I've always wished I had some musical talent. Unfortunately all of my appendages are incapable of working independently when it comes to music. I'd really like to learn to play bass guitar. I might start fumbling around with it a bit. My 9yoD plays the violin and is working on guitar now and 11yoS plays trumpet very well for rarely practicing.

Once again, I'm so very glad that my kids don't take after me.

I had a girlfriend who played a mean passion piccolo.

I've had a fantasy for some time for an act that would be kick ass for a bassist to have under his belt.

The fingerings in bass are simpler than for 6 string guitbox, not many chords in bass, at least not tough ones.

If one could get proficient at being ambidextrous with a normall strung bass, that is play it with right hand on frets and the strings upsided down, a la Hendrix style as well as left hand on frets, normal style, you could set up a strap that would allow you to flip it over mid song and keep going. You could make a show of flipping it so you could lean up to the mic along with your guitar player, singing harmony into the same mic, with your guitars butt to butt (hey, sexy), sorta framing the two of you in the middle . . . just like John (or George) and Paul done it.

Grammy award and $$$, please. (hand held out)

No 'chords' on a bass. You just play the individual notes as required. Very easy instrument to play...Robert

You're right, though I've seen a few guys do a two string sort of chord now and then as part of a run.

Not unless you can:D
I've seen lots of bass players use chords.
Through the right PA system, it is a VERY impressive sound.
Flecktones bass player, Victor Wooten (Futuremans bro) has made a habit of it.

As for a great act, how bout playing a keyboard in front of you with one hand, while playing bass 'hammer style' with the other, while you're singing.

Wait, Geddy Lee already did that.

While I'm on the Rush subject, earlier in the thread someone mentioned that drumming was easy, try telling that to Neil Peart.

...and try telling Victor bass is easy, guy can play a six string bass faster than Bela can play a five string banjo with picks on every finger. And Bela is some kinda fast.

I saw a guy once who played a guitar and sang, did a bass drum foot pedal with his left foot, and an organ bass foot peddle arrangement with his other foot.

I've often thought it would be fun to just try it with the organ bass, and the guitar and voice, of course.

Yes, you can strike 'triads' or groups of notes, a chording of sorts, but it isn't required of you are just learning...Robert

True, and it's probably preferred:D

And plenty of good bass playing is done one note at a time. I've tried doing the Elizabeth Cotton/Hendrix style flipping the guitar upside down and playing it with my right hand on the frets. Good Lord, it's like pulling teeth. I feel and look just like a rank beginner with only the knowledge of how the chords are played to work with.

But with a bass, I'm thinking it would be a lot easier. Still awkward at first, but doable.

To get back on thread - Plantman, I would choose which ever instrument that you think you will want to give the most practice time to.

i think dennis was self taught (on everything); still, turned into a decent all around musician and great singer (at least on the harmonies) and penned (allegedly) "you are so beautiful".

the older drummers learned to play in marching bands, hence the technique more refined, and the hands opposed.

I would suggest an acoustic guitar to start with.




bass is not easier. It's easy to get impressive playing guitar - bass will take a lifetime to master.

I wouldn't call any instrument easier than another, it's very subjective.

If you want to be in a band, it will benefit you to be able to play bass, cuz everybody is a freakin' guitar player.