For those who double - guitar

[singlemalt]

Go for it.

Playing bass by your self, its easy to get bored. If bands no longer fit in your life, guitar can help fuel the fire.

Bassists are band creatures, for the most part.

A looper and an octave up pedal can get you a ways into guitar land, without buying a whole new rig.

Beware boredom fueled GAS.

If I was to get serious about guitar, I'd down the blues road so I could hit casual jams for a night out. Learning those tunes on bass as well will score you points. You'll get more time on stage if you can handle both.

The up side of jams is no commitments, a reduced drama. Just a couple hours out for fun.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I've found it virtually impossible to go from playing bass strictly fingerstyle to playing guitar with a pick. The string spacing is just not to my liking.

It is a very rare sighting to see me play guitar with a pick; I threw it away a long time ago for guitar playing, except for the pick Paul Richards gave me, as it makes me sound like three guitarist playing at the same time.

Taking up guitar & keys helped to improve my understanding of melody, harmony & songwriting, and taking up the drums really went a long way to help make me a better bass player.

I played drum for 5 years when I started out as a musician, and picked up bass on my fifth year of doing so (February 1971).

 

[bfields]

I agree with both of you and I think that's exactly where I am now, it's feeling somewhat boring and pointless.

Hah--I switched from piano to bass exactly because I wanted to play with people. Definitely grateful for the piano background, though--and guitar would probably help with some of the same things.

And now I occasionally think it'd be fun to do more solo stuff (no terrible band drama, playing solo just has some advantages). So:

I'm working up a solo act myself, even (me singing and playing bass and foot percussion, interspersing solo instrumental compositions I've written for bass).

I've done solo gigs just with bass and a looper, with bass, looper and a drum machine, and perhaps most fun were a few shows with 2 bass players and a drummer.

I'd love to hear what either of you have done! Or any suggestions for other places to look for ideas. I've been working on some very simple things with an eye towards maybe just a few minutes of open mic material, nothing more ambitious for the forseeable future.

I've found myself drifting into youtube guitar instruction videos as I try to figure out some ideas e.g. for lead parts, even though I don't have any intention of picking up an actual guitar for now.

(Also kinda curious about the E-C 5-string option: do most folks buy an instrument designed for that, or buy a standard 5-string and replace the strings? But, maybe I should just bite the bullet and try 6: I can see how it might be handy to have access to more bassline-register notes while you're still up in the area of the neck where chords sound O.K. Does the typical B string sound good up in the second octave? As you can see, I've ignorant of anything beyond 4 strings....)

 

[Grumry]

Learn as many instruments as you can.

 

[southpaw723]

Don't get frustrated and quit when learning to play chords, just stick with it

 

[nostatic]

(Also kinda curious about the E-C 5-string option: do most folks buy an instrument designed for that, or buy a standard 5-string and replace the strings? But, maybe I should just bite the bullet and try 6: I can see how it might be handy to have access to more bassline-register notes while you're still up in the area of the neck where chords sound O.K. Does the typical B string sound good up in the second octave? As you can see, I've ignorant of anything beyond 4 strings....)

Most of the time you can just restring. The nut slots will be too wide as the strings are all thinner (relatively) but usually doesn't rattle. B-string can work up the neck but depends on the bass. With E-C you can comp chords with reasonable tone/voicings and still have bass line notes available. That said, I have done plenty of solo-ish bass on 4-string.

 

[jaybones]

I came to the bass through guitar.

I'd bought an acoustic when I was a senior in high school, fall of 1989. 1988 Alvarez Regent student model, thought I got a great deal since they "threw in" a cardboard case, pitch pipe, $10 strap (my choice of), handful of 351 plastic picks, beginner's book (Hal Leonard Guitar Method), extra set of strings and "4 free lessons".

5 years later my best friend since kindergarten invited me to be in the garage band he was forming with his just out of high school neighbor (parents had moved to a different district once we graduated). Said I could play his bass rig if I bought an electric and amp he could play through.

Went through a couple borrowed basses in a couple different bands, always with him on guitar. Eventually I got good enough to play guitar, and started playing leads.

