Recommend guitar lessons before taking up bass?

andre66 · #1 07-08-2010, 01:45 AM

I am just about ready to sign up for lessons, but which type? Is it better to take guitar lessons before bass lessons or should i just dive right in and sign up for some bass lessons?

I want to learn music theory as well, i've been studying on my own for the last week and find it very interesting.

Right now i do not own a bass or a guitar but buying one is the easy part. From a technique standpoint is it better to have knowledge of the guitar? I really am drawn to the bass guitar and would like to pursue playing it but if a few months of guitar lessons would help me be a more proficient bass player then i guess that is what i should do.

opinions are always appreciated.
Thanks
Andre

Tim C. · #2 07-08-2010, 01:51 AM

If you want to take lessons on another instrument that will make you a better bassist, take piano lessons. It will also help tremendously with learning theory.

Guitar lessons are great if you want to play guitar.

Jefenator · #3 07-08-2010, 02:06 AM

If the guitar teacher is good, lessons wouldn't hurt anything. But it's definitely not a prerequisite for bass, IMHO!

+1 piano (for theory), or drums (for rhythm), or whatever has the best teacher, locally.

J-B'ass · #4 07-08-2010, 05:36 AM

Just go straight into bass. Doing anything musical will help anything else musical you do, but there's no need to delay. Learning a bit of piano or guitar alongside bass can only help, but to be honest if you'd be using them to augment your bass playing, then get some bass playing done first and augment it second.

MalcolmAmos · #5 07-08-2010, 05:53 AM

Depends on what you like to do.

Bass is an accompaniment instrument. Our job is to lay down the beat and establish a groove. If you see yourself doing that then Bass is your instrument.

Now it will take you at least a year with your first instrument before you will be ready to look for a second instrument.

Rhythm acoustic guitar is a natural choice, keyboard after that. This can be a lifetime journey.

Have fun.

C.Linton · #6 07-08-2010, 07:48 AM

My theory is, if you are learning a particular instrument (guitar, piano) in order to help your learning on another instrument (bass), then you are doing it wrong. I am a staunch advocate of learning on the instrument you wish to play. Maybe later, after you've been at bass awhile, you might consider taking guitar lessons to help with your bass playing, (it does help) but concentrate on your instrument of choice first.

Steve Dixon · #7 07-08-2010, 05:20 PM

+1 for keyboard here... not necessarily so you can wiggle around like Rick Wakeman on the thing, but just so you can get to grips with understanding chords, chord changes & melodies.... it's so much easier to understand how music theory concepts fit together, via keyboard, than any other instrument... i.e. it's a lot easier to take a basic triad and test out extensions & chord tone alterations, different bass notes etc on a keyboard than it is on a guitar, where you're a bit more physically limited by the layout of the instrument and where you can put your four fingers

tootling about on a keyboard isn't a rock'n'roll as playing guitar, but if you want to be a good musician, it's worth doing

if you want to WRITE music for a rock band, then playing a bit of guitar is a good idea, but you didn't mention that was an aim

from a technique standpoint, the best thing you can do to develop your bass playing technique is to spend lots of focused time actually playing the bass..

**251** · #8 07-09-2010, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andre66

I am just about ready to sign up for lessons, but which type? Is it better to take guitar lessons before bass lessons or should i just dive right in and sign up for some bass lessons?

I want to learn music theory as well, i've been studying on my own for the last week and find it very interesting.

Right now i do not own a bass or a guitar but buying one is the easy part. From a technique standpoint is it better to have knowledge of the guitar? I really am drawn to the bass guitar and would like to pursue playing it but if a few months of guitar lessons would help me be a more proficient bass player then i guess that is what i should do.

opinions are always appreciated.
Thanks
Andre

Can the guitar teacher double on Bass? It sounds like you want a music tutor who can give you good habits on Bass while you learn to play music.

A 2nd perk is your tutor can play lead to your bass line or bass to your melody & improvization.

It's worked very well for me. 8-)

Neon Scribe · #9 07-09-2010, 10:16 AM

Why choose? If you want to play bass, start now and find a teacher. If you want to be a musician, learn music theory. Take piano lessons or even a group class, learn to read music and find the notes on the keyboard. If you expect to play bass with guitarists, learn enough about the guitar that you can recognize chords by sight and sound. Learning guitar is the least important of these three. As Steve Dixon said, you can learn music theory on the guitar, but it is much more natural on the keyboard. Also, sing! Find a church or community choir. If you have a low voice, singing bass parts will help you understand what the bass does, and help you to learn the bass clef. Also, play drums! Even just congas or bongos, or programming a drum machine. Understanding rhythm is essential for a bass player. Get a copy of Ed Friedland's "Bass Grooves" and an Alesis SR-16.

But start by finding a bass teacher and a bass!

FritoBandito · #10 07-09-2010, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Linton

My theory is, if you are learning a particular instrument (guitar, piano) in order to help your learning on another instrument (bass), then you are doing it wrong. I am a staunch advocate of learning on the instrument you wish to play. Maybe later, after you've been at bass awhile, you might consider taking guitar lessons to help with your bass playing, (it does help) but concentrate on your instrument of choice first.

