Quirky Things You Do As A Bassist

[two fingers]

When doing sound check, I always play the walking bass line to "I Know a Little". I played it in a band over 30 years ago and haven't played the whole song since. For some reason it just makes for a good starting point. If I'm ever asked to play something higher on the neck, I play the melody to "If I Only Had a Brain" from Wizard of Oz, in A and octave up the board. Dunno why I do that either. But I've been doing it for decades.

I play a little hard. So my strings tend to stretch when new if I don't stretch them out good first. So, for years I have literally picked up my bass by each string and shook it back and forth after stringing it up and tuning. That'll do it every time.

 

[StatesideRambler]

I suppose this is my quirk: I’m perfectly happy being a sideman.

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

I bring a pair of rubber chickens to every gig. Most times, I use them.
View attachment 3491499

i love how you look so serious in that picture, performing with the duckies

Edit: chickens

 

[H2okie]

“Sancho... when you are a man... sometimes you must wear... stretchy pants...”

It’s just for fun

 

[40Hz]

I wish I had some. But I neglected my quirks in my youth. And now I don’t have any.

Hey, all you young bass players? Don’t make the same mistake I did.

 

[Lardass5000]

I press my best slacks.

 

[Beej]

I wish I had some. But I neglected my quirks in my youth. And now I don’t have any.

Hey, all you young bass players? Don’t make the same mistake I did.

Quirks?

 

[LBS-bass]

Sing.

 

[Jackcrow]

It’s not always possible but I like to have a cup of coffee before or during a gig. Seems like I can focus a little more. Also I bite my tongue constantly when I play. I don’t realize I’m doing it most of the time.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

I keep playing a 32 year old bass when I have about 10 other newer ones....

 

[cheapbasslovin]

I use slap bracelets to store cables. They're the best thing I've ever used.

I steadfastly avoid jazz and p-basses.

 

[DoctorZee]

This is kind of freaking me out. I had no idea so many of us tune the E string last. Why do we all do that?

 

[Samatza]

Apparently I have a "face" when I play- everyone says I look cranky. At a fill in gig one of the guys kept asking me "are you alright"? I say "yeah, I'm fine", "oh, OK... but you look so peeved off when you're playing".

 

[Tim Skaggs]

Read &/or post on this forum most every day of the week......

 

[SactoBass]

I only play one note.

As long as it's the right one!

 

[Tony In Philly]

I obsess over my bass tone.


I get asked if I play bass because I wasn't good enough to play guitar.

 

[iwearpumas]

I always bring my own rig and never play out of anyone else’s.

 

[SLO Surfer]

I try to wash my hands before I play. Every time. Sometimes I can’t or don’t get to. I don’t freak out, but I do notice and then wipe my bass down with extra vigor afterwards.

 

[Stumbo]

Along with Shoe Gazers, I was a Neck Gazer while gigging.

I mean, I knew there were people out there, sometimes lots of people but I just didn't really see them but peripherally.

 

[DJ Bebop]

A monkey fist would be better - the sound guy is bound to have unintentional overhand knots in his cords.

True but a monkey fist would eat up too much cord while I am using it.
I just kept everything close and gave him da stink eye when he came around

A sheepshank could have done the trick though...