guitarist learning bass

[Charles Obscure]

I've been playing guitar for about 2 years or so, on and off. I want to play another instrument so i figure bass would be the easiest to play as I already play guitar.

I played guitar for twenty years, and a couple years ago I wanted to try my hand at bass as well. The only thing I could carry over from guitar to bass was the knowledge of the positions and notes on the fretboard. That's it. From what little I've learned so far, I find the bass "guitar" is a whole 'nother mindset from six-string guitar playing. Read the advice you received in this thread, it's good. The bonus is, you got a little history lesson too!

I wish you luck my friend.

 

[TOOL460002]

you should probably skip straight to this:



i kid... i kid... great song though, and he nails it live like its nothing. all the best.

-Me

 

[randyripoff]

I play both (started with bass) and I'd have to say the major difference is that bass (IMO) is more about patterns and feel than guitar. Also, generally the dynamics are different. In most situations, as a bass player, you're responsible for keeping the band on tempo (sometimes in concert with the drummer, sometimes without). By and large, you aren't freelancing or playing mind-blowing solos--you're basically the center of the maelstrom, the anchor as it were. I'm sure that many here will disagree with me.

Regarding right-hand technique--well, whatever works for you. I mostly use my fingers, but sometimes I use a pick. There's no one right way--Tina Weymouth actually used a sort of fingerpicking style with both thumb and forefingers. It worked for her, it may work for you, or it may not...or your best way may be to use a 10 penny nail instead of a pick.
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IMO, the vast majority of blues bass should be learnable within a few hours, but much of that comes with experience, and even then, you're also dealing with how everything feels, and then there's the whole idea of what you're trying to accomplish when you're playing.

Good luck, whatever your choice.