Don't know why I settled on mandolin for the first few years of my music playing; I think I was trying to be indie or something. It was bad. I could not play a lead line to save my life. When I jammed with a guitarist, I borrowed my wife's cheapo Rogue bass -- I brought the mandolin a few times but it was just embarassing. Finally I got sick of mandolin, and the Rogue, sold all but my first mando and bought an SX short-scale Jazz copy in April.
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Why do YOU play bass?
- Thread starter DEbassist
- Start date
a bass feels more full in my hands than a guitar. that and id never want to be the COMPLETE center of attention while performing...now frontman on the other hand...thats something id like.
Planet Boulder
Hey, this is a private residence...man
- Nov 10, 2001
- 4,014
- 65
- Disclosures
- I once had impure thoughts. Oh, and I pluck my ear hair.
Never played guitar first - bass was the first one I reached for 29 years ago and I never looked back. I was at some school dance in 7th grade and some crappy school cover band was playing. For whatever reason, I was intrigued most by the bass in the cover of AC/DC's "TNT". From that point, I was convinced that bass was the coolest instrument in any band, even if it wasn't in the foreground.
I have immersed myself in the bass ever since. It is my opinion that we are the ones (along with the rest of the rhythm section) who truly "move" the people in the crowd or hearing us through their speakers.
Music is everything but bass is its soul.
I have immersed myself in the bass ever since. It is my opinion that we are the ones (along with the rest of the rhythm section) who truly "move" the people in the crowd or hearing us through their speakers.
Music is everything but bass is its soul.
I started out on piano and organ. I'm left handed. Guess which end of the keyboard I favoured and played better?
When I began exploring other instruments ins school, I always gravitated to the bass end of things as I enjoyed the power of the instruments. I eventually ended up playing double bass in my elementary school band (yup, standing on a stool/chair) and began learning bass guitar after my back injury.
I just likes me them low notes that hit you in the chest!
When I began exploring other instruments ins school, I always gravitated to the bass end of things as I enjoyed the power of the instruments. I eventually ended up playing double bass in my elementary school band (yup, standing on a stool/chair) and began learning bass guitar after my back injury.
I just likes me them low notes that hit you in the chest!
My first band had 3 guitar palyers, including me. We couldn't find a bass player. I sucked the most at guitar. I volunteered to play bass. It was the best thing that ever happened to me musically. If we wouldn't have needed a bass player to gig I doubt I'd have even taken it up. 32 years later I am quite pleased with my decision to switch. 
Of my friends in high school, one was learning to play drums, one was learning guitar. Hmmmm...
I got a bass (around '84) and practiced 1-2 hrs per day for about 6 months, and fell in love with it.
I got a bass (around '84) and practiced 1-2 hrs per day for about 6 months, and fell in love with it.
I kind of felt that a guitar felt like a little toy bass. Somehow a bass feels better in my arms. That, and I love the deeper tones & connection to rhythm.
I took to bass because:
a) I have always noticed it in music;
b) I can't play a Hammond B3 like the guys in churches I attend--they can really work those floor pedals;
c) I grew up playing piano so I know how important those low notes are; and,
d) None of the P&W/music ministries I've been involved with cared about guitars; they all wanted to know if I could play bass or could find them a bass player. My guitars are collecting dust.
a) I have always noticed it in music;
b) I can't play a Hammond B3 like the guys in churches I attend--they can really work those floor pedals;
c) I grew up playing piano so I know how important those low notes are; and,
d) None of the P&W/music ministries I've been involved with cared about guitars; they all wanted to know if I could play bass or could find them a bass player. My guitars are collecting dust.
5th grade, i played sax, and hated it. so i switched to drums in 6th grade, and played drums up until last year, i still do, but i picked guitar up along the way, sometime around 15. well, i have friends that are drummers, and one of them had this really good band. they're bass player quit, and he asked if i wanted to play bass. so here i am a year after i dropped 3 grand on my first real drum set spending every extra penny on bass gear 
i enjoy playing bass though. it's alot less demanding playing bass than guitar. and i enjoy not being in the spotlight.
ever hear a guitar player screw up a solo? so did everyone else.
ever hear a bass player screw up a groove? it's ok, no one but the drummer noticed anyway!!
i enjoy playing bass though. it's alot less demanding playing bass than guitar. and i enjoy not being in the spotlight. ever hear a guitar player screw up a solo? so did everyone else.
ever hear a bass player screw up a groove? it's ok, no one but the drummer noticed anyway!!
I've played the guitar for a little over 20 years at home, in the studio, and as a gigging musician.
The only times I've ever played bass was when there was some impromptu jam session which included a bass that was laying around and nobody to play it.
Due to some rather eventful life changes I haven't played with a band or gigged in about 6 years.
Now, I'm wanting to get started back up with that ASAP!
For some unknown reason a few months ago I had a "bass revelation", I guess you could say, just outta' the blue. I borrowed a bass for a couple of weeks and during that time I decided that I wanted to drop the guitar and become a "bass player".
So now, I've been sorting through a few basses and trying to pick out what I like best (which are P-Basses BTW) and I've been hittin' the woodshed every day and night.
As a long time guitar player I don't totally suck at bass, but given my limited technique I don't think anyone would consider me a "great bassist".
The only times I've ever played bass was when there was some impromptu jam session which included a bass that was laying around and nobody to play it.
Due to some rather eventful life changes I haven't played with a band or gigged in about 6 years.
Now, I'm wanting to get started back up with that ASAP!
For some unknown reason a few months ago I had a "bass revelation", I guess you could say, just outta' the blue. I borrowed a bass for a couple of weeks and during that time I decided that I wanted to drop the guitar and become a "bass player".
So now, I've been sorting through a few basses and trying to pick out what I like best (which are P-Basses BTW) and I've been hittin' the woodshed every day and night.
As a long time guitar player I don't totally suck at bass, but given my limited technique I don't think anyone would consider me a "great bassist".
- Feb 27, 2005
- 3,218
- 125
- Disclosures
- Full disclosure, I'm a certified Fender technician working in a music store that carries Fender, Yamaha, and Ibanez products among others.
Because it feels and sounds more natural than anything else I do, or at least, anything I'd tell you guys about.
I think it started with bass clarinet in junior high, I just loved the low notes. When I picked bass up, I learned it faster than any other instrument I'd tried, and I've stuck with it ever since.
I think it started with bass clarinet in junior high, I just loved the low notes. When I picked bass up, I learned it faster than any other instrument I'd tried, and I've stuck with it ever since.
Not true with the people I play in front of; they would think the guitarist was playing jazz. If I screw up they'd think we all sucked and the music ministry would let me know about it right there.
The other guys in the band said I'm too stupid to play something with 6 strings so since my bass has only 4 strings I play it. I showed up one day with a 5er and told them I got smarter. That's the story.
I enjoy collecting basses. They also sound very nice and one day I will get round to becoming a competent player. If I ever practice enough.
Two words, Paul McCartney. I am a huge Beatles fan and Sir Paul was always my favorite Beatle. I took guitar lessons for about a month before switching to bass and I have never looked back.
Played guitar for 13 years....then met some guys who wanted to start a band. Everyone else turned there nose up at bass...it was almost like a prison sentence for a guitarist to actually have to play one of these things. I just wanted to be in a band...so I did it.
I have no regrets and it has actually helped my guitar playing immensely. I am also proud to say that I am a far better musician because of it.
I have no regrets and it has actually helped my guitar playing immensely. I am also proud to say that I am a far better musician because of it.
