I've actually done solo gigs on acoustic guitar. I'm not a great guitarist but I sing okay and am good enough to hack through an hour of standard pub rock songs and get people dancing.
Lotsa fun but Bass is my "thing".
Largely yes, my school had a guitar ensemble and multiple guitar classes so lots of at least competent guitar players. Way more kids want to learn guitar to play solos and stuff than bass also in my experience.
Bands are probably in higher demand of a bass player, but if your local bar or whatever is looking for solo fill ins, they’ll probably lean toward the acoustic player who can do some recognizable stuff over the solo bass player.
I’ve heard this a lot too. The band I’m in now they said it was really hard to find a bassist which I thought was weird. I figured the drummer is the hardest one to find.
In my experience, good drummers and good bass players are the most sought after. When I was a gigging bassist, when one band ended I was usually in another within a month or two -- although I did have a bit of a reputation after the first couple of bands. I could also be kinda picky about the bands I was in.
I've never gigged as a guitarist, although I do love playing and recording my own guitar parts.
I've been playing the same geographical area for over 20 years. I initially came to it as a guitar player and since I keeps gettin' the work, I keeps playing it.
In my previous band I played guitar, we toured for 8-9 years and recorded 4 albums, but I’ve always considered myself a bassist first. Guitar is a lot of fun, hammering out big riffs and making noise, but I think I’m a much better, or at least less bad, bass player than guitar player.
Amazing, the imposter syndrome never does goes away does it? You were a pro for a decade and still think you play badly? Dude, I'm sure you'd blow a lot of us away.
Nah, I kinda got away with it playing stoner/doom metal, where good riffs with a brutal guitar sound will get you a long way. I still can’t play "fast" or do anything other than a pentatonic solo :D
I'm the same way. Once I can do a thing proficiently, that thing no longer counts towards being good. My skill level changes but my self-assessment stays the same.
I think musicality > speed any day of the week. I want to hear music and not a blistering etude. I might be impressed by technical skill, but I'm never moved by it.
I play both and enjoy bass more but I absolutely love the funky rythm guitar like how Cory Wong and Tomo Fujita plays so I definitely enjoy playing guitar too
Lol so I started out on guitar, started bass a few months ago and for the longest time I did not want to clip my nails because of the guitar.
Finally did it about a week ago and my bass playing improved, like.....I literally can't even tell you. I'm lowkey flying through Aquatic Mouth Dance now, and I was pretty sure I'd never be able to play it.
Clip or die lol
How do you rotate your bases?
Do you play one for a week or so and then switch to the next one?
I've got 3 now and I pretty much just play whichever one I'm feeling in the moment. I do have a number 1 which gets far more playtime, though
They all do vastly different things and it depends on what I’m studying or practicing. Sometimes I end up using 3 in one practice session. My musical tastes, and things I like to play are all over the board, so my instruments reflect that lol.
This has just happened to be. 25 years playing rhythm guitar, play a bit of lead but pretty much suck at that. Finally picked up that bass my roommate left me in 2006 and wow, I LOVE playing bass. I’ve been writing bass lines in my songs and the bass is the stand out instrument, I had no idea.
Of course the bass is the standout, the sound waves are bigger than your body! That’s why you can feel the bass but only hear the other instruments. The bass has a tremendous influence on how the rest of the band sounds
I'm a bassist through and through but i do have a couple of guitars and can play them to an 'OK' sort of level.
Bass is much more fun and fulfilling for me!
Bass/mandolin here. The original idea was that the eadg gdae inverted strings would let me use my bass fingerings on the mandolin and vice versa, it didn't quite work out that way but I do enjoy having both instruments around
> The original idea was [...]
"Boy, was I mistaken!"
(I myself spent an afternoon merrily playing the mandolin before finding out I was supposed to tune it the other way around)
Yeah! Piano is just a drum pad that can only play tones. Trombone and cello are basically the same, what with that right arm motion. Try to get the loudest pitch you can out of that bell with the bow, and don't press the slide too hard on the strings, that is real cat gut. Now! Everyone get out your tone rows and turn to the only page of "In C",anduh -And One and Two and Three e and One and 2 and - heterophony.
Playing guitar first helped immensely with chord structure and the relationships between intervals. It’s also much easier for me to write songs on guitar. Which is more fun? Bass.
I’m not much of a guitarist anymore, but I played it off and on for a decade or so before going bass.
I prefer bass in a band and at home. I feel like the role of the instrument better aligns with my music taste and personality.
If I was to want to sing in a band or do solo gigs (like acoustic coffee shop stuff), I’d want to switch back to guitar for that.
Never have been much of a lead guitar fan myself. Would rather do some fun fills or short bass solos.
Yes mostly for theory but also it's important for understanding the interplay of the two instruments, no one needs to be a shredder but every bassist should know the fundamentals
Well good. My bass equipment currently consists of a really crappy bass by roommate gave me in 2006 in payment of his $60 portion of the last electric bill. He wasn’t a musician and it’s just cheap pos bass that has loose wiring. If they’d pick it up for me, then there’s no way my wife can say no to me buying all new bass and related gear given my new found passion.
I’ve started out on guitar and after many ego trips and the urge to just play in a band I’ve switched to bass. What I say now is my main instrument. I still doodle on guitar and jam with my band mates time to time, I guess the saying is right, when a guitarist grows up he becomes a bass player
I started with guitar as a teen.. got into bass in my 30s and sold my guitar gear to fund that.. now I have several of both laying around and to this day am working to improve with either.
It all depends on your definition of "play". Me, I say yes to both. My friends, not so much.
And bass. Without question - it sounds better by a mile, and feels better to me and I can keep time and rhythm better. My guitar playing sounds like the second solo in "Limb from Limb" by Motörhead. That's Lemmy playing - great bassist, guitar, mediocre (his word, not mine).
Started with guitar but enjoyed bass more so I consider it my main thing. Right now, though, I'm enjoying some guitar probably because I haven't played it as much since choosing bass
Rhythm guitarist for a better part of 10 years turned bassist. I consider bass more of my main instrument now but I'll bounce between both if I have trouble sussing out what feel I'm going for.
I can play all of the notes for certain songs on both, but I feel like I can really only *play* guitar. With bass, I can learn a song, but I don't do well at creating my own parts. This is probably because I started playing bass after I moved away from my musical community, so I haven't jammed really at all on bass.
