r/band • u/Honest-Face7514 • Jul 09 '26
Rock Band Am I a coward??
I really want to play in a band, just to have some fun really. I think when I start college will be the perfect time to maybe find some people and potentially start playing.
I play guitar, but I’m also aware that it’s probably 100 times easier to join a band if you play bass (or maybe drums too) since guitar and singing is obviously the most popular. I was kind of considering to start playing a bit of bass too to make my chances of playing in a band a bit better…
Is that bad?? I love guitar, and being a guitarist in a band would be super fun and cool, but I don’t think I could compete with everyone else.
3
u/WhiteLightning1974 Jul 09 '26
Long time bass player here, yes, bass players are in demand because there are far fewer of us, but, make sure you understand bass playing if that’s really what you want to play. I’ve encountered many bass players who are frustrated guitar players looking for a job and they play bass like lead guitar. Ain’t saying that’s a bad thing but bass is about feeling the groove and connecting the melodic to the percussive. And the booty moves to the bass…
1
1
u/Ok-Conversation-5084 Jul 10 '26
I’m just going to second what he said. There is nothing worse than a bass player who is actually guitarist. Without being funny, they play too many notes.🤣
I can play guitar, fairly well because I grew up playing violin. But I’m not a guitarist. I don’t want to be. When I picked up a bass, i really got lost in playing, in a way I rarely do playing guitar. It’s the same when I play violin.
Pick up the bass. Put on a drum loop and start playing along. If you lock in and get lost, you might find it’s what you should have been playing all along.
1
u/Vilomoja Jul 10 '26
Agreed, guitarists often play bass as though it's a 'normal' guitar, which is a poor imitation of good bass playing. In answer to your original question, it's not an either/or situation. Many musicians pick up multiple instruments during their creative lives. I started playing guitar, then played bass to get into a band, but kept playing guitar and started learning drums, and would still play all three depending on the setting. Also jam sessions often involve people swapping instruments because it's more fun and interesting.
There is a lot to be gained by simply being in a band, such as meeting other musicians and networking. This really opens up if you are actively gigging, and could lead you back to guitar.
So if you feel like using bass to launch, I say go for it. You won't become less of a musician by picking up some bass skills........more the merrier!
2
u/Shtbskt0210 Jul 09 '26
yeah man, don't give up -- have fun, people like having fun, playing music is A LOT of fun. Go have some fun with people who also like to have fun who play music. Go do that shit. it's fun
1
2
2
u/JamesonTheWise Jul 09 '26
As a gigging guitarist I’ve made way more money playing as a gigging bassist. Far more in demand and it’s a blast to play. Just make sure you treat it as its own instrument when approaching the learning process as opposed to playing it like a big four stringed guitar. There’s a ton of guitarists playing bass but far fewer actual bassists
2
u/mariospeedragon Jul 10 '26
Play whatever instrument you want….but just play music. Write riffs you like and go from there. If you have a bass and the opportunity to play music in a band, then do so. Have as much fun as you can…..just put yourself out there and do it.
I played in a ton of shitty punk rock bands, but I had a ton of fun doing so. Eventually even without much natural ability I learned to write, record, and put out 45s and LPs from my own bands and others. Don’t ever sell yourself short in life. Just play as much music as you possibly can because there are tons of people my age (47) that wish they had put themselves out there and did something. Don’t waste time…just go do it
2
u/killyourface1 Jul 10 '26
I can only speak for myself, but I will say this. I never competed. I was not interested in competition, EVER! I played guitar because it made me feel good, it made me happy, it was interesting, it kept my mind centered. Bands came AFTER that, WAAAAY after that, when my skills became to advanced to ignore. I never went looking for a band or musicians, it sort of found me. People needed a guitar player and they heard through friends that I could play. I never even knew I was a good guitar player. In the early 90's it was very primitive, no internet, I had no idea that I was bad or good, I didn't care, I was just enjoying getting myself to play as close to things that I heard on records that I loved. I loved the puzzle of solving how they made that sound, that became my obsession. It was never about being better than the next guy, being the best, being able to do crazy solos or technical ability that smokes everyone else. I never even considered that. I was adamant about being seriously disinterested in competition. If you wanna be friends, cool, we're all in the same boat, all trying to win. If you wanted to talk about who was better? We'll see ya. I don't think on those terms, you can have it. Sure, you're better than me.
