Let's face it: bass guitar isn't that hard

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I have been playing bass guitar for 22 years. I have played in a folk rock band, a jam band, a cover band, a punk band and now I am playing in a metal band.

Does anyone else feel kind of modest when discussing being a bass player? I feel like I am good at bass but also like this isn't that big of a deal. I also feel like it is probably the easiest instrument to learn and get decent at. I tend to offer suggestions and discuss things with my band, but I also keep myself in check by reminding myself that I am just the bass player. I guess I have a slight inferiority complex about being a bassist. The other guys in my band think I'm great and it is strictly me doing this to myself btw. Am I the only one who feels this way?

It's bad. When someone compliments my bass playing I smile and say thanks but I think to myself "it only has four strings and we dont play chords but thanks..." Maybe I am being too hard on myself ...

 

[StereoPlayer]

Go sit in the corner...

Edit: thank you, thank you very much.

 

[BassGreaser]

This is exactly how I feel. Like what I'm doing isn't anything special.. Just placing my fingers down on the fretboard and plucking strings.

 

[Muddslide]

Like any instrument, or really any creative tool, it can be as simple or as complex as you want, and can be utilized in many ways.

Any instrument can be very expressive...and can be easy to play but difficult to master.

I play chords on my bass...but I also don't consider myself a great player and I tend to keep it on the simple side.

I like to think I don't play things that other people couldn't play; I try to come up with parts that other people wouldn't think to play.

 

[DWBass]

I disagree. I know guys who have been playing for years and still have zero groove.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

Maybe you just play simple bass. I'm sure you're doing the best you can.

i shred at the bass. I just dont think its a big deal.

 

[jd56hawk]

Are you talking about simply playing

or playing with some authority?

 

[ddnidd1]

You might want to post some of your playing.

 

[Baird6869]

I don't feel like the OP at all.

I am a pretty good musician and I definately don't just play on the root.

I love playing bass and learning new things (started taking lessons at 45 after playing for 30 years) and if I ever got bored with it, I would pack it in completely.

 

[Gougedeye]

I think you are seriously undervaluing what you do! You've been playing for 22 years! I've met many people over the years who don't have the gumption to stick with something for that long. That accomplishment alone is worth many congratulations! Sure, there are people out there who say they can play bass, but can they really? There are some guitar players out there who try, some more successful than others. But mostly, they play guitar on bass. There is a unique skill set for bass players. When to drive the song, when to leave space, when to play in front of the beat, when to play behind the beat, locking with the drummer! The list goes on and on! Loads of people say to me, it must be easy playing bass. You make it look so easy...Well, I've been playing for 40 years! I have developed many cheap and no-so-cheap parlor tricks. I hand them my bass and tell them to give it a try! Inevitably, they fail miserably! Easy, I think not! For what its worth, I've never met a bass player who regretted being a bass player.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

I disagree. I know guys who have been playing for years and still have zero groove.

Like me

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I think you are seriously undervaluing what you do! You've been playing for 22 years! I've met many people over the years who don't have the gumption to stick with something for that long. That accomplishment alone is worth many congratulations! Sure, there are people out there who say they can play bass, but can they really? There are some guitar players out there who try, some more successful than others. But mostly, they play guitar on bass. There is a unique skill set for bass players. When to drive the song, when to leave space, when to play in front of the beat, when to play behind the beat, locking with the drummer! The list goes on and on! Loads of people say to me, it must be easy playing bass. You make it look so easy...Well, I've been playing for 40 years! I have developed many cheap and no-so-cheap parlor tricks. I hand them my bass and tell them to give it a try! Inevitably, they fail miserably! Easy, I think not! For what its worth, I've never met a bass player who regretted being a bass player.

I don't regret it all, i love playing bass. Thank you for your kind post. Also sorry if it seems like im flame baiting, i just geniuinly feel this way and was wondering if i was alone.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

You might want to post some of your playing.

Definitely not now! Everyone will tell me i feel inferior because i suck. I dont think i suck, i just feel like drums and guitar is harder so i get this weird inferiority at band practice. They have all been playing as long as i have.

 

[pacojas]

I disagree. I know guys who have been playing for years and still have zero groove.

yup!!!!
30yrs plus and i'm still learning every facet of my basses and every nuance of tone.
EASY MY BUTT

 

[Liam Wald]

It is easy to be mediocre at most anything.

 

[David Jayne]

Easy? Depends on the music you play. You can bet that if your parts are easy, so are everyone else's.

 

[Winterglo]

Google: Billy Sheehan, Victor Wooten, Chris Squire, Paul McCartney, Geezer Butler, and Geddy Lee.
I have much to learn, much I will never learn. I'm finally cool with it.

 

[nostatic]

I have been playing bass guitar for 22 years.

snip

we dont play chords

Maybe you should learn some. If you haven't learned chords in 22 years, what other things haven't you learned? There'a always more to study about your craft if you're curious.

 

[Gougedeye]

I don't regret it all, i love playing bass. Thank you for your kind post. Also sorry if it seems like im flame baiting, i just geniuinly feel this way and was wondering if i was alone.

It only seems easy because you have been doing it for so long. Talk Bass is a misleading forum because it is filled with exceptionally talented people. The reality is, what we do seems like magic to Joe Blow off the street! And it is, because of all the hard work and dedication it takes to become a player! Stand tall! you're more talented and a better musician than probably 90% of the people in the world!

 

[Minirehak 212]

Well you got two kinds of bass players, a nice simplistic one laying down the groove and well you got this guy