New Member and Confused

[Ronman]

Hey everyone, glad to be part of a group of musicians that share a passion for such a "great" instrument. Some of you might or might not have had the same mental problem I am having. I love the sound and feel of the bass. Problem is, I keep having this nagging little feeling that I should learn the electric guitar. You see I am 38, I'm a beginner, I know I won't be putting out albums or anything like that. I just want to be able to jam with friends to some old tunes, and just grow as a musician. And obviously play for as much longer as I can. Don't get me wrong, I want to be as good as I can be. I plan on working my butt off !! I just know that I'll probably be playing solo more than anything. I have a great feeling for the bass, I just don't know for sure if the guitar wouldn't be a better fit. I'm all mixed up. I like both. I've been jumping back and forth between the two for about 3 years, and have yet to lock down and get serious yet. Now that time has come. I really want to start. I just want to do one. I can't divide my time between the two as some suggested, I've been doing that for three years and I suck at both. It's time to get serious. I just can't choose ! Anyone have any ideas ????

[Swerve]

Play Bass.

[Loempiaketzer]

+1 on swerve

Here's my opinion besides that.

yes, by yourselve playing would be suckier when you play bass.

but with guitar it also sucks being alone.

only difference are that you play chords with a guitar most of the time so you think you play more.
you could also buy an octaver for bass. then you have the same effect. or buy an 8 string or 12 string.

my ultimate suggestion would be, go play bass, and get a fellow friend of yours to pick up a guitar. not everyone is willing to play a bass. see it as a gift from god.

[Ronman]

This is true, not to mention, I hate learning guitar chords, fingers are always in the way. I would love a 6 string bass !!

[bluewine]

I really hate to say this , but unless your a genius, learning the soul and passion of the bass or the guitar is going to really hard at 38.

Most of us older guys,I'm 55 started playing when we were like 9 or 10 after seeing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan in 64.

We all new it was probably a good idea, the music was cool and groovey and it was really the best way to attract chics at the time. That was a good incentive to practice and get good.

But hell, I ain't gonns rip on anyone that wants to play. Join in, go out and get a used Epiphone Les Paul Jr with good action. Don't pay more than 100.00 that is a good place to start.
blue

Originally Posted by Ronman

Hey everyone, glad to be part of a group of musicians that share a passion for such a "great" instrument. Some of you might or might not have had the same mental problem I am having. I love the sound and feel of the bass. Problem is, I keep having this nagging little feeling that I should learn the electric guitar. You see I am 38, I'm a beginner, I know I won't be putting out albums or anything like that. I just want to be able to jam with friends to some old tunes, and just grow as a musician. And obviously play for as much longer as I can. Don't get me wrong, I want to be as good as I can be. I plan on working my butt off !! I just know that I'll probably be playing solo more than anything. I have a great feeling for the bass, I just don't know for sure if the guitar wouldn't be a better fit. I'm all mixed up. I like both. I've been jumping back and forth between the two for about 3 years, and have yet to lock down and get serious yet. Now that time has come. I really want to start. I just want to do one. I can't divide my time between the two as some suggested, I've been doing that for three years and I suck at both. It's time to get serious. I just can't choose ! Anyone have any ideas ????

[Howlin' Hanson]

If you want a second instrument which will help your understanding of music theory and stucture, and won't hurt your fingers (d@nm those skinny strings), try learning keys.

[OldBluesGuy]

Play both. Works for me.

Also, check out eJamming.com. It's an online jamming tool. There's usually someone on to jam with.


obg

[baalroo]

why limit yourself, especially if you're mostly playing by yourself. Learn bass, guitar, keys, drums, flute, trombone, or whatever else strikes your fancy. You wanna play MUSIC not bass guitar music or electric guitar music right?

[Ronman]

Yes, I want to play music, however, as I mentioned, I want to jam with buddies and stuff like that, along to Rock songs and stuff like that. I don't understand what the gentleman was saying about not getting the soul and feel of an instrument at 38 ? I met players that were really good and playing in decent bands after 2 years. I mean I respect that you have been playing 40years +, but, I don't feel limited, I believe it's what you put into it, that pays you back. Don't mean to sound disrespectful, it's just how I feel. For the guys telling me to play both, I think that's what has been slowing me down. I mean, I said I was a beginner and sucked at both, that's probably being a little harsh. I can play a bit. I just feel that if I could concentrate on one, I'd be better off. Think ??

