playin' bass in church

[GoldieLocks]

Just curious how many people here play bass in church?

I was just reading Danno's post about his promotion to bassist. Congratulations. (you should be able to have fun since you're using a Firebird) Is it a Gibson or Epiphone?

I'm always surprised how many people think of bass as a boring instrument. I only play bass occasionally but I totally love it when I do. I try to bring out my influences from (Geddy Lee, Roger Glover, Allan Woody, Nathan East). I especially like the old-school Gospel tunes.
Although playing with bad (beginner) drummers definitely takes the fun out of it. But we have some good drummers too.
I like being able to control the thickness of the music.

[ChurchPlayer]

I do it on occasion. Bass was my primary instrument from 9th grade through the age of about 35. I was a struggling guitar player in a school of better ones when a family friend gave me an old Hofner (non-Beatle) the summer before I entered 9th grade. I took to it immediately. Suddenly everything I was trying to do musically on the guitar made sense in a world of 4 strings.

I played all through HS and college and played in bands when I got out. I was playing in a Christian band in the late 90's when odd circumstances put us together with another bass player looking to join. I'd been playing guitar all along and I agreed to go from bass to lead guitar and things clicked, and I've been on guitar ever since. These days the bass duties in out church band are handled by a kid who also plays fiddle. When he's on the violin the bass part will either fall to the keyboard player or I'll pick it up since we have 2 guitar players. Tomorrow, as things would have it, he can't make it at all so I'll be dragging my Precision along and we'll figure out how things fall.

I love playing bass, probably more than I love playing guitar - and that's a lot. It's a very misunderstood instrument. If you're not having fun playing it then you haven't discovered the soul of the instrument. Andy West of the Dixie Dregs once told me that it's the bass players job to make "the groove so deep it becomes a ditch", and I've taken that to heart. Whether it's roots and fifths or my best Jaco impersonation (which isn't very good) the key is to keep the song anchored. If you see the bass as a 4-string guitar and not as a part of the rhythm section then it's never gonna satisfy you. But when you can rest in the cradle of a groove then it'll make you as happy as music ever possibly can.

Now I'm really looking forward to tomorrow.

[Rick Towne]

I learned bass because there was often a vacancy at the piano-driven pentecostal-style Church on the Way where I started playing. I still played guitar most often. When we started attending Toronto-style renewal meetings in Pasadena, in 1995, (overlapping COTW for six months-usually playing five separate service per week) and began playing contemporary (i.e. Vineyard, early Delirious and Matt Redman) guitar-oriented worship I joined a band with a bass vacancy and got a G&L L-2500 5 string. I have had a Pedulla 5, a Zon 5 and now have a Rondo 6, while I search for another lightweight 5. The 6 string was $250, and plays fine. Basic playing style is Jamerson/Nashville. Favorite CCM/worship bassists are Nashville based Gary Lunn and Michael Rhodes. Still play guitar 95% of the time but always have the bass there if needed.

[jazzrat]

I play lead guitar but, I think I'm actually a better bass player. I really love to lock in with the drummer. I don't find it boring at all.
I play a fretless so I enjoy a more melodic style on occasion too.

[bobthecanadian]

Like you, Goldilocks, I like to play when the drummer is good. Playing with a hokey drummer is too much work and no fun.

Bob

[stoopalini]

I'm usually on rhythm electric, and sometimes on lead electric, with my wife being the primary bassist. I do get to fill in for her from time to time, and I really look forward to those times; mostly because I love playing her 5-string Ernie Ball! What a great instrument!

We've added 'Break Free' by Hillsong into our rotation, and man, what a great bass line in that tune! My wife played it today, and did a great job with all the movement in it!

I agree with previous comments: The better the drummer, the more fun, relaxing, and sense of creativity I have playing bass.

Thomas.

[psychetelec]

I play every Sunday unless my "real" band is out of town. I rotate basses for the church band and right now I'm digging my new Ibanez. I use a boss bass chorus a lot 'cause Peter Hook is a big influence on my playing, fits the music well.

[Brian Krashpad]

When I was church-playing I had to handle both electric guitar and bass. So if it was a rhythmic song that didn't need electric guitar (we had another guy playing rhythm on acoustic-electric), I would play bass to give myself a break and break things up during the service. Maybe one or two songs per service, to 3 or 4 depending on what the songs that week were.

Bass is fun.

[Danno]

Originally Posted by GoldieLocks

Just curious how many people here play bass in church?

I was just reading Danno's post about his promotion to bassist. Congratulations. (you should be able to have fun since you're using a Firebird) Is it a Gibson or Epiphone?

Hey Goldie. It's an Epiphone. She's rock solid, built like a tank. I have a buddy constantly trading and somehow or another I wound up with it. Always wanted one though I've never had a hankerin' to play bass (just wanted one at the time for home recording).

Sitting in with the guys totally opened up my eyes and ears to what being in the bass role is like. I leaned on my 30 years of drumming experience more than anything and the drummer seemed very pleased that I was locking in with his bass drum. This was my first time at a non-drum role within a band - strange yet familiar. The drummer said that sounded like his first wife.

[psychetelec]

Got a hearty "AMEN" after the bass solo in a tune during yesterday's service.

[Rick Towne]

Originally Posted by psychetelec

Got a hearty "AMEN" after the bass solo in a tune during yesterday's service.

