Quirky Things You Do As A Bassist

[PaulS]

I really only ever use my first two fingers for plucking, and I for some reason stick my pinky out. When I slap, I tend to do it even more so. The really odd thing? I do it even when not playing. I walk around with my pinky sort of sticking out. Many years ago, My buddy asked me why I did it. I didn’t know what he was talking about. He came and saw me play, and in between songs, walked up to the stage and just waggled his pinky at me lol. Been conscious of it ever since, but I can’t stop.

 

[vvvmmm]

Do you drink tea?

 

[NZBassman]

the first thing I do when I arrive at a new venue I've never played at before is..... find out where the toilets are - I do this before I even bring in any of my bass gear.... not sure why I do it, but I do

 

[LBS-bass]

I don't lead tuning with the A. I go in order: EADG then double check the E again because it seems to slip the most.

But I have a thought about those who lead with the A. It used to be common that every instrument in an orchestra would tune to an A note, then we'd tune any other notes once the A was in tune. Could this be a holdover habit from our school band days?

 

[LBS-bass]

I think that a lot of us start tuning with A because it's the standard reference tone. Or it was in pre-electronic tuner days.

Dang, you beat me to it.

 

[Magthegrate]

Maybe not so quirky: I tend to almost play everything on 2 strings if I can at all get away with it. I just seem to like the timbre better on the E and A strings. I'll move way up the neck and shift my fretting hand a LOT before I'll go up to the D string unless I have a really good reason for it.

That's one of the reasons behind my purchase of this 2-string Krappy Punk Bass. I can play 90% of my set list on it, but I have yet to have the nerve to pull it out at a gig!

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I avoid using my index finger on my fret-hand.
I guess "avoid" is a strong word, but if I find an arrangement I can play with my middle & pinky vs. my index & ring-finger, then I'm not using my index finger unless I need to.

Because of this my pinky is rather strong & I can reach well with it.
I'm already left-handed, however playing righty, so that hand is already stronger than my right.

TBH I think whoever came up with the first guitar or stringed-instrument was a lefty, it just makes sense that your dominant hand is doing all the difficult work.
Oops, maybe I should mention I'm borderline ambidextrous.
Can't write my name with my right, but I can hammer a nail or turn a wrench.

 

[Magthegrate]

TBH I think whoever came up with the first guitar or stringed-instrument was a lefty, it just makes sense that your dominant hand is doing all the difficult work.4

My left handed daughter says the same thing. "Why wouldn't I do all the hard fretting work with my dominate hand? It definitely gives her more options in instruments.

 

[Captain Comet]

I agree that closing your eyes can help you play better. I pretty much have to do that if singing and playing bass. I think it frees up some brain space that is being occupied with all that vision stuff you may not need at the time ... as long as you don't fall off the stage.

 

[Captain Comet]

I've always been the only band member of any band I've played with who brings gaffers/duct tape to gigs.

I bring wide painters tape (doesn't leave residue behind), cable ties, tools, extra batteries. And then, the rest of the band "borrows" them .... cheap bastards ....

 

[PaulS]

Do you drink tea?

Lol I do, and I’m also part English, that must be it!

 

[brocket]

I'll sway or bob my head completely out of rhythm/tempo with the song. I'll stick a foot out, stand on one foot for a few seconds, and take a step, but again it's completely out of rhythm/tempo.

I think what I'm doing is that in order to move out of tempo/rhythm, I need to lock onto the rhythm/tempo of the song- to not step on the downbeat, I need to know exactly where the downbeat is going to be. Sort of a "study darkness to better understand light" sort of thing.

 

[mrjim123]

I'll sway or bob my head completely out of rhythm/tempo with the song. I'll stick a foot out, stand on one foot for a few seconds, and take a step, but again it's completely out of rhythm/tempo.

I think what I'm doing is that in order to move out of tempo/rhythm, I need to lock onto the rhythm/tempo of the song- to not step on the downbeat, I need to know exactly where the downbeat is going to be. Sort of a "study darkness to better understand light" sort of thing.

Wow!

 

[pablomago]

I like to watch the dancers and see how they react to different bass lines that I'm playing. You soon realize how much control you have.

 

[dbase]

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

Wait! What do you mean "You use them"? How do you use them ? Details

 

[dbase]

I like to watch the dancers and see how they react to different bass lines that I'm playing. You soon realize how much control you have.

Haaahahah, I too have control when I play certain bass lines... As a matter of fact I can clear an entire dance floor in seconds just by playing a bass solo... Bada Boom

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Wait! What do you mean "You use them"? How do you use them ? Details

I suppose you’ll want a video. Maybe this Friday night...

 

[pablomago]

Haaahahah, I too have control when I play certain bass lines... As a matter of fact I can clear an entire dance floor in seconds just by playing a bass solo... Bada Boom

That's why I avoided solos. I want to see the pretty girls dance!

 

[mike montalbano]

My quirk is that I attach a a pick holder to my microphone stand with about 5 picks. I only use my pick for about 15 songs during a show. I guess I'm always anticipating a worst case scenario although, it has never happened.

 

[NZBassman]

another thing I always do is every time I put my bass on I check the volume / tone knobs to make sure they are turned to full..... the thing is I always have them turned to full, so there should be no need to check them every time I put my bass on.... but I always do.