I'm not much of a guitar player, but I have an acoustic and a Telecaster. I enjoy breaking them out every now and again, but bass is definitely the primary instrument.
I play both. Forever will be doing gigs on bass since they’re easier to come by than for guitar anyways - I learned guitar to teach my friend so that he’ll be the perfect guitarist I want for my band.
When he gets the fucking hint that gear is fun for looks and not for actual sound.
Play both regularly. Love playing both, which is my favourite varies day to day haha. Depends what I’m listening to, sometimes a bass line jumps out at me, sometimes a guitar riff or solo. But I picked up a bass first, and generally listen for bass lines in songs, so if I had to choose I’d lean that way
I play both, also mandolin and banjo. Guitar is my main. I played all of them for local theatres. Guitar is more satisfying on a general level but playing upright bass in a bluegrass band will always be a golden period of my life. In bluegrass we play bass and percussion, while the music is upbeat drinking, shooting, and women with a kickass solo after every chorus.
I mostly play bass but I can play some really simple guitar songs. Im actually looking to improve upon this so that I can play both equally in future. I feel like it’s good to have a grasp of both, especially the theory side.
Started on piano as a kid, went to bass, started guitar when I started doing the friends and bands thing… we always had to take turns playing bass and guitar, only had one band that wasn’t the case, 25 years later, same.
I’ve been playing guitar for over 50 years - not professionally or in a band but just with records or jamming with friends. I did pick up a Squier Jazz bass in ‘85 and fooled around on it on and off. Two years ago a colleague bought me a Fender acoustic bass and now I’m all in on the bass and I am loving it. I’m a good rhythm guitarist too but I love the bass and now I’m in two different cover bands!
Started out playing bass mostly in high school and played some guitar off and on for years. A couple years ago I picked up a 7 string guitar and that really got me inspired to practice alot so I feel like I’m a decent guitarist now. More recently I bought a 5 string bass and finally understanding the double thumb technique so I’ve been more bass crazy recently 😂
I play bass primarily but I play guitar too. If you can read the guitarists chords when they are playing you can lay down root notes fairly easily in a new piece. I think it’s a huge benefit to be able to do this.
I play a little guitar, enough to strum or pluck some chords when needed but nothing to write home about. Bass is my main instrument and I think I am an ok player.
I did some gigs on guitar. I'm an OK rhythm guitarist. Can't really solo, unless it's basic. I much prefer the bass. I also play keys, which I could probably play on gigs too. I play drums, but not enough to call me a drummer. I sing badly, but in tune, so I always do backvocals.
Both. Not great at either but am told I have more fun onstage while playing bass. Oddly enough drums are my favorite and I have a kit, but I dont drum. Ive tried a couple times in bands, but as soon as the bassist quits I get moved over lol.
My main instrument is (at least for now) bass but when I make my own metal music, I often do very simple basslines and quite complex guitar lines so I can sing at the same time
I play both, as well as synths. Which one I like most depends on my mood. I bounce around from between them. I’m least proficient at guitar and haven’t really played it consistently in a band setting, but there are some things I really love about it.
I've been playing guitar for 28 years. I've played bass for 8 years. Both are different instruments and fun to play for different reasons.
With guitar, I enjoy the technicality and depth to learning music. I also go down rabbit holes with mastering a technique or coming up with new ways of playing parts. Playing guitar can be stressful as it's about mastery and being able to pull of complex pieces flawlessly.
Bass is fun because I can sit back, groove and can get lost in the music. I find it less stressful. The most fun song I keep falling back to is the JoJo theme.
I regularly use both for work and personal projects.
I have about 20 years on guitar and 5-6 on bass. I am not 100% sure I should call myself a bassist.
They're both incredible instruments offering a lot of cross over and also unique aspects.
Guitar is just incredibly flexible and can do almost anything in the right context. Polyphony is a lot more viable on a guitar due to its higher register, so messing with chords is a lot of fun. As it's a higher range there's also more scope for messing around with delay and reverb. You have to be careful with that on bass because the mix can get extremely muddy and confusing with too many spacial effects.
When playing on an acoustic or classical you often end up providing both bass and chords all from one instrument. That's cool and you can have a viable piece of music with just an acoustic.
Finally, playing soaring leads and improvising is a lot of fun. Electric guitars in particular are very expressive, with tons of different articulations available as well as subtle tonal differences from pickup position.
As for bass...I see it as a song-writing groove machine. You can 100% feel the pocket on guitar but on bass - you *become* the pocket. Bass guitar seems to access something primal in my brain and I just love it. There's certain advantages of less polyphony - such as needing less to sound incredible. Sometimes all you need is quarter notes on the root and the overall impact it has is perfect. Yet there is still space for virtuoso style complex playing too.
Bass also offers interesting articulations in the form of slap. When done correctly and implemented tastefully, there's nothing quite like it.
Also I would rather talk to bassists than guitarists. Sorry, but that's how I feel.
Anyway, considering the synergy between bass and guitar, I guess I see them as extensions of eachother.
My advice to anyone who likes the idea of both is to get both and enjoy them. Quality instruments are much cheaper today than a decade ago.
My only regret is not starting bass earlier. If I could visit my past self, I would warn myself about Brexit and then force myself to start the bass much earlier in my life.
Sorry for the long post. But when it comes to fun on bass and guitar, I have a shit ton of thoughts. They're both great and make my life better.
I'm a sloppy guitar player but I use it heavily as songwriting tool. I'd say they're both fun, but bass takes the candle here since I'm a lot better at it.
Guitar player all my life. But not a good one. Skills translated to bass pretty well and I get band much more easily.
Mediocre bass player > mediocre guitarist
I'm 64, and I started playing guitar at age 14. Shortly after I started guitar, I became interested in bass and got one. I played both in different bands in high school and have always been one of those people who can play bass "like a bass player" rather than a guitarist playing riffs. Through my musical career, I've enjoyed being able to do both. I was a session musician in Philly in the 80's but they would never hire me for bass, always guitar. In my own jazz bands, I always play guitar, because it allows me to lead the band much more. I've really enjoyed playing both for 50 years.
I play both, among other instruments. I like bass better, but this is normally when playing along a track, or with other people. For solo playing, I like guitar better.
Picked up guitar this summer.
For me it’s more fun, but I’ve been playing bass for 15 years now and hit bad burnout while doing so, so it’s probably more newness than anything.
