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Why do you play bass ??

#63
I'm a singer who started playing (mostly rhythm) guitar to accompany myself. I'm a decent rhythm player, but there were always better lead players around. I loved McCartney since '64 and was always kind of drawn to the bass. Started playing guitar in '69, finally switched to bass in the early '90s after a couple false starts. I still enjoy playing the guitar on occasion, but felt I really found my home as a bassist.
 
#67
It's interesting that so many of us started playing guitar and were mediocre at it, so we switched to bass. I know some guys get their panties in a wad at this concept, but it's true. I read an interview with Mike Watt where he said something to the effect that when guys started bands, whoever was the crappiest guitar player switched over to bass. Deal with it and embrace it.
 
#69
Because we could never find a bass player for our high school rock band and it always sounded empty. I was the lead singer and looked at Sting, Geddy, Wetton, etc. and thought I could do it. Still trying to get to their level after 30 years. LOL. Turned into a life long love affair. Being a singer/bass player, I never have a problem getting into bands. I also like that rock bands rarely ever have two bass players and I like being the unique one. Two guitars, two keys, two singers, and sometimes even two drummers, but only one ring to rule them all! It has also been a spring board for hacking away at guitar, keys, and recording, thereby increasing the reward of making music.
 
#70
I play bass because I was taking guitar lessons and they had a band program where I also had to take bass lessons as a pre-requisite--although as it worked out I always played guitar & never bass.
But I started bass reluctantly--and discovered I liked it.

I still play guitar as well.
 
#74
When I first started it was for my love of music and wanting to be a part of it. I chose guitar first but quickly fell in love the groove of bass. The moment i figured out how to play along with a song I was hooked.

Now I play because I love being part of a group. When my guitarist plays a riff, my drummer lays down a beat and I come in with the groove, it's a zone only we as musicians can understand...
 
#77
I could competently bang out a nice 4/4 on the drums, but realistically would never achieve a good jazz sound on them, which is the style of music that most interests me.

When my kids had a chance to study an instrument in school I encouraged them both to try bass as both were large kids with large hands, and if they liked it there is always more needs for bassists than say violinists or other such musicians.

Alas, music never took to either, but I enjoyed the bass enough to try it myself. While not very good, I believe I will actuallygetgood enough to play a decent walking jazz bass line, so onward and upward for me!
 
#80
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