Switching teams

[JB_From_Hell]

I spend a lot of time griping about being dissuaded from playing bass when I was a teenager. Decided it's time to STFU and right that misstep.

I'm keeping my PRS SE 24 Custom & Line 6 Spider practice amp, but otherwise all the guitar gear is going on the chopping block. I'm buying a Warwick Corvette bass (or a Thumb if everything sells quick), and gonna work on piecing together a sweet rig.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Switching teams

UR GOING BASSIST?!!

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Switching teams

Also, don't be bitter. You now have a careers worth of melodic and harmonic knowledge from guitar that you never would have learned by only studying bass.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Switching teams

Bass can be way more complicated than guitar.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Switching teams

I’m not bitter, it’s just another bit of advice I shouldn’t have followed.

I disagree that I wouldn’t have learned any of the things I know now had I played bass. Would probably have a crapload more experience gigging, though.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Switching teams

Well, you will always have gigs if you want them.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Switching teams

Just saying it's easier to get a gig playing bass.

The point isn't even the gigs. It's that I consider it a mistake to dissuade someone from something they want to do, especially if it's for a BS non-existent reason. And really, THAT'S not even the point... I just think I enjoy playing bass more.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Switching teams

There are talented bassists, but there's no way the average bassist knows as much about melody and harmony as an educated guitarist. It's an enormous advantage to be a bassist who knows guitar.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Switching teams

I agree that the average bassist probably knows less than an educated guitarist. That's apples and oranges though. There's no way the average guitarist is educated.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Switching teams

I am by no means an educated guitarist. I would, however, call myself an average bass player.

My theory knowledge is about the same on both, but bass makes more sense for the same reason mandolin made more sense.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention, I’m really going nuts with it. Have a trade lined up for a Warwick Corvette Fretless.... with no lines!!!!!!1

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Switching teams

Wow, I've heard fretless Warwicks before and they sound epic.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Switching teams

If you can run pentatonic fluidly and rip a few blues licks, you're light years past the average bassist melodically imo.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Switching teams

I agree that if you had originally wanted to learn bass, you shouldn't have been dissuaded from it. And the only position to fill in a band is that of drummer.

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[Demanic]

Re: Switching teams

If you can run pentatonic fluidly and rip a few blues licks, you're light years past the average bassist melodically imo.

I suppose.
But my idea of an average bassist is Geddy Lee, or Chris Squire or John Entwisle.

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[Clint 55]

Re: Switching teams

Bass plain old doesn't teach beginners melody, harmony, or songwriting, some pretty important skills, as well as guitar. Unless you're already a genius.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Switching teams

The overwhelming majority of guitarists never learn any of that either.

Learning music teaches you that crap, not any specific instrument.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Switching teams

Some instruments are more suited to it than others. It's gonna be easier to get good at creating bass lines on bass than triangle.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Switching teams

That doesn't have anything to do with understanding the stuff, though.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Switching teams

Yes, playing it and hearing it does help you understand what you're focusing on.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Switching teams

Well, I started playing cello in third grade and was in the city orchestra by 5th or 6th. Then I switched to classical guitar at 12 or 13. Didn't know it at the time but I wound up taking lessons from this dude that went to the New England Conservatory who happened to be a protégé of Segovia. Pity that I didn't pay more attention to my lessons.