How NOT to Play Bass like a Guitar Player Playing Bass
- Thread starter Evan Skopp
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ginormous
Understatmentologist
Re: How NOT to Play Bass like a Guitar Player Playing Bass
A guitar player might have trouble with bass for one reason in particular: string gauges. Electric bass strings are about 10 times thicker than the most popular gauges.
After the first minute of a song, the hands will cramp up. Then they reach for a pick, and they can't fret properly. They start sounding like a 5-year-old trying to play a toy ukelele.
(This also happens to out-of-practice bass players.)
A guitar player might have trouble with bass for one reason in particular: string gauges. Electric bass strings are about 10 times thicker than the most popular gauges.
After the first minute of a song, the hands will cramp up. Then they reach for a pick, and they can't fret properly. They start sounding like a 5-year-old trying to play a toy ukelele.
(This also happens to out-of-practice bass players.)
One Bad Monkey
New member
Re: How NOT to Play Bass like a Guitar Player Playing Bass
Interesting thought about that; I have never played with a guitarist that also played bass make mention of string gauges/thickness as a learning curve.
For myself, it's easy to spot a guitarist-turned-bassist because they're not filling the primary role of the bass; to act as the musical liaison between the harmonic and rhythmic foundations. Much like when two people are dancing and can't figure out who is supposed to lead, if you don't know your primary role, anything else you add to that just won't fit. That's where I find many guitarists fail as bassists.
And conversely, I know a number of guitarists in the area that are SMOKIN' bassists as well, and they all cite that it's due to knowing the mindset and role of the bassist as opposed to the guitarist.
Interesting thought about that; I have never played with a guitarist that also played bass make mention of string gauges/thickness as a learning curve.
For myself, it's easy to spot a guitarist-turned-bassist because they're not filling the primary role of the bass; to act as the musical liaison between the harmonic and rhythmic foundations. Much like when two people are dancing and can't figure out who is supposed to lead, if you don't know your primary role, anything else you add to that just won't fit. That's where I find many guitarists fail as bassists.
And conversely, I know a number of guitarists in the area that are SMOKIN' bassists as well, and they all cite that it's due to knowing the mindset and role of the bassist as opposed to the guitarist.
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: How NOT to Play Bass like a Guitar Player Playing Bass
I disagree. I know several bass players who use a pick and can fit into the role of a bass player well. It might not be traditional, but it's what works for the player.
A similar look is that there are guitar playing bassists who use the right techniques, but don't fill in the traditional role. Michael Todd from Coheed and Cambria is well known for the fact that he played bass with his fingers and didn't stay in the root position of the chord, instead playing thirds, fifths, and octaves.
Lastly, I felt David Ellefson answered very hypocritically in this article. I don't know any Megadeth song that the bass player goes outside of the guitar pattern, except Hangar 18. If you can provide me a list of then, then I will retract my statement, but to my knowledge, none come to mind. He is the definition of a bass playing guitar player.
I disagree. I know several bass players who use a pick and can fit into the role of a bass player well. It might not be traditional, but it's what works for the player.
A similar look is that there are guitar playing bassists who use the right techniques, but don't fill in the traditional role. Michael Todd from Coheed and Cambria is well known for the fact that he played bass with his fingers and didn't stay in the root position of the chord, instead playing thirds, fifths, and octaves.
Lastly, I felt David Ellefson answered very hypocritically in this article. I don't know any Megadeth song that the bass player goes outside of the guitar pattern, except Hangar 18. If you can provide me a list of then, then I will retract my statement, but to my knowledge, none come to mind. He is the definition of a bass playing guitar player.
Grindspine
New member
Re: How NOT to Play Bass like a Guitar Player Playing Bass
I can and have played bass, guitar, 7 string, baritone...
Whatever...
I can and have played bass, guitar, 7 string, baritone...
Whatever...
crguti
New member
Re: How NOT to Play Bass like a Guitar Player Playing Bass
I'm a guitarist that play bass. I have incorporate many guitar knowledge into my bass playing but never thinking the bass as a longer guitar version. The role of the bass player is clear... keeping the groove, and when you can (experience will tell you that) add some tastiness.
I'm a guitarist that play bass. I have incorporate many guitar knowledge into my bass playing but never thinking the bass as a longer guitar version. The role of the bass player is clear... keeping the groove, and when you can (experience will tell you that) add some tastiness.
ginormous
Understatmentologist
Re: How NOT to Play Bass like a Guitar Player Playing Bass
That's what Jaco and Mark King did/do. Both of them started as drummers. Larry Graham and Louis Johnson as well; they were compensating for not having a drummer in their respective worship bands.
Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: How NOT to Play Bass like a Guitar Player Playing Bass
You have to bridge the drummer and guitarist. Your picking hand needs to support the rhythym of the drums and your fretting hand needs to support the melody of the guitar. It's your job to seamlessly fill the void between them with your playing while at the same time doing your own thing that makes you unique, which isn't very hard. You shouldn't lean too far one way or the other though, unless your role in the band calls for it. For example: depending on the music you play, a bass player will occasionally need to take the roll of a rhythm guitar player to fill in the sound more. This could be appropriate if there happens to be only 1 guitarist in the band that likes to solo a lot. Other way around, the band has 2 or 3 guitarists and the bass player doesn't need to work as hard to fill the melody so he fits his playing more into the drums and rhythm section to strengthen the band's fundamental sound. Good examples are Rush and Judas Priest respectively, but there are always exceptions. This is because it's whatever you believe the music creatively demands from you. The song type, the members of the band, the genre played, the song structure, etc... All must be taken into account as well as one's own ear to make sure that you aren't playing too much or too little, and WHAT you're playing is appropriate. But that's just me.
You have to bridge the drummer and guitarist. Your picking hand needs to support the rhythym of the drums and your fretting hand needs to support the melody of the guitar. It's your job to seamlessly fill the void between them with your playing while at the same time doing your own thing that makes you unique, which isn't very hard. You shouldn't lean too far one way or the other though, unless your role in the band calls for it. For example: depending on the music you play, a bass player will occasionally need to take the roll of a rhythm guitar player to fill in the sound more. This could be appropriate if there happens to be only 1 guitarist in the band that likes to solo a lot. Other way around, the band has 2 or 3 guitarists and the bass player doesn't need to work as hard to fill the melody so he fits his playing more into the drums and rhythm section to strengthen the band's fundamental sound. Good examples are Rush and Judas Priest respectively, but there are always exceptions. This is because it's whatever you believe the music creatively demands from you. The song type, the members of the band, the genre played, the song structure, etc... All must be taken into account as well as one's own ear to make sure that you aren't playing too much or too little, and WHAT you're playing is appropriate. But that's just me.
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Re: How NOT to Play Bass like a Guitar Player Playing Bass
Bass guitar was the first stringed instrument I learned to play. I took lessons for about 6 months until I knew enough where I could learn things on my own, and I've now been playing for about 15 years. I sort of taught my self guitar based on chord charts plus my existing knowledge of the fingerboard, so my chord fingering is probably not very traditional. Anyway, I've been reading a lot of TalkBass forums lately and have seen discussions about guitar players playing bass coinciding with many people having an aversion to playing bass with a pick. For most rock influenced music I play, I like to use a pick, so I've started to wonder if my playing style would be what some consider to be playing like a guitar playing bass even though I would never consider myself a guitar player. However, I have been told by probably the best guitar I know that I am "the most solid bass player" that he's ever played with, so I guess that should count for something.
Bass guitar was the first stringed instrument I learned to play. I took lessons for about 6 months until I knew enough where I could learn things on my own, and I've now been playing for about 15 years. I sort of taught my self guitar based on chord charts plus my existing knowledge of the fingerboard, so my chord fingering is probably not very traditional. Anyway, I've been reading a lot of TalkBass forums lately and have seen discussions about guitar players playing bass coinciding with many people having an aversion to playing bass with a pick. For most rock influenced music I play, I like to use a pick, so I've started to wonder if my playing style would be what some consider to be playing like a guitar playing bass even though I would never consider myself a guitar player. However, I have been told by probably the best guitar I know that I am "the most solid bass player" that he's ever played with, so I guess that should count for something.
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: How NOT to Play Bass like a Guitar Player Playing Bass
In all actuality, it's however you feel comfortable. I know guys who can use both effectively, while my bass player prefers to finger pick (he uses plastic banjo picks to get the same tone as a pick with the dexterity of plucking). If you find that using a fine toothed comb for playing is your most effective way of playing, then go for it.
In all actuality, it's however you feel comfortable. I know guys who can use both effectively, while my bass player prefers to finger pick (he uses plastic banjo picks to get the same tone as a pick with the dexterity of plucking). If you find that using a fine toothed comb for playing is your most effective way of playing, then go for it.
speed2dirt
Butterball
Re: How NOT to Play Bass like a Guitar Player Playing Bass
That means you have great timing. I'm a "solid bass player" that keeps time extremely well even in weird time signatures, but not so flashy like other bassists. I feel the groove and fill in between guitar and drums, but don't go for solos or that extravagant stuff. Each band has different requirements, but I will say keeping time and the groove are the first and foremost role of a bass player. And consequently, that's what a lot of guitarists lack when they play bass.
