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neobowman
Canada3324 Posts
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?  | ||
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Revolt
United States288 Posts
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. | ||
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fredd
Estonia256 Posts
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Elegance
Canada917 Posts
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Exia
United States33 Posts
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Thegilaboy
United States2018 Posts
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dinki0825
United States238 Posts
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bITt.mAN
Switzerland3693 Posts
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. | ||
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hellsan631
United States695 Posts
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. | ||
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Skyze
Canada2324 Posts
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. | ||
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Crystal368
Sweden161 Posts
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. | ||
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geetarzero
United States217 Posts
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. | ||
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HwangjaeTerran
Finland5967 Posts
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Lexpar
1813 Posts
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. | ||
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fredd
Estonia256 Posts
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! | ||
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Crimson
United States311 Posts
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. | ||
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Kimaker
United States2131 Posts
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. | ||
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neobowman
Canada3324 Posts
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hellsan631
United States695 Posts
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 | ||
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Twitches
Canada365 Posts
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. | ||
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Aukai
United States1183 Posts
And it doesn't Matter if you have small hands or not, there's a famous bass player who has tiny hands that plays a 6 string bass, and you can't even wrap your hand around the neck. | ||
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Pineapple
New Zealand126 Posts
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rauk
United States2228 Posts
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Keldrath
United States449 Posts
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tofucake
Hyrule19251 Posts
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Commander-Zerg
Canada341 Posts
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hellsan631
United States695 Posts
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a176
Canada6688 Posts
You will gain finger strength overtime, your skill at moving your hands will improve. In reality, nearly all guitar players can easily switch to a bass, considering that most songs you will learn to play have "stupidly easy" bass lines to follow. The only thing you really need to know is that bass strings are much harder to work with, and when going into more advanced bass lines, you will end up picking most of the strings by finger in rapid succession, so finger strength is very important. | ||
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Kyuukyuu
Canada6263 Posts
On November 15 2010 12:08 a176 wrote: The only thing you really need to know is that bass strings are much harder to work with, and when going into more advanced bass lines, you will end up picking most of the strings by finger in rapid succession, so finger strength is very important. Yeah, I play guitar and this is the only thing I find annoying when I mess around on my friend's bass. So I just end up using a pick  | ||
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Lexpar
1813 Posts
Stick with guitar for a couple months or years then picking up bass is much less of a struggle*. This coming from having played drums in 7 years, guitar for approx 1 year, bass for 1 week. Just my experiences. Bass is a lot like learning drums. It's an entirely different beast from guitar. On guitar you can struggle for days and days trying to play one fucking chord in your song, and still sounds like a dying animal. On bass you can always play the song (like on drums). You either have to simplify it or slow it down and build up your speed. Drums and Bass are very similar in that way. Check this guy out, bass can not-suck. Don't listen to people who have never played with a good bassist. On November 15 2010 10:46 Keldrath wrote: it all depends on how you want to play. both are great instruments but when it comes to ease of play a bass is about as tough as a kazoo. it might get boring fast. T.T | ||
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geetarzero
United States217 Posts
On November 15 2010 13:21 Lexpar wrote: There's no reason you can't play both. It's dumb to say "if you wanna write songs play guitar, if you wanna be the salt of the earth play bass." No man. If you wanna write songs pick up piano ffs. People in this thread have given a dozen examples of bassists who take songs by the balls and make them their own, not just playing 8th notes on D for a whole song. Stick with guitar for a couple months or years then picking up bass is much less of a struggle*. This coming from having played drums in 7 years, guitar for approx 1 year, bass for 1 week. Just my experiences. Bass is a lot like learning drums. It's an entirely different beast from guitar. On guitar you can struggle for days and days trying to play one fucking chord in your song, and still sounds like a dying animal. On bass you can always play the song (like on drums). You either have to simplify it or slow it down and build up your speed. Drums and Bass are very similar in that way. Check this guy out, bass can not-suck. Don't listen to people who have never played with a good bassist. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1AfNoq8DLk I'd have to agree with this for the most part. Except that part about starting with guitar than moving to bass. It really isn't the biggest deal in the world, you can start with either one and it'll end up helping you learn the other. | ||
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Lexpar
1813 Posts
Maybe I should add that guitar is a great instrument. I love playing guitar. I'm just stuck in this fuzzy lovely bass world right now since it's my first week of practice. I 'm not sure if it's been mentioned but barre chords are about twice as easy on an electric than an a classic. Playing A is tougher tho You can't really go wrong with either instrument. I think in your case you should probably by an electric guitar. | ||
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Pineapple
New Zealand126 Posts
On November 15 2010 13:21 Lexpar wrote: There's no reason you can't play both. It's dumb to say "if you wanna write songs play guitar, if you wanna be the salt of the earth play bass." No man. If you wanna write songs pick up piano ffs. People in this thread have given a dozen examples of bassists who take songs by the balls and make them their own, not just playing 8th notes on D for a whole song. Stick with guitar for a couple months or years then picking up bass is much less of a struggle*. This coming from having played drums in 7 years, guitar for approx 1 year, bass for 1 week. Just my experiences. Bass is a lot like learning drums. It's an entirely different beast from guitar. On guitar you can struggle for days and days trying to play one fucking chord in your song, and still sounds like a dying animal. On bass you can always play the song (like on drums). You either have to simplify it or slow it down and build up your speed. Drums and Bass are very similar in that way. Check this guy out, bass can not-suck. Don't listen to people who have never played with a good bassist. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1AfNoq8DLk T.T This guy is an expert. I have played piano for 17 years, guitar for 10 years and bass for four. My point regarding songwriting is completely valid - most bass players write their songs on guitar anyway. Secondly, if you've only played bass for a week why the T.T face over the level of entertainment you can gain from it. Sometimes you just have to call it as it is. | ||
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Lexpar
1813 Posts
You're kind of an asshole. | ||
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