[Jared Lash]

I also don't agree that you can't become a good bassplayer at this point. I know two guys that put the instrument down for decades after only playing for a couple years as teenagers and have really gotten back into it. One just plays along with records and jams with friends and the other is now a regularly gigging bassist.

But one thing that is true about playing bass is that IMO it really benefits to play with other people. If you can, jam as often as possible. It will be a struggle at first, but if you're around decent musicians who are patient, you'll advance a lot faster than if you were playing alone. Playing along with CDs/mp3s is a big help too as it lets you see how other bassists develop lines. Use tabs if you have to, just find a way to play songs.

But as for bass vs guitar I agree with what others have said: Why choose? As long as you have some time to practice and enjoy them both, do it. Learn songs on each one. Of course, when jamming with friends it's always easier to find guitar players than bassists, but the bottom line is to have fun.

Good luck.

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by Ronman

For the guys telling me to play both, I think that's what has been slowing me down. I mean, I said I was a beginner and sucked at both, that's probably being a little harsh. I can play a bit. I just feel that if I could concentrate on one, I'd be better off. Think ??

Maybe, maybe not. It could slow you down, or the practice on one could just reinforce the other. The key is whether you do both or one, just to not get frustrated and keep working. You might get to a point where it seems like you'll never get the hang of it, but if you keep practicing you'll have several moments where things just start to click and you reach another level.

[Ronman]

Thanks BigO, very helpful and encouraging information. Hope to chat with you again.

[DeliriumTremens]

get guitar pro and play along with that

[Jazz Ad]

Originally Posted by bluewine

I really hate to say this , but unless your a genius, learning the soul and passion of the bass or the guitar is going to really hard at 38.

No no and no.
First thing, 38 is not old at all. Most people haven't yet reached half of their life at this point. Life doesn't end with teenage years.
Second thing, health issues aside, learning an instrument isn't more difficult for adults than kids. What you miss in quick learning abilities is easily compensated by practice management and focus, something most kids miss.
Third thing, nothing prevents you from learning both instruments. It may or not slow you down since bass and guitar share similar techniques but differents roles. You can easily switch from one to the other without hurting yourself.
To OP, do what you want, have fun and don't let others get in the way of your joy.

[COOL AND DEADLY]

You can learn and play bass or guitar at 38. I started when I was 32. I'm 38 now and have played in a band for three years now. I am very passionate about bass and try to play everyday. After five years I have started taking lessons and don't plan on ever quitting. Don't let anyone tell you you are too old to become proficient at anything. And don't get discouraged. Music is like counting to infinity.

[COOL AND DEADLY]

Thank you Jazz Ad! Also Herbie Flowers is 70 and still practices, plays, and records. If you play and practice (and live) that long you will have years of joy making music and improving.

[seanm]

Guess I have to tell the band I am leaving... I started too old to have any passion or soul

I feel that with both bass *and* guitar you need to jam with others to get good. I have played as part of the house band at many open jams and met many technically great, even excellent, guitar players who cannot play well with others.

So get out and jam as much as possible.

[Baryonyx]

Playing both can be a great thing! But stick with bass, IMO you'll get more opportunities to play than you would as just a guitarist. Everyone needs bass players but guitar players are ten a penny!

[oldrookie]

I started at 48. Probably should just sell my gear.

But, since I have no intention of doing that...I'll just keep investing my time the way I want to and that is trying to play the bass.

Get a Tascam Bass Trainer and get Ed Friedland's bass books published by Hal Leonard. Slap in the CD and start in.

I have a lot of fun with http://www.freejamtracks.com/

Learn the bass if it speaks to you, learn the guitar if that speaks to you. Either way, you'll be a player for 10 years before you hit the age when I started.

DON"T WAIT ANY LONGER. It is one of the great regrets of my life that I didn't start years ago when I wanted to do it.

[seanm]

Originally Posted by oldrookie

DON"T WAIT ANY LONGER. It is one of the great regrets of my life that I didn't start years ago when I wanted to do it.

+1 I also wish I had started earlier.