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Guitar or Bass Guitar?

Blogs > neobowman
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1 2 Next All
neobowman
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Canada3324 Posts
November 14 2010 17:55 GMT
#1
I've been learning a bit of guitar on my own recently. I play on classical right now because that's what I have but I plan to get an electric sometime in the future. I've been having a dilemna though. Bass guitar or regular guitar?

Guitar Pros
-I love the sound of chords
-I enjoy playing the main melody in songs

Guitar Cons
-I have small hands and weak fingers so it's hard for me to play some chords. Especially Barre Chords.

I haven't played a Bass ever, so I'm not sure about its pros and cons.

Bass Pros
-It's played less than regular guitar.
-I don't mind the sound it emits.

Bass Cons
-I have a harder time playing the harmony parts.
-I assume it's less fun to play by myself.

Opinions?

Revolt
Profile Blog Joined January 2007
United States288 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-11-14 18:00:15
November 14 2010 17:59 GMT
#2
the harmony isn't that hard, once you get a grip of it; reference to your bass option.
just play notes inside a chord, that give it the same flavor youre after.

sucks you're planning on switching.
but i've seen bass players have prominence just as guitarists do.

i'd actually play both, but if you're having hand problems, try bass.
A depth of pure blue just to probe curiosity.
fredd
Profile Blog Joined May 2008
Estonia256 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-11-14 18:12:21
November 14 2010 18:04 GMT
#3
I personally play guitar, but I really want to get into bass as soon as I get enough money. Guitar is nice and all, but everyone plays it. Even when you play guitar "well", it's hard to find a band since there are so many guitarists. Bass players are almost always in-demand, on the other hand. This really doesn't matter though. In the end, it's impossible for people to tell you what you should get, bass and guitar are different - It's entirely your choice to see which you have more interest in. You got the pros and cons right, so now see what you want to do. Why not get a bass now, since you have a classical guitar already? You can play both. Or you could get an electric guitar and get a bass later. You don't need to limit yourself to one instrument. About the hands, I have girly hands aswell, and I'm able to play barre chords easily. It all comes down to how you set up your guitar and ofcourse, lots of practice. Low action, smaller gauge strings and thin neck all make it easier to play chords. You need strong hands for a bass aswell, really. Just for the right hand. Also, bass frets are wider than guitar frets.



sup
Elegance
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
Canada917 Posts
November 14 2010 18:09 GMT
#4
Wouldn't it be hard for you to play Bass if you have small hands?
Power of Ze
Exia
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States33 Posts
November 14 2010 18:16 GMT
#5
It comes down to what you enjoy the most, if you are poor in some technical aspect of playing and decide to drop it because of it then that's just a deficiency on your part. Each instrument will require time and patience, yes many people play guitar. But how many people play it well? Most people can play the most common riff's but few can actually combine scales into something along with chords. As far a bass goes, it comes down to the type of music your aiming on playing. One band which uses the bass pretty well is Rhapsody of fire, then there's that famous solo by the deceased Cliff Burton of Metallica, Anesthesia pulling teeth. Chances are though you will one day do both if you're really into music. I know I will.
c i v i s p a c e m p a r a b e l l u m
Thegilaboy
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
United States2018 Posts
November 14 2010 18:18 GMT
#6
You will be far more valuable to potential bandmates if you play the bass
dinki0825
Profile Joined June 2010
United States238 Posts
November 14 2010 18:24 GMT
#7
are you asking because you can't get both or just for sake of learning? going from guitar to bass is easier than bass to guitar if you're just trying to learn
bITt.mAN
Profile Blog Joined March 2009
Switzerland3693 Posts
November 14 2010 18:24 GMT
#8
Hellz no a Funky Bass IS THE SHIT man!

