Bass, "the easy way out?"

EAdanikDG · #1 01-19-2010, 06:10 AM

Hi, i've been playing bass for a couple of years without getting lessons, and my dad wants me to start playing guitar. He thinks you can't make a bass "sing" like a guitar, and you don't need the support of a band. (He's talking about the times when in your church, [well my small one] the pastor just picks up a guitar and plays a song and sings along to it, plucking chords as single notes.) I'm not gonna mention all my replys to that, but does anyone have any good replys? He thinks that once I learn guitar, I can always play bass in a band if i want, and that bass is the easy way out. Guitar is alot harder to learn and play than bass.

Bootzilla · #2 01-19-2010, 06:22 AM

There is no harm in playing both as long as you keep practicing on bass. He is wrong in saying bass is easier but that is just a common misconception and there is no reason to try and convince him that bass is equal to guitar when he is about to buy you one.

rtslinger · #3 01-19-2010, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bootzilla

There is no harm in playing both as long as you keep practicing on bass. He is wrong in saying bass is easier but that is just a common misconception and there is no reason to try and convince him that bass is equal to guitar when he is about to buy you one.

I think these opinions were formed by people many years ago when bass was a thumping root 4th and 5th instrument it is light years ahead of that now,although the these opinions still are around today.However being able to play more than one instrument will give you a better understanding of how the two co exist in music and that will make you an all around better bass player IMO

Vic Winters · #4 01-19-2010, 06:46 AM

Introduce him to some Muse or Big Sir.

Yerf Dog · #5 01-19-2010, 06:51 AM

Tell him you'd be glad to learn, but you'll need at least a Martin D-28 to do it properly.

J. Crawford · #6 01-19-2010, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vic Winters

Introduce him to some Muse or Big Sir.

Or Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, Les Claypool, Tal Wilkenfeld, Stanley Clarke, etc., etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yerf Dog

Tell him you'd be glad to learn, but you'll need at least a Martin D-28 to do it properly.

Another good tip.

Scionreality · #7 01-19-2010, 06:57 AM

I keep hearing about people saying guitar is better than bass, or whatever instrument is better than another.

When I got a guitar I had fun with it, but it was basically a toy for tinkering on at home. When I picked up a bass everything was different: I felt that instrument. I just instantly liked it more and was far more interested and motivated to play.

So I'd say that no matter the other person's opinion, it should be rendered meaningless if you tell that person that your instrument of choice is just simply the instrument you feel. The instrument that most directly expresses you.

In my opinion, if they don't drop it then, they probably don't get what's most important about music.

dalkowski · #8 01-19-2010, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yerf Dog

Tell him you'd be glad to learn, but you'll need at least a Martin D-28 to do it properly.

Win.

waleross · #9 01-19-2010, 07:03 AM

Currently I am taking guitar lessons at my local music store. This is helping me to fill in the gaps of knowledge that exist in my playing. I am returning to electric bass playing after many many years. I didn't event know that I had bought an active pickup with my Fender Jazz Bass. I had to get rechargable 9 volts, etc. This thread is correct by stating that bass playing has evolved since the old days when I was thumping root-4th-5th . Now its all about slapping the *** out of your bass and complementing your drummer and rhythm guitar.....................

T-MOST · #10 01-19-2010, 07:05 AM

Your dad needs to listen to a few more bassists outside his circle of reference. Obviously he doesn't think bass playing requires anything but hitting the root. If he can pick up a bass and make it sing like Vic, Marcus, Geddy or any of the other bass icons on TB he is one baaaaaad ass! (I doubt thats the case though)

Ayliffe · #11 01-19-2010, 07:07 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR6t47pV8Qc

show him that.

dickseacup · #12 01-19-2010, 07:07 AM

I have a bunch of guitars, take lessons, play OK. I've been on the hunt for another guitar (for no particular reason) but am thinking seriously about getting a bass instead. My last couple of lessons, I've had my teacher run me through the bass-side of things. I picked "Autumn Leaves" as a starting point, and we've been doing walking bass lines and different patterns/modes over the changes. It is as challenging as working on soloing on the guitar. I think the notion that bass is the easy way out, or a musical cop out, is intellectually stunted.

kraigo · #13 01-19-2010, 07:19 AM

He's right that it's easier to entertain as a solo act on guitar than on bass. I think it's a good idea to learn some guitar. I want to learn guitar because I will have greater control over my own destiny with more guitar knowledge than I have as a bassist and drummer. Having options is a good thing.

KO

ROAR · #14 01-19-2010, 07:30 AM

IMHO - is playing fretless easyer?
is playing a more big scale then guitar easyer?
and fretless is more expressive then a guitar sound-don't waste ur time on guitar u can be a good solo bass player as a M.Manring and by the way do what ur heart thinks not ur parents /

DeluxeRed · #15 01-19-2010, 07:39 AM

Just tell him you're not the prideful, splashy type like the padre but find fulfillment in being a humble part of a team working together. Then crank it up to 10, hammer a hard note, and yell "And guitar doesn't make yer balls shake!"

foq1978 · #16 01-19-2010, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scionreality

So I'd say that no matter the other person's opinion, it should be rendered meaningless if you tell that person that your instrument of choice is just simply the instrument you feel. The instrument that most directly expresses you.

Best point ever made on the subject

Knifedge · #17 01-19-2010, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foq1978

Best point ever made on the subject

Can't put it any better than that, but I will add that each instrument has it's place in any song, whether it's Beethoven's 5th, or AC/DC's For Those About to Rock. The instrument you choose to master is indicative of where you want to be in the song and in music in general. Expanding to other instruments is always a plus as long as you still know the importance of each instrument in the song itself. If you wish, compare this analogy to society, teamwork etc. etc. to show that each instrument (person) has a significant and equal importance.

Or, throw him for a loop and learn the Gazoo...

your idol · #18 01-19-2010, 08:51 AM

SHOW HIM THIS

Start at 2:30
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNAPJ...eature=related
this is super musical

Lady Kayri · #19 01-19-2010, 09:09 AM

Bass isn't harder than guitar, guitar isn't harder than bass; they're DIFFERENT. That being said, it never hurts to know more than one instrument, especially when these two in general have fairly different roles in music. If you do decide to take up guitar (especially if your dad is going to buy you your new guitar!) look at it as a way to widen your musical horizons. You're not giving up bass, you're adding guitar to your musical tools!

Jones_Stuff · #20 01-19-2010, 09:12 AM

Ha, I guess old prejudices are STILL dying hard huh?