I launched The Gigging Bass Player a few months ago, and I’ll admit that I haven’t posted here nearly as much as I had planned. However, the slow trickle of new readers and comments has inspired me to get back to it.

I just want to make sure everyone (ok, all seven of you) knows my irregular and infrequent posting schedule has nothing to do with a lack of interest or commitment to maintaining this site. It’s just that I hesitate to post unless I have something REALLY compelling to say.  I think I just need to learn how to balance being regular and being perfect. But enough with the excuses . . .

I’m discovering that there’s an audience of bass players out there who are interested in more than just the usual shop-talk about their favorite gear and favorite players. That’s good, because gear-talk bores me, and there’s really only a handful of favorite bass players that I’m interested in discussing.

The bass guitar is a powerful instrument which stirs powerful emotions. And we bass players are passionate about our instruments and our craft. That’s what I’m hearing from those who’ve posted comments, and that’s what inspires me.

After all these years, I still can’t wait to get up on that stage and make everything shake with my low-frequency assault.  Freakin’ love that shit. I think you all feel the same way.

Thanks to everyone who’s stopped by to check out The Gigging Bass Player. And thanks especially to those who’ve commented. As I said before, your thoughts, opinions and experiences are vital to this blog. So don’t be shy. Speak up and tell me about yourself. Or tell me what you’re interested in reading about.  And I’ll do my best to deliver.

OK, time to get down to business.

If you read the first post of this shiny new web-site, you may be asking yourself a few questions.

Such as:

“Who the hell is the Gigging Bass Player?”

“What’s the point of this site, anyway?”

“Why should I bother coming back?”

“All the bass players I know are inarticulate, mouth-breathing, knuckle-dragging Neanderthals who are incapable of stringing together a coherent sentence, let alone carrying on a semi-intelligent conversation. What the hell makes this jackass so special??”

Umm, who let the guitar player in here?

Hey, guitar player! Be nice or go home!

Is he gone??  Ok, good.

Now, let me do my best to answer the first three questions:

Who the hell is the Gigging Bass Player?

Hi, I’m Paul. I’ve been playing bass for almost 25 years.

That’s a long time.

I’ve played basements, garages, backyards, nightclubs, chicken-wing joints, biker bars, big stages, little stages, outdoor festivals, indoor festivals and too many other places to mention.

I’ve played in original bands and cover bands.

Done some studio work.

I’ve played with some awesome musicians — and some embarrassingly shitty musicians.

When it comes to the bass, I kinda know what I’m talking about.

But I don’t want to bore you with all my personal details. For now, lets just say I’ve been around the block, played in a bunch of bands and played a shit-load of gigs. I’ve developed some ideas, opinions and thoughts along the way, which I plan to share here.

So, I am the Gigging Bass Player.

But this site isn’t just about me. It’s also about you. You are also the Gigging Bass Player.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a full-time pro or a weekend warrior.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve been playing for 3 weeks or 30 years. It doesn’t matter whether you play punk, country, metal or jazz.

You have thoughts, ideas and opinions. And I want to hear them. This site will only be a success if you get involved in the conversation.

If I’m the only one that’s talking, well, that’ll just be sad and pathetic.

You have just as much to give as I do. So don’t be shy — leave a comment and tell me what you think.

What’s the point of this site?

As a performing or aspiring bassist, I want you to come here to be informed, entertained and inspired.

Opinions will be shared. Advice will be dispensed. Stories will be told. Rants will be delivered.

Hell, I may even throw in the odd video post and play a little bass for ‘ya.

Beyond that, who knows?  We’ll see where things go . . .

Why should you bother coming back?

If you show up once and never come back, you’ll hurt my feelings.

Seriously.  You’ll give me a complex.

I’m fragile that way.

Also, I plan to post here at least 2-3 times per week, so you’ll want to check back often. Better yet, grab a feed and have all those nuggets of bass wisdom delivered right to your grubby little hands as soon as they become available.

But enough about me and my plans.

What do you want to see on The Gigging Bass Player? Drop in, say hello, and let me know what you want to talk about.