talent show decision

[grazzhoppa]

My school has an annual talent show and some of my friends want to do a Limp Bizkit or Chile Pepper song. Now, I already play guitar and am pretty good at it (not bragging, just telling the facts) but we have really good drummer, another guitarist and a guy whose gonna sing it. One of my friends wants wants me to take up bass and do the cover song with them. I've never played bass before and they want me to cover a Limp Bizkit or Chile Pepper song. I have about a month till the show. Should I try to take up bass and learn the song, or should I just convince them to let me play guitar, or should I just drop from the show? If I do go on with it, what pointers can you guys tell me for a first time preformance, in front of like 200 people?

[StoneDragon]

Advice?

Hold your nose and dive in!

As far as the bass vs guitar vs decline thing... I think you just have to weigh it out. I would be willing to bet that you'll be kicking yourself afterwards if you decline, though. So let's rule that option out.

So... to bass or not to bass? If you play bass for the event, you'll probably be frustrated that you aren't playing guitar... especially if you're a better guitar player than the other guy. What's the chance they will let you play guitar and have the other guy play bass... or let you both play guitar and find a third person to play bass?

The answer to those questions should help you decide what to do. If it comes down to playing bass as your only option, then do it, do a good job of it and have as much fun as inhumanly possible.

[Bardsley]

A friend of mine was in a very similar position a little while ago. He's a bass player now, and a good one. You never know where things like this will lead you...

[WES1280]

Dude, i played talent shows all through junior high and high school. i play guitar, but can also play bass and drums, and i have played each one one time or another. dont stress about it too much. Definitly play something dont drop out comepletly. Its all good fun. It would be cool if you get to play gyitar, but play bass if u have to. What Chili Peppers song u gonna do?

[arcandor]

do it! i mean, play bass. No, its not guitar, and its not meant to be. I started playing bass to facilitate the formation of my band about a month ago... it's a whole other world, really puts your playing into perspective. Then again, the guitarist i play with now is amazing, if I was at the same ability level as he was i prolly would have been less enthused about switching instruments. Bass is cool though! I really never got it till i tried it. It's a real musician's instrument, (i.e. you are much more likely to be in a band if you want to as a bassist than a guitarist) Everyone plays guitar or wants to learn or something like that. Which is good. Which is why this forum is here. Just let go of any concious or subconcious thoughts about being a bassist. At best i can call myself a pretty good guitarist (any metal rythm guitar work, nada on the solos, tons of acoustic work with vocals) but now I am determined to become the best bassist around. Ok, enough ranting and raving. TRY THE BASS! and good luck at your show.
~Steve

[Jagstang666]

Yeah, go for it. It's how I started playing bass. The band I was in, the one I just quit, as you might of read in Open Mic, needed a bassist to perform at my old school. So I got a bass, played the show, and still play bass a lot