I Hate Bass Licks
While I’m on the road, here is a guest post by fellow bassist Steve Uccello. Steve is an Upright Bassist/Multi-Instrumentalist/Composer/Singer-Song-Writer and you can here his latest work Uccello Project, Symmetria on Last.FM. Add you thoughts to Steve’s post in the comments section… Over to Steve…
All right bass people! I’ve got a question for you: When you started playing music, did you decide to play bass first or did you arrive there though a ‘winding’ path? I wonder this because lately, as I’ve heard more and more bassists’ stories, I am beginning to notice a trend in how they began. It’s usually something like, “we started a band when we were younger and no one else wanted to play the bass so I…” or “I knew I could get more gigs if I also played bass and now it’s all I do…”
Maybe it’s our present day culture that perpetuates the desire to be the center of attention, but for whatever reason most people seem to want to be the singer or the lead guitarist in a group. One friend of mine who is an excellent guitarist said when he was choosing which instrument to play he was just watching a rock band play and he thought that it looked like the lead guitarist was the one having the most fun in the band and that’s what informed his decision to play guitar. Pretty honest statement! However it happened, it seems there are actually very few bassists who start out saying, “I would love to play the bass and support everybody else while they solo, or sing, I just want to hold it down.” Of course there are bassists out there like that, and I tip my hat to them, I think that is so cool!
When I was a youngster I started on drums, then guitar, and I bought a drum set and a bass for my friends to play on when they came to my house-so I could play guitar over them. I loved playing drums and bass too, of course (Jaco Pastorius, Les Claypool, & Roger Waters were my top three favs-not exactly your ‘bread & butter’ types of bass players!), but I always enjoyed playing guitar and singing more. A few years later I was in a situation where some friends were starting a band and they needed a bassist, since I was the only one who owned a bass, and could play it, I became the bassist in the group. I really fell in love with the bass, and indeed with the ‘role’ of the bassist, after I got an upright bass and heard the great Ray Brown play live. Even though I had gotten into the role, I still had habits that had formed from first being a guitarist/writer.
I should also mention that I had a desire to compose music for multiple basses, yet I hadn’t created an outlet for myself at that point, I was too busy learning how to survive as a musician and acquire the necessary skills to be a functioning bassist. One thing that helped my bass playing immensely was finally getting around to creating a project where I could experiment with putting the bass in more of a lead role. I found I was much more content to hold it down when I wasn’t constantly plagued with pent up ideas during gigs with bands where I needed to ‘play the role’. Early in my career I actually had one bandleader say, “I hate bass licks!!”-That was hard to deal with, but I really wanted the gig and needed the money, plus I had and earnest yearning to be able to enter any musical situation and play appropriately, so I took it as a lesson. It’s funny but another thing that helped my bass playing a lot was playing guitar in bands where bassists had the same problems I had had, I realized that when you’re playing on top of a band, you really do want the bass to blend in and lay a foundation, and how awkward it is when that doesn’t happen. I’ve now been a professional bassist/musician for about 15 years and I’ve played in many of different situations: singer/songwriters, jazz big bands, jazz combos, bluegrass bands (talk about holding down a simple line!), various world music bands (including a steel pan band where the electric bass doubled the pan bass), gospel choirs, etc…and I’m thankful for all the ‘real life’ lessons I’ve learned! Now, I take such pleasure in holding down a groove, a pleasure I never knew was there during my ‘transitional’ period, but it was a bit intense ‘unintentionally’ becoming a bass player. I had no idea of how big a job it really was until I was immersed in it, I felt like an actor who never learned to shield his emotions from the feelings of his characters.