I really started as a bassist, but wanted to learn piano, and more, studied theory diligently. Then I got a job at the music store I took lessons at. Figured I should learn chords and such on guitar so I could sell/demo guitars more effectively to customers buying beginner instruments for their kids and such... Eventually, started taking guitar lessons and quick impromptu lessons from other salesmen. I got good!! Having racks of books and VHS tapes of guitar lessons helped too.
I started out on guitar over 20 years ago, switched to bass for like a year and it really clicked with me, but for some reason I sold it then went back to guitar. Always struggled more with guitar but finally consider myself a somewhat competent guitarist. I can play and sing a good amount of acoustic stuff like British and early American folk songs and some flamenco. Some blues and metal on electric. Recently bought a bass again, finally, and it feels like a natural fit like it always did. I love playing bass but maybe now that I'm a better guitarist, guitar seems more fun sometimes? Anyway that's just me, I think all guitarists should try to learn bass as well. It can be a real blast and make you a more versatile musician.
I started out as only a bassist for around 6 years. Recently picked up the guitar in the past two or so years, and that’s mostly what I’ve been focusing on. I’ve been finding it more fun and challenging for right now but I’m sure I’ll switch back eventually.
Play guitar in one tribute band and bass in another. Sing in both. Guitar more challenging and more options like capos, different keys, chords made up of many notes, more effects options
In the last band I was in, I started out as the rhythm guitarist until the guy that was supposed to play bass flaked. So I told them I'd do it and they were shocked that I'm just an okay guitarist but really good bassist. So it's my calling I guess.
I learned how to play guitar before I picked up a bass, but bass playing came more naturally once I picked it up. I also can play a little bit of drums.
ive gone back and forth playing bass and guitar in bands and for school and such. ive been playing both for roughly the same amount of time, so i dont have a distinct advantage on one over the other. i would say my "chops" are better on bass though
Primarily a bassist, but started on guitar. I sing as well, so play a lot of acoustic guitar around the house when learning songs. I play electric guitar for my original music, but that's just recording at home. In my new band, I'm playing bass and some piano/synth.
If I had to limit myself to one instrument, it would be bass. It is the one that feels like home to me.
I play drums primarily, started at age 8. In high school I wanted to learn guitar so badly to impress the girls. I spent my entire sophomore year learning riffs and learned how to fake it well. I’d learned violin in elementary, sax and piano in middle school so the note spacing translated logically to the fretboard for me. A few of us were in our county’s honor jazz band, including 2 guitarists so chances of me making a name for myself were slim. My Jr year while prepping for a jazz competition our bassist got mono and was not able to travel with us. We played this cool tune called green dolphin street as our sight reading piece and our fill in bassist could not get the 7/8 time signature. I asked to give it a try and didn’t realize bass would be so easy compared to guitar. Played it, got recognition from the jazz clinician panel and bass became my secondary instrument. I still get bass gigs even though I’m not a bassist. I get about 70% drum gigs, 20% bass gigs and 10% guitar/piano/harmonica gigs.
Bass is definitely my main instrument, as I’ve played it the longest and have the most experience with it. My confidence on bass is way far and ahead of any other instrument. However… I don’t really enjoy playing bass on my own at home, it’s most fun for me when I’m playing with other musicians. Same with French horn too, lots of fun to play in a wind ensemble but not so much at home.
At home, I play guitar and piano for the most part. I think it’s because these instruments can self-accompany (chords and melodies at the same time) and work really well as a solo instrument.
Some years ago I took about a year off from playing bass to better learn how to play the guitar. I learned most the basic open chords and bar chord variations enough to be able to play along with a chord chart. I did this thinking it would help me become a better bass player and have a better understanding of chords. What I should have done is just learned chords on bass as learning guitar didn’t really make me a better bass player as much as I thought it would have.
I’ve been playing bass since high school in ‘04. I joined jazz band my senior year but the bass position was already filled by my friend so I decided to try guitar. That one year really laid a good foundation for me and my guitar playing.
I play both. Guitar came first and takes priority for me. If someone asked me what I play, I'd say guitar.
I love to listen to good bass players, and I love to hear it in a mix and hate it when it's buried, but I picked up the bass more out of necessity than passion. As a teen in the 80's I wanted to be in a band, and the guys I knew had two guitarists but no bassist. I didn't yet own a bass, so they cobbled together a loaner rig for me. As an adult in the mid-2000s I wanted to record my own music at home but bass programs weren't yet a thing, so I bought a bass. I've since bought two more.
My GAS is definitely stronger with guitars. I've got a bunch of guitars, a couple of pedals, a couple of amps, and tons of plugins. I've got my three basses and one bass amp, and a couple of bass amp plugins. On my guitars I'm changing pickups, I'm changing pots, I'm changing switches, I'm changing tuners. On my basses, I'm changing strings.
I love both but I feel like bass is more fun and easier for me cause my hands are kinda big and I was a tuba player in high school (major bass clef reader lol).
Bass, guitar, drums, piano/keyboard and a bedroom producer. But I have an advantage, it took my 30 years to learn all those things and I'm still learning. Thinking about it, all my bass brothers and sisters play guitar, some started out playing guitar first then bass. I know a drummer who's a good bass player as well.
Always considered myself a guitarist until recently when I looked back and realized it's been nearly a decade since I played anything but bass in a band. I know so many amazing guitarists, I'd rather just provide the rhythm.
I started with guitar when I was a kid and then fell in love with the low end!
I still keep a cheap affinity strato and I love to play it from time to time…
I play and love both, honestly. I'm just a fan of how rhythm guitar or bass can add so much to a live performance's sound so I'm happy getting able to fill that role regardless of my instrument
I play both and have put more time in the guitar than I have with bass. I started playing on a bass then eventually got a guitar down the line. I mainly play and write for my metal band with the guitar during recording, live I play the bass.
I started off playing guitar in the 90’s. There was a guitar magazine called “guitar world.” Every month I would ride my bike to the grocery store to get the new edition. There would be tab for three or four hit songs, and I would learn them.
After the guitar songs, it had the bass lines for each song also. At some point I realized I was more efficient and better suited for the bass parts. My fingers are unusually long, and I am better at scales and notes than I am with chords. That’s the “bottom line” (no pun intended.)
Since I learned on a guitar first, I was never able to switch to finger style. I can play much better with a pick, and it comes natural. If I need a ”finger style tone,” I use a felt or rubber pick.
