You might be wondering why they call us Bass Players screwed up names such as Failed Guitarists. We didn’t fail at music, instead our critics failed to grasp what purposes we serve.
Bass Guitarists are Rhythmic
The Bassist keeps rhythm of the song, keeping the flow of the main lick going.
We are the low profile masters
The Lead Guitarist may show off with his epic solos and the crowd loves him. We are the glue that keeps the song together. Without both the Drummer and Bassist there is no band. If we wanted the spotlight we would have picked Lead Guitarist or Singer.
We are the Drummers partner
The Drummer and Bassist work together to make sure everyone is in same spot. Sure Electric Guitarists can work solo but there is a bigger purpose why Drummers and Bass Guitars are important.
Bass Guitarists and Drummers start first
If these two start the song the rhythm stays regardless if the Electric Guitarist goes off on a 10 minutes solo. If Guitarist starts first, no one can guess his complex solo and other band members have to wait until he’s done to resume playing.
Bass Guitar sound
If you are into low-pitched instruments like Tuba or Double Bass, then look no further. The best part about Bass Guitar is it never bothers someone’s ears like high-pitched Guitars. One could literally listen to Bass Guitar for a few hours but want to turn off a song within 3 minutes if a Guitarist going nuts with the highest pitched notes.
We can go Fretless
With a fretless Bass Guitar possibility are less restricted. We can hit notes in-between where the Fret positions would be. No more buzzing noise from metal frets, which ticks off Bassists with good hearing.
Fretless with “Cheater Lines”
Bass Guitars are also for sale as lined fretless. So beginners and intermediate players can use line markers to know where notes are. Our critics coined the term Cheater Lines as advanced Fretless players are able to play without any lines. Much like how a string instrument player does. Bass Guitarist that are not tone death can just play based on sound. You could literally hand a grand master an unlined Fretless Bass Guitar, and he will play based on what his ears hear. Without having to look at musical notation books.
More Musical Freedom with Fretless
We can slide and drag notes out to longer lengths.
We can play Funky
Larry Graham invented a method of playing the Bass Guitar that involves slapping and plucking it. He did this to compensate for a missing Drummer in his band. But now this method of playing has become very poplar among funk and Jazz Bassists.
We also could play lead
Bassists such as Les Claypool from the band Primus have enough talented to play lead role like a lead guitarist. Mr.Claypool plays a slapping, flamenco and plucking style. He is also able to sing lead vocal while doing this all at once.
We can use Whammy Bars too
Although rare some Bass Guitarist such as Les Claypool use a Whammy Bar on occasions.
We can make weird harmonic noises
Hitting the Bass Guitar the right way can make harp like harmonic noises.
Some of the finest looking paint jobs are on Bass Guitars
Natural looking finishes, neck thru, fantasy wood stained color and even metallic color ones. If you are looking for a one of a kind Bass Guitar, you got tons of options. Heck, if you are rich enough you can have one custom-made.
Closing Statement
Not all instruments are for everyone, pick whatever suits your interests and stick to it. Don’t look at one instrument as better than another. Play and enjoy the music. Personally I picked Bass Guitar due to falling in love with the tone and having too thick of fingers to play Electric Guitar or Classical Guitar.
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