Can you learn Bass on a four-string Guitar?

[the yeti]

yes. i learnt that way in the beginning.

 

[BurnOut]

Sometimes I'll work out learning some of the more complicated runs and bass lines on a guitar. Once I have it down I move it right to the bass, because that's where I'm gonna be playing it.

 

[lamarjones]

I played trombone in school, and had to learn marching trombone (valves), then switched to Tuba for a while. Absolutely learning marching trombone assisted with learning Tuba, thought it wasn't the same thing. Pretty much what you are asking.

And also about as much as bass guitar will teach you about upright bass. Your hands are in for some pain when you switch, but you will definitely carry some knowledge when you start. Seems like a lot of people have never done anything like this.

 

[ONYX]

Yes. I did. That was all I could afford.
Took off the B,E strings and used it for a year.

Ditto. Did that when I was 13 until I was able to save enough to get a $50 Hondo Bass.

 

[de@n]

...if one can play trumpet lines on comb or drums on pots and even bass melodies on ukulele ....where is the problem ?

 

[the yeti]

I played trombone in school, and had to learn marching trombone (valves), then switched to Tuba for a while. Absolutely learning marching trombone assisted with learning Tuba, thought it wasn't the same thing. Pretty much what you are asking.

And also about as much as bass guitar will teach you about upright bass. Your hands are in for some pain when you switch, but you will definitely carry some knowledge when you start. Seems like a lot of people have never done anything like this.

this is why you're the maestro.

 

[Pirate Captain]

aria ,not recommend

You don't recommend Aria? Cliff Burton, Jack Bruce, John Taylor and Marcus Miller all played Arias (good luck finding an SB 1000 for under a grand though)

 

[Pirate Captain]

build one of these

...seriously...a friend of mine started on one of these and now plays UB in a bluegrass band. But he learned how to "think bass" on one of these.

 

[static0verdrive]

IMHO, no. You can learn the notes, but none of the technique.

 

[SunnBass]

Can I learn to ride a motorcycle by driving a car with only two wheels?

 

[ATLbassist]

It worked for Mike Watt. Why not?

 

[ONYX]

Can I learn to ride a motorcycle by driving a car with only two wheels?

Yes.

Yes you can. Introducing the C-1, from LIT Motors:

 

[SunnBass]

Yes.

Yes you can. Introducing the C-1, from LIT Motors:

View attachment 1052095

I would argue that this vehicle is not a car.
As much as a hot dog is not a sandwich.

 

[tuba_samurai]

I learned bass using my friend's acoustic when we were kids.

Exactly how I got started. Played bass lines on acoustic in a garage for almost a year before I got my first bass.

 

[lamarjones]

I would argue that this vehicle is not a car.
As much as a hot dog is not a sandwich.

You're also arguing something that by your own standards would never be a car.

 

[mellowinman]

Yes.

Can you roller skate in a buffalo herd?

Maybe, but I wouldn't.

Does your chewing gum lose its flavor on the bedpost overnight?

Most certainly.

 

[SunnBass]

You're also arguing something that by your own standards would never be a car.

What? You mean my car with two wheels statement?
Absolutely not.
Take a car, remove two wheels, still a car.

 

[prowla]

Chris Squire said he used a 4-string guitar.

 

[Pirate Captain]

what's the best four string guitar for metal?

 

[MultiScaleMale]

It's possible to start out like that if that's all you have, but if you really want to play bass you need to get a bass with bass strings playing the proper pitches at tension.