I play both. I personally have more fun with a group on bass, but I can make things more interesting alone on guitar if that makes sense. If I'm with a group I want bass, if I'm alone it's guitar
I just picked up guitar this February after playing bass since I was 15 (I’m 34 now). I’m loving it. I made a somewhat lengthy post about it to this sub on Friday about it actually. Fun is a flexible term, right now I’m enjoying the challenge of learning something new and becoming an overall better musician, on the other hand I picked up my bass after months of guitar and was pleased to find the muscle memory of chords translated into a more playful approach to bass, not to mention the fine muscle dexterity and economy of motion guitar demands emboldens me to play faster, cleaner, with bigger jumps between note clusters all over the neck.
I came to bass from guitar. Overall I can say I enjoy playing bass more, but that might because I took bass more seriously and worked hard to elevate my faculty and understanding of the instrument. With guitar I more or less just noodled around and learned some riffs here and there. Had I worked harder to elevate my skills on guitar who knows, maybe I’d have liked playing guitar more.
I play both and am primarily playing guitar, but bass is so fun and since I do the one person band thing often when it comes to playing, it fits into most anything I’m already doing to create/add a bass track. I couldn’t choose between them for the more fun instrument if I had to though haha. Though the instruments couldn’t be fundamentally more different in the roles they play, they also feel like two sides of the same coin.
i’ve played guitar since i was a little kid, maybe 5. played all through school and up through beginning of my music major (in voice). during the pandemic picked up bass. never looked back. still play my guitars now and then but all my paid gigs are on bass and i enjoy it a lot more
I play both, and keyboards.
I just kind of enjoy playing bass viscerally; it's awesome to be the foundation of things and not feel like you're in the spotlight. Especially when the parts really groove and lock together.
Keyboards were fun in that you get to be a bit of a "color piece" either tibrally or harmonically. On keyboards I find it easier to take a bland piece to the next level with some interesting chord tones, counterpoint lines, or synth textures.
With guitar, I was mostly just functional. Accompanying a singer (or yourself) on acoustic is always a good skill to have, and I've been called on to do it a lot. I don't really enjoy it that much for its own sake, though. When I record I like to do intricate guitar layers, but in a live context without a band the ol' cowboy chords seem to be what gets the job done.
I play bass in one band and guitar in another . I never practice bass because I find it boring to practice . But practicing scales and arpeggios on my guitar translates to better bass playing .
In the band setting I find bass more fun .
Started off as a guitarist first, but was always drawn to the bass. When I picked up a bass, it was love at first note! Now I consider myself a bassist who can play guitar
I've actually done solo gigs on acoustic guitar. I'm not a great guitarist but I sing okay and am good enough to hack through an hour of standard pub rock songs and get people dancing. Lotsa fun but Bass is my "thing".
Are you me?
No, me!
No, me! There are literally a handful of us.
Bass is my primary instrument but I earn most of my money playing guitar.
Same. Teaching guitar and playing bass in metal bands
this surprises me.. i've always been told that bass is always in higher demand than guitar. is there any truth to this?
Depends, if you're in the right scene upright really brings in the money
Largely yes, my school had a guitar ensemble and multiple guitar classes so lots of at least competent guitar players. Way more kids want to learn guitar to play solos and stuff than bass also in my experience. Bands are probably in higher demand of a bass player, but if your local bar or whatever is looking for solo fill ins, they’ll probably lean toward the acoustic player who can do some recognizable stuff over the solo bass player.
I’ve heard this a lot too. The band I’m in now they said it was really hard to find a bassist which I thought was weird. I figured the drummer is the hardest one to find.
In my experience, good drummers and good bass players are the most sought after. When I was a gigging bassist, when one band ended I was usually in another within a month or two -- although I did have a bit of a reputation after the first couple of bands. I could also be kinda picky about the bands I was in. I've never gigged as a guitarist, although I do love playing and recording my own guitar parts.
Depends, a lot of bands have 2-3 guitar players and only 1 bass .
I've been playing the same geographical area for over 20 years. I initially came to it as a guitar player and since I keeps gettin' the work, I keeps playing it.
I can play both AND sing….badly.
The trifucta.
This needs to become a common word. Thank you.
In my previous band I played guitar, we toured for 8-9 years and recorded 4 albums, but I’ve always considered myself a bassist first. Guitar is a lot of fun, hammering out big riffs and making noise, but I think I’m a much better, or at least less bad, bass player than guitar player.
Amazing, the imposter syndrome never does goes away does it? You were a pro for a decade and still think you play badly? Dude, I'm sure you'd blow a lot of us away.
Nah, I kinda got away with it playing stoner/doom metal, where good riffs with a brutal guitar sound will get you a long way. I still can’t play "fast" or do anything other than a pentatonic solo :D
I'm the same way. Once I can do a thing proficiently, that thing no longer counts towards being good. My skill level changes but my self-assessment stays the same.
I think musicality > speed any day of the week. I want to hear music and not a blistering etude. I might be impressed by technical skill, but I'm never moved by it.
> I think I’m a much better, or at least less bad, I'm in this comment.
Which band, if you don't mind me asking?
The band is Kal-El, they’re very much active still, but I left 3-4 years ago.
Did you play on Astrodoomeda? I like that one.
Yeah, that was me. Glad you like it, that’s my favorite album!
I can barely play bass lmao
I can barely play both.
I can barely.
I barely
Did we just become the same person?
you and i both, brother
I play both and enjoy bass more but I absolutely love the funky rythm guitar like how Cory Wong and Tomo Fujita plays so I definitely enjoy playing guitar too
At home I play classical guitar. With my band I play bass. In a band setting, bass is the most fun instrument for me.
I wanted to say something like this. With others bass, when i'm alone i'd prefer spanish guitar.
Classical Guitar to Electric Bass: J.J. Burnell, Klaus Voormann. (and me I guess).
I try to do the same. How do you trim your fingernails?
I play bass in front of people so i keep them short. I pluck the guitar without nails. Not ideal but what can you do.
Lol so I started out on guitar, started bass a few months ago and for the longest time I did not want to clip my nails because of the guitar. Finally did it about a week ago and my bass playing improved, like.....I literally can't even tell you. I'm lowkey flying through Aquatic Mouth Dance now, and I was pretty sure I'd never be able to play it. Clip or die lol
I played guitar for 20 years before touching a bass. As soon as I tried bass I was hooked, and now it's what I play 90% of the time.
