Finding my niche...long post

rxtech · March 9th, 2008, 05:12 AM

Dear brothers in Christ,
I’d like to ask for some advice from real strong and biblical based brothers. I’d like some feedback on an issue. I’ve played guitar (no expert by any means, and I’m not just being humble) for 25 years. I used to play guitar for my church worship team, but now I play bass for the team.
My question is this: Have any of you ever had a difficult time deciding what you want to be i.e., a guitarist or bassist? I really want to be good at one but can’t decide which. I know, some of you might say “Just play both and don’t make it an issue”, but that isn’t the answer I’m specifically looking for. I’m 40 years old and while this isn’t really that old I’d like to achieve a level of ability on one of the two during my life. I know I'll never be a rock star and that's fine with me

Let me take you back a few years… Back in ’99 or so , I visited a church with a contemporary worship band, and thought it would be neat to play bass in such a band. Fast forward to 2001 or so and I begin playing electric guitar at a new church for around 4 years. I even played bass for one song once and later at another time for a whole service. Then 2 years ago, we get a new family ministry leader at our church who also starts playing his bass at our church. Well, it was decided to have two worship teams and he asked me about playing the bass. He leads the team that I currently play bass on and he sings and plays acoustic guitar. I was receptive to the idea and have been doing it ever since. Was this God trying to tell me something that this was His will for me, to be a bass player? Or was it that God just wants me to fill that particular spot for an indefinite time? I currently have a bass and an acoustic guitar.

Sometimes when I see a player, bass or guitar, it can be discouraging because I know the amount of time and effort that goes into learning what they’re doing. For example, when I see someone ripping away on something difficult, it seems like too much effort. Not to mention I see both bass players AND guitar players doing things that I enjoy and would like to be able to do. Perhaps I should buckle down more and not be lazy. Just go through the momentary frustration of learning a particular lick, etc. and do this for both guitar and bass. I really would like to be better, but I find it diificult to get motivated to learn. Perhaps this should be a clue… If it’s a struggle to put the effort into, then maybe that style and/ or instrument isn’t for me. Maybe I’m destined to just be a chord basher on guitar as well as a simplistic bassist?

The thing is I have a very tight budget, so lessons aren’t even an option right now. I don’t know. I feel kind of embarrassed lettin’ it all hang out like this, but there’s no sense being dishonest or holding back, especially when I’m asking for advice. I know my questions may seem disjointed or like I’m rambling, so if you need clarification, just ask

GoldieLocks · March 9th, 2008, 05:37 PM

I thought about this for almost 15 years too. I'm a pretty good guitar player...but I love playing bass guitar too.
I've told myself If I can find a guitar player I like better than Myself (huge ego I know

) then I would make a band with them and play bass. Its never happened. Probably never will either. I'm very fussy when it comes to guitar.

If I could go through life again, I would choose to play bass only. THere's too many guitar players in the world. Bassists can have all of the fun & 1/2 if the stress. You can play melodies, hold down the low-end, And steer the song anyway you want. You can also play 1 note every 4 bars if you want to...and thats perfectly acceptable

.

The tricky part is becoming a GOOD bassist. Very few bass players achieve this. You need to fully master your Major/minor/ & blues scales. You should instantly know the root/3rd/5th/7th of almost any chord. Be able to control the amount of attack in your picking. Be able to be one with the drums or the guitars (depending on what type of music you play). You need to be very aware of everything the drummer is doing & about to do. I've spent many hours studying the Allman Brothers Bassists. You should find a bassists you really like & figure out everything they're doing. Then try playing along with their C.D.'s. Thats how I learned to play bass. Bass is alot easier to transpose than guitar.

I'm sure I will continue to play both for the rest of my life, but I understand your wanting to really dig into only 1 instrument. Its a good feeling to be known as the "the bass player" rather than the guy the hacks away at a few instruments.
Don't know if that helps you...but good luck in your decision.

rxtech · March 9th, 2008, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldieLocks

I thought about this for almost 15 years too. I'm a pretty good guitar player...but I love playing bass guitar too.
I've told myself If I can find a guitar player I like better than Myself (huge ego I know

) then I would make a band with them and play bass. Its never happened. Probably never will either. I'm very fussy when it comes to guitar.

If I could go through life again, I would choose to play bass only. THere's too many guitar players in the world. Bassists can have all of the fun & 1/2 if the stress. You can play melodies, hold down the low-end, And steer the song anyway you want. You can also play 1 note every 4 bars if you want to...and thats perfectly acceptable

.

The tricky part is becoming a GOOD bassist. Very few bass players achieve this. You need to fully master your Major/minor/ & blues scales. You should instantly know the root/3rd/5th/7th of almost any chord. Be able to control the amount of attack in your picking. Be able to be one with the drums or the guitars (depending on what type of music you play). You need to be very aware of everything the drummer is doing & about to do. I've spent many hours studying the Allman Brothers Bassists. You should find a bassists you really like & figure out everything they're doing. Then try playing along with their C.D.'s. Thats how I learned to play bass. Bass is alot easier to transpose than guitar.

I'm sure I will continue to play both for the rest of my life, but I understand your wanting to really dig into only 1 instrument. Its a good feeling to be known as the "the bass player" rather than the guy the hacks away at a few instruments.
Don't know if that helps you...but good luck in your decision.

