I just joined the forum and figured I’d introduce myself instead of quietly lurking.One thing I’ve always enjoyed about learning an instrument is how everyone has a different story. Some people picked up a bass because of a favorite band, others joined a band with friends, and some just wanted to try something new. This community looks like a great place to share those experiences and learn from each other.
So here’s my question: what was the first song that made you think, I want to play bass?I’d love to hear your stories, discover some new music, and get to know everyone here. Looking forward to being part of the discussions!
Hi @zenova welcome to the forum
Can’t tell you what specific song made me play bass , for me It’s the overall rhythm section vibe …
Since starting B2B my music taste and way of listening to music has broadened and improved
Not a particular song, but a particular genre. I started training for classical piano at the age of 8 in 1959. The music I heard growing up was classical and ‘30s and ‘40s swing. The Beatles exploding onto the musical scene opened my eyes, but what really motivated me were the bass lines in all of the Motown songs of the ‘60s. Only much later did I learn about James Jamerson. It was his bass lines that got the girls dancing and that’s exactly what I wanted to do.
I also picked up a used Farfisa Mini so I could play some simple keys on songs like 96 Tears while playing the bass line with my left hand. 8 years of classical piano study helped make that relatively easy for me. Didn’t help me with drums, though. I could never get my feet and hands doing 4 different things at the same time.
I also learned later about Carol Kaye, who played bass on so many of the originals my high school band covered.
So, those two bassists: James Jamerson and Carol Kaye.
@zenova Hi Zenova! Welcome to the forum! I realised you didn’t answer to your own question, and that would have been a better introduction What song or band(s) inspired you to start playing bass? For how long have you been playing? Tell more about yourself. We also have a thread called Introduce yourself (2026) and a thread Show Us Your Basses (Part 2). You could check them out and write there, and put pictures of your bass guitars.
But this is a good question for a thread, what song made us fall in love with playing bass. It is also a rather hard question to answer. I don’t have one specific song, mostly genres and bands. I love The Cure songs. They have so many great bass lines that I can’t pick one. Lullaby, Other Voices, Fascinating Street, A Forest. Also Joy Division and New Order have so many awesome bass lines. I would say The Cure had a major influence on me and led me to start playing bass. But I like playing so many other things now. Even Beatles.
Not a direct answer but relevant. I am a 69 yr old. beginner as well for about 2 months now. Have played guitar for a number of years and showed up to informal jam where there was miscommunication and we had 3 guitar players and a drummer. Drummer asked for volunteers to play bass. I said sure just because of the opportunity and the other two guitar players were better than me
On my second night playing bass, the guitar player taught me ‘Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison. I was hooked, fantastic song and the bass line was actually doable for me
Like some others, no particular song. I have put in so many hours of work over many years and decided I needed a hobby. Played a little drums in high school, but didn’t stick with it. Tried piano in my 30’s, but didn’t click for me.
I wanted something I could play quietly, and having large hands, I didn’t think a 6-string guitar was going to work.
I thought about bass and ran across some of Joss’ free videos, which basically hooked me. The idea of tying the drums and guitar together with the bass had a lot of appeal for me.
Not sure I’ll ever play in a band, but I love music. My wife and dogs are my audience for my mini-concerts.
I can’t pick a particular song that prompted me to take up bass. Probably the earliest strong planting of the seed was seeing Yes in concert when I was a teenager back in the 90’s. Chris Squire was a larger-than-life presence who dominated the stage.
Once taking up the bass, the song where I was finally like, “Yep. I have arrived. This is it,” was the Talking Heads’ “Take Me to the River”.
Hiya and welcome! I’ve been a crappy guitar player for most of my adult life and eventually realised that it’s the rhythm section in music that really speaks to me, all these years I’ve been listening with a bass players ear and trying to play that in guitar. I figured as I was always so riff oriented and neglecting the top 2 guitar strings that I’d better just follow my natural path and learn to play bass. Songs that have been real big I wanna plays vary from day to day but creams white room was a biggie and hey it’s not as hard as it sounds which was a happy surprise .
Thanks for all the great replies and the warm welcome! It’s been really fun seeing how different songs inspired everyone to pick up the bass.I’ve already added a few of the songs mentioned here to my playlist so I can give them a proper listen. It’s interesting how one song can completely change the way someone thinks about an instrument.
Keep the recommendations coming! I’m always looking for new bass lines to check out, whether they’re simple grooves or something a bit more challenging.
It took me a bit to figure out which ukulele bass she’s playing. It’s an Ortega LIZARD-BS-GB Bass Ukulele. There’s also a fretless version (LIZARD-BSFL-GB). Not expensive. Less than 450 €, 20% VAT included, here in France. Comes with a nice gig bag. I want one! Hers might be a higher end custom build.
Only a year older than @TheMaartian I also spent the 50s and early 60’s listening to Dad’s 30s & 40s Swing. I still love Sing, Sing, Sing and Big Noise from Winetka. Moving into the rock and soul eras in the 60s into the early 70s for high school and college years it was LA-based rock and Motown & Memphis Soul that pulled me into loving the bass sound. I was a huge fan (without realizing it) of Carole Kay and Duck Dunn decades before I learned who they were.
We had Columbia House for 8- track tapes and my Mom bought me Led Zeppelin, The Cars, and Aerosmith tapes for birthdays and Christmas. All were responsible as was Kiss Alive and Alive ll.
For me, the music that made me pay more attention to bass line was anime music. I had a moment in my life where I would listen to a lot of Japanese music, like the pillows or Asian Kung-Fu Generation, and find out the flavourful bassline that some of that music could contain. I went back to the music my parents made me discover when I was a child and those are staples where I come from, like Les Cowboys Fringants or Les Colocs, progressively learning to listen to basslines and gaining interest in bass players. I also had a long-time friend who plays guitar and another one who played the drums, so my interest in bass kind of fits into our share interest. These friends made me discover more bands like TOOL, and at some point, I just decided to learn bass…
What song or band(s) inspired you to start playing bass? For how long have you been playing? Tell more about yourself. We also have a thread called 
