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

[Baird6869]

Yeh... As a matter of fact I was just out in my driveway with my hocky stick , hittin slapshots at my garage door , Im pretty much ready for the NHL , I mean thats all there is to it right ?

Can you be at a Maple Leaf practice tomorrow morning?

You said you have a slap shot?

 

[sonic 7]

This entire thread should be deleted

 

[bdplaid]

This entire thread should be deleted

why? it's a fair statement, albeit from someone whom I think doesn't understand the very instrument he plays.

 

[yousaiditman]

Switched to upright about a year ago to try something new. If your getting bored and need inspiration OP, here's a new direction.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Y'all took the bait!

 

[bdplaid]

Y'all took the bait!

Nope. It might have been bait, but this is turning into an interesting discussion about what bass is supposed to be about. or at least it should be about that.

 

[Mr.Ace]

Switched to upright about a year ago to try something new. If your getting bored and need inspiration OP, here's a new direction.

Wow! This is bad to the bone!

 

[bdplaid]

Switched to upright about a year ago to try something new. If your getting bored and need inspiration OP, here's a new direction.

Not really a fan of that - too many fx for me - but yes, upright is a beast. I'm strictly an arco guy, I can do more with it melodically and I like "infinite" sustain if I want it, and just love the sound of arco. But really, if one thinks bass is easy, lay hands on one these. Nothing about this is easy.

 

[denhou1974]

Most people that I've known to say "bass is easy to learn/play" are horrible at bass. They don't understand what it's about. The very concept of the 'pocket' escapes them.

Mastering something over 20+ years then saying "it's easy" is, well, arrogant I guess.

 

[bdplaid]

Here's another that demonstrates how easy bass is, is really easy, non melodic and just boring...

 

[Topkat13]

If people are telling you you sound good. Remember, for the most part, the bass is part of the rhythm section so good timing and feel are of paramount importance. That can't be taught really. I love to watch players shred (Billy Sheehan) and do everything at light speed (Vic W.) but the also nothing cooler than a simple rhythmic bass line locked in with the drummer. The tune "All right Now", which was popular when I was in high school, comes to mind as an excellent example to what I'm talking about.

 

[Mr.Ace]

Not really a fan of that - too many fx for me - but yes, upright is a beast. I'm strictly an arco guy, I can do more with it melodically and I like "infinite" sustain if I want it, and just love the sound of arco. But really, if one thinks bass is easy, lay hands on one these. Nothing about this is easy.

Yeah a lot of FX, but they bad! Would b flat out awesome with or without the FX. And I agree 100% definitely get an upright. It's a humbling experience. Especially Arco! If your intonation isn't spot on then it sounds poopy. Also get some jazz instruction while your at it.
If it's still super easy then you are indeed blessed.

 

[Angry Mob With Pitchfork]

I like this guy. Great feel for a groove. No need to always play the fastest and most number of notes.

 

[Oldschool94]

Here are some musical bass players:
Randy Meisner
Tiran Porter
Lonnie Turner
Steve Harris
John Taylor
Geezer Butler
Stuart Zender
Tony Franklin
Alain Caron
Victor Wooten
Steve Bailey
Billy Sheehan
Jaco Pastorious
Geddy Lee
Mark King
Marcus Miller
Louis Johnson
Nikki Six
Sting
Flea
John Entwhistle
Les Claypool
John Paul Jones
Cliff Burton
James Jamerson
Jack Bruce
Stanley Clark
Geezer Butler
Bootsy Collins
Chris squire
Larry Graham
Rodger Waters
Robert Trujillo
Pino Palladino
Randy Jackson
Allen woody
Stuart Zender
Ect.........

I don't think you quite are getting my point. And I already have heard all these people before...

 

[bdplaid]

 

[bassrich]

The same can be said for guitar if all you play is power chords

 

[bdplaid]

I like this guy. Great feel for a groove. No need to always play the fastest and most number of notes.

yeah, I like this too. he's just having fun and you can hear it in his playing. everything in music, art, is about feeling. if you got no feel, you got nothing. if a bassist thinks it's easy to be a pocket player, he ought to just sell his stuff and buy a big screen.

 

[bdplaid]

I don't think you quite are getting my point. And I already have heard all these people before...

what is you point? i think i missed it too.

 

[Oldschool94]

what is you point? i think i missed it too.

That because of the low pitch of the bass guitar, most players do not develop very musical ears, certainly not as quickly as other instruments. Here's where I pretty much said exactly that.

I have a theory that bass is difficult to become musical at because it is so low pitched. Bass players have a hard time developing musical ears because the instrument is incredibly hard to hear well. Many trumpet players I know always play melodically, even when flubbing. In contrast, I rarely feel like bass players are melodic even in very well rehearsed circumstances.

 

[orange joe]

It has be said that its easier to learn and hard to master but to me there is no "mastering" it.that implies there is a limit to what you can do with it and what you can learn.playing bass is new and exciting to me every day.what I can learn about and do with basses, gear and music will keep me happier than a pig in poop until I cash in my chips.