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Post subject: Re: Why do you play bass?
Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 9:23 am
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Location: North of Pittsburgh PA
I love all musical instruments. I practice violin, piano, guitar, and I used to play trombone (Looking to get one soon). That being said, out of all of those, if I had to choose one out of all of them, it would probably be bass. Why? You can't shake walls with a violin, you can't run around the stage with a piano (disregarding keytars, those should have died in the 80s), you can't move air with a guitar (at least not as much as bass), and you can't slap a trombone.

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Post subject: Re: Why do you play bass?
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 2:24 pm
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lpdeluxe wrote:
I was really lucky to have been around a really good bass player from the start, so that I understood the role of the bass and didn't simply transfer my lead style down an octave.

Any suggestions for books, videos that teach the role of the bass?

Thanks in advance for the insights! (I've already ordered the Carol Kaye Bass DVD course)

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Post subject: Re: Why do you play bass?
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 10:39 am
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Location: Deep East Texas
I learned by being around a couple of excellent bassists. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Slidewaysracing, what does your user name refer to?

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Post subject: Re: Why do you play bass?
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 11:47 pm
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DIGRESSION

Username: I used to autocross (aka SCCA Solo II), which is racing against the clock on a course laid out in a parking lot using traffic cones (only 1 car on a section of the course at a time, not wheel to wheel). Every event is different because the course is always different. Technically it’s a driving skill event, but it WILL get your adrenaline up. As a friend commented after a ride-along: “you didn’t tell me you were going to make a U-turn [it was a hairpin turn] at the end of a 60mph straight!” At any rate, if you overcook a corner you’re going to slide sideways: hence “slidewaysracing”.

I’m not into drifting. While it requires excellent car control skills to do well, the tire replacement costs are just TOOOOOO expensive. I’d rather spend my hard-earned $$ on music stuff.

Major digression: Funny racing story –
My husband likes to tell people the story of how he got me tires & a lug wrench for Christmas one year. The usual response is, “she didn’t THROW THE LUG WRENCH AT YOU?” That wouldn’t have been very nice of me, since I asked for that specific wrench. (No not an impact wrench, but it made it faster for me to put my race tires on my car. And then put my street tires back on after the race.)

Happy and safe driving to you!

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Last edited by slidewaysracing on Sat Aug 20, 2011 7:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Why do you play bass?
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 11:51 pm
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Sabre Lane wrote:
There are many ways....

Re: learning: I’m taking lesson, and that works well for my learning style. However, I’m always looking for new info and insights. You never know what’s going to generate that “ah ha!” moment. My goal for my lessons is to learn enough to know how to construct an appropriate walking bass line. My lessons are rather “old school” – starting with the scales, and the modes, and which chords come from which mode, and not too deep into playing songs just yet. First the theory stuff, which feeds into being able to analyze a song, so you know what’s “right” to play. I’m completely okay with this approach, as I think it will give me a foundation and framework to hang all of the creative stuff on. But I’m always looking for more knowledge.

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Post subject: Re: Why do you play bass?
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 12:02 am
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OK, I finally have pix of my basses. Figured I'd post them here since I started this thread. As good a reason as any, I suppose.
My basses:
Fender Precision Bass Special (Deluxe series, MIM) - alder body
Ibanez BTB405 QM
- quilted maple top, basswood back; maple & walnut 5-bolt neck; 35" scale
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Headstock:
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Color: Navy Blue Metallic (the color is so dark, it's really hard to capture it)
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-----
Because bratty people are best when they're fried!
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Post subject: Re: Why do you play bass?
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 5:10 am
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I play bass (a really beautiful '96 American P-Deluxe in Shoreline Gold sporting TI Flats) for two reasons, mainly:

1. I mostly play guitar and keys. But in my work, I frequently need bass parts right now, and can't wait for someone else to come play the part.

2. I am a huge PITA about playing in time, because I can hear the most minute variations in groove. 99 out 100 bass players talk a great game, but can't really do what they say they can do. In the long run, it was just easier to get good at playing the bass.

Stylistically, I tend to keep it simple and moving, looking for holes in qwthe arrangment to make melodic statements. My wife jokes that I should wear a rubber bracelet embossed with "W.W.S.D?," which stands for "What Would Sting Do?" :) I'll call another bass player when the style requires something I'm not skilled at... I can't do any more than the bare rudiments of funk slap, for example.

Although if I knew a good lookin', bass-playin', autox-in' woman like Slideways, I might do more sessions with another bass player!

Edited to add: one of the bass played I call on works long-distance for me from San Diego. He plays in an 80's tribute band called Betamaxx (San Diego's most obsolete 80's band!).... Slideways, do you know them?

