GUITAR
PLAYING BASS FROM A GUITARIST POINT OF VIEW | Chris Rocha
I ’ ve been playing electric guitar since the age of seven , but I ’ ve also been able to transition myself as a bass guitar player as well . I ’ ve produced over 100 productions in my life and in most of those productions I ’ ve also recorded the bass guitar . I think that being able to play bass if you ’ re a guitar player can be very useful . I ’ ve heard and seen so many churches that need bass players . I ’ ve also seen guitar players that started playing bass and had it become their primary instrument . Let ’ s dive into the unique perspective of us guitar players that have picked up the mantle and taken over the bass player position .
About 20 years ago I moved from Dallas to Houston with my band and we started playing worship at a gospel church . I was offered the bass player position , so I took that on and had a great time doing it . I was already skilled and had most of the classic techniques such as slap and could hold down a solid groove . I loved the contrast going from guitar to bass . One gives the song so much color and personality while the other one offers the stability and rhythm the song needs .
I learned to think differently as a bass player . I felt like I was fused with the drummer . The musical relationship that a drummer has with the bass is a special one . They both come together to make the song feel on beat and in time . It ’ s the glue that holds all the sound together . The foundation , the frame . If the bass line is the concrete foundation , the guitar is the paint . I remember I once tried to do a rehearsal without a bass player , and it was a total fail . I felt extremely disappointed with what we were creating . It didn ’ t matter how great my tone was , or how nice I was playing , the song was in dire need of resuscitation . So , I did the only logical thing , I cancelled rehearsal . Lol .
The bass also provides the listener with clarity as to which underlying chord is being played . Imagine listening to a piano player and just hearing what they ’ re playing with their right hand . It wouldn ’ t sound complete . What the left hand does is also important . Sometimes what chord the guitar player plays and the note the bass does are totally different but once they come together it just makes sense .
For some reason there is a huge need for bass players in churches and in bands . I met a bass player once from Nashville that was primarily a guitar player , but he hardly played guitar . He told me that there was a lack of good bass players in the industry , so he was set with work . Sometimes making that switch , even if it ’ s just for a season can be very helpful .
If you are a guitar player playing bass for a time let ’ s keep these three things in mind :
1 ). Make sure to practice the basics . Learn to use your fingers , not just the pic . The tone you get with your fingers is warmer and can get you a fatter tone . I do love the sound of a pic on a bass , but it only works in certain situations .
2 ). Remember that the groove can determine how gratifying the music can be . Link up with the drummer ’ s bass drum and snare like your life depends on it .
3 ). Learn the song well and don ’ t overplay . I remember I once had a very talented bass player fill in at my church a few years ago . He did his homework and learned the songs well … however he was busy with what he played . After the service he asked for my advice . I told him , “ Less is more ”. If you want to get more opportunities , you want to impress the producers and music directors and they do not care how much you can play . They care how you nice you make the song feel .
One last thing I want to leave you all with is that taking on the much-needed bass player position can be one of the best decisions you can make . On top of providing a need for your church ( which is something that God sees and appreciates ), it can also help you make valuable connections . I played bass at a church conference once and the drummer came in from out of town to play . He was so impressed with me that he invited me to go play at his church . I told him that bass was my second instrument ,
that I played more guitar . A few years went by , and I found myself living in his city . I called him and he invited me to play at his church . This time I played guitar with him . He introduced me to the pastor who was also impressed with me . Long story short , the pastor offered me a position at the church . 20 years later I ’ m still there as the music department director . I met my wife there and now my kids are there running the halls and see the church as a staple in their life . Playing bass at a church conference years back helped me make a God divine connection . It can also do the same for you .
Chris Rocha Chris Rocha is an American Christian producer , guitarist , business owner and pioneer in the Spanish Christian music industry . He is a two time Dove Award winner , has worked on two Grammy award winning records and has produced or recorded guitars on 5 Grammy nominated albums .