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Bass players with guitars?
- Thread starter SlugThrower
- Start date
If this guitarist sees you coming at him with that I'd probably say the same thing. "I don't need no bass!"
I have a couple of guitars. I figured by learning a bit of guitar it would improve my bass playing. Admittedly I haven't dedicated time to it like I should. but even the small amount I have learned has been a big help. Plus, at some point it would be nice to be able to play some basic guitar. It's hard to sit around the campfire and sing along with my bass. 
That's alright!I didn't buy this to "come at" a guitar player.I have this to make MY music.
Anyway.
Any guitarist that would refuse my seven probably doesn't have the same musical goal as I do.
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Playing guitar has definitely helped my bass playing - I spent a fair amount of time studying scales and chords on guitar, and the scales in particular translate pretty directly onto the bass (the fingering is the same). Chords are also very useful for general orientation, and also to "read" what a guitarist is playing by watching what chords he fingers. So sure, it's useful. Gotta put on a different hat when I put on the bass, though ... just a different role.
Interesting that this post shows up on Peter Tork's birthday. If I had to talk about the single guy who got me started playing bass, it would be him. It took me almost a year to come to the firm, life changing, conclusion that NO MATTER how hard I might try, there would always be a gazillion guitar players out there who would kick my arse...but if I channeled all of my energy and talent into being the best bassist I could be, every time I walked into a room I would be the guy in charge! Damm, I love that feeling! Then there was that time, in 1970, that I wondered what it would be like to make a chord.
I love my autoharp. It is perfect around the campfire.
I love my autoharp. It is perfect around the campfire.
Started out on classic guitar (with nylon strings) as a kid. Could never really remember how to play the chords, but managed to read the low notes on the ledger lines. Exactly the opposite of my friend who I took lessons with. So our teacher suggested I try the bass. And so I did and was instantly hooked.
Picked up a cheap Fender acoustic guitar some years after starting playing bass and played it regularly for chord stuff etc.
Right now, GASing hard for a proper electric guitar and a small tube combo to go with it.
(Bass GAS taken care of with a new professionel setup on my still first and only Yamaha Attitude Plus and a Sandberg order, but the wait time till summer makes a scarifice to the GAS gods necessary, I fear...).
But I still first and foremost consider myself a bassist. Every band/gig situation I've ever been in, I played the bass and never wanted to be the guitarman.
Picked up a cheap Fender acoustic guitar some years after starting playing bass and played it regularly for chord stuff etc.
Right now, GASing hard for a proper electric guitar and a small tube combo to go with it.
(Bass GAS taken care of with a new professionel setup on my still first and only Yamaha Attitude Plus and a Sandberg order, but the wait time till summer makes a scarifice to the GAS gods necessary, I fear...).
But I still first and foremost consider myself a bassist. Every band/gig situation I've ever been in, I played the bass and never wanted to be the guitarman.
