Playing bass and guitar
- Thread starter Willy25
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Re: Playing bass and guitar
It is the different rhythms in the melodies vs the bass lines that get me.
It was easy for me. But I was young and full of piss and vinegar. Now, I can't hardly keep time
It is the different rhythms in the melodies vs the bass lines that get me.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Playing bass and guitar
It should be a whole new thing, because it's a different instrument. Many get fooled that because the strings are tuned to the same notes as the bottom 4 of a guitar that any guitar player is instantly able to play bass. Sure you can find notes from the chords, but the physical scale, hand techniques and how to work with it in the context of music - it's a different instrument.
Switching from one to the other will actually interfere with your playing, both ways. The heavy strings and large scale of a bass will wear your hand muscles differently and disrupt the sensitivity needed for proper guitar playing. Likewise, playing guitar will not prepare your hands for working a bass properly. I would recommend going through periods where you do one or the other, but not keep switching back and forth.
- - - -
As far as the rest of this thread, the guitar vs bass question makes me think of an analogy to people who get Photoshop and because they can find their way around it and make something visual think they are an artist; meanwhile someone who has studied art their whole life and have a degree in art knows that software is just a tool and none of the principles or techniques for creating art with it are embedded in the tool itself - how to make use of a tool while making art all that comes from the experience and training of the artist in that field, experience and training which you cannot get just picking it up and finding your way around it.
Instruments are the same way. If you are a guitar player and think because you are able to get notes out of a bass you are also a bass player, you are really just fooling yourself. Take some bass lessons from a competent, life-long bass player and learn how much you really don't know.
It should be a whole new thing, because it's a different instrument. Many get fooled that because the strings are tuned to the same notes as the bottom 4 of a guitar that any guitar player is instantly able to play bass. Sure you can find notes from the chords, but the physical scale, hand techniques and how to work with it in the context of music - it's a different instrument.
Switching from one to the other will actually interfere with your playing, both ways. The heavy strings and large scale of a bass will wear your hand muscles differently and disrupt the sensitivity needed for proper guitar playing. Likewise, playing guitar will not prepare your hands for working a bass properly. I would recommend going through periods where you do one or the other, but not keep switching back and forth.
- - - -
As far as the rest of this thread, the guitar vs bass question makes me think of an analogy to people who get Photoshop and because they can find their way around it and make something visual think they are an artist; meanwhile someone who has studied art their whole life and have a degree in art knows that software is just a tool and none of the principles or techniques for creating art with it are embedded in the tool itself - how to make use of a tool while making art all that comes from the experience and training of the artist in that field, experience and training which you cannot get just picking it up and finding your way around it.
Instruments are the same way. If you are a guitar player and think because you are able to get notes out of a bass you are also a bass player, you are really just fooling yourself. Take some bass lessons from a competent, life-long bass player and learn how much you really don't know.
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: Playing bass and guitar
This is so true. I started off playing bass as a guitar player and to a point I still approach bass melodies and harmonies from that standpoint (I use a lot of fifths and octaves in my playing) but studying the works of other bass players, I learned the value of filling up an instrumental section where the guitars are playing the same riff, by adding fills higher up on the neck and also knowing how to accent the drums and the vocals at certain points or even how to lead into a chord change. Rock bass is not a simple "play the root note" thing.
This is so true. I started off playing bass as a guitar player and to a point I still approach bass melodies and harmonies from that standpoint (I use a lot of fifths and octaves in my playing) but studying the works of other bass players, I learned the value of filling up an instrumental section where the guitars are playing the same riff, by adding fills higher up on the neck and also knowing how to accent the drums and the vocals at certain points or even how to lead into a chord change. Rock bass is not a simple "play the root note" thing.
Silence Kid
New member
Re: Playing bass and guitar
I got my first bass when I was maybe fifteen? Got a certain amount of distance playing it like a guitar, but taking lessons from a pro really changed my world. If only I remembered more of that bass clef sight-reading, though...
I got my first bass when I was maybe fifteen? Got a certain amount of distance playing it like a guitar, but taking lessons from a pro really changed my world. If only I remembered more of that bass clef sight-reading, though...
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: Playing bass and guitar
I played trombone for 7 years. I remember bass clef quite well.
I played trombone for 7 years. I remember bass clef quite well.
DavidRavenMoon
New member
DavidRavenMoon
New member
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Playing bass and guitar
So harp guitars are Superior to all?
Some basses have 6 strings, and some have 12...
So harp guitars are Superior to all?
Some basses have 6 strings, and some have 12...
DavidRavenMoon
New member
Re: Playing bass and guitar
I saw that Pikasso guitar in person back in '95! Got a photo of Linda Manzer posing with it.
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So harp guitars are Superior to all?
Some basses have 6 strings, and some have 12...
I saw that Pikasso guitar in person back in '95! Got a photo of Linda Manzer posing with it.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
treyhaislip
Well-known member
DavidRavenMoon
New member
Re: Playing bass and guitar
The one on display was Pikasso 2, which was made for Scott Chinery. I met him too. This was at the A.S.I.A Symposium
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The one on display was Pikasso 2, which was made for Scott Chinery. I met him too. This was at the A.S.I.A Symposium
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Playing bass and guitar
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't these playable guitars?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't these playable guitars?
DavidRavenMoon
New member
Re: Playing bass and guitar
Yes. Here's the first one.
https://youtu.be/Wp1wHZfZz9s
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yes. Here's the first one.
https://youtu.be/Wp1wHZfZz9s
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Playing bass and guitar
When there is a will there is a way!
My favorite harp guitarist is John Doan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSypqOGqH38
When there is a will there is a way!
My favorite harp guitarist is John Doan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSypqOGqH38
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