Don't listen to people saying that Bass has to be boring and always stay in the background and play 1-2 notes at a time. A good, funky, moovin' bassline is what keeps a song going, its what keeps a song alive, its what makes a song interesting and engaging enough that you stick with it and listen beyond the first chorus. Check this:



Search Bootsy Collins and you're sure to have an ear-gasm, it is complete sex on the ariwaves


Perhaps that style of Bass may be a bit extreme and not quite what you're looking for, but really, you're never gonna have fun and be anything but a backup band-member if you're stuck in a rock band playing Bass.
Someone please correct and disprove me that Bass for anything White-Rock [hey, I'm white, but I don't like Rock, I prefer funk and soul : ) ] is boring as hell.
BW4LYF . . . . . . PM me, I LOVE PMs. . . . . . Long live "NaDa's Body" . . . . . . Fantasy | Bisu/Best | Jaedong . . . . .
hellsan631
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States695 Posts
November 14 2010 18:27 GMT
#9
If you enjoy melodies, then guitar is where its at.

Having small and weak hands doesn't mean you will be bad at it. Beginners always have issues with bar chords. Haven't met a single person who didn't have at least some trouble developing the finger strength for bar cords. Its all about developing your hand strength. Having large hands and long fingers is a plus, but not necessary.

If you enjoy the groove of the song then the bass is for you.

Take some of your favorite songs and try listening exclusively to each instrument. What ever one you feel the most emotional connection for should be what one you choose.

For me, guitar was the obvious choice.



Also after a while, you might be able to do things like this.



But Bass solos are still cool.

Skyze
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
Canada2324 Posts
November 14 2010 18:34 GMT
#10
I would disagree and say guitar is 90% harmony (chords).. You barely play melody at all, unless you are doing solos but even then, you do a solo for like 30 seconds, and chords the rest of the song.

Take a listen to your favorite bands, and what do you first hear? basslines or guitar chords? That should answer your debate pretty easily.

I personally play guitar but for certain types of music, like Funk, Pop, Jazz, etc I follow bass more.. so it makes it difficult. I play bass to make money, and guitar more for myself just for fun.
Canada Gaming ~~ The-Feared
Crystal368
Profile Joined September 2010
Sweden161 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-11-14 18:46:26
November 14 2010 18:44 GMT
#11
Small and weak hands, I DO NOT reccomend bass.
Playing a barre chord is all about technique tbh, and If it isn't for you, you have too hard strings. (or playing an acoustic guitar Barre's on electric guitars are so much easier.)

About pros and cons playing bass, it all depends on how you will play, slapping or just general bass notes.

Slapping is REALLY hard, so don't start playing bass and expect to slap like mark king in a year or so.
Playng regular bass notes is the most boring thing you can do(IMO). And by yourself, hahaa, you'll fall asleep in 2 minutes. Of course you can advande in"regular bass notes" as well, for example walking bass. (jazz) But you need pretty good rhythm feel for that. Bass+drums are usually the backbone of pop/rock music, it's important, but maybe not that fun until you're really good.
If you really really want to play in a band though, bass might be better, since there are soo many guitarists.

I am a guitarist myself, and I play bass occasionally, and I would never play bass full time, because I feel so limited with a bass. And since I play a lot by myself guitar suits me better.
|MKP|MMA|ThorZaIN|SjoW|SeleCT|
geetarzero
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States217 Posts
November 14 2010 18:45 GMT
#12
On November 15 2010 03:27 hellsan631 wrote:
If you enjoy melodies, then guitar is where its at.

Having small and weak hands doesn't mean you will be bad at it. Beginners always have issues with bar chords. Haven't met a single person who didn't have at least some trouble developing the finger strength for bar cords. Its all about developing your hand strength. Having large hands and long fingers is a plus, but not necessary.


Actually I don't remember having much trouble practicing bar chords, it was just memorizing the shape. But then again, it might be because I played bass guitar for at least 2 years before that.

On another note, I think if you honestly enjoy both, just do both. Playing one instrument can really help you understand the other, it's a pretty complementary relationship. Kind of like playing different races in SC help you understand the timings for the other races.
sKyHigh? him? don't worry about it. (–_–)
HwangjaeTerran
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
Finland5967 Posts
November 14 2010 18:49 GMT
#13
Bass guitar, so much sexier than guitar.
https://steamcommunity.com/id/*tlusernamehere*/
Lexpar
Profile Blog Joined March 2009
1813 Posts
November 14 2010 18:55 GMT
#14
Small weak hands is MUCH more of a handicap on bass. Barre chords are hard to play at first man, no matter what kind of hands you have.

Bass can be cool even without playing godlike slap funk. Check this out:



The bass line is mad simple, but it sounds great and is fun to play.

