When did you give up the guitar for bass?

[tapper mike]

A buddy of mine is playing what he believes will be his last guitar gig. He started playing guitar and picked up the bass many years back. He's a great guitarist and a damn fine bassist. The bass gigs keep on coming but the guitar gigs kept on getting fewer and far between. He gets about three to four gigs a week as a bassist. His last paying gig as a guitarist was six years ago.


I've known quite a number of multi-instrumentalists who have travelled down that path. Where by even though their first love was guitar they switched to bass for financial reasons and didn't look back.

[Turello]

something similar is happening to me and it's pretty damn ugly: a group of my friends asked me if I played bass with them, now they are excited about my style but basically it's frustrating, first because I hate doing covers and hate even more to play them 3 nights a week in pubs (imagine that breaking the balls play hotel california every 2 nights for 30\35 euros per session\night), there is nothing artistic in everything, that is, in doing covers; second because as a guitarist I feel downgraded... But in my town bassists are so SNOB!!! -_-

[codec_spurt]

I've known quite a number of multi-instrumentalists who have travelled down that path. Where by even though their first love was guitar they switched to bass for financial reasons and didn't look back.

Funny question. I would have thought it would be the other way around. It was for me.

Most start on Bass coz it has less strings. There. I don't know of any one that ever considered financial reasons for playing an instrument. How odd.

I was typical. I started playing Bass coz it only had four strings. And four strings is easier than six. I learned how to play Black Sabbath's back catalog in a year, so it was time to move on. What a fool I was. Not that Geezer Butler can't teach you everything you ever need to learn about Bass. But I was a young fool.

I practiced eight hours a day. Every day. Round wound strings on a Fender Precision copy with the pick guard ripped off. A tortoise shell pick.

Then, when I had learned everything there was to know about the Bass Guitar, I traded it in for a six string. A Manic Street Preachers type White Gibson Les Paul clone. Shit guitar. Bad copy. Did the trick though. Eight hours, still, every day. No amp. That would come years later.

I studied my scales. Had no one to give me lessons. This time I learned everything by Tony Iommi as opposed to Geezer Butler. We got on well together. I could learn that stuff. Like I could learn Led Zeppelin stuff. Jimmy Page was never an enigma for me. I could deconstruct his riffs after very little work. Alex Lifeson from Rush however, was a waste of time. Absolutely impossible. He plays like air. There were no riffs to be found. Then again, no one remembers a Rush riff. Everyone knows Black Dog or Whole lotta love. Easy peasy. Nice and easy.

Time to get a keyboard now.

Took over a decade for that one. Keyboards were for rich people. Really rich people. And synthesizers were for really really rich people (when they finally became common place).

I was never a very good Bass or Guitar player, despite so much practice. For most people it would propel them close to virtuoso level, but I just never had any rhythm (still don't). But that is what gives me my unique style. Hard won.

Still, can't say I know of one person that ever gave up guitar for bass.

I still play both. Badly. In my unique style. I can hold it down, but I'm only third grade. Having said that, I can fit in and meld with a band if I have to. More than some prima donna sensitive soul.

After so many hours spent alone, practicing, no matter how shit I am, these instruments are a part of me now. I play with great guitar players sometimes. We get on fine. I appreciate them, and they appreciate me. Just know your place, whether bass or guitar.

[codec_spurt]

But in my town bassists are so SNOB!!! -_-

Could be worse.

Could be Jazz Trumpeters!

Then you would know what a snob is.

Then again. They will whore themselves out for a hundred bucks.

It's best not to associate with other musicians. Avoid them. I mean just look at all those musicians avoiding all the other musicians. There must be a reason for that.

[RunBeerRun]

I pretty much gave up guitar for digital guitar. It's quiet and futuristic, while my cat doesn't care for the volume of a real guitar.

[Turello]

worse? don't believe

SNOB are a neo-latin word (sine-nobilis= without humbleness) cause they believe to have the saint Graal, the secret of the music (but they still plays covers band!!!)

Personally I like to play\associate with other creative musicians... but to do my music ...
I do not want to get to 80 years old still playing covers...

[codec_spurt]

Forget I said anything.

I almost feel ashamed for sharing this bit of personal life with you.

Was it attention whoring?

Mmm..

I could delete it and leave a hole.

Who would care?

I wasn't looking for any kind of feedback.

Learned that.

Call me a c**t if you like. I suppose I am a bit. Answering a post on kvr. What a f**ker I am.

Ah well.

ah well....



It's ok, it's not important. Even though it is serious.

[Turello]

@codec_spurt: I hope you have not offended because it was absolutely not my intention... If I understand correctly are just different points of view... unfortunately (or luckily?) I am (feel) not a performer or a session musician but a composer and it's just frustrating to play covers but really, take it easy! PEACE! ^_^

[codec_spurt]

@codec_spurt: I hope you have not offended because it was absolutely not my intention... If I understand correctly are just different points of view... unfortunately (or luckily?) I am (feel) not a performer or a session musician but a composer and it's just frustrating to play covers but really, take it easy! PEACE! ^_^

No, I wasn't offended. By anyone.

I just feel a bit silly about showing my soul.

Oh well, it gets less and less.

There is nothing but love and giving in my heart tonight.

Anyway,

[Turello]

Oh, glad to know and excuse my f.....g\poor english!

Here 3:23 (very late!) so goodnight all!

[Hink]

@codec_spurt: I hope you have not offended because it was absolutely not my intention... If I understand correctly are just different points of view... unfortunately (or luckily?) I am (feel) not a performer or a session musician but a composer and it's just frustrating to play covers but really, take it easy! PEACE! ^_^

No, I wasn't offended. By anyone.

I just feel a bit silly about showing my soul.

and yet I feel fortunate to be able to read it and get to know a fellow KvR'r a little better, nothing silly there imo

edit: but I dont accept the premise you play anything badly

[VitaminD]

The Subject line question could be considered somewhat offensive.. as if the bass is a secondary instrument! hah!

I got the bass to play the bass. I didn't really consider a lead electric; I don't like regular electric lead guitar. I enjoy groove, flow, and bottom end. Even if I am pretty amateur at the bass, it is still my first pick between plucked string instruments. And that should be seen as a positive situation too, I think. If we all wanted to play lead guitar, there would be a problem band-wise.

[blueman]

IF I gave up guitar for bass....it would be because of live jazz trios and four-piece outfits (drums, bass, keys, with optional sax). Seeing bassists go off on an improv and play arpeggios of crazy altered chords does something to me. It's magical

[ravasb]

It worked out okay for Paul McCartney.

[Hink]