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Post subject: Re: Why do you play bass?
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 3:30 pm
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EgFryer, thank you very much for your kind words! I’m still a beginner (although I’m starting to consider myself an intermediate beginner), and my time is mostly okay. Not good enough, though. :( My teacher occasionally says my time it good, and only nags me about it when I’m first trying to get the notes under my fingers.

Had not heard of Betamaxx. Checked out their website, and now will have to go catch them live. Looks like a lot of fun! :D

Happy fingers!

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mim Deluxe P Bass Special
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Post subject: Re: Why do you play bass?
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 6:02 pm
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Slider, you'll enjoy them. Andy is a killer bass player and the whole band knocks it out of the park. Boogie on!

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Gravity Music - www.gravitymusic.com
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Post subject: Re: Why do you play bass?
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:11 pm
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I play bass because they don't make a Garbnobophone. Okay? Allright then.


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Post subject: Re: Why do you play bass?
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:20 pm
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stroker vance wrote:
I play bass because they don't make a Garbnobophone.

I beg to most respectfully differ, oh experienced one. My humble eyes have indeed seen a Garbnobophone. Perhaps you have not seen the animated Grinch Christmas special by the great Dr. Seuss? While the very challenging Garbnobophone was not mentioned by name, indeed it was there in the parade.

You will have to take my word for it, though, as I'm not skilled at grabbing video images. However, I am quite trustworthy. :D

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Post subject: Re: Why do you play bass?
Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 2:51 am
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Hi all,
My 1st post here...
So, why I play bass?
I discovered this instrument back in the 80's, I had a pal playing a lawsuit P-Bass, and I thought it sounded quite nice, so I step into the world of bass playing...
Nobody taught it to me: I learned by myself, at the begining, I didn't even know the 4 notes of the open strings (but knew how to tune the bass: I knew the 1st note of a song was the "big" string!)

You can imagine that I play quite in a non accademic way!
But it's ok, I can play with my mates and enjoy it. I still have a lot to do to progress: this is also part of the fun!

Now, I have 3 basses: 1 Stingray, 1 Jazz Bass and 1 Precision bass...

Initially, I played piano and then flute!!!

Patrice


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Post subject: Re: Why do you play bass?
Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 12:47 pm
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slidewaysracing wrote:
stroker vance wrote:
I play bass because they don't make a Garbnobophone.

I beg to most respectfully differ, oh experienced one. My humble eyes have indeed seen a Garbnobophone. Perhaps you have not seen the animated Grinch Christmas special by the great Dr. Seuss? While the very challenging Garbnobophone was not mentioned by name, indeed it was there in the parade.

You will have to take my word for it, though, as I'm not skilled at grabbing video images. However, I am quite trustworthy. :D



WOW! I rented the Grinch Christmas Special and land sakes alive - there it was.!. the Garbnobophone! Well I'll be slapped three ways sideways. Who would have thunk it? A Garbnobophone right there ! Well I'm giving up bass. I will begin study on the Gar.............wait.............Hey isn't The Grinch Christmas Special a CARTOON? As in NOT REAL?????? Oh my. Well there goes that! Where in the heck would I get a Garbnobophone that's not real? Boy- ain't that some chicken evil soup..............???


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Post subject: Re: Why do you play bass?
Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:12 pm
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stroker vance wrote:
WOW! I rented the Grinch Christmas Special and land sakes alive - there it was.!. the Garbnobophone! Well I'll be slapped three ways sideways. Who would have thunk it? A Garbnobophone right there ! Well I'm giving up bass. I will begin study on the Gar.............wait.............Hey isn't The Grinch Christmas Special a CARTOON? As in NOT REAL?????? Oh my. Well there goes that! Where in the heck would I get a Garbnobophone that's not real? Boy- ain't that some chicken evil soup..............???

Not real? Nothing could be more real than Dr. Suess, as I learned (scoffer that I am) when I came to California and saw the trees that his stories are decorated with. Imagine my surprise to discover there ARE such trees! And I say to you, while it might be impossible to find a Garbnobophone (as they are VERY treasured by their owners and are never allowed to leave their families), they do exist. As surely as does Santa Claus.

So, yes, you will have to continue with your bass, which is an honorable instrument.

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Post subject: Re: Why do you play bass?
Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:16 pm
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patda wrote:
You can imagine that I play quite in a non accademic way! But it's ok, I can play with my mates and enjoy it. I still have a lot to do to progress: this is also part of the fun!

Now, I have 3 basses: 1 Stingray, 1 Jazz Bass and 1 Precision bass...

Initially, I played piano and then flute!!!
Patrice


Welcome Patrice! I think your piano background will serve you well on the bass. I agree that discovering & learning new things is indeed part of the fun. And there are lots of bass players here who will be glad to answer questions.

And enjoy the occasional insanity and flights of fantasy here! :D

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