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.
Why do YOU play bass?
- Thread starter DEbassist
- Start date
I had a choice. My friend needed a bassplayer or a drummer for his band. I was too lazy to carry around a drum kit.
We had trouble finding and/or keeping a bass player for my first band, so I switched from playing rhythm guitar to playing bass.
Basically,
I used to play violin for two years. And, I wasn't as hot in ii as I had hoped (I sat 5th chair 2nd violin). So, I talked to my teacher about lessons or perhaps trying a different instrument. He is a bass player (wolfehollow) and he said I should give it a try.
I also wanted to get out of PE in my middle school, so I had to switch to all-time band. I the only instrument I could lay (or at least was beginning to play) was bass. Ever since I started all time band, I haven't stopped loving the bass guitar. I doodle on other instruments, but, I am a die-hard bassist at heart.
I used to play violin for two years. And, I wasn't as hot in ii as I had hoped (I sat 5th chair 2nd violin). So, I talked to my teacher about lessons or perhaps trying a different instrument. He is a bass player (wolfehollow) and he said I should give it a try.
I also wanted to get out of PE in my middle school, so I had to switch to all-time band. I the only instrument I could lay (or at least was beginning to play) was bass. Ever since I started all time band, I haven't stopped loving the bass guitar. I doodle on other instruments, but, I am a die-hard bassist at heart.
I tried vibrating the panties off the girls in the front row with a ukulele but it didn't cut the mustard.
I like so many others here started because of the abundance of guitar players. But I fell in love with the sound of the instrument, and the control you have of the groove. I still play guitar too.
I started playing drums at 15. I lived in a small town with one extra teenage drummer and no bass players. The two of us pitched in a bought a bass, splitting time at each gig between drums and bass. As soon as I began playing bass, I knew it was for me.
I played cello in elementary school. I always wanted the bigger violin (i.e. bass) but didn't have the nerve to ask for one. For a 3rd grade show & tell day, a few of us put together sort of a rock band, with me sawing out bass parts on my cello. Had no idea what I was doing, or that this was what I was going to be when I grew up. 
That early event makes it pretty clear, though: I didn't choose bass - bass chose me. (Kind of a lyrical way of saying I suck at everything else.
)
That early event makes it pretty clear, though: I didn't choose bass - bass chose me. (Kind of a lyrical way of saying I suck at everything else.
)
nalapit13
official player and catcher of bass
not to be a thread hijacker but here is why i started playing. i just figured it was easier to show you my thread rather than copying it and pasting it.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=448737
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=448737
In high school I had an electric guitar that I was learning on, and playing around with. Something wasn't right about it, it was the low end that I liked in music. I eventually was able to play a bass, and fell in love instantly. It was what was missing in my life.
J
jhan
Guest
I like thinking about music from the root up. I've always been like that. I also like the feeling that I'm providing the mortar between the bricks.
Ever seen a really good mason work on a construciton project? Masons have to know a little bit about everything: foundation, framing, electrics, etc. That's what I consider a bass player to be.
Although I'm a big metalhead, when I was in the seventh grade, I heard the bassline to "Driven to Tears" by the Police, and thought, "Gee, that's really cool." I got a bass a week later.
Ever seen a really good mason work on a construciton project? Masons have to know a little bit about everything: foundation, framing, electrics, etc. That's what I consider a bass player to be.
Although I'm a big metalhead, when I was in the seventh grade, I heard the bassline to "Driven to Tears" by the Police, and thought, "Gee, that's really cool." I got a bass a week later.
well, i have this really good friend, his name is walter, we go to a church camp every year together, im 16 by the way, hes 18, he has played bass now for like 8 years, he is amazing. the first time i heard him play i said oh yeah, this is the instrument for me. but i didnt even buy a bass. the next year, he played again, and i was even more hooked on bass, but i still didnt buy. but last year, i got commited, while at church camp, a 2 day affair just before summer vac, he taught me the bass line to smoke on the water, yeah all 7 or so notes of it. i he didnt even show me what fingerings to use, i just played it as soon as he gave me the bass. i have been taking lessons from him ever since, im pretty decent now. so my bass journey happened over a period of about 4 years, i now build my own basses and play solo sometimes, and i have a little jazz band i play in sometimes.