A lot of bandleaders conceive of the bass as being solid and correct if they don’t notice it, kind of like the axle to a car: supportive, essential, but out of sight. When I studied with the great Ray Drummond he pointed out an interesting fact: he said most of the time bass players are being told what to play by people who aren’t bassists. Basically, in a round about way, I’m saying that, on the surface, for most people who wish to play music, the bass is simply not as fun as the other instruments in a band. Playing bass is a meditative, Zen kind of thing that carries a different, heavier, type of responsibility than the other roles do. If you’re a bassist you know that the role of the bassist in a band is like that of a pillar to a structure. It is simple, but NOT easy. You are generally executing something that is simpler than the other parts of the band but you are required to execute that part very solidly. That’s where the difficulty of being ‘down in the engine room’ lies. Its sort of a sacrifice, like saying, “I really want music to happen so I’ll provide this platform, or foundation, for it to unfold upon.”
My theory is that this is why fewer people are drawn to the bass than they are to, say, the guitar, singing, saxophone, or violin. In my experience there seems to be generally fewer bass players than players of other instruments. It’s good for me, as a working bassist, because I seem to stay busy with plenty of gigs and I get to enjoy playing in a lot of different styled bands, but it wasn’t easy in those first few years while I struggled with the role. I believe a lot of bassists who struggle with this as well, do so because they never really chose to be bass players, some of them are natural bassists who assume the role pretty easily, but others seem to constantly continue trying to make it work.
So, be honest, have any of you bassists out there ever been told, ‘just keep it low and simple, leave the soloing to me’? Have you struggled to hold back, or been frustrated while others solo endlessly, but give sideways glances if you even throw a lick here or there? And you bassists out there that have never had this problem, you, who unwaveringly chose to be musical pillars, facilitators of groove, can you give a word of advice to bassists who might truly love playing bass, but still struggle with this syndrome?
Great blog post, Steve! I totally hear what you are saying. I too started on bass for just about the same reason, but rather than dread it like most, I embraced it. My bandmates said it would be a waste of talent and that I should play guitar. I’m glad I didn’t change my mind and stuck with it. Playing bass has opened alot of doors for musical opportunities, as well as friendships.
As far as holding down the fort, I refuse to stay on the “money frets.” Most folks I’ve played with have figured out that I can be melodic and not get in the way of the guitarist/pianist/whatever. Just the right amount of notes in the higher registers (McCartney, Entwistle, Jaco, John Paul Jones, Jack Bruce, James Dewar) seem to bolster a “power trio.” I’d like to see someone tell Tim Bogert from Vanilla Fudge to “hold down the fort!”
Solo bass is a refreshing perspective, and with the proliferation of tenor and piccolo basses, the doors have opened even further still. A total paradigm shift has gradually occurred, and bassists are being seen in a different light now. We are not “at the back of the bus” anymore.
Great post — it’s really cool to hear your perspective on all of those issues. Interestingly, as a guitar player who entered the world of professional music by playing R&B, my perspective is slightly different. I always defer to the bass player in an R&B band!
Thanks for the responses guys! Danny: I think it’s hilarious that playing bass would be considered a ‘waste of talent’! nice…I have a multi-instrumentalist friend that plays piano, guit, sax, sings, ect…and he’s always trying to be a drummer in bands and people tell him it would be a waste-they always make him sing lead! Aside from that, I do think you spoke true: the paradigm is shifting (with guys like Michael Manring, Steve Lawson, not to mention all their predecessors, Jaco, Francois Rabbath, too many to mention) running around the ‘general public’ is starting to become more acquainted to the sound of bass in front, indeed, beyond any instrument, music is constantly changing itself and evolving.
Jessie: I hope you’ll still hire me to play gigs-really, I won’t resent you while you’re soloing! 🙂 heh heh…Seriously, you touched on something that I kept thinking about while writing this post, the fact that this ‘syndrome’ applies differently to different styles. In music where dancing is intrinsically connected to the style, the bass seems to have more movement and be at the core of the song and display more melodiousness, in styles where it’s all about the ‘text’ all the instrumentation, not even just the bass, NEEDS to be %100 supportive, as my main thing is playing w/ songwriters, I guess that’s the perspective I’m most experienced with.
