Trill Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 Well I posted here a few weeks ago that the church wanted me to play bass. I have never played bass,I'm a guitar/keyboard player. It went really well ,I never even got a rehearsal due to it being canceled. The only trouble song was one of the old hymns which changes on almost every beat. I have trouble on guitar with those :grin: My son went first last week and even though he played well, his guitar playing skills dominated. He was trying to play lead runs and you could tell they were lost in the mix,no bottom end and no strong beat. So I thought all week to make sure I support the groove and hold the Lowdown down low. Sweet and simple with flair if I felt it. I was actully having fun and really kind of liked tryng to get the song to flow and groove. I ran into a guy at the bagel shop who goes to our church and he said he wanted to thank me for my musical contributions , I have since played guitars an organ solo and now bass .I told him that was the first ime in my life I ever played bass. He looked shocked. I guess I did allright amd can't wait to do it again. I may have to purchase one now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky McDougall Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 What aspect do you find most challanging? Plucking? Fret spacing? Or, maybe going for the groove and not the lead? Rocky "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb, voting on what to eat for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb, contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil W Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 Glad you enjoyed it, Trill. http://philwbass.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basshappi Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 http://www.theforce.net/kids/coruscant/probe_droid/palpatine.jpg Goood, Goood! Soon your journey towards the Dark Side will be complete! Nothing is as it seems but everything is exactly what it is - B. Banzai Life is what happens while you are busy playing in bands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottomgottem Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 Holy smoke, I do love a good Star Wars reference!!! Good job, Trill. Glad that you enjoyed it. My whole trick is to keep the tune well out in front. If I play Tchaikovsky, I play his melodies and skip his spiritual struggle. ~Liberace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brocko777 Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 heh... dark side Allot of times bass players get the slack for our trade but take us away or if that hook line is not in there, all is lost. Glad you enjoyed your crossover. Any thoughts about what fish you want? Don't have a job you don't enjoy. If you're happy in what you're doing, you'll like yourself, you'll have inner peace. ~ Johnny Carson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trill Posted April 1, 2007 Author Share Posted April 1, 2007 What aspect do you find most challanging? Plucking? Fret spacing? Or, maybe going for the groove and not the lead? Rocky Good question, well believe it or not, it was the notes. I'm used to an E on the bass bieng a certain distance or spot on the fret board on the guitar and thats where I'm used to fingering the note. But on the bass its still the 2nd fret third string but in a lower position. So I had to concentrate a little harder ,and retrain the kenetic feel in my fingers. On a guitar fret board it would feel like it would be the 2nd string 2nd fret from the top. My fingers are trained from 35 yrs of playing guitar to be in a certain spot and all the spots just got lowered is what it felt like.I have always been a groove type player ,guitar ,keyboards.I think thats why I like it. As far as frets ,I could adjust to that pretty easily. Nice Star Wars reference, my respect for bass players keeps going up all the time. For years I might have sterotyped them as a guy who couldn't play guitar and played bass. :grin: Actually that changed years ago ,but I did think a little like that when I was very young .I see them as talented or potentially as talented as any other musician . I have joined the dark side. Any thoughts about what fish you want? As far as my new "fish" ,Someone here suggested I look at the new Fender Mex Jazz and P basses, I have to save money for all my other instruments and stuff. I just need something to practice with and learn some techniques. If I can pick up an older Fender Jazz bass I might go with that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edro Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 For years I might have sterotyped them as a guy who couldn't play guitar and played bass. I'm sure I'm not the only one here who has heard that one a few times. Usually handing the person a bass and saying "Have at it, it's easy right?!" and waiting a few minutes changes their tune. Glad you liked the fat strings, welcome to the cool world of bass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric VB Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 Great story, Trill; thanks for sharing! Did I read that right? Are you and your son both playing together? If so, that's got to feel real good! Those things you're having trouble with -- chord changes on every beat and fret spacing -- just need a little practice is all. I started playing bass only a year after learning guitar, so it's pretty natural for me to go back and forth between those two. I picked up mandolin a couple decades later so that's a harder adjustment to me. But the role on each instrument is different enough to put me in a different frame of mind that includes dealing with different scale lengths. Like I said, it's just a matter of getting practice time in. Sounds like you've got a firm understanding of the bass role. That's key. In my own church group I've been out for about a month because of a minor surgery. Everyone in the group was glad to see me back and they commented that the music was missing something without anyone playing bass, even though they still had LH piano. The music director remarked how bass really adds to a song, and people don't miss it until it isn't there. I told him that's why I play bass, because I really enjoy taking a good song and making it sound better. Just like you figured out that your son's guitar solo, which sounds good on its own right, sounds even better with an appropriate bass line to support it. It sounds like your church is very lucky to have found someone as talented as you. It's not easy to find a utility player that plays several instruments well, let alone a solid bass player. I hope you keep at it. Bass players: we don't make the music, we make the music better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picker Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 Being a recovering lead guitarist, I sort of know what you mean, Trill. But, having worked with a few dedicated bass players (as opposed to guitar players how play bass, for whatever reason), I knew a long time ago that a really good bass player who can ride the groove and hold the bottom-end down right is worth a dozen speed-merchant guitar players. Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trill Posted April 2, 2007 Author Share Posted April 2, 2007 Being a recovering lead guitarist, I sort of know what you mean, Trill. But, having worked with a few dedicated bass players (as opposed to guitar players how play bass, for whatever reason), I knew a long time ago that a really good bass player who can ride the groove and hold the bottom-end down right is worth a dozen speed-merchant guitar players. My sentiments exactly Did I read that right? Are you and your son both playing together? If so, that's got to feel real good! Well I was referencing the fact that he played bass the week before,as I watched and listened he was attempting to play lead guitar style on bass. The lack of bottom end and support for the rythym and groove especially on the one was evident. I never mentioned it to him,but I made some mental notes. We jam once in a while, and he is my pride and joy ,and a very good musician in his own right and style. He is currently in college as a senior and plays the local clubs and coffee houses. It's cool to see them grow up and take off musically Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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