I started playing bass in 1993, I was in grade 10. Three friends of mine wanted to put together a band, we had an incredibly talented guitarist/drummer combo and the other guy wanted to sing (bad choice by him, p.s.) So I was on bass. Plus, in the ealry 90's, bass seemed to be the grunge instrument of choice for girls. Turns out I absolutely loved it, 15 years later no other instument has moved me like super-low rumbly bass...I'm a lifer.
I also play lead singer in my current band, bringing bass out front! Yeah!
I also play lead singer in my current band, bringing bass out front! Yeah!
Why did I start?
I played trumpet first. Started in fourth grade. Then in sixth grade I took up percussion/drums. Then moved again and started playing at church. The old folks hated everything about it. I attempted to use a kit with the folk group but there were many complaints. Tried percussion and got the same reaction. I gave up and started playing acoustic guitar. Eventually many of my friends joined and we had tons of guitarists and it made sense to go looking for a bass to fill out the sound. From then on I played equal amounts of bass and perc/drums through junior high, high school and college. I took classical guitar lessons for several years as well. Once I got to college I started getting lots of work on bass (on and off campus) and I started to feel a stronger bond with the instrument and while I still played drums occasionally, I pretty much dedicated myself to the bass full time. Since then I have rekindled my passion for classical guitar and play it the most but still make my living as a bassist. I also play mandolin/octave mandolin and I still have a drumset although I haven't brought it to NY yet.
Why do I play bass?
Some of that is revealed above but mainly, it's the sound and role of the instrument. There's something completely intoxicating and incomparable about supporting a group with a big fat warm sound and locking with a drummer. Every time I play a gig on guitar or mando, I find myself yearning to provide that low end...that big warm presence that's like a big bear giving everyone in the room a big hug. That's why I play bass.
I played trumpet first. Started in fourth grade. Then in sixth grade I took up percussion/drums. Then moved again and started playing at church. The old folks hated everything about it. I attempted to use a kit with the folk group but there were many complaints. Tried percussion and got the same reaction. I gave up and started playing acoustic guitar. Eventually many of my friends joined and we had tons of guitarists and it made sense to go looking for a bass to fill out the sound. From then on I played equal amounts of bass and perc/drums through junior high, high school and college. I took classical guitar lessons for several years as well. Once I got to college I started getting lots of work on bass (on and off campus) and I started to feel a stronger bond with the instrument and while I still played drums occasionally, I pretty much dedicated myself to the bass full time. Since then I have rekindled my passion for classical guitar and play it the most but still make my living as a bassist. I also play mandolin/octave mandolin and I still have a drumset although I haven't brought it to NY yet.
Why do I play bass?
Some of that is revealed above but mainly, it's the sound and role of the instrument. There's something completely intoxicating and incomparable about supporting a group with a big fat warm sound and locking with a drummer. Every time I play a gig on guitar or mando, I find myself yearning to provide that low end...that big warm presence that's like a big bear giving everyone in the room a big hug. That's why I play bass.
Most guitarists seemed kinda cocky, self-indulgent and well....stupid...
I would get tired of everyone talking about metal guitar constantly whenever guitar came up, like it was the only way to play guitar. Whenever I got around bassists, the central theme was funk or jazz....now THAT was something I could get into. Choice was clear for me, plus bass is so much more fun than guitar =)
I would get tired of everyone talking about metal guitar constantly whenever guitar came up, like it was the only way to play guitar. Whenever I got around bassists, the central theme was funk or jazz....now THAT was something I could get into. Choice was clear for me, plus bass is so much more fun than guitar =)
