Losing interest in the types of bass playing available; guitar content

No reason to quit bass just because you're learning something new. They will benefit each other, don't you think?

 

Do what interests you musically. Be that bass, guitar, piano, violin, flute, whatever. It's all good.

 

...or maybe it's simple: you found something you like better --- nothin' wrong with that!


but you'll have to turn in your membership card to security and you'll have to empty all your pockets before you leave the building!

 

I thought we'd have to give him a box to clear out his personal effects from his office. Severance pay should be coming in two weeks.

That said, OP, congrats! You tried something new and it paid off!

 

I can understand the situation.

How many of us have struggled through a seemingly endless night with a drummer who digs in, is chop heavy, busy or just plain sucking the air out of the song(s)?

Encounter enough musical situations like that in a row and it can become a downer.

Guitar offers both rhythm, some harmony and melody. Almost it’s own band. Bass is ok soloed but much more gratifying with cooperating musicians.

 

Whatever you choose, being able to also play the bass will be something you won't regret.

 

I play guitar. Been playing bass seriously since I was a kid. Guitar pretty long but not as long. Guitar is fun and it makes me a better bassist because it broadens my perspective. Guitar is cool and fun and nobody expects you to stand in the shadows. So do both or do one and be true to you.

 

I dont really believe in “quitting playing an instrument”. I have had long stretches of time without playing or practicing the bass, as soon as you come back its all there (except for the chops of course but thats easy to workout again). Its like learning to ride a bike, you dont “quit” bicycles.

 

It's an expansion of your musical skills and abilities.
Sure it's a big change but big changes can be the most frightening or awe inspiring.
Embrace it. Utilise it. Enjoy it.

 

Very cool thing to play guitar. You can discover new territories and if ever one day you come back to bass; classical technic as rasguedo, or simply learn to play guitar arpeggios with all fingers is a really a good technic to use on bass too.
You don't leave Music and that is the most important
Congrats on your new guitar !

 

I play guitar (and sing) also. My bass playing is still my main high profile gigging thing though. It gets energized most when I'm playing with players who are top notch, especially the drummer, and I am proud to create a rhythmic foundation like a rock for the others to blow over. You can do both.

 

I feel your pain. I rarely play the bass any more. I can’t find the people who want to play music that lends itself to creative bass playing and I don’t find the playing required of most of the music I play particularly challenging.

 

Could be worse, you could take up the drums, get bored and then fire yourself. At least with the guitar you can still be on speaking terms with yourself. Until you start arguing about who keeps turning up the volume...

 

IMO it requires a certain personality and mindset to take on the role of the bass player in a group. If it’s no longer the thing for you then I think it’s a very rational decision to move over to a different instrument and role that better fulfills your personal goals and expectations when you’re performing. So best of luck with your new direction. Hope it works out well for you.

P.S. You can also play bass too along with your main instrument. It’s not like it’s an either/or proposition.

 

I was with you until I got to this part. I don't see any reason to think you weren't well suited for the role you played for decades. If what you were doing hadn't been working for you, you would have quit doing it long ago. It sounds like you've just grown weary of it after all these years and are ready to move on to something else. That's great -- but don't spoil it by regretting what you were doing before.

 

I can understand … I often feels like there is too many band wanting to play in bars but they lack something that would make it fun… especially in cover band situation …

at the same time you have band of young musicians that push the boundaries of guitar and composition

 

I recommend classtab.org
If you learn Bach’s Chaconne in D minor on guitar, you can play quite a bit of other stuff.

 

It’s good to play more than one instrument. I also play guitar and keyboards. When I get in a rut on bass I don’t stop playing, I simply switch to another instrument.

 

This is it for me.

Truthfully, I’ve been playing guitar as my primary instrument for around 3 years now and have only started to come back around to bass. The guitar playing has helped my bass playing tremendously, and the added benefit is that I can now audition for bands in either role or swap things up on gigs to keep it interesting.