I got a minor in music, and currently own 15 guitars, 3 of which are of the bass variety.

To me, the bass is part of being a complete guitarist. I would like to learn mandolin and ukulele (already know some of that), as well as banjo and more slide (and a resonator! of course).

I'm self employed and work from home. I end up playing a couple hours a day, and the basses are part of my regular playing. I run through the songs we used to play (sometimes on both instruments) and rehearse bass lines I wrote on originals.

Also do some home recording on this laptop with Reaper and a Behringer USB audio interface.

 

[MyTomomi]

I'm with those that say that you should join a band! I'm having a hard time finding motivation to play bass when there is basically no purpose and time limit to learn it. Playing with a band will force you to learn it perfectly and within a time limit,usually before the rehearsal.

Aside from what they already said, I think learning guitar will also improve your picking techniques (if you use pick in bass).

 

[RedVee]

I agree with both of you and I think that's exactly where I am now, it's feeling somewhat boring and pointless. I was in bands, a few that were somewhat successful in the local scene, in my twenties, but I don't feel like I have it in me any more for the drama that typically follows along. At this point in my life I have much less of a tolerance for attitudes - and it seems that in my area attitudes are not in short supply.

A different take on a band could be refreshing. Someone mentioned open mic nights.
I suggest looking for a volunteer band that play for the less fortunate or elderly. Perhaps there is a charitable group near you that does this already, or if you know what areas they provide for, you might suggest starting a band to them.
I say this as that is what I am doing with my local conference of the Vinnies. It is a rewarding way to get out and have some fun. Plus when egos start to flare you can remind them of the reason you are all doing this, seems to bring most back into line.

 

[MojoPenguin]

The bass is all I play but recently I've been thinking about picking up a guitar/amp and giving it a go

I'd say pick up a Bass VI ! Why not, like these Squier ones

 

[sratas]

Just ordered a cheap e-guitar (have been a skilled guitarist for 25 yrs before switching to bass only), because I need it for my own productions and for ideas.

I'm ampless at the moment, I own only bass gear.

I got the wierd idea of buying a bass cab that can also sound good hooked to a guitar amp head...please feel free to give me an advice. Was thinking about Barefaced two ten. Anyone out there tried this route?

 

[Lo-E]

I started on bass at 19yo and didn't start learning guitar in earnest until I was about 30. I reached enough proficiency after a while to play guitar in a couple of bands. It was fun.
Eventually, the music scene I'm part of remembered that I was primarily a bassist and I haven't gotten a call to play guitar since! It's fine; I was always a better bassist anyway and I was starting to miss bass when I started transitioning back.

I hardly ever play guitar anymore, but I'm really glad I learned. It taught me a lot about practical theory and arranging, about the roles of band members from another perspective and gave me techniques I was able to carry over to bass. I think it made me a better musician overall and, as an added bonus, I can sit and pick an acoustic guitar when I feel like it - and that's nice!

EDIT: Oh, and +100 on joining a band! Even if you never play gigs, just play with other people as much as you can! If you play gigs, all the better, but get with other players ASAP.

 

[RedHatter]

I've found it virtually impossible to go from playing bass strictly fingerstyle to playing guitar with a pick. The string spacing is just not to my liking.

This is something I've considered as well - I can use a pick when playing bass, but I don't much care for it. I am much more of a fingers person as opposed to using a pick.

 

[Steadfast]

Always learn a new instrument if you are able.

I picked up the bass recently. I am a sax player. I feel like I have become a better sax player because of my better understanding of the bass. Plus--learning anything new keeps your brain from shrinking.

 

[electracoyote]

I respect those who dedicate themselves to, and focus on, one instrument.

But I respect those even more who pick up a second instrument and at least dabble in it a bit to expand their musical horizon and overall cognitive understanding of music.

It can only help. I think with bass especially, hands-on experience with a chordal instrument such as guitar or piano helps you understand bass better. I know, you can chord a bass, but you are limited in that regard. You can get a lot more and wider extensions with a guitar or piano, and understanding those more fully will help you make better and more versatile, interesting composition choices as a bass player.