Hey Steve, great post! I’ve had different responses in different bands. But the essence seems to be ‘play what is appropriate’. OK… I know what they mean, as a good chunk of the time, as a bass player you are called to hold it down. But, the only trouble with ‘playing appropriately’ is it can be said out of ignorance and a desire by the band leader to go with what they know. It can stifle creativity and be quite frustrating.
All that said… I CHOSE the bass at an early age. I actually WANTED to BE a bass player 🙂 What that experience is now teaching me is that I can still be creative and blend in. With my playing, I try to bridge the gap between foundation and melody. I’ll use a certain set of effects on the bass to bring colour and texture in where needed. Occasionally that may be emulating an ebow guitar, or chordal work using chorus. For me, its about listening and being concerned about your own part, but being aware of all the other nuances of a song and ‘playing appropriately’ but always CREATIVELY!
Personally, i dig a wicked bass. This isn’t to say that it should compete with another instrument that is playing lead. But bass taking lead is far from off limits to me. (An example that has entered my head whilst reading this article, is The Perfect Lie by Jerry Harrison and Casual Gods)
“Have any of you bassists out there ever been told, ‘just keep it low and simple, leave the soloing to me’?”
I have heard this far to many times…
Sometimes I guess I’m guilty of adding extra licks and fills on the fly but I like to keep it interesting.
Great to read such insightful comments guys! Russ: Good point about blending the best of both worlds. Supportive yet creative is a great mantra for any muso! And hearing a bassist like you , who intentionally chose bass from the get, still encountering a bit of frustration, brings up the fact to me that, for a lot of musicians (regardless of which instrument they play) ‘playing appropriatly’ is a really challenging skill to learn. It takes a while to realize that part of being really great is knowing what to play where, not just flying off the cuff w/ ‘attention grabbing’ playing.
Thanks for taking the time to comment guys! grüberRegenbogen: The role of the bass is definitely being expanded, It seems as more and more bassists show the potential of the instrument it will be featured more and more. So how did you come to the bass? was it your 1st instrument?
Tom Boyd: I like the ‘Bass Guitar Hang out! good work! But, yes, indeed-it’s all about the balance! One thing I ask myself before ‘throwing a lick’ on bass is: Do I REALLY, feel like there’s not enough happening in the music right now, enough that I think a bass lick would improve it?? 8/10 times the answer is NO. It’s usually a good test! But, if I’m still left with a desire to play melodies on the bass, then that’s, in part, what leads me to a separate outlet in ‘bass driven music’
I think that’s the crux of it. Many times I think I ‘can’ put in some flashy licks but is it going to improve the music? Most of the time the answer’s no!
Great post, Steve! That’s exactly how I came to the bass: first through higher, “flashier” instruments like clarinet, sax & guitar, then to bass clarinet and finally THE bass. And, like so many others, I totally remember getting stuck with a bass and thinking “well, I might as well learn to play this thing!” After only my first lesson with it though, I realized how much I dug it and that finally I’d found THE instrument for me. The bass is such an amazing voice – unassuming and humble, yet so powerful in its foundation – and I just loved the role it played.
Starting out, I remember playing in bands that REALLY wanted me to do less. In fact, several years ago, I actually got fired from a punk band cuz the drummer wanted me to “play more root notes, and start using a pick” and I told him to screw himself, Lol! Since then though, I think a lot more people have opened up to the idea of more “collaborative” bassplayers – a la’ Jaco, Manring, Steve Lawson, etc – and the end result has been a lot more freedom for the rest of us!! Hallelujah! 🙂
I always fantasied about being a bass player, but in school era bands was drummer or vocalist or both. Then head injury left me unable to do a few things including playing guitar to any competent standard. I was working in a studio and picked up a bass thinking “four strings, must be easer than six” but the guy who ran the place said “waste of time at your age, you need to be in a band to play bass and all the bass players your age are going to be way better than you are” which contains much truth to a degree.