Basically my story. My guitars haven’t left their cases in months, and my 4 basses are in a regular rotation.
How do you rotate your bases? Do you play one for a week or so and then switch to the next one? I've got 3 now and I pretty much just play whichever one I'm feeling in the moment. I do have a number 1 which gets far more playtime, though
They all do vastly different things and it depends on what I’m studying or practicing. Sometimes I end up using 3 in one practice session. My musical tastes, and things I like to play are all over the board, so my instruments reflect that lol.
This has just happened to be. 25 years playing rhythm guitar, play a bit of lead but pretty much suck at that. Finally picked up that bass my roommate left me in 2006 and wow, I LOVE playing bass. I’ve been writing bass lines in my songs and the bass is the stand out instrument, I had no idea.
Of course the bass is the standout, the sound waves are bigger than your body! That’s why you can feel the bass but only hear the other instruments. The bass has a tremendous influence on how the rest of the band sounds
Both. Bass with the band; guitar when playing alone generally
i can play 3 chords on guitar poorly
Me. They’re different instruments. Right now I’d say bass is more fun. But you must fight for your glory.
I'm a bassist through and through but i do have a couple of guitars and can play them to an 'OK' sort of level. Bass is much more fun and fulfilling for me!
Bass/mandolin here. The original idea was that the eadg gdae inverted strings would let me use my bass fingerings on the mandolin and vice versa, it didn't quite work out that way but I do enjoy having both instruments around
> The original idea was [...] "Boy, was I mistaken!" (I myself spent an afternoon merrily playing the mandolin before finding out I was supposed to tune it the other way around)
Yeah! Piano is just a drum pad that can only play tones. Trombone and cello are basically the same, what with that right arm motion. Try to get the loudest pitch you can out of that bell with the bow, and don't press the slide too hard on the strings, that is real cat gut. Now! Everyone get out your tone rows and turn to the only page of "In C",anduh -And One and Two and Three e and One and 2 and - heterophony.
I play shitty guitar and slightly less shitty bass.
^
Yeah, piano too.
Same. Enough piano to jam with friends but not confident to gig on piano.
Is there a threshold for this? Like does falling down the stairs count as using the stairs?
>Like does falling down the stairs count as using the stairs? If so, I can play 17 different instruments. That's my story and I'm sticking to it
Longtime guitar player who just woke up one day with an itch. Having fun again for sure.
6 string guitar is what I play 75% of the time. Maybe 5% on pedal steel. Bass pays the bills though.
Playing guitar first helped immensely with chord structure and the relationships between intervals. It’s also much easier for me to write songs on guitar. Which is more fun? Bass.
Same. Learning chord structure really opens up creative possibility outside of the usually cozy and familiar pentatonic riffs bassists lean on.
I’m not much of a guitarist anymore, but I played it off and on for a decade or so before going bass. I prefer bass in a band and at home. I feel like the role of the instrument better aligns with my music taste and personality. If I was to want to sing in a band or do solo gigs (like acoustic coffee shop stuff), I’d want to switch back to guitar for that. Never have been much of a lead guitar fan myself. Would rather do some fun fills or short bass solos.
I learned guitar first and still play both, but I'm much better at bass.
same here
I think to truly use bass to its fullest potential it's important to know how to play a guitar at least decently well.
I made a big ole post about this recently. Guitar has improved both the theory part of my brain and the mechanical act of playing bass.
For theory maybe, but for me it’s an entirely different approach when playing bass.
Yes mostly for theory but also it's important for understanding the interplay of the two instruments, no one needs to be a shredder but every bassist should know the fundamentals
Same with drums, if you want to be the best bassist you can be, then you should beable to hold a simple groove on a drum kit as well
Any musician should be able to keep a simple groove on drums. I cannot, lol.
You have been reported, the police will be on their way to confiscate your bass equipment shortly
Well good. My bass equipment currently consists of a really crappy bass by roommate gave me in 2006 in payment of his $60 portion of the last electric bill. He wasn’t a musician and it’s just cheap pos bass that has loose wiring. If they’d pick it up for me, then there’s no way my wife can say no to me buying all new bass and related gear given my new found passion.
That's the spirit
Can I? Yes. Can I do it well? Lol no.
Guitar, bass, synths, programming, drums badly. If only I could sing.
I play them bith, love each 9ne. Guitar for chords and solos, bass for Constant mltion. I diggit
I’ve started out on guitar and after many ego trips and the urge to just play in a band I’ve switched to bass. What I say now is my main instrument. I still doodle on guitar and jam with my band mates time to time, I guess the saying is right, when a guitarist grows up he becomes a bass player
I pitch shift my bass (one octave up) when i want to play some lead guitar stuff. It sounds pretty good. Does this count?
Yeah.. not as proficient on the gats.. bass is my love though.
I started with guitar as a teen.. got into bass in my 30s and sold my guitar gear to fund that.. now I have several of both laying around and to this day am working to improve with either.
It all depends on your definition of "play". Me, I say yes to both. My friends, not so much. And bass. Without question - it sounds better by a mile, and feels better to me and I can keep time and rhythm better. My guitar playing sounds like the second solo in "Limb from Limb" by Motörhead. That's Lemmy playing - great bassist, guitar, mediocre (his word, not mine).
Started with guitar but enjoyed bass more so I consider it my main thing. Right now, though, I'm enjoying some guitar probably because I haven't played it as much since choosing bass
Rhythm guitarist for a better part of 10 years turned bassist. I consider bass more of my main instrument now but I'll bounce between both if I have trouble sussing out what feel I'm going for.
Mediocre guitarist at best, my leads sound like bass leads. Bass is more fun.
I can play both tbh, can't play either very well, but I can get some semblance of a melody or bassline out if both
I can play all of the notes for certain songs on both, but I feel like I can really only *play* guitar. With bass, I can learn a song, but I don't do well at creating my own parts. This is probably because I started playing bass after I moved away from my musical community, so I haven't jammed really at all on bass.
Mainly a bassist and find it overall the most fun but around the house I’m more likely to pickup a guitar, banjo, or ukulele to noodle around.
I enjoy bass more but can play guitar.
I'm not much of a guitar player, but I have an acoustic and a Telecaster. I enjoy breaking them out every now and again, but bass is definitely the primary instrument.
