Double bass chords vs. Guitar chords

[crispygoat]

Hello,

I've recently learned that there is Doube Bass Chords. I have never seen a double bass in person. So my question is which are more efficient to learn first ? Guitar Chords or Double Bass Chords (on a electric bass that is)


I figured that Double Bass Chords would be more efficient then guitar chords since they are on Bass but I have never really seen anyone play such and I couldn't figure if the Harp is played on many strings at the time or just one like fingers on an electric bass.. blaaah

Sorry, I am a n00b

thanks,

[SuperDuck]

I'm not sure if I'm reading your question correctly, but I'll give it a shot.

I personally have not viewed either the electric bass or the upright to be chordal instruments. You _can_ play chords on both, but it's not all that common. If you want to play chords on an electric bass and you think it's your voice, however, don't let anyone tell you that you can't or shouldn't!

Don't get me wrong - there are a lot of players that do it and do it very well! You can play chords on both a bass and a guitar, but I would think that a guitar is much better suited for chordal playing.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

A chord is a musical function- a combination of notes. There are no "guitar chords' or "double bass chords"- whoever told you that is misleading you. A chord is a chord no matter what instrument it's played on. The only differences are which notes you choose to leave out. On a four-string electirc bass, this usually means leaving out the notes that provide little to no chordal information (often it's the 5th when playing a non-augmented chord) since you have less strings to use. This doesn't change what the chord is though.

[vindy500]

u should learn piano chords first

[lemur821]

I'm not sure what harps have to do with this, but harpists don't fret notes like we do. All strings are played open, with one string for each note. Orchestral harps have pedals to alter the tuning of the instrument without getting out a wrench and going over fifty strings.

[crispygoat]

I'm not sure what harps have to do with this, but harpists don't fret notes like we do. All strings are played open, with one string for each note. Orchestral harps have pedals to alter the tuning of the instrument without getting out a wrench and going over fifty strings.

Pff.. i meant their bow.. harp.. bow.. sounds the same :P

[steveb98]

As others have said chords are chords, you do have to adjust how you voice the chord according to the instrument they are being played on. On bass the lower on the neck you play a chord the more important voicing becomes. Typically you will see what are called "Double Stops" two note chords. Low on the neck 10's are typlical, up the neck tritones to imply 7th chords. Higher up the neck you can play 3 or 4 note chords and they won't be too muddy. If you listen to 6-string bass player like Todd Johnson and others they play chord melody style on bass.

So yes chords are played on bass and you have to be careful in how you voice them.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by crispygoat

I have never seen a double bass in person.

Look at my avatar!!

[BassChuck]

Chords on bass have a limited musical value, but are possible. I think there might be an advantage to learning how to do some 3 or 4 notes chords as a tool to learn hand position. One of the problems begining electric bass players have is 'piling up fingers'.... using some or all of the fingers to play one note. It's an easy thing to falling into doing and if you are self taught and are playing simple music, you can get away with it, but its a really bad habit to have. Playing chords will correct that and improve technique.

But its like a number of things that are good to do in private, but not public.

[steveb98]

Originally Posted by BassChuck

Chords on bass have a limited musical value, but are possible. I think there might be an advantage to learning how to do some 3 or 4 notes chords as a tool to learn hand position. One of the problems begining electric bass players have is 'piling up fingers'.... using some or all of the fingers to play one note. It's an easy thing to falling into doing and if you are self taught and are playing simple music, you can get away with it, but its a really bad habit to have. Playing chords will correct that and improve technique.

But its like a number of things that are good to do in private, but not public.

I would disagree throwing a chord now and then sounds good and many player have and continure to it. Also it is great practice tool. I get a new song many times I will play through the chord progression to hear the harmony. Then for working on soloing I always play the chords to get the sound in my ear to trying things, or record it to practice with. In jamming or lessons play chords all the time. IMO knowing how to play some common chords on bass has value if used tastefully on stage, but even greater value as a practice tool to jam with other bass players.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Modern bassists are proving more and more that a chordal approach not only sounds good but can work in a band context (particularly if you write the music ) Matt Garrison is often the lead chordal instrumentalist in his band along with many other guys like Todd Johnson, Richard Bona, etc. Solo bassists take chordal roles all the time. Hell, Lemmy's been playing chords throughout half of Motorhead's songs for almost thirty years.