Yes, becoming a GOOD bassist IS difficult, if you want to play like Geddy Lee who I actually like. Bass is also good to play because there are more guitar players. Anyway, it doesn't help things when I go on net and see some guita or bass that I like. Dang gas, it's truly the anithesis of learning Christian contentment

And those new Squier by Fender Deluxe Strats
look tempting and cheap

Thanks for your comment!

hotraman · March 9th, 2008, 10:13 PM

This is a great question and great posts as well. ( right on GL)
I, too, will wonder the same, but my conversation is piano vs. guitar.
I lead worship from both. But I'm a better guitar player.
And the guitar enables me to sing better, connect with the folks and worship.
I can play bass, but I agree its harder than one would think.
I stay off the bass guitar.
I sing and write as well, so playing guitar ( whether its acoustic or electrics)
just makes me able to worship better.
I've been playing guitar since 1969, and I am still learning ( see my post over at the B Bender section)
Let us know how the journey goes for you!

March 9th, 2008, 05:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
rxtech Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: central california Posts: 123	Finding my niche...long post Dear brothers in Christ, I’d like to ask for some advice from real strong and biblical based brothers. I’d like some feedback on an issue. I’ve played guitar (no expert by any means, and I’m not just being humble) for 25 years. I used to play guitar for my church worship team, but now I play bass for the team. My question is this: Have any of you ever had a difficult time deciding what you want to be i.e., a guitarist or bassist? I really want to be good at one but can’t decide which. I know, some of you might say “Just play both and don’t make it an issue”, but that isn’t the answer I’m specifically looking for. I’m 40 years old and while this isn’t really that old I’d like to achieve a level of ability on one of the two during my life. I know I'll never be a rock star and that's fine with me Let me take you back a few years… Back in ’99 or so , I visited a church with a contemporary worship band, and thought it would be neat to play bass in such a band. Fast forward to 2001 or so and I begin playing electric guitar at a new church for around 4 years. I even played bass for one song once and later at another time for a whole service. Then 2 years ago, we get a new family ministry leader at our church who also starts playing his bass at our church. Well, it was decided to have two worship teams and he asked me about playing the bass. He leads the team that I currently play bass on and he sings and plays acoustic guitar. I was receptive to the idea and have been doing it ever since. Was this God trying to tell me something that this was His will for me, to be a bass player? Or was it that God just wants me to fill that particular spot for an indefinite time? I currently have a bass and an acoustic guitar. Sometimes when I see a player, bass or guitar, it can be discouraging because I know the amount of time and effort that goes into learning what they’re doing. For example, when I see someone ripping away on something difficult, it seems like too much effort. Not to mention I see both bass players AND guitar players doing things that I enjoy and would like to be able to do. Perhaps I should buckle down more and not be lazy. Just go through the momentary frustration of learning a particular lick, etc. and do this for both guitar and bass. I really would like to be better, but I find it diificult to get motivated to learn. Perhaps this should be a clue… If it’s a struggle to put the effort into, then maybe that style and/ or instrument isn’t for me. Maybe I’m destined to just be a chord basher on guitar as well as a simplistic bassist? The thing is I have a very tight budget, so lessons aren’t even an option right now. I don’t know. I feel kind of embarrassed lettin’ it all hang out like this, but there’s no sense being dishonest or holding back, especially when I’m asking for advice. I know my questions may seem disjointed or like I’m rambling, so if you need clarification, just ask

March 9th, 2008, 05:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
GoldieLocks Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abbotsford B.C. Posts: 833	Bass or guitar? I thought about this for almost 15 years too. I'm a pretty good guitar player...but I love playing bass guitar too. I've told myself If I can find a guitar player I like better than Myself (huge ego I know ) then I would make a band with them and play bass. Its never happened. Probably never will either. I'm very fussy when it comes to guitar. If I could go through life again, I would choose to play bass only. THere's too many guitar players in the world. Bassists can have all of the fun & 1/2 if the stress. You can play melodies, hold down the low-end, And steer the song anyway you want. You can also play 1 note every 4 bars if you want to...and thats perfectly acceptable . The tricky part is becoming a GOOD bassist. Very few bass players achieve this. You need to fully master your Major/minor/ & blues scales. You should instantly know the root/3rd/5th/7th of almost any chord. Be able to control the amount of attack in your picking. Be able to be one with the drums or the guitars (depending on what type of music you play). You need to be very aware of everything the drummer is doing & about to do. I've spent many hours studying the Allman Brothers Bassists. You should find a bassists you really like & figure out everything they're doing. Then try playing along with their C.D.'s. Thats how I learned to play bass. Bass is alot easier to transpose than guitar. I'm sure I will continue to play both for the rest of my life, but I understand your wanting to really dig into only 1 instrument. Its a good feeling to be known as the "the bass player" rather than the guy the hacks away at a few instruments. Don't know if that helps you...but good luck in your decision. __________________ "How little I know inspires me tremendously! I'm a huge fan of other people's playing." Bonnie Raitt

March 9th, 2008, 10:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
hotraman Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Camas, WA Posts: 220	This is a great question and great posts as well. ( right on GL) I, too, will wonder the same, but my conversation is piano vs. guitar. I lead worship from both. But I'm a better guitar player. And the guitar enables me to sing better, connect with the folks and worship. I can play bass, but I agree its harder than one would think. I stay off the bass guitar. I sing and write as well, so playing guitar ( whether its acoustic or electrics) just makes me able to worship better. I've been playing guitar since 1969, and I am still learning ( see my post over at the B Bender section) Let us know how the journey goes for you! __________________ www.stevehotra.com