Do I Have to Decide?

Slackerprince · #1 02-16-2009, 06:15 PM

I started out on guitar, goofed-around for many years, like a lot of people, then started playing in earnest about a year and a half ago. I traded a guitar for my first bass, a Fender P, about 4 or 5 months ago, and was converted. I lived and breathed bass, TB, bass gear, Bass Player magazine, etc., but recently began playing guitar again and really enjoy it. Honestly, I really love bass and guitar, and wondering if you have opininions on whether to focus on one of the other, or enjoy both. I know that focusing would increase ability, but I really love the sound and feel of both of them, depending on mood. Also, with different genres, I have different preferences, e.g., with Blues, I like my Strat, but something heavy and prog, I like the bass.
Anyway, you get the idea. Anybody play and enjoy both, or I am to be burned at the stake for mentioning the "g" word?
I'm interested in your opinions and experiences.
Thanks.

Slackerprince

Slackerprince · #2 02-16-2009, 08:27 PM

No opinions?

s.

Richard Lindsey · #3 02-16-2009, 10:08 PM

I've played both, seriously, for years. i don't see why you have to choose between the two if you don't feel called to.

fdeck · #4 02-16-2009, 11:19 PM

At one point I was playing flute, cello, and bass. My bandmate in high school was an excellent player on both guitar and bass. Last weekend I gigged with a gentleman who gigs on guitar, piano, and violin.

One can help the other. There were, and are, musical ideas that I can explore on cello, but which are technically too demanding on bass, like the Bach cello suites.

Slackerprince · #5 02-17-2009, 12:26 AM

Sounds about right.
Thanks for the input.

S.

Wayne8 · #6 02-17-2009, 12:45 AM

I play guitar, mandolin, banjo and bass. Right now I choose to play bass exclusively (and my technique shows it). But I've played guitar for 40 years so it's not something I'm going to loose if I put it down a while.

JimmyM · #7 02-17-2009, 01:09 AM

Not only should you not decide, you should learn to play as many instruments as possible. I do gigs on guitar as well as bass. I don't do a lot but I get a few a year...wouldn't have them otherwise. I also play a few other instruments but not well enough to gig on, though I could be a pretty good drummer if I practiced a couple hours a day for a month or two.

HogieWan · #8 02-17-2009, 05:29 AM

I play bass, drums, and guitar and do a few gigs on each. I also play a bit of keys, cello and harmonica.

ryco · #9 02-17-2009, 12:35 PM

Learn both! They will benefit each other!

In high school I took bass guitar lessons from a jazz guitarist. He made me an offer to teach me both guitar and bass, one every other lesson.

Now I wish I would have taken him up on it!

paganjack · #10 02-17-2009, 12:37 PM

play as many as you enjoy. i change between bass, guitar, cello and drums depending how i feel/what i have around. i have been focusing on bass a lot in the last years, but i still enjoy the others.

Fergie Fulton · #11 02-17-2009, 12:46 PM

Listen to the playing of Stevie Ray Vaughan, he played bass for a number of years while learning guitar as a youngman. You can hear in his playing the influence it had on him, and i believe a great way to learn blues bass lines and have an understanding of them is to listen to his playing.