I’ve been playing stringed instruments for over 45 years and just got an electric bass last year for fun. The more I played it, the more I realized it fits me better than any of my other instruments.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
The Inevitable Question: Why The Bass?
- Thread starter Grinderman
- Start date
Family Man got me into picking up the bass too, but in the end the sounds that make me feel the most energized, calm, inspired all come from the bass. When I play bass it feels like I'm in the place where I'm supposed to be.
One of my brothers was starting a band, had 2 guitars (naturally) and drums. I played (and still play) guitar, so they said, "Hey man, get a bass somewhere and let's all play." A common story. I sucked, and so did the band, so it only lasted a while, but I continued to noodle and got better at it, and accumulated more basses and guitars along the way. Played bass and guitar in some other bands, and here I am. I enjoy both bass and guitar, but I do love those low notes (that low B on the fiver just shakes things 
).
).
Summer of '77, just before starting high school, I was torn between starting guitar, or bass.
I went all in, with the guitar.
Many years later, we had a son in '94, and he grew up with my guitars in his hands.
He switched over to bass around middle school. We lost him several years ago.
I couldn't play any instruments, for months, and then one day, I plugged in his old bass....
So now, I play bass
I went all in, with the guitar.
Many years later, we had a son in '94, and he grew up with my guitars in his hands.
He switched over to bass around middle school. We lost him several years ago.
I couldn't play any instruments, for months, and then one day, I plugged in his old bass....
So now, I play bass
The world needs more good bassists so I was like I'm gonna become one! And I did! Which is better than being a mediocre guitarist or way too loud drummer or bad singer. (Yes I am all these things, also a piano noob, banjo poser, and invisible violist.)
It was the sound in my head before I knew about the bass player.
Because flats and tort looked dumb on my Hammond.
- Jan 26, 2014
- 768
- 1,555
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist;DNA Amplification, GHS strings
My dad was a touring musician so I had the musical influence from the beginning. Played piano from first through fifth grade. Took up drums from sixth to eighth grade. Started playing guitar at fifteen. I kept hitting plateaus and was decent at best. When I was twenty eight, a friend asked me to fill in on bass. Within a couple of weeks I was learning Primus and Chili Pepper licks. I just kind of took to it. I still play around on the guitar when I get the urge, but now it's mostly classical type stuff.
I fell into it initially. I joined a band as the singer, but the bass player was flaky. I could already play guitar a little but (7th grade y’all) I wasn't feeling ready to play and sing at the same time.
But, like Mike Watt, that feeling of controlling those low frequencies…that raw power, hooked me. Tapping into the universe…I like that, but for me, it was more simply physical, to vibrate my whole body, try to resonate my voice with those vibrations, it is a singular feeling. In decades, Ive never gotten tired of that simple thrill.
But, like Mike Watt, that feeling of controlling those low frequencies…that raw power, hooked me. Tapping into the universe…I like that, but for me, it was more simply physical, to vibrate my whole body, try to resonate my voice with those vibrations, it is a singular feeling. In decades, Ive never gotten tired of that simple thrill.
Not as dumb as the drawbars look on my bass ...
The neighborhood high school guitar hero observed that I have large hands and he recommended I try the bass. Then I had to pay him for lessons.... Bass has been very good to me. I'm a supportive person by nature. I like to help those around me their best. I love the connection between players when it's going right. I don't care about curtain calls. These some are reasons I play the bass.
I started playing the trumpet back in 4th grade. I remember hearing my 1st bass at a beauty contest my sister was participating in and fell in love with the way it made the rest of the music sound. When I was 16 I got an acoustical guitar for Christmas. I learned a few chords from a Peter, Paul, and Mary song book but, when I listened to music my ears gravitated to the bass. I never cared for the guitar part, I just learned the bass parts on the bass strings of my guitar. Summer after graduation from HS I bought a used Tiesco bass for $50. I've been hooked on the bass ever since.
Growing up, Whenever I went to live shows, all could hear was the bass and the snare. I mean , I could hear the guitar or the keys , but I couldn’t really hear the notes being played on the guitar. Bass was different - I could hear the different notes clearly, all I could hear was the bass playing the whole song.
I got my first electric guitar (Ibanez GIO) when I was eight. I didn’t really pick it up until I was 14, and I started to learn the typical 2000’s emo hits.
I saw this video around 2010, and I don’t know what it was about the tone, or how big and cool the strings were; but I had to have watched this video at least 200 times. I was obsessed with bass ever since. I used to slap my acoustic guitar, pretending I was playing bass. I didn’t get a bass until I turned 17, but I’ve favored bass over guitar ever since. I will always love guitar, but bass is my #1.
I saw this video around 2010, and I don’t know what it was about the tone, or how big and cool the strings were; but I had to have watched this video at least 200 times. I was obsessed with bass ever since. I used to slap my acoustic guitar, pretending I was playing bass. I didn’t get a bass until I turned 17, but I’ve favored bass over guitar ever since. I will always love guitar, but bass is my #1.
They physically intimidated you or is that a typo?
I think tuba is cool too.So - I played horns… wound up playing tuba - was informed *that* wasn’t really ‘cool’… so I switched to BG
