I think the hand curvature will be what takes a lot of getting used to. Im afraid ill be muting a lot of strings accidentally when I first start.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Tips for a bassist learning guitar
- Thread starter KickingBass
- Start date
Exactly. Go slow and be fussy about listening for the muffled or missing notes, and adjust your hand until you find the sweet spot. The shifting between 2 chords speeds up the process of memorizing the shapes - since you have to re-form the chord every time, it's a much more condensed way to practice them. I've been playing guitar for a long time, and still use this strategy when I come across a new chord form that gives me trouble...at least a hundred repetitions of switching between it and something else. Works great.
I notice that when I play a lot of chords on bass that my wrist gets pretty tight and starts to hurt pretty bad, I don't know if that's just bad technique. The guitar has a wider fret board and tighter spacing. Is it normal to get wrist pain on guitar or is that a sign of a technique problem?
learning the guitar will help you immensely as a bass player, it did for me. I learned the bass first, then the guitar, when I went back to the bass I had a much better understanding of music theory/chord structure, it just opened up another world on the bass for me
@ KickingBass just take your time, it will get frustrating esp when it comes to barre chords just keep at it and one day you will wonder what the fuss was about. I learned to play solos first-- then chords
The main thing is to have fun while you learn.
The main thing is to have fun while you learn.
You really shouldn't have any pain, it can very often mean bad technique such as having a bent wrist that doesn't allow tendons to move smoothly and fingers to work efficiently, pressing too hard or being tense, or other postural problems. There's a certain amount of fatigue involved in learning bigger chords, but it's more of the variety where your muscles get tired and your fingers might be sore. Any burning, numbness, or sharp pains are not good and can lead to big big problems down the line. I've been lucky with my playing but know many who haven't, especially self taught drummers and blues guitarists who play with the guitar slung super low. As someone who played a lot of basketball and rode skateboards 20ish years ago, I can confirm every injury comes back sooner or later, so try to stay on top of stuff.
A cool thing to try if you haven't already, is to see how lightly you can press down on a fretted note without it buzzing. I think there are some Gary WIllis lessons on this on youtube. You only need to press slightly harder than the lightest pressure required in all your playing. Once you get this light touch committed to muscle memory on either guitar or bass, you'll be amazed how much faster you can fly around and the dynamic control you'll gain.
I went the opposite way, guitar then bass. However, I still play both extensively so have a few things to mention:
1. Definitely do not learn in anything other than standard tuning (EADGBe), which others have already mentioned. Unless you play a 6-string bass (or a E-C five string), the B string won't be an issue anyway.
2. Learn songs you like, really helps the motivation.
3. Start with chords, it will be the most useful addition to your playing/songwriting arsenal (hey, many people only know how to strum chords and still have fun around the campfire
). It will take a while to get comfortable, not sure if your bass playing will speed that learning up or not.
Later
Rob
1. Definitely do not learn in anything other than standard tuning (EADGBe), which others have already mentioned. Unless you play a 6-string bass (or a E-C five string), the B string won't be an issue anyway.
2. Learn songs you like, really helps the motivation.
3. Start with chords, it will be the most useful addition to your playing/songwriting arsenal (hey, many people only know how to strum chords and still have fun around the campfire
). It will take a while to get comfortable, not sure if your bass playing will speed that learning up or not.Later
Rob
I definitely want to learn in standard tuning. The only possible problem would be that my bands tunings are some crazy drop Bb tuning ha! I think I'll hold off on playing guitar with them for a good while.I went the opposite way, guitar then bass. However, I still play both extensively so have a few things to mention:
1. Definitely do not learn in anything other than standard tuning (EADGBe), which others have already mentioned. Unless you play a 6-string bass (or a E-C five string), the B string won't be an issue anyway.
2. Learn songs you like, really helps the motivation.
3. Start with chords, it will be the most useful addition to your playing/songwriting arsenal (hey, many people only know how to strum chords and still have fun around the campfire
Later
Rob
Yes my plan is to learn all the major open chords, practice transitions between them, learn the open minor chords, and learn the pentatonic scale. After that ill plan my next stage of learning.
Be patient. the "muscle memory" part of guitar playing takes slow, repetitive practice. Try to spend 15 minutes or more every day (but not more than an hour, IMO) working on chords and changing chords. It gets MUCH easier after the first month or so. Take LESSONS from an experienced teacher if you can. Hand positioning is important, taking lessons can help break any bad habits before they become ingrained.
The good thing for me is that I'm surrounded by some pretty good experienced guitarists and I plan on practicing for at least 30 minutes if not more a day for most days out of the week.
You're on the right track. I started out trying to play punk, metal, and alternative, so I relied on power chords for a long time. When I moved on, I came to realize my chording sucked.
Lots of good advice here. The advantage you have to most new guitarists is that you already have the callouses on your fretting hand. Learn the basic chords (Major, minor, 7ths, etc.), but also learn ALL of the notes on the fretboard. Then learn how to build the same chord in four different places on the neck. Play along with your favorite songs. Most of all: Have fun!
I typically use blue tortex picks. 1mm and jazz 3 shape for bass (when I do rarely pick). I've noticed that thinner picks are recommended more for acoustic guitar. Any pick suggestions? I know its very subjective but suggestions are suggestions.
I've gone from thin to thick, over the course of a lifetime. Thin picks are much more forgiving - easier at first - but the thwacking noise is an issue in terms of control, expressiveness, and dynamics too - that thwacking percussive sound makes up part of the sound output, on acoustics especially. That can be both good and bad. It's one 'sound' for the pallet . The thicker ones are relatively silent, more transparent.
For the last quarter of a century, 2mm Stubbies for me, and for both clefs, electric and acoustic, no probs.
For the last quarter of a century, 2mm Stubbies for me, and for both clefs, electric and acoustic, no probs.
Wow that's pretty thick. I guess I'll try my usual tortex picks and maybe get a couple of other types and sizes like nylon .78s or whatever they are.
As mentioned, guitar is a different instrument from bass guitar. You know how we on TB love to criticize guitarists who play bass like a guitar, no feel, etc? Well, it goes the other way, too. Learn to use a light touch in both hands. A heavy fretting hand will make your notes noticeably sharp. Also learn to play smooth and legato lines, much more important on guitar.
Things to carry over from the bass - your heightened awareness of the drums and rhythm in general. Your ability to listen to the band as a whole.
I used to play a lot of guitar. This thread is making me feel I should pick it up again.
Things to carry over from the bass - your heightened awareness of the drums and rhythm in general. Your ability to listen to the band as a whole.
I used to play a lot of guitar. This thread is making me feel I should pick it up again.
