Guitarist / Bass player

[leicester35]

I was wondering whether anyone here has any experience of learning to play bass, after years of playing guitar. If so, how did you find it? Did it come instinctively, or was it very hard work?

 

Just curious - thinking about branching out a little.

 

P.S. if anyone is worried about keeping this Epi related - Well, I'm interested in finding out whether guitarists prefer short-scale basses when first learning to play bass. If so, I'd be looking at an Epi EB-0, I guess. If not, then anything from the Epi range, maybe a Thunderbird.

 

If this becomes too detailed then I'll take it over to the bass forum...

 

Thanks.

[Nic]

I played bass and guitar and then eventually just guitar. The main reason I dropped the bass is because I play alone, and bass doesn't entertain me much. However, if I were to play in a band I'd prefer to play bass.

 

You would pick up bass pretty easily as long as you know your scales. You probably already understand what a guitarist is doing with chords and rhythm so you'd be able to play into whatever is happening in the number.

 

I would advise you to start right off using your fingers for picking, not a pick.

 

And, go with the scale length you prefer. A short or long neck has more to do with the size of your hands, and with your size. I have smaller hands so I gravitated right to an Gibson EB-0. Even though I was pretty good I could never make the transition to a Precision Bass. I think it has more to do with what you get used to. There are many more options available if you start with a long neck bass.

 

Hope this helps.

[cookieman15061]

I have to say it was pretty easy for me because i tend to play bass almost as a lead instrument ala Mccartney. Knowing your scales really helps you weave the bass line throughout the song.

[taxman]

After 15 years of guitar playing, just six weeks ago I bought two basses (a Fender Jazz and when I saw the Hofner Icon I had to buy one) and am learning to play.

 

WARNING: Playing Bass Is HARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Being a Beatle fanatic I wanted to tackle Paul's stuff. I went right to "Glass Onion" and I realized that playing bass is like playing lead guitar for three straight minutes. When I started on guitar I actually went after the leads of Kirk Hammett of Metallica and in really no time I could get them. But I have discovered that what Paul does on bass is a billion times harder than what Hammett or any lead guitarists do.

 

On top of that, to get a guitar sound is relatively easy compared to getting the correct bass tone. Sooooo much more goes into getting that precise bass tone that is in your head. I can make an Epiphone Casino sound like a Martin D-28, but no way will a Hofner bass sound like a Rickenbacker.

 

Regarding necks: The longer neck requires so much more hand dexterity, strength, and stretching than a guitar neck. A lot more! I have used my pinky more in the past month with my bass than I have in 15 years with guitars. The short scale Hofner is so much easier to play; definitely a good place for guitarists to start.

 

Finally, don't buy into that hype that guitar players always kid bass players about. "It's only four strings....The worst musician in the band gets the bass....Sid Vicious could pass as a bass player, anyone could...." Bass playing is ten times more difficult than guitar playing.

 

However...it is a ton of fun. Nailing the bassline of The Jam's "A Town Called Malice" is just as good as finally getting down your favorite guitar part. Playing bass is a challenge, but when you get something right...WOW, I'm playing bass!

[charlie brown]

I have an interest, in playing (more) bass, as well. I do a little bit, now and then, but not as much as I'd like.

For me, it's easier to go back and forth, from guitar to bass, on a short scale bass. My best friend has many

basses, both short and longer scale, so I've played both. But, when I have to go back and forth...I just prefer

the shorter scaled, variety...EB-3 (or EB-0), Hofner, Epi Alan Woody, etc.

 

CB

[custer]

I started out on guitar, switched to bass, and now play both. I have played bass in every band I have been in. I prefer long scale basses and currently own a '78 Gibson Ripper and a made in USA Guild pilot bass.

Bass really does feel alot different than guitar, so give it a try. The Epi EB's Thunderbirds and LP basses all seem to play pretty well. I play both finger style and pick on my bass. Don't be afraid to experimant and do what feels right for you.

[CodeMonk]

I didn't find it that hard to play bass, but I did major in music in college so the theory/scales knowledge bit help ALOT there.

But damn, not playing with a pick, my fingers got raw really quick. But picking the strings with your fingers gives it so much more"umph".

