Who plays both guitar and bass?

greekorican · #1 06-28-2009, 11:43 AM

I'm wondering how many of you play both guitar and bass? And which did you pick up first?

I started playing guitar first, for about a year and a half. After trying to jam with my friends, I realized that it was not going to work because 3 people wanted to play guitar (the bass player wanted to play guitar too). I had been interested in picking up bass anyway, so I started learning bass.

What happens now is that I go through phases. I obsess over bass for a couple months, until I get frustrated or bored, and then I obsess over guitar, until I get frustrated or bored again. I feel like I would learn much faster if I stuck with just one, but instead I end up learning both much slower. But its fun, so who cares...

J. Crawford · #2 06-28-2009, 11:45 AM

As long as you dont ask which is better.

I play chords, and run through scales on my dad's guitar. Im a bassist at heart, but I enjoy playing some simple chords and songs when with friends and family.

Im a bassist that doodles on guitar. Nothing more, nothing less.

blendermassacre · #3 06-28-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordasch

Im a bassist that doodles on guitar. Nothing more, nothing less.

+1

I bought a peavey t-60, and that's the one guitar I'll ever need. It's fun to mess around.

FallenAbom · #4 06-28-2009, 11:48 AM

I think I was meant to be a studio worker because I do a bit of everything. Bass/Guitar/Keys/Vox/ect. I've got some bad ADD :P.

I started on guitar, worked my way to bass after realizing I was always humming out a bass line when listening to songs. Bass is by far "MY" instrument, but everything else still has a place in my heart.

J. Crawford · #5 06-28-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FallenAbom

I think I was meant to be a studio worker because I do a bit of everything. Bass/Guitar/Keys/Vox/ect. I've got some bad ADD :P.

I started on guitar, worked my way to bass after realizing I was always humming out a bass line when listening to songs. Bass is by far "MY" instrument, but everything else still has a place in my heart.

Viking burial, anyone?

CDuff · #6 06-28-2009, 11:54 AM

I'm the same as Jordasch.

I have a guitar. I mess about with it.
Same goes for piano and ukulele.

When there's such a gulf between my comfort level on bass as compared to guitar, it's hard for me to improve my guitar playing becuase whenever I try to improve and get frustrated, I realise I can pick up a bass and be happy again.
Yes, I'm weak.

Chipsonfire · #7 06-28-2009, 11:56 AM

I'm a bass player at heart, but I'd love to learn guitar, and I talked my little brother into giving me his mini learner guitar. Unfortunately, this was the same time that I realized I had no time for any music and haven't really touched it because of that. I plan on putting some new strings on it and starting up again, though.

FallenAbom · #8 06-28-2009, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordasch

Viking burial, anyone?

Burn baby, burn.

J. Crawford · #9 06-28-2009, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FallenAbom

Burn baby, burn.

My point, exactly.

shawshank72 · #10 06-28-2009, 12:02 PM

Im a bass player at heart, as it was my first learned instrument. But i figured why not know how to play other things as well. So i play guitar and drums too.
But i love the bass, i just like playing guitar and drums.

Knifedge · #11 06-28-2009, 12:04 PM

I have been playing guitar for almost as long as I have been playing bass. 99% of the gigs that I play and get hired for are bass playing gigs (bass is my first instrument). I am just as comfortable and effective on guitar. I have a pretty decent collection of guitars and basses, and I have way too much gear for both guitar and basses...

Bassman203 · #12 06-28-2009, 12:08 PM

I like the bass most over all other instruments I play, but I also play the guitar, piano, cello, and mess around with the banjo, mandolin, and organ.

I think that all bassists should learn guitar as it can help with bass too. Chords and their structures are very useful when constructing bass lines

J. Crawford · #13 06-28-2009, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassman203

I think that all bassists should learn guitar as it can help with bass too. Chords and their structures are very useful when constructing bass lines

I do agree with this. I also think, though its a bit hypocritical since I havent myself, that all bassist should learn to read music and play piano.

paganjack · #14 06-28-2009, 12:14 PM

I play bass, cello, guitar, drums, piano, what have you in that order of proficiency. I definitely enjoy the bass the most (who doesn't love those sexy low tones?) However, it's really nice to change things up now and again, I find it helps my songwriting to approach songs from different angles. Additionally, it's really nice to take a short break from bass for a few days, then jump back into it with renewed fervor and vigor. My attention span is not such that I can drill the same drills every day. I know I will never be one of the greats that way...meh

I'm something of a generalist to begin with, so it just kinda makes sense for me to pick up everything I see.

J. Crawford · #15 06-28-2009, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paganjack

I play bass, cello, guitar, drums, piano, what have you in that order of proficiency. I definitely enjoy the bass the most (who doesn't love those sexy low tones?) However, it's really nice to change things up now and again, I find it helps my songwriting to approach songs from different angles. Additionally, it's really nice to take a short break from bass for a few days, then jump back into it with renewed fervor and vigor. My attention span is not such that I can drill the same drills every day. I know I will never be one of the greats that way...meh

I'm something of a generalist to begin with, so it just kinda makes sense for me to pick up everything I see.

Jack, did you actually play Continuum and Portrait of Tracy that are on your MySpace? They sound just like Jaco!

Or are they Jaco?

Electric Druid · #16 06-28-2009, 12:27 PM

I've been playing bass for about 16 years. I also fiddled around with guitar during for most of that time too.

But recently I've been playing a lot more guitar and really focusing on improving. I'd like to be able to play both proficiently and not like "oh, there's a bass player attempting to play guitar".

I think its also improved my melodic playing on the bass.

Dehn · #17 06-28-2009, 12:32 PM

Started played bass, I love play bass. But i just started in a band, as guitarist!

tranceFusion · #18 06-28-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greekorican

What happens now is that I go through phases. I obsess over bass for a couple months, until I get frustrated or bored, and then I obsess over guitar, until I get frustrated or bored again. I feel like I would learn much faster if I stuck with just one, but instead I end up learning both much slower. But its fun, so who cares...

.. or maybe you would have just gotten frustrated and quit altogether and not know how to play either right now.

Who cares.. I do the same thing. It is nice to be able to focus on something a little bit different and yet still be productive. You can come back to the other instrument with a fresh head.

Ragist · #19 06-28-2009, 12:45 PM

My friend asked me to help him in a band which lacks a guitarist and boy, does it feel different! Its like, it feels really different to be taking the lead! And not to mention I screwed up a lot with the chords and everything, haha..
Well I found out that its good to put your bass away for a while and mess around with the guitar for a bit - my groove seems to improve a bit, but no clue why.

Kenny Allyn · #20 06-28-2009, 12:49 PM

I started on guitar my brother on bass ...

I now play bass he plays guitar

Actually I never stopped on guitar and have a nice small collection, Gibson SG, PRS, G&L ASAT, and a Gretsch, with a 72 vintage Marshall 100 watt head and 1960 cab and an Ampeg Reverb-O-Rocket combo.

Bass is really my instrument though.

... Always wanting to learn, I just bought a YAMAHA drum kit with Zildijan cymbals.