Playing bass can be challenging, especially if you’re playing it for the first time. But with the right support and knowledge, anyone can succeed. Musicians often swap instruments to play certain songs or to fit specific musical genres, and while this article cannot address all of the different situations that may arise when switching instruments or genres, we can at least give you some insight into whether it’s even possible to switch instruments as a guitarist and if so what type of training is required. In this article we will take a look at whether non-musician guitarists should try playing bass, how best to do so and which tools are useful for learning how to play bass if you’re not much of a musician yourself.
Should You Play Bass?
If you’re a guitarist who’s always wanted to learn how to play bass, but you’re a little hesitant about taking on the challenge of learning a whole new technique, we’d say it’s probably best to leave the bass alone. While there are some non-musician guitarists who can successfully learn how to play bass, the majority of guitarists simply don’t have the aptitude to make it work. It’s not because bass players are inherently better musicians than guitarists, rather it’s a question of how your hands and brain are wired. If you’re unsure about whether you have the ability to learn bass, it may be best to stick to guitar. In any case, no amount of practice will make you a great bassist if you’re not wired to be one.
What is the difference between guitar and bass?
There are actually some similarities in the way guitar and bass are played, but they both operate in a completely different way when it comes to music theory and tone production. Guitarists use open-tunings that allow them to play a variety of chords, while bass players use closed-tunings, which are simply different arrangements of the same notes. While guitarists generally use the same open-tunings for each song, to make it easier for them to change the chords they play in different songs, bass players are generally only restricted to a handful of tunings that they can use in any given song. That said, while there are many similarities in the techniques used to play guitar and bass, there are also many differences between the two instruments.
Training for a Bass Guitarist
If you’ve decided that you want to learn how to play bass, the first thing you’ll need to do is to find a bass player to teach you. As a non-musician, it may be difficult to find a bass player who is willing to teach you, but don’t let that stop you from trying. You may have to set up lesson yourself or ask a friend, but either way it should be easy enough for you to find a bass player who is willing to help you learn how to play bass. Once you’ve found a bass player or two who is willing to teach you, the next thing you’ll want to do is to find a good method to learn bass. While there are many ways to learn music, most people choose to learn via private lessons, but that may not be the best choice for you. If you don’t have a lot of money or a large amount of time on your hands, it may be best to look for an online method to learn how to play bass. There are numerous bass-specific learning methods that are designed for guitar players and bass players, but one of the best, and most comprehensive, is the Bass Mentor Method. This method takes a comprehensive approach to bass education, covering all of the basics as well as a few advanced techniques. It provides all of the tools you’ll need to learn how to play bass, including a full lesson plan, a full interactive software program, video and audio content and more. For the best results, it’s worth investing in this method in order to learn how to play bass.
The Right Gear for a Bass Player
As with any other instrument, you’ll want to first consider what type of bass you’ll be playing before buying any gear. If you’re playing a five-string bass guitar, you’ll obviously want to choose a five-string bass. Beyond that, you may want to consider the style and genre of music you’ll be playing. For example, if you play country music, it may be best to get a bass that has a warm, full sound, while metal and rock musicians will want to get a bass with a bright tone. Beyond that, you may also want to consider whether you want an electric bass or a bass that is equipped for both electric and acoustic performance.
Final Words
One of the reasons many guitarists don’t try playing bass is because they incorrectly assume that they don’t have the aptitude to do so. In truth, though, it’s not about whether a guitar player is good enough to learn bass, but rather about whether a guitarist is wired to learn bass. If you’re not wired to play bass, though, you’re better off sticking to guitar. Like any other instrument, playing bass has its own challenges, but they can be overcome once you know what you’re up against. In this article, we’ve helped you learn if you want to learn bass, how to learn bass, which tools you’ll need to learn how to play bass, and we’ve even provided a few helpful tips on how to learn how to play bass, so you’ll be well on your way to becoming a great bass player in no time.