God, well Church anyway, saved me. I sang/sing bass/baritone with a lot of great guitar players and other, properly trained, instrumentalists. No need for a dodgy guitar player there but space for a bass player….. then I found Steve Lawson and he opened my heart and mind to the possibilities of solo bass.
Once in a while I’ll play solo bass in Church as a piece but I’d never play a bass solo during a piece if you get my meaning. That’s me, that’s ‘my’ style. I don’t want them to notice me playing, I do want them to notice when I’m not there. Taken years to develop the subtlety and dynamic control that playing in my faith community requires. The less is more approach works for me.
In bands, over the years I’ve struggled, as often you are having to play what someone else wants you to play and I’m not technically competent enough to do that without a lot of woodshedding. So I’ve taken the easy way out and formed my own (praise and worship CCM type) band just a few month ago. Who knows where ‘lessISmore’ may go….
Awesome comments guys! It’s so interesting to hear your stories and experiences, to be honest, I wasn’t sure how bassists would react to this blog, I’m so glad ti’s being met w/ positive input-THANKS! Also, ( as a Lawson devotee) i think the whole bass community owes a debt of gratitude to Steve Lawson, whether they know it or not. He’s pretty much the main example of someone who is fully competent as a supportive bassist, yet whose truly melodic solo bass music actually holds your attention where other solo bassists leave you wanting.
Great topic man. Really interesting to read this, it gave me a nice ten minutes or so to think about this topic. Well, I’m a beginner at all this actually…I’ve been playing guitar for three years and I picked up the bass one and a half years ago.
I always thought that bass was supposed to blend back but recently I did a 180 musically. I’m now in a band where all of the members are very balanced, so to say. Our keyboardist doesn’t like sticking out, our drummer also doesn’t, but our two guitarists are a little different. Both of them and I love collaborative bass lines and such. One of our guitarist’s style is like Jonny Greenwood’s, so working with him is great. The other is like John Fruciante when he’s live, he doesn’t solo by himself, he loves to work with the other instruments. So I guess being the bassist ain’t so demanding for me.
“Have any of you bassists out there ever been told, ‘just keep it low and simple, leave the soloing to me’?”
Actually I never have heard that. I think I have intimidated a few players and ran them off. With the shortage of good bass players around here we don’t get grief over a few to many notes.
As far as why bass? From the time I was just a kid I knew the bass and the drums were the pulse of the band and the music. The other instruments were just fluff and I didn’t really care what others thought. So……? LOL I guess I was born to be a bass player. Nothing guitar players hate more than a drummer and bass player that can carry on without them.
Ray: on the contrary, as a guitarist/bandleader, I would never hire a bass player and drummer who COULDN’T carry on without me. One of my favorite parts of any show is when I get to stop playing and watch it happen. Any of you bass players want some love, start doing R&B gigs!
My route into bassing was probably the same as most others .. starting off as a pianist, trombone and eventually guitar player.
I had strong links to bass lines after playing trombone at school for years, but it wasn’t until many years later I offered my services to the worship leader at church that i’d even considered bass.
He basically suggested that they were short of bass players and if he provided me with the equipment would i learn ? Happy to help out i agreed, but secretly wanted to be at the front with the acoustic like everyone else. 10 years on and i would describe myself as a bass player who also plays guitar and keys when needed. My personality suits being at the back of a band… I really was a bass player waiting to be unleashed! I love the way bass and drums drive the ‘bus’ i feel (maybe a little biased) that bass and drums are the foundation of the band!! I’ve learn runs and licks and solo and even chords and not being shackled by music (i never learnt to read it) I play everything by ear and throw in whatever i feel sounds right at the time. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with people that understand how I work and are happy to let me feel the mood and play as i feel is right!
I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else .. bass is my niche and i really enjoy being there!
