gadgie Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 Hi, Well after playing guitar for 30+ years, I have now ended up trying to take up the bass. How did that happen? Well to be honest it was luck...if you could call it that. I was out on my motorcycle on a nice sunny day and decided to visit an old friend of mine (lead guitar) who has played in various bands for years. I got to his house in the country and he's sitting out the back yard drinking coffee and smoking his roll ups. I asked what he was up to and he said that he was waiting for his girlfriend (singer) and her brother (guitar) and another old friend of mine (drums). 'We are going to practice for an upcoming gig' he said. Cool I thought, a free coffee, and free live music in the sun....and a nice motorcycle to get me home afterwards...what more could a man want? Anyway the rest of the band arrive and and the brother is looking glum. It seems that their 3rd bassist has let them down again. So 'he's out!' was the cry from the rest of the (minus a bassist) band. My friend asked if I wanted to play bass. I laughed and said I can't play bass. He said the the brother was currently helping out on bass as the other 3 had not really got going with the band. I still said no as I had no idea really what to do. Anyway they started playing their own tunes and they sounded not bad and my feet were soon tapping. I noticed the the bassist (the brother) was just playing root notes. Now I know what a root note is, so when they finished and asked if I wanted to jam with them on the bass I said yes. I loved it. Instead of playing single string notes like the brother, my guitar playing allowed me to figure out some other notes on different strings. The rest of them were smiling and nodding their heads etc. Afterwards they asked again if I would consider playing with them on bass. I said 'okay until you get a real player'. Been jamming 3 times now and practicing the songs on my own at home and really liking it. Borrowed a bass from my eldest son to get started. Now I've bought my own (or at least swapped one of my many guitars for one). Sorry to ramble on Gadgie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 Welcome to the deep side... it's great isn't it?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 Welcome, Gadgie! Story: great Picking up bass: passable Joining BC: laughable Enjoy the bass and the forum! Bert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonestar Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 [quote name='gadgie' timestamp='1401537935' post='2464522'] Instead of playing single string notes like the brother, my guitar playing allowed me to figure out some other notes on different strings. [/quote] What? BURN THE WITCH ! Just kidding welcome to bass playing and chatting here. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madshadows Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 Welcome to basschat, hope you have fun John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oopsdabassist Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 Woohooo you have SEEN THE DARK! No going back now Welcome aboard. Rule No 1. Don't tell your guitar playing brethren what fun we're having! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allie Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 Welcome Gadgie. Nice for openers - you'll never go back now!! Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 Welcome Gadgie Have you noticed that you now feel a bit "cooler"?? That's what it's like being the bassist... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadgie Posted May 31, 2014 Author Share Posted May 31, 2014 Thanks for the replies. However, cool is not a word usually associated with me lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acebassmusic Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 [quote name='gadgie' timestamp='1401579121' post='2465035'] Thanks for the replies. However, cool is not a word usually associated with me lol [/quote] It is now! Welcome oh cool one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 [quote name='gadgie' timestamp='1401579121' post='2465035'] Thanks for the replies. However, cool is not a word usually associated with me lol [/quote] Let's see. You ride a motorbike, you play guitar, and bass. Sounds cool to me. Now, if you have a beard, icing on the cake! Welcome to Basschat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 Notwithstanding your dalliance with the g**t*r - if you play the bass then you are a bass player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 Welcome to the deep side and BC. Be prepared for some serious GAS though, I used to hanker after guitar related stuff back when I played but that's nothing compared to bass GAS; you have been warned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fun size nick Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 [quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1401614936' post='2465161'] Let's see. You ride a motorbike, you play guitar, and bass. Sounds cool to me. Now, if you have a beard, icing on the cake! [/quote] Absolutely! I may be biased in all four of those departments, however Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShergoldSnickers Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 As someone who started out on guitar.... you are nothing like me then. No actually, I did start out on guitar, an Avon SG copy, and it was dire. Not as dire as my playing though. As soon as I picked up a decently made bass, I was converted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 Welcome to the deep side! Stay away from the classifieds, your wallet will thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monckyman Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 That's evolution for you. Welcome,and look out for the tone fairy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 i shouldnt worry too much mister gadgie its probably just a passing phase how did you find the jamming though? pretty easy really this bass malarkey have fun youll be fine on here as long as you dont mention the beatles or mustang sally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboy Rotten Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Welcome! I'm sure you will find plenty to chat about and ways to appease your GAS habit here. What bass did you swap your guitar for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadgie Posted June 3, 2014 Author Share Posted June 3, 2014 Thanks for the welcome guys. Trust me I suffer from GAS all the time. I've probably got enough gear to start a wee shop. The only problem being is that I find it hard to sell or trade stuff so end up keeping it:( Enjoying the bass and the jamming was good. I need to learn though that it's about being rock steady and not fancyshmanshy. Read the Sultans of Swing thread today and realised that:) Noticed that I've been listening to bass on songs now rather than the other stuff.....jeezo it can go to extremes though can't it. Away to 50p in the meter!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 (edited) [quote name='gadgie' timestamp='1401784555' post='2466715'] it's about being rock steady [/quote] yes defnitiely this - and if the drummer and bass player are spot on then even a mediocre guitarist can get away with murder Edited June 3, 2014 by steve-bbb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinner Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Basses and Bikes.. oh yes indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadgie Posted June 3, 2014 Author Share Posted June 3, 2014 [quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1401785201' post='2466719'] yes defnitiely this - and if the drummer and bass player are spot on then even a mediocre guitarist can get away with murder [/quote] I have been for years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadgie Posted June 3, 2014 Author Share Posted June 3, 2014 [quote name='Skinner' timestamp='1401786182' post='2466734'] Basses and Bikes.. oh yes indeed. [/quote] Can you fall off a bass? I certianly have a habit of falling off bikes:( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westie9 Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Welcome Gadgie, youv'e done it now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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