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it it wrong to feel this way?

UnderDogbassist

UnderDogbassist

Jun 2, 2010
205
2
North Vancouver, B.C.
#1
ive played piano on and off since the age of 7, the last time i actually tried, i passed grade 5 RCM and was about to start grade 6 when i dropped out. ive been playing bass for about 2 years now, and seriously for only 12 months. don't mean to toot my own horn, but people say that for somebody who has only been playing tab-less for 12 months i was on the right track. what really bugs me is people who assume that because i play bass, i have to know guitar. i just hate that feeling i get knowing that maybe...oh i dunno 90% of the gutiar players are out there think/know they can just as easily switch to bass. what really troubles me is that i'm not one of those people who can do the same. i'm mainly a bass player, and even though i do own a guitar, i can't really play it, i barely know a dozen chords. so is it right to feel that since i'm playhing only one half of the electric-stringed instrument world, it's like i'm half as useful as the other who can do both instruments. and if you think there is a pride in people who play only bass, please speak, i'm in dire help of a morale boost. they only thing that gets me up is Steve Harris, cuz as far as i know, he's only credited to playing bass and keyboards.
 
#2
Yes, it is wrong to feel that way. Guitar is one instrument, bass is another. They play entirely different roles in an ensemble. I know that guitarists have a tendency to think that they can switch to bass easily, but most of them can't. They can try, but if they don't work at it seriously and study the instrument they'll be crappy bass players.

For the record, I've played guitar for 40 years and bass for about a year and a half. Knowing how to play the guitar did not automatically qualify me as a bass player.
 
#4
puddin tame said:
they may think they can swap over easily, but why the **** should you care what they think?

We know what's up.
Click to expand...

problem is i'm not just talking about people who are guitars players who switch to bass being the cock ppl guitarists typically are, i'm also talking to the ppl who either sucessfully did the switchover, and are now playing both, as well as the bassists who go to guitar. because i know when i'm in a group and one of my other friends go "since we already have a bassist, i could just bring a guitar and i could play that" it kinda makes me feel. half a musician haha.
 
#5
well they may just be awesome musicians in which case just use it as motivation to better yourself.

However there is a large gap between a bass line that simply works, and a great bassline. You might not even be able to know which is which, but everyone can feel it. They just won't know what it is. If you're out to get props then you've picked a hard path with the bass.
 
#6
Yeah, feeling like that will make the lines you play sound worse. A healthy dose of confidence is pretty necessary to progress as a musician, IME.

I can't count the number of times I've had someone say to me "Yeah, he plays bass like a guitar player" with a knowing wink. Maybe it's about the restraint I hear in many great bass parts, who knows?

If you believe in your own ability and don't fool yourself, you'll be fine. You can always acquire other instrument skills, or resurrect your keyboard chops.
 
#7
Attention, I realize I am going to get flamed for this!

I hate to admit it, but guitar and piano are more difficult instruments to play; as are most melody/chordal instruments. Don't believe me? Try sight reading grand staff or block chords not notated in tab or jazz notation. Also, rhythms tend to become more complex the higher pitch you go, especially the melody. Among the best bassists I know usually started on trumpet or sax or some other melody instrument in grade school. The best bass player I know is an avid pianist.

This is not to detract from the role of a solid bass player. We perform different roles. Especially in a jazz combo or big band setting. But the two outstanding guitar players that I have the pleasure of serving with can play bass in a pinch and pull it off with success. Where I can only play cowboy chords and bar chords on the guitar. But guitar isn't my thing. I sing to the melody, but shake it to the groove!

That being said, you really shouldn't get too worked up about the not playing guitar thing, unless you really want to play the guitar. However, if bass is your thing (as it is mine) then make it yours and master the instrument. People always want a solid bassist with zero drama!
 
#8
RedLeg said:
Attention, I realize I am going to get flamed for this!

I hate to admit it, but guitar and piano are more difficult instruments to play; as are most melody/chordal instruments. Don't believe me? Try sight reading grand staff or block chords not notated in tab or jazz notation. Also, rhythms tend to become more complex the higher pitch you go, especially the melody. Among the best bassists I know usually started on trumpet or sax or some other melody instrument in grade school. The best bass player I know is an avid pianist.

This is not to detract from the role of a solid bass player. We perform different roles. Especially in a jazz combo or big band setting. But the two outstanding guitar players that I have the pleasure of serving with can play bass in a pinch and pull it off with success. Where I can only play cowboy chords and bar chords on the guitar. But guitar isn't my thing. I sing to the melody, but shake it to the groove!

That being said, you really shouldn't get too worked up about the not playing guitar thing, unless you really want to play the guitar. However, if bass is your thing (as it is mine) then make it yours and master the instrument. People always want a solid bassist with zero drama!
Click to expand...


I only partially agree with that. Guitar and piano are only more difficult to play in their perception of difficulty. Anyone here could play mary had a little lamb, equally well on piano, guitar, or bass. Youre correct in that generally speaking guitars and pianos end up with more complex melodies (therefore a higher degree of difficulty) than what bassist play, (again that is only a generality) but the mechanics of mastering an instrument are as difficult as you make them. Im sure some will disagree, but i feel thats pretty much true with most instruments...Aside from maybe comparing a recorder flute to the harp or something...But thats just my .02. :-)

To Underdogbassist

Dont sweat the small stuff. You are not half a musician because you dont play guitar and that happens to be what your friends are looking for. You already play two instruments that obviously people feel you are pretty good at. You picked up the bass quickly because of your experience with music already, and generally speaking your normal 9-5 bass lines are pretty simple. So dont feel bad that you cant play guitar beyond a few chords. Be honest with yourself, have you put the time and effort into playing the guitar as much as you have the piano, or even the bass? I bet if you gave your self 2 years (12 months seriously ;) ) Just focusing on the guitar...people would say hey, that guys pretty good at the guitar too.