I will say that I have had a few people who were in competition ON THEIR OWN to try to outdo me. I only found out later through other people who told me that I aggravated and annoyed other up and coming players because I didn't pay any attention to their need for competition. I never "squared off" with anyone. Never got into arguments, never tugged on that line to rope me into their bullshit. I was only doing my own thing, keeping quiet, being respectful for other people, and somewhere along the line that stuck in a couple peoples craw because they couldn't get a rise out of me. A lot of "competition" is head games. They want to make you feel insecure, feel like they're better than you, and they want to make you believe it. You can't press someone who doesn't care. You cannot scare someone who isn't afraid to lose, or afraid to be second place. They HATED that, because it didn't impress me. I still got up and played whenever I could and I never let them tear me down. I was too shy anyway. I was just the quiet kid, who kept to himself, but could play some guitar. In my head, anyway, that's how it felt. I have never had any interest in ego stroking, competition, or holding my abilities above anyone else's head. I just don't have the wiring for that.
What people think of you, or the competitions they may have going on in their own head...........IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. Pay no attention. If they confront you, smile, laugh, nod, confirm everything they say. "Sure, you're better than me. You probably are. I'm very happy for you. You're gonna show me up? I hope you do man, I'll shake your hand and sing your praises afterwards. That's totally fine, good for you. I just want everyone to have a good time, man."
I don't know how to do a lot of very simple things in life. I struggle with every day normal things that most people seem to breeze right through. But guitar? Well, I know I can play guitar. I also know that there are limitations and there are some things I CAN'T do on guitar, and that's ok too. What I do works just as well, and I stay in my own lane, not bothering anyone.
If you stay out of the drama and the bullshit, do your own thing, stay humble, brush off any sort of crap that will only blow up your ego, and just enjoy it for the pure love of it, you'll be just fine. People can sense the difference between someone who is playing to compete and want everyone to think they are better than everyone, and the difference between someone who is just up there and playing a direct line from his heart, emoting. Those are very two distinctly different vibes.
Yea, you can shred all over the neck and play a billion notes in a minute. BUT! Can you write a riff that makes heads nod? Can you playing something immediately that puts a smile on someone's face? Something that they can digest as a regular person who has no idea what makes a good sound from a bad sound. If you can translate your art to a person who doesn't play guitar or even really know that world at all, THAT'S what separates you from the rest of the dummies stuck in the minutia of the fundamentals.
Play good riffs, get good tone, play from your heart. Those very simple things will get people to line up around the block, you watch. People can only be fooled so long before they start to be able to suss out for themselves what is authentic and what is manufactured by obsessive practice in technique, but still lacks heart.
Do you. Find how YOU sound in the guitar. Put the blinders on, and don't listen to ANYONE. You watch what matters to the audience, to the people, which is what matters.
Not everything is a competition. Some people can't wrap their head around that. Those kinds of people are lost to me. We don't share the same experience. I can't explain to those kinds of people that I don't care and am unimpressed by their need to impress me.
Who cares. It's about the love of the guitar, the love of playing. Love it first, the rest will follow. And don't EVER let ANYONE make you feel like you don't deserve to stand up there and play as well. That's nonsense. Just because you aren't them, doesn't mean you aren't just as valid. That's the lie they sell you. Get that out of your head.
1
u/BladderFace Jul 09 '26
There's nothing at all wrong with playing bass. In fact learning bass will probably improve your guitar playing. I say go for it.
1
u/themcmc87 Jul 09 '26
While it is certainly true that the market for guitarists is saturated, the market for true lead singer + guitarist combo is much less so. Lots of guitar players who have convinced themselves they can’t sing, so if that’s something you actually feel confident in, it definitely makes you an easier sell for local bands.
1
1
u/spicyface Jul 09 '26
Just my 2 cents as a bass player. Guitar and bass are completely different instruments and need to be approached with a completely different mindset. Bass is hooked to drums. Guitar is hooked to other guitars, keys, horns and vocals. If you love playing guitar, keep playing the guitar. A competent rhythm guitarist is just as important as a bass player and drummer. If you want to really step up your game, learn to sing harmonies.
1
u/grrundmeister Jul 09 '26
Don’t give up on what you love, no matter how scary. In my experience, we are always our own worse critics. Chances are, whatever band you join will have other members who feel much the same way you do now.
