iBreatheMusic Forums > Practice, Performance & Music Theory > Getting Started > Big Decision!
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Electric Guitar or... Bass (probably start with 4 string cause I can pick up 5 later).
I can't decide. Bass players in this area outnumber other guitarists but that just means that it will be harder for me to get with a group of people to play which is ultimately where I want to be. What do you guys think? Is one harder to learn than the other should I go with my first instinct and try bass or should I go with the electric so I can lay down those riffs I really like?
I don't expect a remarkably helpful answer just wanna know yer thoughts and to let you know how I am progressing as a beginner... I'm taking the first steps.
Go with the one that you think will give you the most joy.
Trust your heart on this one.
Playing the bass is quite different from the guitar, each instrument has it's own techniques that one must learn - like slapping, popping on the bass, and good picking and fingerpicking on the guitar. Apart from the technical view, there is also very different mental approaches depending on the instrument. But good guitar players (with a firm grasp on theory) can double rather well on bass, although mostly without any slapping, etc. Most bands I've been in have had a surplus of guitarists, and shortage of bass players, so one guitar player have doubled on bass. Recently I've had the luck to play with a real bass player (he has even worked as instructor at BIT!), and he makes a world of difference.
Ok, I guess what I'm trying to says is: choose wisely (i agree with the previous poster, do follow your heart), but choose either bass or guitar - not both.
I don't think I mentioned anything about playing both... I did mention switching from a 4 string bass to a 5 string bass later so I don't have the extra B string when I am just learning.