Plus, i would imagine (im just starting bass coming from guitar), going from guitar to bass is much easier than bass to guitar. So hopefully you have been sufficiently morally boosted. :D
 
#9
Dont sweat that stuff man. You know why a lot of guys switched from guitar to bass? Because they were the third worse guitarist in their band and had to learn bass just to stay in a band. This isnt always true but it is more than you know. Just keep at what you are doing. I never played guitar and I have a career as a performing bassist.
As far a one instrument being harder than another, that is silly. What do you mean by easier? Any person can walk up to a piano and play any note with less effort other than any other instrument. Doesnt that make it an easier instrument? I play in an orchestra with tons of different instruments and the one thing I have learned is that every instrument requires the same patience and practice as any other instrument. Perhaps people who say these things are limited by the range of music they are listening to., I dont know, I am not trying to judge. Check out a guy like Victor Wooten or Micheal Manring and tell me that they play an easier instrument.
 
#11
Big B. said:
Dont sweat that stuff man. You know why a lot of guys switched from guitar to bass? Because they were the third worse guitarist in their band and had to learn bass just to stay in a band. This isnt always true but it is more than you know. Just keep at what you are doing. I never played guitar and I have a career as a performing bassist.
As far a one instrument being harder than another, that is silly. What do you mean by easier? Any person can walk up to a piano and play any note with less effort other than any other instrument. Doesnt that make it an easier instrument? I play in an orchestra with tons of different instruments and the one thing I have learned is that every instrument requires the same patience and practice as any other instrument. Perhaps people who say these things are limited by the range of music they are listening to., I dont know, I am not trying to judge. Check out a guy like Victor Wooten or Micheal Manring and tell me that they play an easier instrument.
Click to expand...

An enormous +1 to all of that!
I don't play guitar either and don't plan on learning (not seriously anyway!)
 
#12
One does translate directly to the other.

As a kid, I started out on guitar, then had formal training in percussion for a few years, but played guitar all-the-while in garage bands and such.

It wasn't until several years later that I felt like I found my true calling in the bass. For me, it was a different frame of mind altogether. So much more freedom, control, you pretty much define the soul and character of the song you and the band are playing.
 
#13
I come from a musical family. I played jazz saxophone for 11 years. I produce. I have NEVER been interested in picking up a guitar, until out of necessity of not being able to find a bass player I picked up a SX Jaguar a couple of years ago.

I have been hooked ever since.
 
#14
I knew what I was in for when I said what i said, and I stand by it.

I thought I was quite clear in my explanation. But in case I wasn't. I am talking musical aspects, not technical. But for S&G, take any arrangement. Analyse the score, and I bet you 7 times out of 10 the bass has the simpler line (that number pulled from my butt).

You don't get to be Wooten or Manring by just listening to other Bassists. My soloing chops started with listening to bassists, but they really took off when I started analyzing the melody instruments like Miles and Rollins. Why? They were playing more complex and difficult concepts.

No one wants to admit that they play the easier instrument; but unless you are playing with or like Wooten or Manring, chances are you are playing the easier line musically.

Playing jazz bass is hard, and takes skill. And it is an appreciated skill. However, bass is easier than piano or guitar.

Thats my $.02, and I may be over generalizing, but its just TB. Play bass and enjoy.
 
#16
Underdog bassist, here's your morale boost!

YOU ARE A BASSIST!!! YOU HOLD THE MUSICAL SHIP IN PLACE! YOU KEEP THE BAND TOGETHER WHILE THE GUITARIST IS IN HENDRIXLAND! YOUR INSTRUMENT IS ESSENTIAL TO EVERY KIND OF MUSIC EXCEPT NATIVE DRUM DANCE!! YOU PROVIDE THE GROOVE FOR DANCERS, YOU MAKE UP HALF OF THE ENTIRE RHYTHM OF A SONG...YOU ARE A BASSIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (

An American flag is now waving behind me.
 
#17
RedLeg said:
Attention, I realize I am going to get flamed for this!

I hate to admit it, but guitar and piano are more difficult instruments to play; as are most melody/chordal instruments.
Click to expand...

I won't flame you, but will disagree. As a former organ peformance major where both hands and feet are required, having spent hours practicing and perfecting Bach etc. and now playing bass in a band IMO both take the same amount of time and practice to play well, require the same warm up time etc.

There are a lot of easy bass parts. But that's not the same as saying bass is an easier instrument to play well again IMO. Try playing a few Bach pieces on bass and you'll know what I mean.
 
#19
klokker said:
I won't flame you, but will disagree. As a former organ peformance major where both hands and feet are required, having spent hours practicing and perfecting Bach etc. and now playing bass in a band IMO both take the same amount of time and practice to play well, require the same warm up time etc.

There are a lot of easy bass parts. But that's not the same as saying bass is an easier instrument to play well again IMO. Try playing a few Bach pieces on bass and you'll know what I mean.
Click to expand...

I dont know about the Bass...but I've tried Bach on the Triangle with varying degrees of success....;)
 
#20
Yes but the bassist has as much musical responsibility as the piccolo. He must keep tempo, articulate properly for the style of music and provide a pitch center for the group. Without these things the piccolo part is pointless. A march without a strong bassline is doomed to fail. In Beethoven's 9th symphony there are unison passages for the entire string section that are difficult even on violin. By your reasoning the violin is a more difficult instrument because they usually play more technical lines. When the bassists have to double that line is it suddenly a harder instrument than the violin? I am not trying to flame you, I just dont agree and thats cool.
 

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