YUP!

andre66 · #11 07-09-2010, 01:12 PM

Thanks for all the feedback, I now have a bass on its way here and i contacted someone who teaches bass and i will meet with them as soon as possible to get to know what they are about a little bit.
I did buy "music theory for dummies" a couple of weeks ago and have found it to be quite good, it really has shown me how interesting theory can be, so a good starting point for a beginner.

Buslady7803 · #12 07-09-2010, 01:16 PM

My 2c

Get a bass and jump right in.

tekhedd · #13 07-09-2010, 01:19 PM

Yeah, just take bass lessons. IMO it helps your bass playing to have played drums too, but...no. I wouldn't want to start anyone down the dark path of percussion.

Jim Campbell · #14 07-09-2010, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andre66

I am just about ready to sign up for lessons, but which type? Is it better to take guitar lessons before bass lessons or should i just dive right in and sign up for some bass lessons?

I want to learn music theory as well, i've been studying on my own for the last week and find it very interesting.

Right now i do not own a bass or a guitar but buying one is the easy part. From a technique standpoint is it better to have knowledge of the guitar? I really am drawn to the bass guitar and would like to pursue playing it but if a few months of guitar lessons would help me be a more proficient bass player then i guess that is what i should do.

opinions are always appreciated.
Thanks
Andre

look for the guy that will teach you music....

Stumbo · #15 07-09-2010, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neon Scribe

Why choose?
1) If you want to play bass, start now and find a teacher.
2) If you want to be a musician, learn music theory.
3) Take piano lessons or even a group class, learn to read music and find the notes on the keyboard.
4) If you expect to play bass with guitarists, learn enough about the guitar that you can recognize chords by sight and sound.
5) Learning guitar is the least important of these three.
6) As Steve Dixon said, you can learn music theory on the guitar, but it is much more natural on the keyboard.
7) Also, sing! Find a church or community choir.
8) If you have a low voice, singing bass parts will help you understand what the bass does, and help you to learn the bass clef.
9) Also, play drums! Even just congas or bongos, or programming a drum machine.
10) Understanding rhythm is essential for a bass player. Get a copy of Ed Friedland's "Bass Grooves" and an Alesis SR-16.

But start by finding a bass teacher and a bass!

^^^This. Especially the singing. Also, When you read music, you can separate the rhythm for the notes and clap the rhythm to get it down. I suggest eventually learning, at the minimum, basic chords on the piano and guitar.

You might want to take a look at the link in my sig. below for some great TB info that may help you along your bass journey.

Good luck.

Btw, which bass did you order?

If you ask, you'll get lots of opinions on that and anything else you'd like to know, bass or otherwise.

omnimutant · #16 07-09-2010, 10:02 PM

The Bass and Guitar may look similar but IMO are two completely different instruments that have totally different functions, and play very differently.
+1000 for if you want to play bass learn bass.

Hock · #17 05-10-2011, 02:09 PM

I'm a guitarist who is now learning bass. Just jump in and play bass - learn the fretboard REALLY well, and guess what - you have a headstart when you later get that guitar, b/c you know 4 of the 6 strings. BTW, Bass is helping me be a tighter guitarist - I love the bass guitar, even though I suck.

dave64o · #18 05-11-2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

look for the guy that will teach you music....

Agreed 100%. An instructor who can play bass, or any instrument, but doesn't really know music will only take you so far. My instructor is a phenomenal bassist, but most importantly he's also a phenomenal musician. In our first meeting, where we both kind of "interviewed" each other before we decided to do this, he told me his real goal was not to teach me to play bass but to make me a better musician. That was good enough for me, and I'm glad we agreed to work together. I'm learning a lot more a lot faster and a lot more in depth than I ever did before.

Funny thing is my previous instructor is the one who suggested I find someone else who could take me further. He also suggested the guy I'm studying under. I give him credit for not just taking my money. He didn't have the same depth of knowledge and experience, he recognized that, and made the suggestion to me. So I guess in his way, he was trying to make me a better musician, too. Like I said, I give him credit for having the integrity to want what was best for me, even if he couldn't do it himself.

Scot · #19 05-11-2011, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andre66

I really am drawn to the bass guitar and would like to pursue playing it but if a few months of guitar lessons would help me be a more proficient bass player then i guess that is what i should do.

If you're drawn to the bass then get a bass, a bass teacher and start trying to figure out how to play the bass lines you hear on recordings. The "drawn to" part is very important.

Datsgor · #20 05-12-2011, 08:15 AM

If you want to play the bass...then get a bass and start learning how to "think" like a bassist. Guitarists, generally don't think in bass terms. As mentioned earlier, bass is a support instrument...you have to enjoy playing a repetative groove over and over. There are times when you can be flashy, but in general, (if you want to be a working bassist) you will not be noticed so much as be heard. The bass is also a very powerful instrument. you can take the band in different directions and they can't do anything about it. Wield this power responsibly, and you will be in high demand. I enjoy this role alot...the repetition soothes my overactive mind. So, jump in and enjoy the journey.