Thanks for the great comments guys! It’s so interesting to hear how different people play the role and conceive of the role. I think my journey was shaped by solely doing music to survive, I quickly realized that if you couldn’t just come into a situation and play right, be positive, with out too much time spent learning the material (doing musicals provided that challenge for me, it has to come together fast, and there’s no time to waste, rehearsals move fast and you must keep up) but as I’ve grown as a musician, I love the role more and more, It is such an amazing path to walk (no bass pun intended) to try to be able to play w/ anyone, and have your ‘point A’ on concept match the person you are accompanying’s ‘point A’. Even in my solo bass looping music, where I’m really trying to bring the bass forward in a new way, and embrace a melody that’s below everything else, I need to be aware when laying down loops for myself, I need to think of the ‘future’ me who’s going to be soloing over that loop, and make it a little bit clearer and more in the pocket. When I’m playing bass I’m trying to think like a composer writing THE perfect bass line for any particular piece that I’m playing.
Loving the discussion people!
This was a great read. I initially played piano as a child but with wavering interests in music (at such a young age) it didn’t stick. As I got older I caught the music bug and instead of sitting at the piano I reached for a bass. It seemed like such a mellow, subtle, and beautiful instrument. It seemed to reflect my personality and therefore it felt natural to pick on the four strings.
As I’ve been playing for a few years now, I’d like to think that I’ve developed a creative and individual style. I usually don’t throw in flashy licks. My abilities are a bit more limited than I would be content with but as I progress my style remains simple. To be melodic and subtly intricate. I rarely throw in fills, it’s more important for me to create a moving groove than to be heard or applauded. I feel like this is a maturity thing as well. Younger bassists as you said are often guitarists who have been thrown into the situation or simply do not understand their role, therefore they try to compensate and be flashy. The older more respected bassist are usually those who are more consistent and subtly (I use this word often when describing good bass) beautiful than the younger flashy players. My abilities have simply given me a shortcut to this outcome. However this does not thwart my hunger to become better.
Right on Chris, it is all about the subtly! sounds like you’d be a valuable asset to any band-maturity definitely plays a role, for sure, as well-thanks for the comment.
When I was thirteen or fourteen, around 1979 / 80, I started writing lyrics. I was big into ELO and Supertramp at the time, and thought I would be a keyboard player. Though I dabbled on Mom’s piano from time to time, it never clicked.
Fast forward a few years. By 1986, my older brother had switched to guitar from bass and the “Spider Queen”, his old beat up Precision with an hour glass painted on it, was just sitting around. I was 21 at the time (yeah, I started late) and had always wanted to play something, so I asked if I could borrow it. I had never really thought about playing the bass, but since it was there, I figured “what the heck”..
So now I had a bass. It’s four strings – how hard could it be?
I started trying to play the stuff I was listening to at the time – Toto, Dire Straights, David @ David, Level 42, Genesis, English Beat, Police…..
Turns out it was a lot harder than it sounded, and I’m still getting the hang of it.
There are so many players I love to listen to, too many to mention. Consciously or not, I’ve stolen lots of grooves and moves from guys like McCartney, Geddy, Mike Rutherford, Nick Seymor, Chris Squire, Sting. To hone my timing, I’ll play along to Mark King or David Hungate. Throw in some Guy Pratt and Larry Klein and you have me, but not as good – I’m a hack!!! 🙂
Oh, forgot to mention, like a few of the fellow players above, I also played baritone horn in elementary and high school band. So maybe gravitating toward the low end of things was logical and maybe even unavoidable.
