About three years ago, at the age of 43, I embarked on a new challenge for myself: learning to play the bass guitar. Up until this time, I didn't play any musical instrument, despite being a music lover and a very frequent attender of concerts (both local acts and internationally-known musicians).
So, why the bass, of all instruments? The bassist quite often is not the center of attention in a band, and often goes unnoticed when playing, but the role of the bass is an essential one, connecting the percussive rhythm of the drums to the melody of the other instruments. From laying down a simple root note for the other instruments to follow, to providing a more intricate backbone to which the other musicians must conform, the bass player is key.
And, let's be honest: there is a serious "cool factor" in getting an audience moving to a catchy groove, or to get toes tapping to a swinging, walking bass line. It's a fun instrument to play, and it really gives the player a lot of responsibility in any musical ensemble in which it's included.