[Stevie Nazarenie]

get a six string bass and tune to standard eadgbe and it's a guitar in a lower octave. i have small hands but i want to try one out. someone pointed me to an ibanez as the strings are closer etc but said the neck was still a bit thick. i would try this with light bass strings. or maybe a baritone guitar?

[stan 58]

I play an 84 P bass with a pick when i record my backing tracks for my songs. I'm not Jack Bruce but I have fun doin it. Stan.

[Beans]

I began playing bass a few years ago, I've never had any problems with the difference in neck lengths.... but my fingers are skinny and long!

 

One thing I found really helpful to playing bass (after starting out on guitar) was having drum lessons for a year... it gave me an understanding of the different disciplines it takes to play guitar and bass when I finally picked a four string up.

 

And to bowl in on the Macca discussion.... his style is highly melodic but don't listen to what he's playing, listen to how he plays it.... he weaved around and within the gaps left by Ringo and John, the melody is never more important than the rhythm or the groove or the vocal melody, lots of counterpoint, lots of filling and leaving holes (as the great Steve Cropper would say) thats how any great bass player (McCartney/ Jamerson) who plays in a band does it!

[charlie brown]

I

And to bowl in on the Macca discussion.... his style is highly melodic but don't listen to what he's playing' date=' listen to how he plays it.... he weaved around and within the gaps left by Ringo and John, the melody is never more important than the rhythm or the groove or the vocal melody, lots of counterpoint, lots of filling and leaving holes (as the great Steve Cropper would say) thats how any great bass player (McCartney/ Jamerson) who plays in a band does it! [/quote']

 

All that, while singing, too!

 

CB

[Beans]

 

All that' date=' while singing, too!

 

CB[/quote']

 

True that, as we ironically say in Manchester.... learning to sing and play bass together is quite a challenge!

[charlie brown]

Especially if (like me), you can't walk and chew gum, at the same time! ;>b

 

CB

[taxman]

And to bowl in on the Macca discussion.... his style is highly melodic... he weaved around and within the gaps...

One thing that makes Paul so hard to learn from is that he will play variations on his bass lines constantly throughout the song. Take "Glass Onion." Yeah, the bassline for each verse is structurally the same; but no way are they the same. Or look at what Paul does in the chorus of "Rain" -- first chorus bass is very different from the second chorus. But on the other hand, Paul at times will lock onto a bassline for some songs and never deviate one note ("Ballad Of John And Yoko"). Definitely a tough guy to nail down.

[flyingfrets]

I play both guitar & bass and I find the difficulty switching between the two isn't so much in the notes as it is in my head.

 

The approach is considerably different. On bass, I try to bridge the gap between the drums and the guitar (You need impeccable timing and you want to be locked in with your drummer whether you're playing 4/4 balls to the wall rock or a really funky syncopated groove), yet at the same time, you're laying down notes that give the guitar a solid foundation to play over.

 

Listen to Chris Squire's "Fish Out Of Water" CD (particularly "Hold Out Your Hand" and "Lucky Seven"). Not only is he doing what I described above, he's singing on top of the whole thing too. His style maybe a bit more extreme (he plays bass as a lead instrument), but the fundamentals are still there.

 

I enjoy playing both, but it takes me a couple of weeks of playing bass pretty steadily till I feel that I'm really "fluid" enough to play in public.

 

But that's just me...

[Beans]

One thing that makes Paul so hard to learn from is that he will play variations on his bass lines constantly throughout the song. Take "Glass Onion." Yeah' date=' the bassline for each verse is structurally the same; but no way are they the same. Or look at what Paul does in the chorus of "Rain" -- first chorus bass is very different from the second chorus. But on the other hand, Paul at times he will lock onto a bassline for some songs and never deviate one note ("Ballad Of John And Yoko"). Definitely a tough guy to nail down.[/quote']

 

You got that straight BeatleNut! His early basslines are really well constructed too, "All My Loving" has an awesome walking bassline. McCartney always plays the right part to fit the song, no matter what instrument. He claims one of his main influences on the bass was the late great James Jamerson, who would often have a structure but then deviate every time he played the 'riff', whether it be rhymically or melodically. Both really creative and smart players.