I have both a Bass and Guitar, but I'm having trouble deciding which one to master.
I know this sounds weird, but I like the feeling of the Guitar better because I became sort of a masochist when it comes to sinking my left hands into the thin strings.
The Bass is heavier but I never have to worry about dropping the pick and you don't have to replace the strings as much.
Help?
Bass or Guitar?
Bassists are by far the coolest people in a band. They are rock solid, and if not very good, can break the whole band. As a drummer, I have a distinct dislike of Lead Guitarists, or at least the ones I know, for being extremely up their own arses and thinking they are the best thing under the sun. Having said that though, they are both very good instruments, and I'd say master both, yet master Bass first, for there are less bassists and its much easier to make an impact and get involved with bands etc. as a bassist rather than a guitarist. If you plan on writing songs, then DEFINATELY master both as Bass is often reduced to bars of one notes and changing, yet not even the best guitarsolo in the world can beat a funky bassline.
Guitar. The theory you learn will be absolutely beneficial to bass should you choose to pick it up later on. Once you have the theory on either instrument it will help learn the other, however the number of techniques used in guitar is far more extensive.
Guitar (should you choose to learn it properly) is also a natively treble clef instrument which is a good standard to have - it would be illogical for a pianist to learn bass clef or 'left hand' first.
Just avoid tab at all costs. It might seem like an easy method at first but it will take far longer to 'master' the instrument if you can only work from tab. I would go so far as to say it is impossible to 'master' without being able to understand notation and music theory.
Please note here that I've been playing both instruments for 8 years now and have completed all ABRSM exams in both - I know what I'm talking about. Although I wouldn't consider myself as to have 'mastered' either, and would question anyone who considered themselves to have mastered an instrument.
I personally love the sound of bass, and like the role of the bassist as well. I don't really plan on learning guitar, because I've noticed that at least 90% of the lead guitarists I know are full of themselves, and I would rather not join them.
I'm also not a fan of being in the spotlight, so it's all good. Note that if you play bass, you will, without a doubt, be overlooked constantly. Most of my friends that aren't musicians can't even hear the bass line in most songs, so don't expect to get all the attention at gigs.
So if you're just in it for the girls, (like many lead guitarists are these days) Go for guitar, if you want to make good music, choose whichever you prefer.
So you are deciding which one to "master"...your post makes it sound like you are the kind of person who doesn't take music seriously.
Go with the guitar first. As you master that, you supposedly, slightly unlock the doors to mastering bass cause your skills on a guitar should translate well to a bass.
Do this and conquer both, like I'm trying to do.
Conquer both and you unlock the gold-plated doors to mastering THE GREAT KEYTAR! Then you're ballin. :P
Don't pick an instrument based on which one feels better in your hands, or how often you have to change strings, chose your instrument based on what kind of role you want to be when you play/create music. If you enjoy being the foundation of music, where melody takes a step back compared to rhythm and groove, then take up bass. However, if you prefer melodic sounds and prefer to be 'the icing on top of the cake' then take up guitar. Both instruments obviously have elements of melody and rhythm respectively, but they both have different focuses. I'm a bass player that also knows how to play guitar and I can say from experience that its far more difficult to master the role of the bassist than the lead guitarist; btw when I say 'bassist' i don't mean like the lame pop bassist like pete wentz, I mean someone who knows how to own their bass, like Flea, Geddy of Victor Wooten.
good guitarists are ten-a-pennyGive a guitarist a bass, a couple of weeks and some hot plates to give them callouses on their right hand and they will be reasonable bassists (Just simple stuff mind no slapping/popping or anything)
Give a bassist a guitar, a couple of weeks and a handful of plectrums and they will be reasonable guitarists (Just very simple guitar riffs but still it's true)
My honest advice is learn both, the skills are VERY transferable and the more you play the better the feel you will get for the instrument. Also the quality of the guitar/bass makes a huge difference. If you get a £200 guitar and a £100 bass the difference in quality will be noticable.
"I have both a Bass and Guitar, but I'm having trouble deciding which one to master.I know this sounds weird, but I like the feeling of the Guitar better because I became sort of a masochist when it comes to sinking my left hands into the thin strings.The Bass is heavier but I never have to worry about dropping the pick and you don't have to replace the strings as much.Help?"Whichever one you pick, you better be willing to spend the next decade trying to "master" it. Seriously, be realistic and don't have high hopes of even becoming really good at either one unless you spend a shitload of time practicing.
Bass: for people who really love the theoretical part of music
Guitarists: people who really likes the groupie part of music.
Long story short, I'm a guitarist.
But become a bassist, the world needs good bassists!
bass, because its way more fun. their are so many different ways to play it and everyone loves a good bass player, they are hard to come by.
Guitar > Bass
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