That means you have great timing. I'm a "solid bass player" that keeps time extremely well even in weird time signatures, but not so flashy like other bassists. I feel the groove and fill in between guitar and drums, but don't go for solos or that extravagant stuff. Each band has different requirements, but I will say keeping time and the groove are the first and foremost role of a bass player. And consequently, that's what a lot of guitarists lack when they play bass.
Matt42
New member
Re: How NOT to Play Bass like a Guitar Player Playing Bass
That was what the bassist in my old band lacked. He was way too flashy, especially considering we were a folk rock band. You don't need funky bass lines in folk music. You need 1 - 5 and not much else.
That was what the bassist in my old band lacked. He was way too flashy, especially considering we were a folk rock band. You don't need funky bass lines in folk music. You need 1 - 5 and not much else.
crusty philtrum
Vintageologist
Re: How NOT to Play Bass like a Guitar Player Playing Bass
I'm a guitar player who enjoys playing bass sometimes and I've even done a coupe of fill-in stints in gigging bands. I know i play bass like a guitar player.
And so i should. Because that's what i am. I like it, it's honest.
My purpose for picking up the bass now is for recording, and being both guitarist and bass player on a track is ... well, i think it's kinda cool, because no matter what your natural feel, rhythmic quirks and stumbles, inadequacies, fluctuations, etc., the two parts will work perfectly with each other, they'll always have a lot of common ground despite the player being much more familiar with one instrument than the other.
But that's just how it seems to be for me; I'm glad the world, and music, has proper bass-playing bass players and their musical ways.
I'm a guitar player who enjoys playing bass sometimes and I've even done a coupe of fill-in stints in gigging bands. I know i play bass like a guitar player.
And so i should. Because that's what i am. I like it, it's honest.
My purpose for picking up the bass now is for recording, and being both guitarist and bass player on a track is ... well, i think it's kinda cool, because no matter what your natural feel, rhythmic quirks and stumbles, inadequacies, fluctuations, etc., the two parts will work perfectly with each other, they'll always have a lot of common ground despite the player being much more familiar with one instrument than the other.
But that's just how it seems to be for me; I'm glad the world, and music, has proper bass-playing bass players and their musical ways.
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everdrone
New member
Re: How NOT to Play Bass like a Guitar Player Playing Bass
I think only certain musicians care if you use a pick or your fingers. for the most part. unless super technical stuff or audiophile crowd.
slapbass??? I am not wanting to play funk or "Korn"
in the end, it will be about the notes and the rhythym, and not so much about posturing and snobbery
I think only certain musicians care if you use a pick or your fingers. for the most part. unless super technical stuff or audiophile crowd.
slapbass??? I am not wanting to play funk or "Korn"
in the end, it will be about the notes and the rhythym, and not so much about posturing and snobbery
rashayritto
Off-Topic Lurker
Re: How NOT to Play Bass like a Guitar Player Playing Bass
i just ask myself "what would Al Cisneros do?" Hasn't failed me once
i just ask myself "what would Al Cisneros do?" Hasn't failed me once
MkIII Renegade
New member
Re: How NOT to Play Bass like a Guitar Player Playing Bass
I play all instruments in most of my home recordings, so I can cover bass fairly well. I used to think I could play bass very well, until I started paying attention to master class bass players...trust me, mimicking guitar lines on bass is nowhere NEAR being a complete bass player!!! I became much more interested in bass after I finally bought a high quality 5 string with active pickups, a major plus for bass. I need to eventually get a bass amp of comparable quality to my guitar amps, but it's hard to commit the funds to something I play only in the studio...
I play all instruments in most of my home recordings, so I can cover bass fairly well. I used to think I could play bass very well, until I started paying attention to master class bass players...trust me, mimicking guitar lines on bass is nowhere NEAR being a complete bass player!!! I became much more interested in bass after I finally bought a high quality 5 string with active pickups, a major plus for bass. I need to eventually get a bass amp of comparable quality to my guitar amps, but it's hard to commit the funds to something I play only in the studio...
SongsForTheDeaf
New member
Re: How NOT to Play Bass like a Guitar Player Playing Bass
wow premier guitar.. stupid. I'm a guitar player mainly and play bass similar to how I play guitar and I find it sounds good >:O
wow premier guitar.. stupid. I'm a guitar player mainly and play bass similar to how I play guitar and I find it sounds good >:O
