which lead me to playing the mandolin to get away from my Jerry-tendencies.
It took decades to move to a place of total confidence on mandolin – playing bluegrass, blues, jazz, swing, boogie and even psychedelic. I am way past single note leads and into double stops, chopping like Sammy Bush and play a ton of fiddle tunes as well as bluegrass and real book jazz.
As for bass – I play a lot of upright, mostly in bluegrass contexts and I’ve gotten past being merely a time keeper – but now I really need to ramp up my slap, piz and even arco lead skills. I’m pretty much still a beginner when it comes to soloing, but frequently play multi-set gigs and have no trouble getting through evenings of music as a double-bassist.
I find electric bass, the most fun of all this – grooving with a tight drummer is a blast.
I also love to play fretless, especially on ballads and have gotten to a point where it doesn’t matter what style of music I play on fretless. It’s become seamless and fun.
I’ve dabbled with keys and drums for decades. You wouldn’t want me in your band on these instruments but I can make music and contribute rhythmically to any band with competence.
Does singing count? I am much better at singing than bass at this point. Hopefully that will change one day...
Back to the wood shed
Back to the wood shed
Sing through the bass. If you can sing it, play it like that.
I play many instruments but I'm best on bass, yeah. My #2 is drums and then guitar, and then piano (which I love playing but I suck). I'd probably be as good of a guitar player compared to bass if I practiced it a bit more but I seem to spend more time with bass and drums.
I mess around a little with the six string and the drums. but I'm a bassist end of story.
I'm still a better guitar player. I did get pretty good at bass, but I've not been in a band now for over 6 months so I'm getting pretty rusty as I'm not playing much at home. I have to have a band or a recording project to get me to play. I don't really practice.
Bass is my main instrument, next to that i play piano, only one genre though wich is Boogie. i play a Baldwin piano.
Depends on the genre... I'm better at drums in many areas but better at writing and playing heavier, more atmospheric music on bass. I have a pro bass and drum rig and just decide the better option based on the project.
Yes. Only because I'm as proficient at the Kazoo as everyone else.
Better at bass than anything else...except the kazoo, I play a mean kazoo 
Drums for me, then guitar. I like bass, because I find it's a good mixture between the two
I know it's no trombone or euphonium but I played Bari Sax for 6 years in High School, I think it's where my appreciation for the low-end came from as you almost ALWAYS double the Tuba part.
Edit: 6 years = 4 of High School, 2 of Middle School. I did not go to High School for 6 years.
Fiddle first, then bass.
I'm thinking about getting a guitar when I retire.
I'm thinking about getting a guitar when I retire.
I could win a kazoo contest.
Seriously, bass guitar is best for me since that is what my main instrument and my work has been since 1970. Over the years, I played violin, drums, other percussion instruments, keyboards, and a little bit of guitar but I have not played any of those instruments in many years.
Seriously, bass guitar is best for me since that is what my main instrument and my work has been since 1970. Over the years, I played violin, drums, other percussion instruments, keyboards, and a little bit of guitar but I have not played any of those instruments in many years.