..............

[telered]

Just recently joined a new church so not playing yet - but for the last 20 years or so have been playing mostly bass in praise bands.

I recently got a 2002 MM Stingray 4 and love it. It can do it all and its real fun to play. Kinda retired my '74 Jazz bass cause of the weight, but now and then it gets some time.

I have played electric rythym from time to time and that's a blast as well.

Hey, we need more Bass threads!!!

[Trimmed&Burnin]

I get to break out my fretless from time to time. I usually play guitar but I cherish and look forward to the times I get to play bass.

[Ptrallan01]

As a bass player and was starting to get the groove down well, and another guy showed up who already had the groove so I moved to guitar. Lost our drummer, bass guy went to drums I went back to bass. Got another drummer bass guy back to bass. I'm back to guitar and haven't touched either bass in about six months. I've got a cheap samick jazz bass and a Tacouma Thunderchief Acoustic that I tried to sell, twice, but its too much fun and sounds too good to get rid of.

[Tele295]

We don't have a drummer, but I play bass instruments (electric bass, upright bass, and cello as the mood or season suits me) as an accompaniest to the pianist/cantor.

[iansmitchell]

Originally Posted by Tele295

We don't have a drummer, but I play bass instruments (electric bass, upright bass, and cello as the mood or season suits me) as an accompaniest to the pianist/cantor.

For someone who started on electric guitar and only picked up bass for mostly American rock songs, It IS boring.
Reggae basslines, however, are simply amazing, difficult yet easy, and a blast.

Cello, however, is an amazing instrument(atleast by apocolyptica or the string quartet)

[Danno]

Had my first gig as a bass player Friday night. Actually it was my first gig as anything other than being the drummer. Very cool. It was a one off performance with folks from our worship team playing "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack. Really opened my eyes to that type of music and it was such a good challenge for me to come in at the last minute and sit in with such a seasoned group of players.

The drummer and guitarist/team leader are really adamant about me playing with them which is really flattering given these guy's talent. My wife and I are having to address some open issues before we join the church so no joining the team until that point. Kindly pray for us if you feel led. I also want to thoroughly search my motivation in all of this to make sure I am first and foremost serving God, the church body, and being mindful of the precious time I have with my young family.

God Bless.

Edit: The current rig is my trusty Epi T-bird and Peavey Minx amp. I have little tied up in this rig and it sounds so good! The Lord has seen fit to bless me with this outstanding combo.

[JohnSS]

Presently switching between playing bass (50%) electric slide/lead (40%) or 12 string acoustic (10%) at church. Church bass is a very nice Ibanez GSR200, though if needed, I have an Ibanez Artist prototype and a 70's Jazz Bass that I can play. I play whatever instrument the music director requests. After all, we're doing it to serve God, right?

[Preacher]

got to play this weekend, normal bass player (somewhat inexperienced) was gone and I got to lay down the groove. The drummer said it felt different... helps when someone is making him keep time instead of trying to find where he is going.
I really enjoy playing bass...

[jspeter51]

Man, check out Salvation is Here by Hillsong, or some PLanetshakers stuff. Both of those bass players take any kind of boring out of bass playing in church. I myself play on occasion, and the drummer and myself lock in and let loose where the tune allows. Not a lot of slap opportunities in How Great is Our God, lol

[TxTeleMan]

I've been playing guitar in church for 30+ years. First on electric, then acoustic, and Tele for the last 8 years. During these past 8 years I also played electric bass.

Our church had a lead guitarist, and the bass player needed to scale back, so I played the church's G&L 5-sting, which took a lot of getting used to, as I switched of electric guitar and bass in a band before then. When the lead player left, I was there every Sunday, either on the Tele, or G&L.

Now, I'm starting with another church on bass, using a Godin SD-4.

My main bass influence is Rick Danko, so playing bass in contemporary worship music is a whole 'nuther thing. Some of the bass parts are boring... straight 8s on an A for two bars, then straight 8s on an E is not my idea of excitement, but sometimes that's what the song calls for, much like strumming a G chord in double 4 in the first position for four bars.

I don't know most of the worship songs from the CDs, so I make up most of my own bass parts.

The best part is hooking up the beat with a good drummer (if you can find one)!

[tom grossheider]

Been subbing on bass for a while now, and I really love it. Get right in that groove pocket and it is so sweet. Way different than guitar (which I play mostly) but much nicer.

[randelli]

I alternate between guitar and bass at our church. I really do not know which I prefer as they both have their own high's and low's. I am slightly more at ease on the bass because I am not out in front and get to slip in some funk and soul. I really like trading octaves with the lead guitar and soloing up at 12-16 frets.

When the people get involved and start worshiping it is better than any bar crowd.

[pshuffield]

I started on acoustic guitar then moved to bass and now I play lead electric guitar. On occasion, I will move to bass and a couple of time, I have actually played all three during one service based on the songs we were doing. I just enjoy playing, so I will play where ever they want me too.

[ravindave_3600]

Lately I've been playing more bass. Usually I do leads, but I found out the bass player really wanted to play guitar. OK, why not? He seems happier, the bass playing is just as good, and I'm getting to train the jr.hi-aged drummer. And ego boost? People have said they like me on bass AND they miss my leads!