Thanks Sonicfrog-really appreciate your response! Sounds like you know what’s up-playing along to all the greats is the best way to get the groove ingrained. About the baritone, there’s definitely a lot a bassist can get by listening to baritone sax solos. When I was studying w/ Ray Drummond, he told me to listen to Geri Mulligan’s solos to see how to play melodically in the lower registers. This actually makes me think of another important thing Ray impressed on me: he noticed whenever I’d start soloing I would jump right up to thumb position to play in a higher register, he pointed out that a lot of bass players do that and it’s not always an ‘educated’ decision, so to speak. Like, does the song or situation call for that or is it something you’re doing out of habit? His thing was to embrace the ‘natural’ range of the bass, to actually change your mental perception to hear melodies below every thing. He would play a really low note on the bass and ask why can’t this note be a flat 9th, instead of a root note? It goes against the natural structure of sound, but I find it beautiful if it’s done right! It would be a challenge for ANY instrument to be constantly melodic while staying below middle C. It applies more to soloing than to playing bass line, but when that melodiousness seeps into your accompaniment playing, it’s really powerful and wonderful-thank again for the great comments, keep them coming!
Glad you liked my story… I made it all up! (just kidding)
I didn’t play sax, though I wish I would have (that instrument is soooo cool). I played the “baby tuba” baritone horn.
That is an EXCELLENT bit about playing solo’s in the lower register. I don’t do too many solo’s and I never thought about it. When I do, I just go and see what comes out. Still, I’m going to pay closer attention when I do and see if I have those upper register tendencies.
PS. About the grove thing. My little brother is a drummer. He has that Jeff Porcaro type sense of timing. Though he doesn’t play much anymore, in my minds eye, I still compete with him. I’m a hack compared to him (and my older bro for that matter), so I’m always very self conscious about my meter and timing. I think I do well enough, training to Hungate and King and others, yet there is always that little competition in my head that makes me just a little paranoid about such things.
My current band is Acoustic Highway, a folk / country / gypsy band with three guitars, many harmonies, and myself on bass. One of the guitarists will sometimes do percussion, but the basic pulse of the songs falls on me and me alone. Most of the time, everyone is in sync, but on a few occasions, the meter of the songs can fluctuate. It’s kind of interesting how you learn the tendencies of your fellow players, and can compensate for such things.
We had the great fortune to have Jerry Harrington, a well know Bakersfield session drummer, sit in with us a few times. The first time was pretty amazing. Many of the songs are originals, and he was playing them cold. When I wasn’t glued to the microphone singing, I was helping him through and giving him cues through the songs. For playing cold, he did fantastic. Later he complemented me on my sense of meter and timing. This is a guy who’s played with the heavies from Bakersfield, including Buck Owens, and given his cold performance with us, he was obviously a pro. Needless to say, I was smiling for the rest of the week. It’s always nice when your work and musicianship is appreciated by a peer of the professional sort..
Video of Michael Manring explaining his Zon Bass, but there’s a little reference in there about his beginnings, I am personally very grateful that he didn’t listen to his friends!!
OK, looks like the embed didn’t work, here’s a link to the video on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWPHrRwQqVE
I loved this post. I’m one of those people who gravitated to the bass because I like the bottom end in music. I have always been enamored with keeping the rhythm. I can understand why guitar players would have a problem at first with just laying it down. Your testimony sounds similar to Paul McCartney’s. He stated once he figured out the bass player’s purpose in the band he really began to enjoy playing.
[…] to this great video of Michael Manring explaining his Zon Bass lurking in the comments to “What I Hate Bass Licks” (a must read post if you haven’t read it already – masterfully written by Steve […]
Thanks for the comment Daniel, really appreciate it! Yeah, you’re the type of bassist that I admire, really interesting regarding your mention of Paul McCartney’s journey to the bass, he’s so supportive, yet melodic, that it’s heartening to hear he had a similar experience-BTW I’m really proud of all you bass players coming on here and telling your stories and opening up! Give your selves a pat on the back!!
[…] Hearing guys like Jaco and Les Claypool drew me to the bass and revealed its possibilities, but it actually happened by accident. Like so many other bassists, I was a guitarist first then became a bassist due to the fact that the band I was in at the time needed a bass player. But after seeing the great Ray Brown play live, I fell in love with the upright. For more on this see a post I did on “The Bass Guitar Blog” […]
The bass is the aircraft carrier that rythm, lead and vocal fly off of. Drums are the motors/props.
