Is playing the bass guitar similar to playing the cello?

Question

My friends are starting a band, and they need someone to play the bass. They also say that it's almost exactly the same as the cello, which I currently play. Are they right?

Answer 1

the main difference is going to be that most basses have frets, which allow you to place your fingers in between frets and no matter where you are in between the frets you get the same note. on a cello, you're going to need to be a little more precise, otherwise the notes will be slightly sharper or flatter.

if you play cello already, bass should seem easier for most things, but if you want to play like Flea, Steve Harris, or Victor Wooten, ( 3 very different types of players ) or someone like that, theres a lot of different techniques involved.

and yes, the tuning is different, and the approach to the instrument is different as well. i think it really depends more on what type of music you want to play, THAT will determine how hard it is for you.

Answer 2

A bass is tuned in fourths and a cello is tuned in fifths. The bass is held to the body with a strap and a cello stands on the floor. A bass is tuned lower than a cello and its theory of playing is totally different. Bass can be looked at as the instrument that links the melodic instruments with the percussive, while Cello is most certainly melodic; I'd say it's in the Alto register.

I'm not trying to discourage you; by all means take up the bass if you want but don't listen to those who say there's any similarity between cello and bass, because they're completely wrong.

Answer 3

The only thing that is problematic is the tuning.... a cello is C-G-D-A (my pitch-pipes are labeled that... so I'm guessing it's true)

but a bass guitar is E-A-D-G, so you'll need to know new scales! oh-boy, wont that be fun (that's what keeps me too frustrated to practice my cello, is the different tuning)

I think if you KISS (keep it simple stupid) and follow the guitar's notes... like most basic bass playing does...

then you should have no problems, except the little things, of course!

but practice... your a musician, you above all know it takes time.

cheers, and good luck with the band

-Kwan
p.s.- i totally agree with "hellion210" what style your band wants play will determine how hard it is going to be for you

Answer 4

well not really, i mean i guess it would be easier if u played bass (not bass guitar, but like stand-up bass). they strings are different too, cello has a d g and c and bass has e a d and g (i think)

Answer 5

IT IS! Bass cleft, I play cello, and can play the bass guitar, you are absolutley right, it's a cello turned sideways, but same notes...good luck!

Answer 6

they play the same parts, but they are played differently. its like saying a violin is like a guitar. your pick a bass, and your whatever its called a cello (u rub the bow on it, or whatever)

Answer 7

yep!!! my first bass player did the same thing, then an upright bass.
we put a mic and amp to it. it put out some cool sounds. hope you mean play it like a bass guitar. fingers i mean.. it will work and when you do play bass guitar, you will be great

Answer 8

in a way, because they both have 4 strings, but as long as you have musical experience you should have no problem playing the bass because honestly, its not that hard.

Answer 9

yes, just on a different octave