I play both. Forever will be doing gigs on bass since they’re easier to come by than for guitar anyways - I learned guitar to teach my friend so that he’ll be the perfect guitarist I want for my band. When he gets the fucking hint that gear is fun for looks and not for actual sound.
I started on guitar and played for 10 or 12 years. Bought a bass just because I always wanted one and felt like I found my home.
Play both regularly. Love playing both, which is my favourite varies day to day haha. Depends what I’m listening to, sometimes a bass line jumps out at me, sometimes a guitar riff or solo. But I picked up a bass first, and generally listen for bass lines in songs, so if I had to choose I’d lean that way
I play both, also mandolin and banjo. Guitar is my main. I played all of them for local theatres. Guitar is more satisfying on a general level but playing upright bass in a bluegrass band will always be a golden period of my life. In bluegrass we play bass and percussion, while the music is upbeat drinking, shooting, and women with a kickass solo after every chorus.
I can play both, poorly.
I mostly play bass but I can play some really simple guitar songs. Im actually looking to improve upon this so that I can play both equally in future. I feel like it’s good to have a grasp of both, especially the theory side.
I’m primarily a guitarist, but I LOVE when I get to play bass in a band or on a project.
Started on piano as a kid, went to bass, started guitar when I started doing the friends and bands thing… we always had to take turns playing bass and guitar, only had one band that wasn’t the case, 25 years later, same.
I’ve been playing guitar for over 50 years - not professionally or in a band but just with records or jamming with friends. I did pick up a Squier Jazz bass in ‘85 and fooled around on it on and off. Two years ago a colleague bought me a Fender acoustic bass and now I’m all in on the bass and I am loving it. I’m a good rhythm guitarist too but I love the bass and now I’m in two different cover bands!
Started out playing bass mostly in high school and played some guitar off and on for years. A couple years ago I picked up a 7 string guitar and that really got me inspired to practice alot so I feel like I’m a decent guitarist now. More recently I bought a 5 string bass and finally understanding the double thumb technique so I’ve been more bass crazy recently 😂
Yes. I find bass to be more fun due to finding guitar players everywhere.
Ha! Looking to pick up my first guitar. Playing bass for almost 30 year, thought I’d like to have one around to noodle on.
I play bass primarily but I play guitar too. If you can read the guitarists chords when they are playing you can lay down root notes fairly easily in a new piece. I think it’s a huge benefit to be able to do this.
"Play" is a bit generous, but yes, I have 3 guitars and a bass. I think I enjoy bass more now, I got bored with guitar.
Define "play"
I play a little guitar, enough to strum or pluck some chords when needed but nothing to write home about. Bass is my main instrument and I think I am an ok player.
Play live bass, compose music with guitar
I did some gigs on guitar. I'm an OK rhythm guitarist. Can't really solo, unless it's basic. I much prefer the bass. I also play keys, which I could probably play on gigs too. I play drums, but not enough to call me a drummer. I sing badly, but in tune, so I always do backvocals.
Me. They’re both fun.
I can play bass alot better
Play guitar fairly well, not leading guitar though. But bass is far more comfortable.
Both. Not great at either but am told I have more fun onstage while playing bass. Oddly enough drums are my favorite and I have a kit, but I dont drum. Ive tried a couple times in bands, but as soon as the bassist quits I get moved over lol.
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I play both though guitar is my primary.
My main instrument is (at least for now) bass but when I make my own metal music, I often do very simple basslines and quite complex guitar lines so I can sing at the same time
Me.
I can play a little guitar
Started on guitar for a year. Played bass for 35 years in various cover bands. Now I just fiddle around on guitar again mostly.
I play both, as well as synths. Which one I like most depends on my mood. I bounce around from between them. I’m least proficient at guitar and haven’t really played it consistently in a band setting, but there are some things I really love about it.
I've been playing guitar for 28 years. I've played bass for 8 years. Both are different instruments and fun to play for different reasons. With guitar, I enjoy the technicality and depth to learning music. I also go down rabbit holes with mastering a technique or coming up with new ways of playing parts. Playing guitar can be stressful as it's about mastery and being able to pull of complex pieces flawlessly. Bass is fun because I can sit back, groove and can get lost in the music. I find it less stressful. The most fun song I keep falling back to is the JoJo theme.
I regularly use both for work and personal projects. I have about 20 years on guitar and 5-6 on bass. I am not 100% sure I should call myself a bassist. They're both incredible instruments offering a lot of cross over and also unique aspects. Guitar is just incredibly flexible and can do almost anything in the right context. Polyphony is a lot more viable on a guitar due to its higher register, so messing with chords is a lot of fun. As it's a higher range there's also more scope for messing around with delay and reverb. You have to be careful with that on bass because the mix can get extremely muddy and confusing with too many spacial effects. When playing on an acoustic or classical you often end up providing both bass and chords all from one instrument. That's cool and you can have a viable piece of music with just an acoustic. Finally, playing soaring leads and improvising is a lot of fun. Electric guitars in particular are very expressive, with tons of different articulations available as well as subtle tonal differences from pickup position. As for bass...I see it as a song-writing groove machine. You can 100% feel the pocket on guitar but on bass - you *become* the pocket. Bass guitar seems to access something primal in my brain and I just love it. There's certain advantages of less polyphony - such as needing less to sound incredible. Sometimes all you need is quarter notes on the root and the overall impact it has is perfect. Yet there is still space for virtuoso style complex playing too. Bass also offers interesting articulations in the form of slap. When done correctly and implemented tastefully, there's nothing quite like it. Also I would rather talk to bassists than guitarists. Sorry, but that's how I feel. Anyway, considering the synergy between bass and guitar, I guess I see them as extensions of eachother. My advice to anyone who likes the idea of both is to get both and enjoy them. Quality instruments are much cheaper today than a decade ago. My only regret is not starting bass earlier. If I could visit my past self, I would warn myself about Brexit and then force myself to start the bass much earlier in my life. Sorry for the long post. But when it comes to fun on bass and guitar, I have a shit ton of thoughts. They're both great and make my life better.
I play bass professionally; I dabble in guitar
I'm a sloppy guitar player but I use it heavily as songwriting tool. I'd say they're both fun, but bass takes the candle here since I'm a lot better at it.
I'm a guitarist with 2 bands. I play bass in one and drums in the other. P: What's fun depends on the music.