The best line in your article is some people were born to play bass… I am one of these, I have played guitar and drums and love guitar but even with constant practice just never seem to get the right finger coordination as my hands are a bit fumbly. I enjoy and own a drum set but never felt it was me.
On the other hand I played bass for like 10 + years and got pretty good to the point where people always wanted me to play with them. One problem……. I am a self hating player.
Where you guys love to hold down the bottom and keep the structure I always want to share the attention the rest of the band gets without having to act like a complete retard jumping around on stage. Once I realize no one cares what, when, how or IF i am playing then i get a bit pissy. you may say “grow up” or “just enjoy what you do” but its not that easy when you know your better than the guitarist but getting 1/3 the notoriety and your only getting 1/3 because there are some fat chicks in the audience who are desperate for any band mate attention and KNOW they wont score a guitar or singer!
On the other hand I commend you because you can “settle” and just play in your own world. I on the other hand am not a professional musician and have no desire to be, I always just wanted to rock out and party, but honestly i have learned that you are treated like a minority when you play bass….. to the back of the bus and forced to drink from a different keg as the rest of the band.
Dude. If what you’re saying is true, your bandmates are dicks. You should be treated with respect even if you play the triangle.
But I will also say that it’s a fact of life that certain instruments are less at the forefront of the action in certain styles of music. In soul/R&B and its derivatives, the bass is at least as important as the guitar. Every bass player knows who James Jamerson is, but hardly anybody can name a Motown guitarist. Shit, I’m a guitar player and lover of Motown and even I can’t remember any of their names right now.
Jesse – our triangle player is feared and respected above all, and he scores all the time!
Seriously though – good point, if you’re not respected by your bandmates, why play with them?
Like most people above, I came to the bass from other musical backgrounds. At school, a friend needed a bass guitar player – I had previously studied double bass so he asked me.
In that first band I was encouraged just to keep it simple and in the background – we were playing early 90’s rock, where the bass usually ends up just playing roots or simple patterns. I was happy too – as I was singing at the same time, the simpler the bassline, the easier it was to sing!
As we grew a little older and broadened our horizons we started to play more of a 70’s blues rock style, where the bass is more melodic – I remember learning ‘All Right Now’ by Free, and finally getting some use out of the D and G strings!
Now, some 15 years later I’m playing in a folk/rock/blues type outfit, where there is plenty of freedom of expression. Some songs call for simple basslines, others call for something more interesting – I just play whatever fits the music and try not to fall asleep when playing 8-note roots 🙂
I’ve been playing bass a long time now. When I was three or four years into it, I read an interview (can’t remember the player anymore) where the player, addressing the issue of what to play. He said the main question to ask is are you playing the bass part or filling some other hole you hear in the arrangement. If your playing a horn line or guitar part, then who’s playing the bass part?
It hit me then that the key to successful bass playing is understanding the arrangement and playing the part. Some styles/arrangements require a lot of playing, and some need to be kept simple and then simplified some more.
I decided to learn bass because, well, it sounds nice, and frankly, I reckon it could be turned into a much more soloing and lead instrument. Still learning though, but the eventual goal is to well, just… PLAY.
Actually, I hated the fact that bass existed since I was exposed to low quality gadgets before. I can only hear guitars and drums – I can’t even hear the keyboard, UNTIL I got intouch with iPod and realized how the bass sounds from J-rock, Visual kei and much more. I didn’t realize bass guitar is so important! The groove, the hardcore, the sound that glues to the music makes gives me goosebumps. Anyone could get an attention if they play their instruments well so I didn’t care at all. I would actually go for drums if I had the space in my room since I’m a crazy type and my arms, hands are Much more faster than my fingers. Well, I got hold into my bass guitar and fell in love with it. I’m having too much blisters from playing it and I always remember to do stretching so avoid carpal “something” syndrome. After playing for a mediocre time, I realized the sound that I liked the most in my music is created by bass, not by a guitar lol! (other than the drum beats of courze)
To add: I never had a band yet, but if they do tell me to keep it “low and simple” I’ll tell them to fuck off, I quit. I’d like a band that acts like a band not one-man band thing. Better to stay away from them before you regret it during your senior years.
