I have tried learning to play guitar and I can't seem to get my short fat fingers angled enough to not mute strings. I have watched every video and tried every method. But! I can pick up a bass and play just fine. It was mostly the reason I went with bass. It is the physically most comfortable of guitar and piano. I was wondering what you guys thought, are you just bassist or also multi talented?
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Can you also play guitar?
- Thread starter Bass_Poet
- Start date
I'm skinny and have long, thin, spider hands like Mr Burns. But that doesn't help me much. I can play single notes and very simple chords on a guitar, but anything more complicated seems incredibly unnatural to me. It's no wonder most guitarists I know have wrist problems.
I'm also a pretty mediocre bassist, so I wouldn't even claim to be "singly-talented".
I recently built myself a Warmoth Bass VI, which is a nice challenge to play. Sounds like a bass, plays like a guitar. Mind blown!
I'm also a pretty mediocre bassist, so I wouldn't even claim to be "singly-talented".
I recently built myself a Warmoth Bass VI, which is a nice challenge to play. Sounds like a bass, plays like a guitar. Mind blown!
Hey Bass Poet,
Guitarist (and sometime guitar teacher) turned bassist here.
Regarding the muting issue, this problem you describe, are you having more trouble when trying to play chords, or are you trying to play single note lines (i.s. licks and solo-style phrases)?
Chords and most single notes. every once in a while I will get a lick to come out but I might screwing that up cause I don't know those extra two strings very well. I have been trying to play guitar for a year. I literally spent 2 weeks trying to just get the G chord and never got it once.
i started out on classical and then fingerstyle acoustic guitar in 1968, and started on bass in 1994.
try lighter strings or lower action.try lighter strings or lower action. a really good site for guitar beginners
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try lighter strings or lower action.try lighter strings or lower action. a really good site for guitar beginners
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I also have fat fingers and have no problem in playing guitar. I started on guitar and it sure helps.
There is difference between guitar and bass playing in fingering angle.
While playing guitar your fingers should be more vertical to fretboard.
There is difference between guitar and bass playing in fingering angle.
While playing guitar your fingers should be more vertical to fretboard.
I think "play" is a bit of an exaggeration. I can noodle bass lines octaves higher on guitar... that's it.
So here's the number one tip I give to beginner students regarding this (very common) issue.
When you fret a chord, hold the position, and then use a pick to sound each string individually beginning with the low E.
For each string that comes out muffled or muted, adjust the finger holding down that string (or the adjacent finger that happens to be inadvertently muting it).
Repeat different types of chords, and you will eventually get it
anyone can play a frickin guitar, imo. playing a bass properly is harder for me, especially an upright. ymmv
btw,.. i learned watching this lil guy!
btw,.. i learned watching this lil guy!
I'm primarily a guitar player at heart, but get many more gigs on bass. I play fingerstyle acoustic guitar (only) and sing ... blues (Piedmont style, mostly), country, jazz standards of the 30-50's. Mostly solo. I'll occasionally get a call to fill-in on rhythm guitar in a band. I also play keys (just bought a new-to-me Kurzweil PC3 synth earlier this week). I consider myself a musician who plays several instruments, rather than a bass player who plays guitar, too.
yes, some keys and very little drums enough to convey what I am looking for, to a drummer
Yes. I'm no lead virtuoso, but I can play fairly well. Drums and keys(to some degree) also. Use to play horns too.
Basically what I say is, "I know how to play music". Doesn't matter much what it's on. I may not be the best at every instrument I pick up, but I can make music with anything.
Basically what I say is, "I know how to play music". Doesn't matter much what it's on. I may not be the best at every instrument I pick up, but I can make music with anything.
Weeeell, I can play some riffs with lots of distortion... Because distortion makes you sound good, y'know?
I think keyboards and drums are easier. Guitar? You've got to have contortionist fingers!
I think keyboards and drums are easier. Guitar? You've got to have contortionist fingers!
I can but prefer to play bass. Over the years, I've found that when I do play guitar, I find myself keying in on the bass lines instead of the rhythm/lead guitar. Told me that my heart belongs to bass.
I was working on what some would consider the simplest song around, Smoke on the Water, yesterday.
My wrist is in pain when I reach out for the F note on the E string, which I find strange, since bass guitars are longer still than guitars.
the second phrase in that song is a simple arpeggio of a power chord, but I just can't make the transition from 3rd position to 1st & back again fast enough.
I am too slow to be a lead guitarist, or perhaps even a rhythm guitarist.
My wrist is in pain when I reach out for the F note on the E string, which I find strange, since bass guitars are longer still than guitars.
the second phrase in that song is a simple arpeggio of a power chord, but I just can't make the transition from 3rd position to 1st & back again fast enough.
I am too slow to be a lead guitarist, or perhaps even a rhythm guitarist.
Whenever I try to play chords on a guitar, it feels like my fingers are playing Twister!
EdwardofHuncote
I Still Dream of Jeannie
- Aug 21, 2013
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- I privately own and operate a local musical instument repair shop.
I learned to play guitar while recovering from tendonitis... under doctors' orders, I had to take a break from (upright) bass, but not playing music was driving me crazy. Had to do something musical, and guitar seemed a natural progression. It took about 6 months to get back to condition, but the guitar experience I retained has been helpful on several occasions.
