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

#441
blue4 said:
Then it sounds like the problem isn't the instrument if you feel like the guy who should just be in the corner. I admit I resent the implications that a bassist is a less important member of a group simply by being the bassist. The whole mistaken "no chords, only four strings" thing is annoying. We do play chords, and there's a hell of a lot more instruments with 4 strings or courses than otherwise. It's the same way with my nephew in HS band. People think just because he studies percussion that he's "just hitting things."
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If you read my post, what I am really saying is that I FEEL that way. If you read through the 20 something pages of dicussion, which i wouldnt blame you for skipping, you would see that through the discussion, I had a change of heart. I am not attacking you or anyone. Just working through some crap I am dealing with. Also, I still feel bass is easier, not necessarily easy (just my opinion). And the conclusion I came to is that it is an important part of the band and there is no reason to feel bad about it. I know in part what attracted me to bass is that I thought it would be easier than guitar, and also I like it and also my good friend had been taking guitar lessons all year and was getting decent and I thought it would be fun to play bass with him and maybe start a band (which we did). I love playing bass and am not at all criticizing it and am surprised some of you are taking it that way. If i posted that i cant figure out bass would that somehow be a compliment to you? Of course not. So why look at it the other way. Also, after twenty something pages, I feel like the discussion, while enjoyable and insightful, has somewhat run its course.
 
#446
Just know, without a bass, your band will sound awful. Also, -muddslide "Any instrument can be very expressive" it's true. Basses can be in the low hundreds to thousands, so it's not like they're cheap or anything. Just ask any rickenbacker or musicman player. Also, yes, I admit and others should say this, I picked up on bass really quickly. When I was 4 all i would do is pluck the strings on my '76 mustang. 6 years of not playing, now 12, played a mikro and again, plucked the strings, but then started playing some cream riffs. But it took me SO LONG to truly get good at the instrument. Bass is easy to pick up on, but hard to master. Also, it's very hard to sing and play bass. Many regard it as the hardest insurument to sing on in a band. And it is hard. I understand what you are saying, but i have to disagree. gooto
 
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#447
Mantis Tobaggan said:
If you read my post, what I am really saying is that I FEEL that way. If you read through the 20 something pages of dicussion, which i wouldnt blame you for skipping, you would see that through the discussion, I had a change of heart. I am not attacking you or anyone. Just working through some crap I am dealing with. Also, I still feel bass is easier, not necessarily easy (just my opinion). And the conclusion I came to is that it is an important part of the band and there is no reason to feel bad about it. I know in part what attracted me to bass is that I thought it would be easier than guitar, and also I like it and also my good friend had been taking guitar lessons all year and was getting decent and I thought it would be fun to play bass with him and maybe start a band (which we did). I love playing bass and am not at all criticizing it and am surprised some of you are taking it that way. If i posted that i cant figure out bass would that somehow be a compliment to you? Of course not. So why look at it the other way. Also, after twenty something pages, I feel like the discussion, while enjoyable and insightful, has somewhat run its course.
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Dude, you are playing in a punk/metal band dominated by guitar riffs, what do you expect? This isnt jazz/fusion.

Also, can you ask your drummer to tune his kick and snare?
 

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