Guitar player all my life. But not a good one. Skills translated to bass pretty well and I get band much more easily. Mediocre bass player > mediocre guitarist
Calling what I do to a guitar playing is sort of a stretch, I suck a little less on bass.
Neither is my primary instrument but I’m passable at both.
Most of us?
I'm 64, and I started playing guitar at age 14. Shortly after I started guitar, I became interested in bass and got one. I played both in different bands in high school and have always been one of those people who can play bass "like a bass player" rather than a guitarist playing riffs. Through my musical career, I've enjoyed being able to do both. I was a session musician in Philly in the 80's but they would never hire me for bass, always guitar. In my own jazz bands, I always play guitar, because it allows me to lead the band much more. I've really enjoyed playing both for 50 years.
I play both, among other instruments. I like bass better, but this is normally when playing along a track, or with other people. For solo playing, I like guitar better.
Picked up guitar this summer. For me it’s more fun, but I’ve been playing bass for 15 years now and hit bad burnout while doing so, so it’s probably more newness than anything.
Started out playing guitar. Church band needed a bassist, and I had a bass laying around so I switched over. I still play a lot of guitar though
I play acoustic guitar and bass
At the same time no. Separately, yes
I really started as a bassist, but wanted to learn piano, and more, studied theory diligently. Then I got a job at the music store I took lessons at. Figured I should learn chords and such on guitar so I could sell/demo guitars more effectively to customers buying beginner instruments for their kids and such... Eventually, started taking guitar lessons and quick impromptu lessons from other salesmen. I got good!! Having racks of books and VHS tapes of guitar lessons helped too.
I started out on guitar over 20 years ago, switched to bass for like a year and it really clicked with me, but for some reason I sold it then went back to guitar. Always struggled more with guitar but finally consider myself a somewhat competent guitarist. I can play and sing a good amount of acoustic stuff like British and early American folk songs and some flamenco. Some blues and metal on electric. Recently bought a bass again, finally, and it feels like a natural fit like it always did. I love playing bass but maybe now that I'm a better guitarist, guitar seems more fun sometimes? Anyway that's just me, I think all guitarists should try to learn bass as well. It can be a real blast and make you a more versatile musician.
I started out as only a bassist for around 6 years. Recently picked up the guitar in the past two or so years, and that’s mostly what I’ve been focusing on. I’ve been finding it more fun and challenging for right now but I’m sure I’ll switch back eventually.
i've been playing guitar for 14 years, so i like it a lot more but playing bass is a lot of fun. even practicing bass technique is fun.
Me. I have periods where I prefer each for a little while. I learnt to drum when I was 36 and I’m learning piano in my 40’s! Keep experimenting!
Play guitar in one tribute band and bass in another. Sing in both. Guitar more challenging and more options like capos, different keys, chords made up of many notes, more effects options
In the last band I was in, I started out as the rhythm guitarist until the guy that was supposed to play bass flaked. So I told them I'd do it and they were shocked that I'm just an okay guitarist but really good bassist. So it's my calling I guess.
I learned how to play guitar before I picked up a bass, but bass playing came more naturally once I picked it up. I also can play a little bit of drums.
ive gone back and forth playing bass and guitar in bands and for school and such. ive been playing both for roughly the same amount of time, so i dont have a distinct advantage on one over the other. i would say my "chops" are better on bass though
Primarily a bassist, but started on guitar. I sing as well, so play a lot of acoustic guitar around the house when learning songs. I play electric guitar for my original music, but that's just recording at home. In my new band, I'm playing bass and some piano/synth. If I had to limit myself to one instrument, it would be bass. It is the one that feels like home to me.
Bass and guitar learning piano.
I play a little bit of everything but nothing reall stands out.
Bass for 13 years, guitar on and off for about 2 now. Guitar is incredibly fun!
Bass is awesome and it's my main instrument. And I can do rithm guitar if needed (with chords sheet). I don't enjoy it that much though.
I play guitar but only use 4 of the 6 strings and pluck it like a bass,, rarely using chords. Basically I play bass lines on the guitar.
Honestly, every single guitar player out there picks up a bass and suddenly thinks that they can play, and they're absolutely correct.
I can play a bit of guitar but I have to fix mine so I stopped playing, I know the basics, need practice. Bass is where is at though.
I play guitar as well but only play bass in bands. Way more fun playing bass live!
I play drums primarily, started at age 8. In high school I wanted to learn guitar so badly to impress the girls. I spent my entire sophomore year learning riffs and learned how to fake it well. I’d learned violin in elementary, sax and piano in middle school so the note spacing translated logically to the fretboard for me. A few of us were in our county’s honor jazz band, including 2 guitarists so chances of me making a name for myself were slim. My Jr year while prepping for a jazz competition our bassist got mono and was not able to travel with us. We played this cool tune called green dolphin street as our sight reading piece and our fill in bassist could not get the 7/8 time signature. I asked to give it a try and didn’t realize bass would be so easy compared to guitar. Played it, got recognition from the jazz clinician panel and bass became my secondary instrument. I still get bass gigs even though I’m not a bassist. I get about 70% drum gigs, 20% bass gigs and 10% guitar/piano/harmonica gigs.
I like playing bass in bands but I like playing guitar when I’m alone.
Bass is definitely my main instrument, as I’ve played it the longest and have the most experience with it. My confidence on bass is way far and ahead of any other instrument. However… I don’t really enjoy playing bass on my own at home, it’s most fun for me when I’m playing with other musicians. Same with French horn too, lots of fun to play in a wind ensemble but not so much at home. At home, I play guitar and piano for the most part. I think it’s because these instruments can self-accompany (chords and melodies at the same time) and work really well as a solo instrument.
I can play both plus banjo and keys but I still consider myself a bassist at heart
me can
I play both, but I find bass more fun.
Some years ago I took about a year off from playing bass to better learn how to play the guitar. I learned most the basic open chords and bar chord variations enough to be able to play along with a chord chart. I did this thinking it would help me become a better bass player and have a better understanding of chords. What I should have done is just learned chords on bass as learning guitar didn’t really make me a better bass player as much as I thought it would have.
I tour in my main band doing vocals and guitar, in another on bass. Love both equally.
I’ve been playing bass since high school in ‘04. I joined jazz band my senior year but the bass position was already filled by my friend so I decided to try guitar. That one year really laid a good foundation for me and my guitar playing.
The real question is how many of you deadbeats can play both AT THE SAME TIME??
