Can you be JUST A BASSIST? | EP57 | The SBL Podcast

193 | EP57 | Can you be JUST A BASSIST?
Despite there being countless benefits, many bass players never think beyond learning to play their first instrument. But for the few that do, a whole world of opportunities awaits. In this episode, Scott and Ian debate over whether or not you should learn to play more than just the bass, and unravel some insights that just might convince you to go for it.
In this episode you're going to learn:
About Scott’s early start on classical guitar
Why Ian is laser focussed on just the bass
Why so many great bass players also play the drums
How Scott got his piano chops together
Ian’s one big regret from music college
And much more!
[ - PODCAST - ]
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[@kevinmcpeekjr]

I was going to say the same thing regarding drums. I played bass in high school and then I quit and played drums for 10 years. I’ve been back on the bass for about 5 years now and it has made me so much more of a bass player than I ever imagined. Nothing better than playing along side of a drummer that plays just like you do. That is the ultimate locked in relationship between two instruments. I love it!

[@elienasr]

Completly agree on playing soft simple and confident on drums....Love them tooo...omg

[@elienasr]

Khruanbjin 😍

[@amyton3043]

Mark King is a beast of a drummer.

[@lheggestad]

I kept thinking about Rick Beato during this episode - he IS everything they're talking about. AND he started out as a bass player.

[@TimMoxeyMusic]

I’m a singer and have taught singing for over 20 years and I encouraging my students to play keys all the time. If singers don’t have a an instrument as a reference point sometimes it’s like stabbing in the dark when it comes to music theory, pitching, rhythm… we even did rhythm reading exercises with all the singers at my school to break the stereotype of singer having terrible rhythm. 😂

[@supersam1914]

Players path is dope I love it . And the recommended courses are perfect in relation to the level your on . I first came across SBL years ago but never joined because I felt the courses were great but in no particular order . Now I feel like I’m systematically getting better and pushing myself hard with some of these songs that I would not have been good enough to play before .

[@rokuteam]

I started playing trombone when I was nine, but not seriously until high school. I didn't plan on playing bass, but I was asked by friends if I would be interested. I fell in love with it and it eventually became my primary instrument. Because of my background, I learned to read music first. With bass, I learned to read chord charts, improvise and play by ear.

[@grzegorzkurek9604]

Mavericks! ;-)

[@garrettlowell7637]

Ian beat-boxing. Priceless.

[@joannalewis5279]

Learning keys

[@kmrumedy]

I was telling your office manager a year ago that with your Players Path (PP) product, you are missing out on a big opportunity. You could reverse engineer PP into one of the best ear training products on the market. A complete disrupter in the market place. Please reach out if you ever want to discuss. I do this for a living. Just a paid life time subscriber of your service that wants to help out. Not looking for anything in return. Just love what you guys do.

[@Rustinho]

Bought a "proper" acoustic drum kit as a present for my son's 14th birthday. (He'd previously had an electronic kit). He's encouraged me to play it and it's a real eye opener on bass playing.

[@johnnybassman5997]

I agree that playing multiple instruments is a benefit. In my Rufus Reed Evolving Bassist book (from the 1970's) always instructs you to "go to the piano" and play the chords to the bass line, so you can understand how it fits. One other thing (ad maybe I state the obvious) that has helped set me apart from other potential bass players when bands are looking is vocals. If you can use that "instrument" your value quickly adds up, even just backing vocals. Singing background vocals has also improved my understanding of harmonies.

[@llarryamrose3980]

If you want an interesting secondary instrument, that also gives you an in to doing triggering of keyboard sounds/effect in recording, take a look at Roger Linn's "LinnStrument". It's a keyboard controller that's laid out like a guitar or bass (or programmable to other layouts if desired). I have no business interest, I've just owned one for 4 years or so, and I love it.

[@graemerobertson5160]

Yes you can be just a bassist if you want. But if you play other instruments so much the better. I started off in guitar and it gave me fretboard knowledgeable as well as a whole host of transferable skills. I always regard myself as a guitarist and a bass player. Not a guitarist who does bass as a side interest. I have acquired keyboard skills in later years too,and I feel so much more enlightened using the three. But I am giving violin a go too.

[@JasonFerguson17t]

I love these! Sometimes I really feel like I'm on an island as bass player...

[@Baelthaazar]

I started out on guitar, but my love was bass... I played tuba in a few concert bands and a marching band to be honest. I picked up a bass guitar, and the rest is history. I've been playing bass as my main instrument for the last 48 years, playing all kinds of music, mostly in bar bands. Where is this going? Well, was playing bass with a bunch of guys from work doing retirement home gigs. Unfortunately, I had to step out when the rest of the band retired from the office. When I finally retired, they guys were overjoyed and asked me to come back... but to play percussion, one of the guys plays an upright. So for the last four years, I've been learning how to play various percussion instruments (djembe, bodhran, cajon, etc.) with the boys every Tuesday at rehearsals and all those retirement home gigs. I've recently added a hi-hat to the cajon, and I continue to work on my technique and musicality. Because of this, I've learned so much about rhythm and it's interaction with the rest of the band. I can honestly say that playing percussion has made me a better bassist.

[@garrettlowell7637]

Playing bass has tremendously improved my guitar playing. And vice-versa.

[@Nugmania1]

Bonkers, big brother chiming in. All good bass players are drummers, not necessarily mechanically, but in the understanding of what they are doing. Your overall woodshed is crucial to be musician

[@abbeyna01]

This is very timely for me. I’m thinking of starting on my fourth instrument now. It would be guitar.

[@marccolon5458]

Speaking of bass players that play drums…Mark King started off on drums and is amazing!! The only place you can really hear him is on his solo album that he released on the 80s. Hopefully this works, but here’s my favorite track. Yes, that’s him on drums! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpOQloZped6rl5I

[@simonbowkett124]

I’d include singing in this. Also it’ll really help getting gigs.

[@williamdeming853]

Iceman Hof, cold showers are awesome to start. 1, 2 minutes and work up!

[@christianscott6963]

Drummers also never use the word "skins" hahah

[@supersam1914]

How many basses does everyone think He owns lol ?

[@christianscott6963]

Scott and Ian combined? total value, or strictly quantity? Idk? More than 10 each?

[@supersam1914]

@@christianscott6963 Ian alone , what’s the over under ? 10? I’m going over

[@garrettlowell7637]

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