 

[BC Blackmur]

I respect those who dedicate themselves to, and focus on, one instrument.

But I respect those even more who pick up a second instrument and at least dabble in it a bit to expand their musical horizon and overall cognitive understanding of music.

It can only help. I think with bass especially, hands-on experience with a chordal instrument such as guitar or piano helps you understand bass better. I know, you can chord a bass, but you are limited in that regard. You can get a lot more and wider extensions with a guitar or piano, and understanding those more fully will help you make better and more versatile, interesting composition choices as a bass player.

Same here. I wanted to be a drummer when starting up with the first band in high school. We found a real drummer after 2 weeks of me banging on borrowed skins. Our BL was playing bass just to fill in, then sold it to me and said "here, we already have 2 guitar players". I wasn't too happy at first, but soon enough fell in love with it. Just wanted to play music.

Fast forward 30 years, I finally bought a drum set and am having a blast. Recorded my first album, bass and drums only, all instrumental. Never used a pick on the bass before but quickly picked it up when playing power chords and using effects pedals to make it sound like a guitar. After that, I bought a cheap guitar off amazon in case I didn't take to it, but being a bass player for so long and playing power chords for the first album really accelerated my learning curve. Again, still having a blast and am in the middle of mixing my 2nd album, this time with vox, can't sing just growl lol!

Trying to get the wife in on the next project, she can actually sing. Says I'm spending too much time in the dungeon

Playing different instruments and writing songs from each is really expanding my knowledge and keeps the boredom away. Plus never having recorded/mixed anything ever, a whole other learning experience and fun as well.

So pick up what you want to learn, boredom will fall by the wayside.

 

[jaymelewis]

Learn as many instruments as you can! The more you do that, the more you understand how they all work together

 

[Big Hoss]

I've been learning guitar which in turn is opening up new avenues for my bass playing as well.... And in turn, as a bass player, I play guitar in ways that other guitarists don't. It's probably technically wrong, but it works for me so to heck with it...

My guitar education actually predates bass somewhat, but my early learning I don't really remember, it was during "those years"... So it would be much more recent, at 45 I decided to snag a cheap strat copy and amp just to noodle around on, which grew into an acoustic / electric which I am enjoying a great deal these days... However I've never grown bored with the bass. It is my first love instrument wise. When I was learning guitar in those years, I wanted to be on bass, BAD... But it is really hard to play an electric bass around a campfire with friends and family...

Yes, it probably would have been easier to learn guitar first, THEN bass. Guitar playing IMHO seems sloppier. Even with the bass in the background, there's just so much strumming on guitar, and heck, with all that distortion who can tell anyway right?

 

[socialleper]

I started with bass when I was 14. I've always loved the tone of bass that is forward in the mix and driving the song, so I never really gave much thought to learning the guitar beyond simple power chords. I went on hiatus from music to try be all adult and stuff, then after my divorce I started playing again and bought a guitar. I've been off and on with it for close to 10 years now, but I'm really trying to give it a go this time.
The biggest problem has been adjusting to the scale. Even though I have smaller hands, the frets over the 12th are just a jumble to me. I also have a lot of trouble with chords that skip open strings, like a C major or F major. Barre chords are also very hard for me to get right, and moving them cleanly without resetting my fingers completely is impossible right now. I don't know how people with bigger hands play these chords without their fingers muting the other strings.
Soloing is something I haven't messed with. I don't think I have the mental agility for it, just like I don't have the mental agility for complex slapping patterns a la Victor Wooten or Les Claypool. Plus a tend to think of solos as wanky and pointless.

 

[Mister Boh]

Go for it! I played bass for years before picking up the guitar. I find it's a lot more fun to practice alone with than the bass.

Get a decent quality one, something that inspires you to play, good setup and all that, and have fun. YouTube is a good resource for beginning technique (like how to hold a pick, since I used only fingers for bass, ymmv).

I bought an acoustic first, since I thought I'd be more inclined to just pick it up and strum but I have less and less time to play and that influenced that decision quite a bit.

Let us know what you end up doing.