[Rigsby]

Originally Posted by KeithTS

I'm a guitarist who plays a bit of bass, it helps when writing songs and its good fun but there's a big difference between a guitarist and a bassist in terms of mentallity and the role of the instruments.

Although they both might share similar techniques and the fingerings etc make it very easy to pick up bass after learning guitar they are two different instruments altogether in how they are employed within a song.

One of my pet hates is when you see a "guitarist" who is playing bass and they just don't realise when and where notes should be, its the most obvious thing in the world and it does my nut in.

As a guitarist I personnally view drums and bass to be the most important aspects of a song, along with vocals perhaps. My guitar is there to add a little flavour, distinguish between minors and minor 7ths and to fill a bit of space but all the energy should come from the drum and bass, bassists are hugely underestimated and as a result they don't get the praise they deserve leading to nobody playing the bloody instrument.

Interesting post from a guitarist's aspect, and being a bassist myself, one that I entirely agree with.


Another reason for not taking up, or giving up, the bass that is often mentioned is that it is too easy.

This always makes me smile, as these people dont seem to realise that it is the music they are playing that is easy, and possibly does not require any more than root notes, with the odd "five" thrown in now and then.

[Malice]

Originally Posted by KeithTS

I personnally view drums and bass to be the most important aspects of a song

Really? Even more important than the melody?

[DaDumTish]

most songs / mixes are based on vocal , drums and drum / bass groove

if these are great ( including melody ) and sound great - you are on to a winner

the rest is ear candy .

you should be able to play any mix with just drums . bass and vocal and still sound fantastic.

[KeithTS]

Originally Posted by Malice

Really? Even more important than the melody?

I did note along with vocals in my post, obviously melody is up there.

[Malice]

Originally Posted by KeithTS

I did note along with vocals in my post, obviously melody is up there.

No, you didn't. That's why I asked the question.

[KeithTS]

Originally Posted by KeithTS

As a guitarist I personnally view drums and bass to be the most important aspects of a song, along with vocals perhaps...

I'm pretty sure I did, anyway, no fights to be had.

You are of course correct, melody, be it performed by a singer or an instrument is obviously a key element of any song.

Bass and drums are, in my humble opinion, rather important too though.

[Malice]

Originally Posted by KeithTS

I'm pretty sure I did, anyway, no fights to be had.

Not at all I'm just of the opinion that a vocal line isn't necessarily providing the melody of a song and therefore I was curious why you'd apparently relegated the role of the instrument providing the melody to below the vocals, bass and drums.

Other than that I agree with most of what you wrote.

[murphyebass]

Just to give the other side of the arguement here as it looks to me this is fairly one sided.

I am a guitarist turned bass player. 10 years roughly now.

I would have happily played guitar in a band back all those years ago but sure theres thousands of guirtarists out which doesnt help your odds
( he says as they continue to look for one for wedding band http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showt...p?t=2056715124 )

So I turned to bass as there were numerous bands looking for bass players.

Took a while to get used to and obviously I'm still learning and always will be but the bottom line is personally I dont regret the decision at all.
I've played in a few different bands in the past 10 years growing as a musician and have met some great people.

Drums is another option to get into a band if you have any sort of rhythm OP. Few lessons, practice and you'd be in a band in no time!

ps I still play guitar btw just not in bands, although that said I did end up in the last band I played in playing rhythm guitar on a few songs.

[LordChessington]

Originally Posted by KeithTS

As a guitarist I personnally view drums and bass to be the most important aspects of a song, along with vocals perhaps.

A friend of mine once said "a band can only be as good as the drummer". I thought it was an outrageous statement, but the more I think of it, its pretty damn true.

As a bassist, I am guilty of spending a long time playing a simplified version of the guitar but the more people I play with and the more styles I am exposed to, the more I realise how important playing along to the drums rather than the guitar is. It just adds so much more depth. Who cares if I stand in the background for a guitar solo - if I stopped playing, it would sound... wrong.

I would tell anyone who underestimates the importance of bass should just listen to Rush. I have yet to find a bass line in their discography that isn't perfect - neither underplayed nor overplayed. Geddy Lee is IMO the perfect rock bassist and anyone learning bass for rock should use him as a guide for what bass can add to a song.

[viadah]

One of the best guitarists I ever knew was also one of the sloppiest bass players I ever knew. But only because he did it solely for the purpose of tracking a demo, it wasn't an interest of his. In this discussion though, any stringed instrument can be included, because they each have different disciplines, and that's what makes the difference as you pick up different stringed instruments. Guitar and bass are culturally closely related which brings more focus to this discussion.

Ever tried to play a violin like a guitar?

[contact with a corpse]

may i ask does anybody here know any bassists??? in dire need of one

[Malice]

Originally Posted by contact with a corpse

may i ask does anybody here know any bassists??? in dire need of one

I know a few bassists. I think what you really mean is whether anyone here knows bassists from Wexford and in that case my answer is no.