So I've been asked a lot recently how I settled on playing bass as my main instrument.
Well, I started taking piano and organ lessons when I was about 8 years old with Mrs. Heatley, the organist at one of the neighbourhood churches. As a short sighted kid, I stopped taking lessons after 2 years, but continued to noodle on my own with the "toy" keyboard my parents had provided for my sister to take lessons on.
Fast forward a few years to age 12. All the kids at school were learning to play guitar. At church though, we were starting to move beyond organ and piano with drums, guitar, and you guessed it, bass guitar. I initially decided I wanted to be the bass player. My dad bought me first an acoustic guitar, then an electric guitar and an amp from an older guy in my youth group who was upgrading his guitar rig (I still have that amp today too!) At church, I was able to trade off duties back and forth on guitar and bass with Stephen Lewis (y'know, that guy who was MD for Sharon Riley and Faith Chorale)...he was a huge influence. Guys like Glen Myers and Orinn Isaacs were passing through Oakwood Wesleyan as well. Some great music was to be heard during the 80's (and up through today!)
I decided to join a neighbourhood youth group and eventually attended their Sunday services as well. There I was introduced to "Christian Rock" and bands like "Daniel Band" and "The Resurrection Band". Gradually, I got "seduced" by the guitar, and that became my primary instrument during the late 80s/early 90s. I joined a few bands playing rhthym guitars and doubling on keyboards as well. Sundays I'd take my rotation on piano (shoulda stuck with those piano lessons!) I took guitar in high school for the easy credit, but dropped it in the 2nd year due to boredom.
Beyond highschool, I started a few bands met some great musicians, they didn't really take off though. Switched churches, they already had great guitarists and bass players though, so I took my place on keys and organ once again, and so I shifted my focus once again instrumentally.
Let's fast forward a few years. I'd joined a band with a few friends as the keyboard player, we had two guitars, keys, and drums. I'd fake the bass line with my left hand, but for one song it just wasn't cutting it. I grabbed a bass that was laying around the practice space and we ran through the song with me on bass. I wish I remember what song that was now...anyway, I was "fired" as the keyboard player on the spot and "hired" as the bass player!
I haven't looked back since. I've always been groove/rhythm oriented, I think it's really where I was meant to be all these years. I don't neglect the other instruments I know how to play, and enjoy playing piano for the local school choir when asked and I enjoy playing guitar as well. I'll play keys when needed at church as well.
But for me, bass is where it's at. Took me a long time to realise it, but for the last 12 years it has been and will remain my main instrument. Just love playing bass. #MTD4LYFE #GKAllDay
That's it for this evening's post kiddies. Blessings!
