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

[edhubble]

I think you are being a bit hard on yourself. It's true that bass is easy in a sense - as you say, four strings, one note at a time is enough, but bear in mind a couple of things: it's possible to 'get by' on bass, even be in a band and hold the rhythm section together, just by learning the rudiments. But as others have pointed out here, many players have taken bass playing to a whole other level. I think you're confusing the fact that you can get away with a modest ability with a belief, therefore, that bass is an easy instrument, full stop.
The other important thing to remember is Feel. Why do some bass players sound ok and others sound amazing, even though they are playing the same thing? It's arguably the most important aspect of bass playing - because if you can groove, you don't need to be fast or fancy - and many players would do well to focus on this as their main effort to improve rather than trying to fit more notes in..! I hope you continue to enjoy your instrument for many more years to come.

 

[edhubble]

it's hard for me to judge, having learned guitar first. while my fingers are already calloused and my fretting hand does what it's supposed to, the bass challenges me in different arenas - namely my rhythm and timing. i'm much more 'in my head' when playing bass, counting and following different queues. guitar playing seems more instinctual to me, but that may just come from playing it longer.

I came to bass the same way, after years on the guitar, and I agree 100%

 

[Lumdingo]

Is it a song titled Fastway or the entire album titled Fastway? Either WAY the album is cool. You had me at UFO!

The whole frikken album. The bass playing is AMAZING to me. He only plays what's necessary, but fits into the groove so seamlessly and then adds little touches that accent and lift it up to perfection. Everything's so subtle and it's truly teh product of years and years of listening and understanding.

 

[Lumdingo]

Is it a song titled Fastway or the entire album titled Fastway? Either WAY the album is cool. You had me at UFO!

Here's teh album. Sorry I didn't post this link in the original comment.

 

[David Jayne]

The other important thing to remember is Feel. Why do some bass players sound ok and others sound amazing, even though they are playing the same thing? It's arguably the most important aspect of bass playing - because if you can groove, you don't need to be fast or fancy - .

This, again and again. Feel is perhaps the hardest part to do well, and the hardest to explain or teach, or write out. You just have to, well, feel it.

 

[10cc]

The whole frikken album. The bass playing is AMAZING to me. He only plays what's necessary, but fits into the groove so seamlessly and then adds little touches that accent and lift it up to perfection. Everything's so subtle and it's truly teh product of years and years of listening and understanding.

Will be obtaining this album soon. I'm a sucker for old hard rock. I use to hate it growing up but like you mentioned above it has took me years of listening and understanding to really get what's going down. Thanks for the new music!

 

[10cc]

Same thing for Rainbow

 

[bassliner50]

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 ...

***I will face the fact*** that you might be a musical genius or the genre you frequent may not be very demanding. But as for myself. I put all my effort, thought, experience and emotion in every line I play. I play with very accomplished musicians so the pressure is on to be on my best game constantly. I am still learning after 5 decades of active music. Glad to hear you can skate through this.

 

[slobake]

We have an amazing guitar player in our band. They guy can shred, play beautiful complex melodic riffs and just about anything else that is asked of him. Sometimes he plays bass when I am not available. I have been told that people prefer my steady, consistent bass. He may do some amazing things on the bass but I will work hard to sit right in the pocket with our drummer. The band trusts my grasp of dynamics and timing. If I bring it down or pick it up they usually follow.

 

[Lumdingo]

But, I will concede that perhaps my comment is off base. The poster is merely speaking about perceptions and how the world will look at us and say "Ah, he/she's only a bassist. That's not that difficult an instrument to play." But we all know, it is difficult, whether just laying down the groove, sitting in the pocket, playing ahead or behind the beat, or whatever. For example Ian Hill of Judas Priest is just about the best player for drum locking out there in my opinion. But to most people it doesn't sound like he's doing anything hard at all. I invite anyone to meld with a drummer like he does.

 

[David Jayne]

Yes it is. Play the correct notes and stay in time with your drummer.

