How hard is it to transition from 6-string guitar to bass guitar?
hishbemeaner аѕkеd:
I currently play guitar аnd wаѕ рlаnnіng οn performing іn a band wіth іt. Hοwеνеr, ουr bassist fell through аnd wе found someone whο саn play guitar. I wаѕ јυѕt curious аbουt hοw hard іt іѕ tο transition frοm guitar tο bass ѕο I сουld play bass аnd thе οthеr person саn play guitar.
The Tuning is the same of the last 4 strings, however the theory is different. The bass guitar basically emphasizes the kick drum and fills the bottom end. The Bass usually takes the root of the current chord and or a series of notes in the scale of the chord progression being played. I’m thinking you could do it.
I play both. I prefer guitar but I have played bass in a couple of bands.
It is a very easy transition. If you play guitar you already know the notes! Guitar strings are E-A-D-G-B-E. A bass is simply E-A-D-G. Depending on how long you have played guitar and to some extent what time of music you were playing, your hands may require a little more stretching, as the bass frets are farther apart. The strings are also heavier so it requires a little more finger strength to press them down and avoid “fret buzz”. Other than that, typically, bass players do not play a ton of chords. You would be wise to stick to single note melodies…at least at first. Later on, should you choose you can also experiment with “slap and pop” style playing, which gives more of a funk feel to the bass line (i.e. RHCP or Primus). Good luck.
No. Basically, you just play rhythm stuff. Like, for most genres, if the guitarist is playing a power chord, you play the root note, or you could play your own funky complicated bassline.
It depends. If you can finger or flat pick a six string, it’s just a matter of getting comfortable with the stretch on the fretboard and tuning your ears to the low end rhythmic parts of the music rather than the mid-range melodies. If all you can do is strum a six string or play power chords, it might require a little more practice with your picking hand. I’ve played guitar for about 40 years, (mostly six string), and I’ve been in more bands than I care to remember. Although I’ve played bass on and off for kicks over the years, I too recently made the switch to full-time bassist in the band I am currently in. I did it mainly out of boredom, but it’s all good.
I play cello and have some experience with the double bass, and the knowledge and skills really help when I picked up the electric bass. It just came naturally to me. as elu_1998 said, the tuning is the same as the last (ie lowest) 4 strings of the guitar, so your success with the bass depends on two things: your ability to play melodies on the guitar, and your creativity. It shouldn’t be too hard. In any case, I encourage you to give it a try as it doesn’t hurt to be versatile when you’re in a band.
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Tags: Bass Guitar, Bassist
Comments: 6 comments
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elu_1998
July 6th, 2008 at 8:45 am
The Tuning is the same of the last 4 strings, however the theory is different. The bass guitar basically emphasizes the kick drum and fills the bottom end. The Bass usually takes the root of the current chord and or a series of notes in the scale of the chord progression being played. I’m thinking you could do it.
I play both. I prefer guitar but I have played bass in a couple of bands.
Fred
July 9th, 2008 at 7:33 am
It is a very easy transition. If you play guitar you already know the notes! Guitar strings are E-A-D-G-B-E. A bass is simply E-A-D-G. Depending on how long you have played guitar and to some extent what time of music you were playing, your hands may require a little more stretching, as the bass frets are farther apart. The strings are also heavier so it requires a little more finger strength to press them down and avoid “fret buzz”. Other than that, typically, bass players do not play a ton of chords. You would be wise to stick to single note melodies…at least at first. Later on, should you choose you can also experiment with “slap and pop” style playing, which gives more of a funk feel to the bass line (i.e. RHCP or Primus). Good luck.
Faith & Misery
July 10th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
No. Basically, you just play rhythm stuff. Like, for most genres, if the guitarist is playing a power chord, you play the root note, or you could play your own funky complicated bassline.
N.J.
July 12th, 2008 at 11:57 am
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M D
July 13th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
It depends. If you can finger or flat pick a six string, it’s just a matter of getting comfortable with the stretch on the fretboard and tuning your ears to the low end rhythmic parts of the music rather than the mid-range melodies. If all you can do is strum a six string or play power chords, it might require a little more practice with your picking hand. I’ve played guitar for about 40 years, (mostly six string), and I’ve been in more bands than I care to remember. Although I’ve played bass on and off for kicks over the years, I too recently made the switch to full-time bassist in the band I am currently in. I did it mainly out of boredom, but it’s all good.
celloman144
July 15th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
I play cello and have some experience with the double bass, and the knowledge and skills really help when I picked up the electric bass. It just came naturally to me. as elu_1998 said, the tuning is the same as the last (ie lowest) 4 strings of the guitar, so your success with the bass depends on two things: your ability to play melodies on the guitar, and your creativity. It shouldn’t be too hard. In any case, I encourage you to give it a try as it doesn’t hurt to be versatile when you’re in a band.
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