• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Is it hard to learn bass guitar?

#2
My progression in music began in 1961 at the age of 9 with accordion, then piano, then guitar/bass. I found bass to be the easier of them for me.

I don't know if this means anything but a minor stroke nearly 3 years ago messed with my right side and deprived me of my ability to play piano and guitar effectively but I was still able to play bass well enough to play a show two days after I was released from the hospital after considerable practice and some simplification of my parts. I've continued to play only bass since.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Eli_Kyiv, dasherf17, Neill Graham and 15 others
#8
Stands to reason a guitar might be a better choice for a "guitar club"? An acoustic gets you out of needing an amp as well. As far as bass is concerned, like any instrument it is a process. I don't think it's necessarily "easier" than guitar. Chords on guitar can be a bit cumbersome/awkward at first compared to the usual "single note at a time" bass player's approach. But to be technically proficient at anything requires practice and dedication. Each instrument poses unique challenges. My $.02 anyways.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MattZilla, obimark, johnnynitro and 12 others
#10
At times, trading picks and lessons with friends will be in part, a social activity but much study is done alone, in a basement, or some room. Like any other refined skill, there’s practice and study.

How far you go depends upon how much you like learning, early on, the physical aspects of learning to play will demand as much if not more than developing the ability to play and hear your music as you make it and, finding joy making music with others.

It’s evolving and adaptation. Humans have been doing it in various forms for a while. Give it a go and hope you like it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Malcolm1935, Phaidrus, bassb66 and 1 other person
#14
eeee.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: nateh415, dusterdan70, wellshuxley and 17 others
#16
Look at it this way, a new guitar player has to learn how to put three or all for fingers down to play a a simple chord.

All a beginning bass player has to do to play the simplest bass figure is put one finger down in the right place to play the root note to accompany that chord.

First finger down on the third fret of the lowest (E) string and you've got G.

Move your finger to the the same position on the next biggest string, the A string and you have a C note.

Move your finger two frets up on the same A string and you have a D note.

If a guitar player is strumming 1-2-3-4 on a G chord and you pluck your G note on the E string 1-2-3-4, then when the guitar player plays a C chord you put your finger on your C note and play along, when they go to their D chord you match their strum with your bass notes.

You are now a bass player.

It is super easy to learn to play simple stuff simply and then you can dedicate a lifetime to becoming more skilled.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: nateh415, Mikecan, Rilence and 9 others
#17
I would argue that bass is as hard to master as any instrument BUT it's easier to get into. There's all kinds of complicated technique that can be learned but as a beginner it can be a lot easier and less intimidating to pick up for the first time. I mean, you can conceivably make a super simple bass line with only 3 or 4 notes. Teach yourself a basic scale (start with major or minor) which takes no time at all and you're off to the races.

So, I would say bass is one of the easiest instruments to get into but is ultimately as hard to master as any instrument. And because it's so easy to get into I think it's a great instrument for learning the basics of music on.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nateh415, Johnny Em, Bassaga and 13 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back