Bass isn't boring/in the background. Well, it only is if you listen to crappy bassists. Even in a melodic band like the beatles bass lines are cool and fun.

Guitar is guitar. Bass seems to get a bad rap.
fredd
Profile Blog Joined May 2008
Estonia256 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-11-14 18:56:21
November 14 2010 18:56 GMT
#15
On November 15 2010 03:24 bITt.mAN wrote:
Hellz no a Funky Bass IS THE SHIT man!



funky stuff is the shit either way!
sup
Crimson
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States311 Posts
November 14 2010 18:59 GMT
#16
On November 15 2010 03:27 hellsan631 wrote:
But Bass solos are still cool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbV-3W4hm8U


Two things.

1. STUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU.

2. Learn what you find most pleasing to the ear. What other people have said about fretting hand weakness in beginners happens to everyone. I remember when i was learning barre chords, it took me three fingers on top of each other just to do the barring. It comes with practice.

Also, do not worry about the size of your hands. You might not have Paul Gilbert hands, but just play. Hand size is in no way indicative of skill level and you shouldn't think so.
Kimaker
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States2131 Posts
November 14 2010 19:03 GMT
#17
On November 15 2010 03:24 bITt.mAN wrote:
+ Show Spoiler +
Hellz no a Funky Bass IS THE SHIT man!

Don't listen to people saying that Bass has to be boring and always stay in the background and play 1-2 notes at a time. A good, funky, moovin' bassline is what keeps a song going, its what keeps a song alive, its what makes a song interesting and engaging enough that you stick with it and listen beyond the first chorus. Check this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rek3g8znpOg

Search Bootsy Collins and you're sure to have an ear-gasm, it is complete sex on the ariwaves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIzN51SLwwg

Perhaps that style of Bass may be a bit extreme and not quite what you're looking for, but really, you're never gonna have fun and be anything but a backup band-member if you're stuck in a rock band playing Bass.
Someone please correct and disprove me that Bass for anything White-Rock [hey, I'm white, but I don't like Rock, I prefer funk and soul : ) ] is boring as hell.


Geddy Lee's bass parts are rock bass at it's finest, it takes bass, and makes it an almost purely melodic instrument. Give the song a sec, and for the love of GOD, listen to the end. Bass can and does sound good in "White" Rock. If you're in a "Rush" just go to 2 minutes till the end.



And the late great, John Entwistle from the Who. Start this one around 1 minute if you don't want to hear the early doodling.

Entusman #54 (-_-) ||"Gold is for the Mistress-Silver for the Maid-Copper for the craftsman cunning in his trade. "Good!" said the Baron, sitting in his hall, But Iron — Cold Iron — is master of them all|| "Optimism is Cowardice."- Oswald Spengler
neobowman
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Canada3324 Posts
November 14 2010 19:30 GMT
#18
Thanks for the advice guys. I'm still undecided but I'll think on it a bit more.
hellsan631
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States695 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-11-14 19:41:23
November 14 2010 19:38 GMT
#19
On November 15 2010 03:34 Skyze wrote:
I would disagree and say guitar is 90% harmony (chords).. You barely play melody at all, unless you are doing solos but even then, you do a solo for like 30 seconds, and chords the rest of the song..


You listen to the wrong music. Listen to less mainstream copy paste pop rock metal, before you comment on the instrument's potential. Would you say playing piano is all chords, and ignore classical music?

Melodical
Paul Gilbert
Joe Satriani

Eccentric Technique
Steve Vai
John Petrucci

Emotional Blues
Eric Johnson
Andy Timmons

Metal
Yngwie Malmsteen


Twitches
Profile Joined August 2010
Canada365 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-11-14 20:03:02
November 14 2010 20:00 GMT
#20
I think you answered your question already buddy. My opinion on the matter is if you don't want a challenge you shouldn't do either. You may have weak hands, but the only way to get better is to train them. As you play your strength will improve.

I've been playing guitar for about 6 years now and it's by far my favorite hobby, but bass is also amazing and they do tie into each other. There's no reason to not do both other than not being able to afford it.

Just don't let weak fingers hold you back, man. Good luck and enjoy.
Gravity is just a feeble plot.
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