You're confusing me, man. You say that, then I post 'there's a lot more to it' and you like my post. What is your position?

 

[Lumdingo]

And then Federico Malaman walked into the building.

 

[HubbardsFate]

OP seems to feel that people are getting a bit indignant with him for starting this thread and posing the question that he has. I don't see a lot of indignation, maybe a little here and there, but nothing major. I can't speak for everyone here, but I certainly am not insulted, nor indignant.

In my first post in this thread I brought up Leland Sklar and Nathan East as examples of bass players who never seem to lack for work, ie., sessions and tours. Another example: one of my fave artists, Steve Vai. No, he's not a bassist, but on some tracks of some of his albums he has laid down the bass; however, quite often he does bring in an actual bass player to put down the bass tracks. I've always found that interesting - one of the world's most acclaimed guitarists hiring bass players. I mean yeah, on tour is one thing (more on that in a sec), but in the studio, why not just do all the bass tracks himself?

And when he tours I've noticed he often hires the same guys: Billy Sheehan and Philip Bynoe are the two I mainly think of, and I think the past couple of years Bryan Beller? I'm thinking there is good reason that Vai keeps "going back to the well", so to speak.

I guess I am simply trying to reinforce what a lot of people have already said in this thread, which is that playing bass at a "basic" level might not be the hardest thing in the world, but when you start getting into more challenging music...

 

[David Jayne]

Federico is sick. Truly. Here's one of my favorites of his, demonstrates feel better than I could ever express.

 

[slobake]

But, I will concede that perhaps my comment is off base. The poster is merely speaking about perceptions and how the world will look at us and say "Ah, he/she's only a bassist. That's not that difficult an instrument to play." But we all know, it is difficult, whether just laying down the groove, sitting in the pocket, playing ahead or behind the beat, or whatever. For example Ian Hill of Judas Priest is just about the best player for drum locking out there in my opinion. But to most people it doesn't sound like he's doing anything hard at all. I invite anyone to meld with a drummer like he does.

That is one of the things I love about playing bass. I can rock out with the band and have a great time but no one is going to shine a spotlight on me. I feel more relaxed knowing that I don't have to be a star, just be myself and play my bass.

 

[gregbackstrom]

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 ...

I think that has more to do with the style of music you're playing. Funk, disco, jazz, prog rock, musical theater, etc. require a lot of technique. Frankly, I think the horn players usually have the easier gig. (Although in my band, they're just a MIDI or K-track patch.)

 

[socialleper]

Well yes a "bass player " really doesn't need to play chords.

Neither does a guitar player or a piano player. The only difference is that those two are expected to.

 

[W.Roberts]

I'm old, ugly, beat to poopie but still pretty phat after all years. Better ears to listen than to stare at the hideous exterior.

I post this because as a teacher I work to get my small circle of students to relax into the groove, play right in that exact moment. A Zen moment where one is one with one's surroundings and is there contributing to the motion, the ideas expressed musically. "Good" to me is this. I've heard cats with no chops per se but their minimalism is killer. Some of these old time country bass players had a gentlemanly restraint I had to work a long time to hone down my chops to get to their moment. Yes, for me bass takes much work and isn't easy no matter the bag. Consistency is part of the package.

 

[W.Roberts]

That is one of the things I love about playing bass. I can rock out with the band and have a great time but no one is going to shine a spotlight on me. I feel more relaxed knowing that I don't have to be a star, just be myself and play my bass.

If what you're saying is you know within yourself you are the strength of the act -- the water that keeps all other ships afloat, I would agree. It might take a connoisseur of music to understand a pillar when one hears one. "Regular" people, as Frank Zappa said, wouldn't know good music if it came and bit 'em on the ass." They're all about the next big thing as seen on TV. The working music knows better -- I would hope.

 

[Lumdingo]

Federico is sick. Truly. Here's one of my favorites of his, demonstrates feel better than I could ever express.

You should follow his Facebook page. He's hilarious and fun.