Yes. I'm trying to do that and I'm really struggling to play chords. How the heck do you fit meaty fingers on a guitar? Playing it does come in handy when trying to compose a tune in a hurry.
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Should Bassists learn how to play guitar as well?
- Thread starter Bassace28
- Start date
I was going to say no-there are already too many guitars players in this world, but it has come in useful knowing guitar & keyboard chords when you sit in at a jam session and need to watch for the changes. Also, I like to lay down guitar tracks in my home studio. Every few years, I play with a guitard that needs some guidance.
Better still, learn piano. It will give you a better understanding of harmony, especially in terms how the bass interact with chords.
Yes, keyboards = chord harmonies. Drums = rhythm. Guitar = combining chord harmonies with rhythm (me thinks guitar is or should be a rhythm instrument.)
As for bass, that's the secret conductor instrument that binds the rhythm section with the chord instruments. So knowing both sides is very good.
As for bass, that's the secret conductor instrument that binds the rhythm section with the chord instruments. So knowing both sides is very good.
Not my experience. Depends on the individuals. As it turns out bad bassists usually make bad guitar players. Good guitar players can make good bass players.
There is no inherent pecking order and it really depends on the person and they style(s) they play. imho learning multiple instruments helps immensely for different reasons. Playing drums is good to get a perspective on a pure rhythmic approach. Playing guitar or keys is helpful to understand harmony. Playing a horn helps with phrasing. And anything helps with making your ears bigger.
I think being well versed with different instruments is a good thing. Playing guitar is good, I have one. I started on bass and added one to my stable. Nothing wrong with the six string.
I think its a great idea. The lead guitar player in our band was a bass player for a while and he has stated many times it really taught him about grooving. I'm a former guitarist turned bass player so I'm familiar enough with both instruments to play licks on both. Its nice to be able to pick up a guitar and go " this is what I'm hearing".
If you're going to be playing mostly music that involves guitars, then yes, definitely it will help.
Kwesi said:
+1. I wish my parents never met me talk them out of making me take piano lessons. I regretted while playing the sax in middle and high school and even more when I started bass in highschool. That being said knowing how to play guitar can't hurt, and therefore could only help.
ALL successful bassists play another instrument, some to the same level as they are on bass. I started as a guitarist, but couldn't stand the competition. 
I do a lot of subbing work in other bands, often playing songs I've never heard before, usually with no rehearsal and no charts. Knowing the guitar chords is great, I just watch the guitarists left hand.
I do a lot of subbing work in other bands, often playing songs I've never heard before, usually with no rehearsal and no charts. Knowing the guitar chords is great, I just watch the guitarists left hand.
Funny I started on guitar in 1970 but there were no bass players so 
changed. It took awhille to decide which way to go but I finally choose bass. I feel the ability to play guitart helped me a be a better that average bass player. Also if you are doing a pickup job it helps to be able to recognize the chord the guitart player is playing
changed. It took awhille to decide which way to go but I finally choose bass. I feel the ability to play guitart helped me a be a better that average bass player. Also if you are doing a pickup job it helps to be able to recognize the chord the guitart player is playing 
Having experience on other instruments is invaluable, I have found. And don't stop at one.. pick up two or three. If anything, you learn so much about roles in the song and leaving space. I was a drummer first but I taught myself other things. I play a little bit of keys in addition to bass and drums.
Record some demos of yourself playing all the instruments. It's really good fun but also a challenge. Obviously your weakest instrument often sticks out, but you often learn a lot.
Record some demos of yourself playing all the instruments. It's really good fun but also a challenge. Obviously your weakest instrument often sticks out, but you often learn a lot.
Years back I picked up guitar and learned a few basic chords, wrote a few songs, and set it back down. Thirty years later I picked up bass, and I find that it serves my big 'ol mitts much better. I have two guitars in the house and I cannot get my fingers cleanly on those strings without a lot of interdigitary collisions. Bass readily solves this conundrum.
Chris
Chris
I think it's a very good thing. That being said, I can't really play guitar. I can play about 6 chords or so. More important than guitar, I would say, is knowing the theory of music. Came in handy at church tonight- such as transposing on the fly, knowing progressions, etc.
It comes in very handy when band members send you recordings with awful mixing and you can't hardly make any notes out....learning the parts on guitar is a bit easier to hear than on bass IME.
Anything that can give you more experience and perspective when performing/writing is a benefit. Learn as many instruments as you can, but never forget where your roots are!!
Anything that can give you more experience and perspective when performing/writing is a benefit. Learn as many instruments as you can, but never forget where your roots are!!
I agree to a point. A good musician versus a bad musician.
But I also think that a bassist is usually playing both worlds of notes and rhythm. Always straddling that line. Where as a guitarist playing bass will sometimes only play the notes and not give enough energy to playing with the drummer.
OTOH, a bassist playing guitar will generally stay in the groove. Heck, I wish more full time guitarists would do that!
There are no absolutes. I was semi-joking with my comment, and there at least a million exceptions.