I began playing music in grade school in the wood wind section of our orchestra and marching band (many years ago) When the Beatles came along, I decided I wanted to play bass. I did learn to play a regular guitar for giggles, but it helps in another way so that I can tell what chords the other guitar players are using when they improvise.
The band I’m in now, I lay down a solid line most of the time but I add fill where I think it’s necessary. Also I find that I keep the beat for the band better than the drummer. When he goes into a roll or cymbal crash he always speeds up so I have to keep him on track. Go LOW
I’ve been playing bass a year or two now, and it’s so annoying how people think you have less talent than the rest. I came to Bass via a long road. Banjo, Guitar, Ukulele, Drums violin and then Bass. I’m a very ‘Metal’ Bassist, loving speed ans distortion. I’ve always felt that being the centre of attention is overrated, and I feel more accustomed in the back, making everything work, yet I am the lead song writer and producer for our band, so I’m lead behind scenes, but at the back live.
I played piano for a while but the first instrument I wanted to play, and the first instrument I saved money for and bought was a bass. I have been playing for over 20 years, and although I consider the groove above all else, I am actually asked many times to solo. The leader of the last band I played with pulled me aside shortly after hiring me and suggested I cut loose more. He didn’t have to ask me twice.
I have recorded guitar and keyboard parts for projects and my knowledge and appreciation for music has grown over the years as I have learned to play additional instruments, but the greatest compliment I consistently receive is when musician’s say ” I can tell you are a bassist and not a guitar player.” I believe that comment comes from their appreciation of a solid groove that can carry a band. In fact, I don’t remember the last time another musician favorably commented regarding a solo or busy bass part. Non musician’s will tell you you’re great for playing on top all day long becasue but musician’s tend to respect and admire perfectly played 8th notes more than exotic solo’s.
I started out on piano too, because of the nice sound. But a couple of years ago I started to play bass, because I found an old one and wanted to try it. Now it’s all I do. I also play in a band with my little brother, who is lead guitarist. I’m in the difficult stage described by everyone right now, but I would not give it up.
I don’t stand in the back, I play on the side. I try to bring more than just money frets, but experience with transitions, slides and other techniques. Even though my little brother hates me for it.
BTW, I drive the bus. Simply because everyone else is too young for a driver’s license. (at 18 in the Netherlands)
I must admit that not only did I come to the bass from guitar. Played F-Horn and Trumpet before then even. But we needed a bass player and I found a Austin Custom Eclipse Pro for $80 at a pawn shop. Early on I was cautioned to keep it simple. But then we changed leaders and the lead guitar is a bass player bass choice. He been very encouraging to me to play out more as long as it blends. I love my bass now and consider it my “1st instrument” now. Great article even if I’m a little late to the comments.
Wow, that’s a pretty cheap start! Oh, and it’s never too late to comment!
Very interesting.
It’s awesome that this post is still getting some comment after so long-thanks for the opportunity to post here Benjamin! I wish I didn’t have such a hard time keeping up with regular blogging-uh-oh sounds like a new year’s resolution is brewing! Look out!
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Great post! I started out with piano and acoustic guitar. When it came time to get in a band (middle school) I switched to bass to play in a pop punk band. Well, the band was a mistake but the bass was not.
I’ve been in love ever since. The key is to find other musicians that appreciate the bass as well and stick with them. Don’t settle for the label as a “second rate” player!
My 2 cents.