Well this just seems backwards.

[Sponson Thrisby]

Our jam group finally got back together this week after something like 21 months off due to plague. Not everyone showed, but some of the core folks did (myself included). It went ok. A bit rusty, but not as bad as it could have been.

Anyway, as we were packing up and discussing the next session, it was mentioned that too many people in the group play bass, and would I mind going back to guitar...

Isn't that the opposite of how these things usually go?

 

[Killing Floor]

Ha! How many is too many?

 

[two fingers]

Ha! How many is too many?

Good question.

Also, did they ask EVERY bass player that, or just you?

And what did you answer?

 

[Volker Kirstein]

Wait. What? They asked you to go back to guitar? Is every bassist in your group a guitarist trying to fill that spot?

 

[Carl Hillman]

it was mentioned that too many people in the group play bass,

It never hurt these lads.

 

[lark_z]

My jamming buddy was complaining recently because he HAS to try to play rhythm and lead parts on guitar on each song and I just have to play bass. My advice "just play the chords" falls on deaf ears. I don't care, except for the invariable/predictable slowing down if there's a lead part.

Now it's morphed into - why don't you (me) play guitar instead of bass? Hmm - not what I signed up for.

 

[Sponson Thrisby]

I was playing guitar only when we started up years ago, then picked up bass just before the plague when I spotted a good deal. Been working on mostly bass the last couple years.
There are a couple of guys who are primarily bass, but they only show up occasionally. I think they just want them to feel welcome in the hope that they'll come out more often.

Whatever, I'll be flexible. It's all just for fun.

 

[Ostie]

I started playing mandolin about 10 years ago. Best career move ever. Not many mando players around, so lots of gigs to be had. Much easier to haul the gear around. And people come up to me after gigs and compliment me on how I play “that little guitar”.

 

[micguy]

Isn't that the opposite of how these things usually go?

The usual deal is the worst guitarist gets handed a bass. In your case, maybe you're the best bassist?

 

[micguy]

I started playing mandolin about 10 years ago. Best career move ever. Not many mando players around, so lots of gigs to be had. Much easier to haul the gear around. And people come up to me after gigs and compliment me on how I play “that little guitar”.

I used to play mandolin. But I have this vision of one day hitting a low note, and vibrating myself off the stage (like those electric football games from years ago). Ain't gonna make that happen with a mandolin, so bass it is for me.

My back would disagree, but I tell it to shut up and I give it some Naproxen. For my next life, I'm leaning towards piccolo.

 

[Ostie]

I used to play mandolin. But I have this vision of one day hitting a low note, and vibrating myself off the stage (like those electric football games from years ago). Ain't gonna make that happen with a mandolin, so bass it is for me.

My back would disagree, but I tell it to shut up and I give it some Naproxen. For my next life, I'm leaning towards piccolo.

I still enjoy playing bass, I just get more respect playing mandolin.

 

[micguy]

I still enjoy playing bass, I just get more respect playing mandolin.

I never got respect playing mandolin.


Maybe I just sucked at it.

 

[Matty Koff]

Honestly.. every guitarist should also take up bass.. and every bassist should also take up guitar.

That way we all trip over that pesky B string together and have a deeper understanding of each other's pain.

More seriously though, having a little multi-instrumentalist in you is a good thing in my book.

 

[SoCal80s]

At least they didn't ask you to switch to tambourine or triangle.

 

[newtonbassist]

It never hurt these lads.

View attachment 4479457

 

[Deleted member 165050]

At least they didn't ask you to switch to tambourine or triangle.

Or...

 

[Deleted member 165050]

Our jam group finally got back together this week after something like 21 months off due to plague. Not everyone showed, but some of the core folks did (myself included). It went ok. A bit rusty, but not as bad as it could have been.

Anyway, as we were packing up and discussing the next session, it was mentioned that too many people in the group play bass, and would I mind going back to guitar...

Isn't that the opposite of how these things usually go?

What I think is performers play guitar, musicians play bass.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I used to play mandolin. But I have this vision of one day hitting a low note, and vibrating myself off the stage (like those electric football games from years ago). Ain't gonna make that happen with a mandolin, so bass it is for me.

My back would disagree, but I tell it to shut up and I give it some Naproxen. For my next life, I'm leaning towards piccolo.

RE: Piccolo

Me? The triangle…. Not much call for it, but I’m thinking I could handle one LOL!!

 

[Old Blastard]

I play guitar, badly. My bandmates will
Do anything to not let me near a guitar

 

[mikeoso]

Sounds like the OP is probably a better guitarist than the other bassists. Every jam needs a guitar. Way I handle it is schlepp a bass and a guitar, play whichever is needed, depending on who shows.