What got you playing bass?

In the late 70's I was playing guitar in a fusion band.
It was 3 guitars, drums and synth.
We needed a bass player so I volunteered even though I was not much of
a bass player.
I borrowed a friends Mosrite bass and got to work learning how to play
it.
Not being a finger picker I used a pick.
Even though this was not a fusion tune I learned to play Hotel
California close to note for note.
I played mostly by ear and I liked the sounds of chord extensions
rather than playing Root or the 5th.
Instead of a 5th I played a 12th.
(I know the 12th is the same note as a 5th but it is an octave higher
{often used in vocal harmony and keyboard})
My playing with the fusion band was all improv but it worked out OK
for the most part.
Later a rock band I was in needed a bass so once again I volunteered.
This time I had my own bass, Fender P Lyte.
I picked up a 5 string fretless with lines but my intonation was not
good except on slower songs.
I sold it and got a Stingray fretted bass.
I am still primarily a guitar/keyboard player but I played bass in
several bands.
The best advice I got was to NOT play the bass like a guitar.
It still takes me a week or so to get bass in my head.
It is a whole different way of thinking.
I can play one or the other but I can't switch to bass for a couple
songs then back to guitar.
Guitar screws up my bass playing and bass screws up my guitar playing.
Even though they are both considered as guitars they are two totally
different animals.

Pt
.

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