Why bass over guitar?

[LowRick]

evidenceancillary expensesancillary

I tried to pronounce that... tongue feels all weird now... guess i'm gonna need more whiskey...

 

[rtav]

Why bass and not guitar?

When I was about 10, a friend of mine and I wanted to be in a band.

He wanted to be John, so he sang and played guitar, I wanted to be Paul and he played bass, so I play bass and sang.

That’s it.

 

[Ron Berenato]

The bass suits my personality. I would rather be a solid support player laying down a groove than being flashy and in your face like a guitar player or lead singer. I don't have to be the center of attention. Besides, bass is WAY MORE interesting.

 

[Mili]

Because Rhythm section is much more important to me! No Rhythm No Music!

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

bass if for folks who don't care about guitar solos

I may be a wuss but when I listen to McCartney, most times, I am listening to a bass solo that interwines through the whole song, which to me is a lot harder, and sometimes infinitely more interesting musically.

and I play guitar.

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

Why bass and not guitar?

When I was about 10, a friend of mine and I wanted to be in a band.

He wanted to be John, so he sang and played guitar, I wanted to be Paul and he played bass, so I play bass and sang.

That’s it.

The Disciples played?

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Because bass is where the groove comes from ...

 

[lfmn16]

Although I play mostly guitar now, when I was a kid I saw a bass and was fascinated by it. My older brother was a musician and I said, “Hey, what’s that guitar with 4 strings?” I can’t post what he said, but the gist was, “It’s a bass.” Bass was my first love.

Long way of saying the instrument chooses you.

 

[PWRL]

I just like it better. I feel a lot more free on the bass. Plus, there are those great low notes that shake buildings. There's a lot of power in bass.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

I was going to play guitar, but then I heard N.I.B by Black Sabbath. That instantly changed my mind for the better.

 

[akrachanko]

Learn the piano.

The Chaotic Neutral.

 

[Humbled]

I may be a wuss but when I listen to McCartney, most times, I am listening to a bass solo that interwines through the whole song, which to me is a lot harder, and sometimes infinitely more interesting musically.

and I play guitar.

Yes. Your post made me think of the times I've heard Jamerson's lines described as him playing a personal concerto underneath it all. The bass line can be intricate, busy and brash, or subtle, haunting and moody, all while others are doing their thing pretty much locked into a pre-established melody and lyric... the bass line can make the same tune feel excited or relaxed just by leading or lagging the beat... bass player's choice. You can choose to endeavor to learn other's renditions note-for-note, or resolve to only learn signature hooks and then just capture the spirit of the song or someone else's original take on the song. IMO few instruments give the player so much creative freedom and have as much ability to totally drive/set/alter the feel and mood of a song like the bass line.

I also play keyboards and guitar, (and pedal-steel and mandolin rather poorly.)

All that said, if someone was going to "pay for my lessons", I'd start with piano.

 

[stringtapper]

Because as a bassist you control the harmony.

Think you’re playing a Cmin7 chord Mr. Guitar Player?

Nope. You’re playing an Abmaj9 with no root. Sucker!

 

[interp]

If you think this might turn into a long-term thing and you might be eventually interested in playing in a group (at any level) I would choose bass, for the simple reason that there is almost always more demand for bass players than guitar players. If you are more interested in just learning an instrument to entertain yourself and perhaps some friends in an informal setting then I would go with guitar.

 

[socialleper]

The rich percussive sound of the bass players I was listening to in my teens made me want to play the bass. Steve Harris, Duff McKagen, Eddie Jackson, Frank Bello. I also liked how these players and Geezer Butler were really driving the songs; it felt like everything revolved around them. It is a very visceral instrument as well. You can really attack the instrument.
If I had known then that bass players are second class citizens in the music world I would have thought twice about it. I can play a little guitar, and it doesn't connect with me in the same way. But in the rock metal/metal genres it is definitely a guitar players world.

 

[Allegrus]

Always had big hands. Felt awkward to play guitar.

 

[Eilif]

For me it was a choice between upright bass and some other orchestral instrument, but I new I wanted to play the bass. It was loud and deep booming and huge!

Also, I never wanted to be the front, lead guy. Guitar never really appealed to me until I heard the Pedal Steel, another instrument that -while it definitely as some licks and leads- is a supporting role.

I'd simply say the OP should consider the following
-Which one appeals to you the most?
-Which one sounds best to you?
-Do you want to be the center of attention or the foundation?

 

[GKon]

Ive always wanted to learn how to play a bass or guitar and I can’t decide which one. I was given a gift certificate to learn a instrument. Why did u choose bass over guitar? I currently don’t own a bass or guitar. Thank your your help.

I was given an acoustic guitar when I was around 11 or 12. My father took me to a music store and I took two guitar lessons. I didn't like it. I can't necessarily tell you why I didn't like it.
It wasn't fun to me, it didn't jive with me, I just wasn't that interested in it.

A year or so later, my friends suggested I try bass. I didn't know what that was. They explained it to me and then pointed out the bass lines in music I lived at the time (Black Sabbath being high on the list). I was excited. I always loved the sound of the bass in Sabbath, but didn't know it was bass. My dad then took me and bought me my first bass and I started taking lessons at the same shop I took the guitar lessons. I loved it. It felt good, I loved the feel of the strings under my fingers. Hell, I even loved the way the bass smelled and the smell of the case.

Somehow, the bass just jived with me, and the guitar didn't.

I don't know if that will help you with your choice, but perhaps it will give you some insight.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

I originally took up bass after selling my last drum set. As a former drummer I felt connected to the rhythm section and acquired a bass. I love playing a fun groove and just having that "presence" that people enjoy in the music even if they don't know what I'm actually playing.

I only started guitar as a little variety. Totally different feel and style of playing.

I didn't read all the posts but maybe sign up for a couple lessons on each with a rental instrument and see if one "grabs" you more than the other?

 

[Knavery]

I play both. I'd also play drums if I had a place to put them.