Bass guitar played with drumsticks?

Question

I was told ny someone there is a technique in which the bassist plays using drumsticks. Is this true and if so, how do I play like this?
Any help appreciated!

Answer 1

Yes..well, kind of.

Tony Levin, formerly of King Crimson and Reunion (Yes) played a type of bass that used stick-type extensions attached to the fingers, then these sticks were used to tap the strings. Very cool, I saw them in concert.

The bass he used is called the Chapman Stick and the sticks he invented and used are called "Funk Fingers".

Answer 2

This is OK as a gimmick on stage, but is not a serious technique. You can either fret with the left hand and offer the bass to the drummer to hit the strings, or use the sticks yourself to play the open strings. Best would be to fret with the left hand as normal and just use one stick to hit the strings. Don't expect it to sound great, but with practice you could play very quickly.

If you want something that gets audience appreciation, get a chello bow and bow the strings. This enables you to have full control with the left hand and you soon get the hang of bowing individual strings and can therefore play properly. The drumsticks thing is very hit and miss, so you can't really play a tune or bassline for any length of time.

Whilst any of these needs practice, please don't spend too long on any of them and neglect normal playing technique, remember that it is normal playing that you will spend 99% of your time doing. get the basics mastered before spending too long on gimmicks.

keep on rocking!

Answer 3

I used to play in a band with a bass player who did this. It doesn't sound great but it's really fun live. It relies on great communication and understanding between drummer and bass player. Go into a bass solo and when you're ready step up to the drum kit and offer your axe to the drummer. As someone else said, the drummer becomes your right hand (assuming you're right handed) and you play the fret board with the left. There is poor accuracy in terms of which string(s) the drummer will hit, so chords work best, but get them to play a rhythm.

With so many bass player saying they haven't heard of this I now think it's kinda cool :-)

Answer 4

Been playing bass 16 yrs and never heard of it although it is possible. Fret normally with your left hand (if you're right handed) and strike a rhythm with the sticks directly over your pickups. But using the "bounce" technique that drummers use to do a drumroll, you can play a "roll" while also playing notes. If timed to compliment the drummer's rhythm, it could add a lot of fill to the rhythm section.

Answer 5

Played bass since 1972 but never heard of this before. No reason why it shouldn't work, though. Might bet a bit boring after a while and I'm not sure how much the drummer would dig it.

It sounds kind of gimmicky.

Answer 6

I've seen the assist from green day beating the hell out of his guitar with a drumstick at the end of a set once?.... Doubt it was anything more than showmanship though!

Answer 7

Never heard of that but it sounds pretty sweet. I play bass maybe I should find out how to do it.

Answer 8

Gene Kupa did it first in the 50,s look it up on utube Dial M for Music

Answer 9

Maybe using chopsticks.

Answer 10

you put it on your knees (sitting) and treat it like a pedal steel guitar