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Why do you play bass ??

#221
My dad was a bassist, mum was a guitarist. I started of playing guitar when I was 8 (I was pretty much born a a family of musicians), then I was introduced the band l'arc en ciel and fell in love with Tetsuya's bass playing. After I picked up my dad's bass I got into it even more and more and it ended up being my primary instrument. :laugh:
 
#223
Because when I was growing up these guys were the hottest band in the world
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. And let's not forget the masters
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#224
I started playing bass about 10 years into playing guitar and one year into playing drums. So difficult to find like-minded musicians that I figured I could be the like-minded musician everyone was looking for since I don't have any of the hang-ups you'd normally associate with guitarists and drummers. Or bassists.

Plus, it's great to be able to song-write on multiple instruments. Just gives you a different perspective on things. Also a great skill to have in my band, Mechanevil, can never have too many instruments when you're a one-man act.
 
#225
I started playing bass long long ago(mid 70's)because I could play with much better players as a bassist than as a mediocre guitarist.I play guitar at home for my own enjoyment and have a really nice collection of old Gibsons but have always preferred playing bass in a group setting,just something about synching/grooving with a good drummer and tying everything together. Besides,good guitar players are a dime a dozen,good bassists are hard to find!!!(and I'm sticking to that story!!LOL)
 
#226
When I was a teenager there seemed to be a ton of guitar players and I was not any good at chords. I figured every band needed a bass player (less true today!) so I would have better opportunities to play.

Many years later I figured out that bass fits my personality better. I am an accountant by trade so always in a supporting role at work. Whn I have been in a leadership role like at Church it has sucked. So I am good at standing in the background and keeping everythuing going. Curiously I love performing and have always gravitated to players who want to form a band and get out and play, not just jammers. So although I don't want to be the leader i do want to go somewhere!
 
#227
ninjaaron said:
Lucky! I can't sing anything below a Bb. I can make a sound that is pitched at A 110, but I wouldn't really call it singing at that point. No low Es or Ds for this guy. :(

But my five-string knocks that crap out the park ;)
Click to expand...

You're what we could call a tenor then. I suppose someone who plays bass would rather sing bass than tenor but truth be told tenors make more money! I can hit an 82 Hz E all the time, the D and C below that on a good day although the volume suffers greatly. Those low notes will make your chest buzz even though they are merely regular guitar bass notes and your bass guitar goes an octave lower.
 
#231
It takes years to become proficient on an instrument especially when playing jazz and wanting to be respected by fellow jazz musicians. I don't have the time in life left for that level of dedicated practice. Bass is what I play and that's all. I've put in the hours and years and am still learning but, if I could switch to another instrument, I would.
 
#232
When I was in high school I played drums. I was never that good so I tried bass. It came naturally to me. I literally picked it up and played it. It was very easy for me to play a simple rhythm and the drummers I played with liked it. It gave them a foundation to rely on when they went into a solo or sang and it helped set the beat for kids who were dancing. Bass players were in very short supply at that time. Every one either played guitar or drums. Keyboard players were even more rare. :):cool::bassist:
 
#233
Over 50 years ago I discovered that it was the groove that moved me so I decided that was the part I wanted to play in music. It also fits my personality as someone stated in a an earlier post. Not noticed until I'm missing like any good bass player.
 
#234
Growing up, the majority of music that was played around my home was 50's classics, Motown / R&B and Latin Salsa, Merengue and Latin Jazz. So from my earliest memories, drums, clave (rhythm) and bass were impressed upon me from the speakers of the family's console stereo. From there, I gravitated toward bass in all areas. I have a low voice so in church I would sing the bass parts. Southern gospel music also taught me harmony and ear-training. In the early 80's I got my first bass, a Peavey Patriot, and I've never looked back.

Edit: Had I not gone with bass guitar, I'd probably have chosen drums / percussion.
 
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#237
I play a number of instruments.
I started hanging out with a locale garage band and could not fit in with brass and woodwind. I never felt confertable with strings and key board.
Saw an acoustic electric bass hanging on the garage wall with only 4 strings and I thought to my self I could Handle 4 strings. Played around with it and ended up purchasing one for myself that was about 10 years ago and about 25 basses later.
 

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