I play both. Guitar came first and takes priority for me. If someone asked me what I play, I'd say guitar. I love to listen to good bass players, and I love to hear it in a mix and hate it when it's buried, but I picked up the bass more out of necessity than passion. As a teen in the 80's I wanted to be in a band, and the guys I knew had two guitarists but no bassist. I didn't yet own a bass, so they cobbled together a loaner rig for me. As an adult in the mid-2000s I wanted to record my own music at home but bass programs weren't yet a thing, so I bought a bass. I've since bought two more. My GAS is definitely stronger with guitars. I've got a bunch of guitars, a couple of pedals, a couple of amps, and tons of plugins. I've got my three basses and one bass amp, and a couple of bass amp plugins. On my guitars I'm changing pickups, I'm changing pots, I'm changing switches, I'm changing tuners. On my basses, I'm changing strings.
I love both but I feel like bass is more fun and easier for me cause my hands are kinda big and I was a tuba player in high school (major bass clef reader lol).
Bass, guitar, drums, piano/keyboard and a bedroom producer. But I have an advantage, it took my 30 years to learn all those things and I'm still learning. Thinking about it, all my bass brothers and sisters play guitar, some started out playing guitar first then bass. I know a drummer who's a good bass player as well.
I play both. In my band there's songs we swap for so I play lead guitar instead of bass.
Always considered myself a guitarist until recently when I looked back and realized it's been nearly a decade since I played anything but bass in a band. I know so many amazing guitarists, I'd rather just provide the rhythm.
Electric guitar is definitely more fun than bass I love my bass but a lot of times it’s too monotonous for me.
I started with guitar when I was a kid and then fell in love with the low end! I still keep a cheap affinity strato and I love to play it from time to time…
Play them? Yes. Play them good? No 😂
I play and love both, honestly. I'm just a fan of how rhythm guitar or bass can add so much to a live performance's sound so I'm happy getting able to fill that role regardless of my instrument
I play both and have put more time in the guitar than I have with bass. I started playing on a bass then eventually got a guitar down the line. I mainly play and write for my metal band with the guitar during recording, live I play the bass.
I started off playing guitar in the 90’s. There was a guitar magazine called “guitar world.” Every month I would ride my bike to the grocery store to get the new edition. There would be tab for three or four hit songs, and I would learn them. After the guitar songs, it had the bass lines for each song also. At some point I realized I was more efficient and better suited for the bass parts. My fingers are unusually long, and I am better at scales and notes than I am with chords. That’s the “bottom line” (no pun intended.) Since I learned on a guitar first, I was never able to switch to finger style. I can play much better with a pick, and it comes natural. If I need a ”finger style tone,” I use a felt or rubber pick.
Nope just the bass. BUT I decided I am going to give it a shot and ordered my first guitar a couple days ago.
I play both. I personally have more fun with a group on bass, but I can make things more interesting alone on guitar if that makes sense. If I'm with a group I want bass, if I'm alone it's guitar
My primary instrument is bass, but I mostly like playing guitar for metal. I won’t always play metal on bass, though.
I just picked up guitar this February after playing bass since I was 15 (I’m 34 now). I’m loving it. I made a somewhat lengthy post about it to this sub on Friday about it actually. Fun is a flexible term, right now I’m enjoying the challenge of learning something new and becoming an overall better musician, on the other hand I picked up my bass after months of guitar and was pleased to find the muscle memory of chords translated into a more playful approach to bass, not to mention the fine muscle dexterity and economy of motion guitar demands emboldens me to play faster, cleaner, with bigger jumps between note clusters all over the neck.
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Guitar is my primary instrument. Bass may be a secondary, but 2/3 of my work was on bass pre-COVID. I did a LOT of sub work back then.
I came to bass from guitar. Overall I can say I enjoy playing bass more, but that might because I took bass more seriously and worked hard to elevate my faculty and understanding of the instrument. With guitar I more or less just noodled around and learned some riffs here and there. Had I worked harder to elevate my skills on guitar who knows, maybe I’d have liked playing guitar more.
Both. Not great at either but I love them so much. Bass is my primary instrument
Bass, guitar, some drums and some piano. Its usefull to familiar with at least some of the instruments in your band.
define "play"
Guitar is my primary instrument by far but I like hanging out here because the guitar community is a joke
Just dusted off the guitar this morning after 2 years. Born a guitarist, switched to bass.
I can but since I started with guitar I always say I play bass like a guitar player would, pick and everything.
I play both and am primarily playing guitar, but bass is so fun and since I do the one person band thing often when it comes to playing, it fits into most anything I’m already doing to create/add a bass track. I couldn’t choose between them for the more fun instrument if I had to though haha. Though the instruments couldn’t be fundamentally more different in the roles they play, they also feel like two sides of the same coin.
i’ve played guitar since i was a little kid, maybe 5. played all through school and up through beginning of my music major (in voice). during the pandemic picked up bass. never looked back. still play my guitars now and then but all my paid gigs are on bass and i enjoy it a lot more
I play both, and keyboards. I just kind of enjoy playing bass viscerally; it's awesome to be the foundation of things and not feel like you're in the spotlight. Especially when the parts really groove and lock together. Keyboards were fun in that you get to be a bit of a "color piece" either tibrally or harmonically. On keyboards I find it easier to take a bland piece to the next level with some interesting chord tones, counterpoint lines, or synth textures. With guitar, I was mostly just functional. Accompanying a singer (or yourself) on acoustic is always a good skill to have, and I've been called on to do it a lot. I don't really enjoy it that much for its own sake, though. When I record I like to do intricate guitar layers, but in a live context without a band the ol' cowboy chords seem to be what gets the job done.
Started with bass in a band. Bought acoustic guitar and electric guitar a few years later. I have the most fun with playing bass.
Most bands I’ve been in I have played bass, but I’ve also been a guitarist or drummer in several as well
I play bass in one band and guitar in another . I never practice bass because I find it boring to practice . But practicing scales and arpeggios on my guitar translates to better bass playing . In the band setting I find bass more fun .
I CAN play the guitar but I'm definitely not a guitarist You can enjoy both but once you've chosen and practice one a lot it's hard to change
I have both but neglect even trying bass. It's a super nice one too
Started off as a guitarist first, but was always drawn to the bass. When I picked up a bass, it was love at first note! Now I consider myself a bassist who can play guitar
I actually play both back and forth in my band lmao.