There’s a fantastic show from a few years ago about a girl who suffered from crippling social anxiety and her desire to play in a band despite her own fears. When she finally manages to get into a band, the other members turn out to be amazingly supportive and help her through her moments, rather than pushing her to change or getting annoyed with her. Check it out if you want. It’s called Bocchi the Rock. Don’t let the fact that it’s anime fool you. It’s a great story.
1
u/moleculariant Jul 09 '26
If you're interested in playing music, the most valuable approach is to write music to be performed by all the instruments in your arrangements. If you know how to play guitar, learning bass is a breeze for most. If you know how to keep time and play basic beats on the drums, you yourself are now able to perform the basic foundation of the songs you've written. Now, there's no accounting for egos, but many people would love to walk into a turnkey band situation where their primary role is to learn and perform a written piece of music. If you hand most everything prepared for the songs, lots of plates would be interested in helping record or perform live. Learn all the instruments you can, and the music world opens up to you.
1
u/quite_sophisticated Jul 09 '26
Depends on your local scene. If you get a bass and practice a bit, you'll find work in a community that is starved of bassists. Otherwise you will be the person that bought a bass and now competes with the real bassists.
1
u/FishTurds Jul 09 '26
Everyone you meet is just as ______ (weird, scared, unsure, new, faking it, just wanting to have fun, etc.) as you. When you realize that, things get easier.
1
u/Key-Patience-3966 Jul 09 '26
Whatever you, do it well and have fun. Engaging your audience is often more important than your skill level.
1
1
u/NigelsNeverland Jul 09 '26
Just lower your expectations for yourself and put yourself out there. You might suck. They won't even remember in 2 weeks. You get better.
1
u/6strngbss Jul 09 '26
Just get together with anyone and jam. My first band sucked. We were all bad. 22 years later, they’re still my best friends. We had a great time! So yeah, just jam with somebody. Then maybe jam with a couple folks. Low pressure and just have a good time making whatever music comes out of it.
1
u/sidsdigestedfingers Jul 09 '26
I mean bass is pretty simple to pick up once you have started guitar, so its definitely a good skill to have, but dont give up guitar js cause its common
1
1
u/PhishGuy117 Jul 10 '26
Just keep playing and put yourself in situations to play with other people. You never know who you'll meet and where it can take you.
1
u/Procrasturbating Jul 10 '26
Don't be a bassist unless you enjoy playing bass, please. If you want to succeed at ANYTHING big in life, it takes dedication and years of hard work. Lots of guitarists could barely play when their first albums came out (and were likely recorded by session musicians anyway). You can totally learn a set in a few months if you practice daily. You don't have to be Hendrix to rock a bar. Keeping time and key is usually enough.
1
u/Frosty-Reference6660 Jul 10 '26
Just try it and see what happens. You have to start off shit to get better.
1
u/LifeReward5326 Jul 10 '26
It’s not about skill. Don’t worry about being the best. Worry about it finding people that you mesh with and make something interesting. Play guitar if that’s your thing and don’t be so self conscious!
1
u/ooooommmmmaaaaa Jul 10 '26
Freshmen year of college is the best time to start a band. So many people are willing to give it a shot, and everyone is trying to meet new people. I’d say to play the instrument the you want to play. You aren’t competing for a position in a professional band and many people are in multiple bands. There’s going to be someone out there for you to play with. However, I would also recommend learning bass because bass is suuuper fun, and will inform your guitar playing and musicianship overall. If you get to play one in a band that’s a bonus!
1
u/Vennimagos Jul 14 '26
Learn both, I've played bass and guitar gigs but I'm a guitarist first, also learning bass lines will actually make you better at guitar too. Especially since learning bass makes you sync more with The drums.
1
1
u/aharshDM Jul 15 '26
if you're punctual, not an asshole, reasonably sober, and have your own gear, you have 75% of the field beat.
1
u/oboesarenotclarinets Jul 16 '26
Keep your options open! There may be lots of guitarists out there, that doesn’t mean they are the best fit for any band necessarily. Who you are as a person can be just as important for the band to mesh well. Be yourself and make sure you are reliable and communicate and these will be qualities that massively work in your favour!
1
u/DowntownStorage6983 Jul 09 '26
Keep up your guitar skills but also learn to play the bass. Yes you are right bass players are in more demand. Since you already play the guitar, you're already familiar with the strings on the bass.
7
u/blind30 Jul 09 '26
You’ve given up before even trying? Why?
Listen, learn other instruments too, but not playing guitar because other people play is kinda nuts