For many years, the bass guitar player was the guy in the background. He played the bass lines but had nothing to say and no technique to show off. Here is Victor Wooten to show that is not true:
The bass guitar was first used in the nineteen thirties but did not become popular until the nineteen fifties. This was when the familiar format of rock groups emerged, with a lead singer backed by lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass guitar and drums.
Over the years, the bass has occasionally been featured as a solo instrument. In 1938, two members of the Bobcats jazz group recorded “Big Noise from Winnetka” which featured double bass player Bob Haggart whistling the tune accompanying himself on bass, while drummer, Ray Bauduc hit the bass strings with drumsticks. Since the emergence of the bass guitar, a few interesting bass solos have hit the charts.
American record producer, Jack Nitzsche composed an instrumental called “The Lonely Surfer” which featured a bass guitar playing the melody, backed by an orchestra. In the early sixties, British bass player, Jet Harris had several instrumental hits with the bass taking the role of the lead guitar. The Shadows – Harris’ old band – had a hit in 1964 with a six-string bass solo called “Stingray”, and in 1965, The Who’s first hit, “My Generation” featured a bass solo.
This video features 9 string extended range bassist Gregory Greg Bruce Campbell.
Most bass players seem to have learnt to play the guitar first, but it is not absolutely necessary. You will probably want to experiment a little before you decide on whether to play bass with a plectrum or your fingers. You can find bass tabs on the internet, and free video lessons on YouTube.
Here is a link to some free bass lessons
