exceta

Hey everyone,

Not sure if this is in the right place, but I just started learning guitar on a friend's borrowed electric guitar. So far I have found I don't enjoy playing solo's but I really like chords and pretending the guitar is a bass.

My question is if I should buy my own guitar or bass? I'm leaning towards bass mainly cause I just really like the idea of playing bass. But any recommendations. I just don't want to buy an instrument I won't enjoy

Thanks.

P.S. Not sure if this matters but I played piano for 10 years recently.

Parralax view

I guess there is pro and con on this, but Personally, I would learn at least the guitar basics first. You mention bass several times and guitar in almost passing, but without basic fretboard skill on guitar, it's more difficult to understand. At this point, the Piano learning is a very valuable tool.

Sim

Hey and welcome - I am new to the forum! Get 2 and play both like I do - and seriously those are 2 completely different instruments in some respect and similar in other.

If you like chords then you may want to stick to the guitar as on bass you wouldn't really play chords (it is possible but not really effective in band situation). Unless you mean single melody lines like on bass not chords.

As previous poster said, start with guitar and learn basics here!

Cheers

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Minotaur

Some people gravitate to guitar, some to bass. Some people are rhythm only, some only want to lead and solo. I hate solo and lead; I'm two years into learning rhythm guitar and almost three months into learning bass.

Chords are absolutely essential to doing either one. Playing bass is based (no pun intended ) on knowing the notes that make up chords. If your rhythm guitarist is playing a C major chord, you have a choice of playing your bass line by grooving on a C or an E or a G individual note, or mix them up, depending on the song.

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exceta

I'd say I have a safe grasp on the basics. I know structure, music theory, and notes. I will learn the chord format better( thanks Minotaur).

By 'chords' I meant I enjoy playing rhythm. And does it matter what kind of music you enjoy? Cause I like NiN, The Used, blur, and other rock/metal bands. So I know that is the music I want to be playing.

PickOfDestiny

I play piano to just below intermediate (I suppose) and it'll help a lot, especially when it comes to reading music. I've only been playing guitar for two months though.

Parralax view

"Some people gravitate to guitar, some to bass. Some people are rhythm only, some only want to lead and solo. I hate lead and solo."


Min, there may come a time when you are called on to use solo or lead, and if you don't know it, you'll get passed over for the guy who does. I know there is a whole legion of players now that disdain solos or leads.. is it due to pure taste, or is is due to the challenge not met???? No knock, you play what you play, but having the knowledge and not using is is much more valuable than not having it and needing it. Just me ;-)

Minotaur

The main reason I don't like it is probably the same reason I'm drawn to bass and rhythm guitar... rhythm.

Not saying I won't or can't learn lead. I just don't like it for anything other than my own challenge. My former teacher and I used to do some fun improvs. He'd play a chord progression in X key and I'd play a solo in a pentatonic scale over his chords. It had a jazzy or bluesy sound.

If a band wanted a lead player and I wasn't it and was passed over, I wouldn't feel badly at all. Though I think it's probably easier for me to pick up lead than it is for the guy who has only played lead to become a good rhythm player. I don't know, just my guess.

__________________
Η ΤΑΝ Η ΕΠΙ ΤΑΣ - "Come back with your shield or on it". Ancient Spartan saying before going into battle.

Bob714

With your knowledge of music on the piano all you have to do is learn the fretboard.

Not as simple as it sounds but if you listen to the bass in songs you should be able to pick it up.

Listen to McCartney and other bass players even players from long ago that used to play the upright basses.

A group from long ago that had some good bass lines was The Animals with We Gotta Get Out of This Place, The Smithereens Blood and Roses is another.

You have a lot of freedom playing the bass. You help set the rhythm along with the drummer and as long as you introduce each chord change as it comes up you can create your own style.

I play guitar but I picked up a cheap bass kit on Ebay for about 60.00.

Good Luck with your playing

Bob714

jase

Reading your post it look's like you already know the answer.