The Bass

Now about playing the bass.  I had the feeling of wanting to learn how to play the bass guitar, for quite some time now.  I've known a few people in bands who play various different instruments, and I always wondered if it was hard to learn.  I even wondered if I could learn to play....didn't I need to be "talented" ?  Whenever I would be listening to music, it was always the deep sound of the bass that got my attention.  I like to hear it, I like to watch people play the bass.  So after this long period of time I had finally decided that I might as well try it.  I had the desire and I felt as if I might just be able to do this....since I wanted to.  

Keep in mind I won't be going to any tryouts anytime soon to be in a band. lol  Nope.  Merely playing for the sheer enjoyment of it.  I like it.  I like the way it feels in my hands and how I can control the sounds that I make from it.  I like to find "fun" songs to play where you can really hear the bass and it has a deep sound that makes you notice.  And now my pet peeve is one where the songs have a bass that is just nothing more than a background beat, if you will.  It's sort of drowned out by everything else and the notes are only a few, nothing exciting to play if you know what I mean.

So what I do is I pick up my bass and plug in my amp.  I have about 5 or 6 favorite songs to play that I like.  I always pick something with meaning...to me, anyway.  And sometimes something that is just fun or has a fun little lick.  I have a wonderful friend here who plays the guitar.  He's been playing since he was like 12 and he owns a nice little very-well-worn and played '72 Strat that believe it or not has the back of it signed by the one and only Ingwie Malmsteen himself.  My friend is the best that I've ever heard.  He does some crazy, insane, sick licks and just amazes me all the time.  Well, anyway...we hang out together and jam.  He teaches me some things (he can also play the bass) and I learn so much from him.  Mostly what I learn is how freaking good he is.  Yes, he did play in bands.  Right now he's writing some music for some friends of his.

I'm building my song list that I play.  Just to give you an idea of my taste in what songs I play on my bass...here are a few of my favs.  I play an old Cream song, called "Sunshine of My Love".  It's awesome.

I also play a couple of old classic Dio songs, one classic Deep Purple, and one cool W.A.S.P. song.  It's so crazy.  These songs are so much fun to play.  I work everyday and sometimes have late hours if I get overtime so I don't get to play as often as I'd like to.  But I'll be sitting there at work and be listening to a song and I'll be thinking...."wow, I'd like to play that". lol  Or I'll even listen to the ones I'm already playing and I'll be thinking....."yeah, that rocks."

I need to practice more and get better.  There is a lot to learn and I want to get good enough to feel really comfortable with it.  To just be able to pick it up and play like maybe 6 to 15 songs that I know from playing all the time.  And my friend says that if I get good enough I could maybe play bass for someone...oh, I don't know about that.  You just never know.  Maybe a local band here..I already know a few.  I have more songs that I'll be learning.  One of them includes an old Tora Tora song...for those of you who remember them. 

In the future maybe I'll get video up and you can see me play. :)  haha Imagine...I fit the part even. A rock n roll chick with long hair and lots of tattoos.  Well, I'll have to put up some pics of the new tats too some day.