Why Not Just Learn Guitar Solos?

[loungesurfer]

Question: Why not just learn guitar solos?

By this I mean just play the treble clef music as if it was a bass clef and notes.

Background: I'm a bedroom player with no plans to play bass with a band. I play bass cause I like it and only want to entertain myself and occasional family members. As such I see little need in learning to play in sync with others since there are none. I think my focus should be on various rhythms, technique (smoothness, pull-off, hammer-on, etc) and fretboard knowledge so I can play what I sing/hear.

My attempts so far sound pretty good, but what might I be missing by doing this?

Thanks in advance for your insights - loungesurfer

[TheBasicBassist]

I have a question, in response to your question:

Why restrict yourself to guitar solos?

Learn trumpet, saxophone, trombone, mandolin, drum and steel drum solos whilst your at it! You're a musician who plays bass! Rock on and rock hard.

- John

[Exploiter8]

If you can hum it, you can play it!

Music is supposed to be fun. Sounds like you're having fun!

Keep Jammin'!

X8

[xxfaux_punkxx]

why not play guitar?

Actually I kind of had a similiar idea only it involves a six string bass. It should be possible but with the different set ups (4 string bass vs. 6 string guitar) it would make things more complicated. You high E and B strings won't be there so you would have to find the the notes on the fret board which makes a complicated mess that I can't fathom... maybe when I've eaten I'll be more helpful...

Also conisidering that the pitch changes on the twelth fret for the E string you wouldn't be able to hold both the High an Low E's at the same time if the solo calls for it.

Although I could be completly off bass here (hehe band humor).

[Demonator]

Well said, although playing with others is like knowing other genres and styles of music, it improves your skill and opens your ears to what sounds good and fits perfectly. It wasnt until I got into Music Theory and Band did I realize this. I learned my percussion part but also got use to other instruments and wondering what if this instrument played here or there, etc. Point is don't limit yourself, find a group of guys maybe fellow bassists and share and explore.

[Thunderthumbs73]

Originally Posted by loungesurfer

Question: Why not just learn guitar solos?

By this I mean just play the treble clef music as if it was a bass clef and notes.

Background: I'm a bedroom player with no plans to play bass with a band. I play bass cause I like it and only want to entertain myself and occasional family members. As such I see little need in learning to play in sync with others since there are none. I think my focus should be on various rhythms, technique (smoothness, pull-off, hammer-on, etc) and fretboard knowledge so I can play what I sing/hear.

My attempts so far sound pretty good, but what might I be missing by doing this?

Thanks in advance for your insights - loungesurfer

Because that means that you would never get around to learning this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBBG_2tPiOU
...and imagine all the other great music that ISN'T a guitar solo...

[Mr wiggl3s]

I'm with you man.

Once i get good, i plan to cover purple haze entirely on bass. Also, i plan to cover slayers south of heaven into on bass.

[Minotauros]

Originally Posted by loungesurfer

Question: Why not just learn guitar solos?

By this I mean just play the treble clef music as if it was a bass clef and notes.

Background: I'm a bedroom player with no plans to play bass with a band. I play bass cause I like it and only want to entertain myself and occasional family members. As such I see little need in learning to play in sync with others since there are none.

I don't have anyone else to play with either, nor do I see it anytime in the future. I'm a bedroom player too, but I'm playing guitar also, rhythm.

So what do I do? I play with iTunes on the computer, backing tracks, or a YT cover I play along with, either guitar or bass. My goal is also to be able to sing and play at the same time, whether guitar or bass.

Maybe some day I'll make my own multi-track recordings just for fun. And who knows, the day may come when we find others to play with. Never limit yourself.

[WalterBush]

Originally Posted by loungesurfer

My attempts so far sound pretty good, but what might I be missing by doing this?

Thanks in advance for your insights - loungesurfer

Nothing, unless all you're learning is guitar solos. Learn everything, and learn to play it on your bass. I don't see how it could do anything other than help your playing and further your enjoyment of the instrument.

[ausf]

There's a great book of Charlie Parker's solos transcribed for bass. Bass is a wonderful instrument for applying a lot of techniques.

That said, I have a friend who tries stuff he does on guitar on his Sterling. It really just sounds like a grab for attention.

It's all about the execution, whether it's one note or a thousand.