Bass Guitar or Guitar?

Question

Well, I want to take up one or the other. I have 4 years of experience in band playing the trumpet if that counts for anything. I'm a senior in high school right now.

I'm kind of leaning towards the bass since it has less strings I figure it should be easier to learn. I'm left handed so I suppose I'm gonna have to get a left handed guitar no matter which one I go for. I'll probably be teaching myself for the most part, just to play when I have free time. If I get the bass I already have an unused 15" sub woofer cabinet that all I need is an amp to drive it, I know I could get plenty loud with that. The only thing I'm wondering is what is the approximate frequency range of a bass guitar? And what would be your recommended guitar for whichever one you think I should go with, keep in mind im left handed.

I forgot to mention that I played drums (drumset, snare, and bass drum) for 2 and a half years also.

Answer 1

well trumpets r used to playing melody so i say guitar and u can always but a lefty guitar

Answer 2

By playing the trumpet, at least you should have a leg up on the average beginner as far as music theory, reading, etc. Probably other than that, nothing.

Getting good at one will make you better at the other. Do the bass first. Learn the scales. It's loads of fun. Some people say that playing bass is for washed up guitar players, but this is un-true. You are the backbone of the rhythm section and drive the sound.

It's kind of a dual edged sword, but get the best instrument available. I'm not saying get a $2500 bass guitar, but do get a $1,000 guitar. That's an exaggeration on the prices, but name brand, upper end equipment is easier to play, sounds better, and will encourage you to keep going. If you get a really cheap guitar and it's hard to fret, or won't stay in tune, whatever. This will add to discouragement.

Same goes for the amp. get a 65 to 100 watt w/15" speaker. Don't initially try to rig an amp. Experiment later.

Lastly playing a stringed instrument is the most frustraiting, and most rewarding thing you can try. It's love/hate. Is was w/ me anyway. You really gotta want to do it.

Good luck, and your finger will kill you initially. Keep going...they'll toughen up

Answer 3

Why even make a choice? As I'm sure you know, bass is simply the last 4 strings of a guitar...with the exact same tuning. I don't know a single bass player who does not also play the guitar. As others have said...bass players are far more rare, so a girl with your looks would be able to command a lot more gigs and chances with better bands, and the opportunity to play with better musicians, which will only improve your ability. Guitar players are a dime a dozen. I will add...most consider it a bit more difficult to sing and play bass. It's generally easier to strum a guitar chord and sing, then to play a pattern of individual notes on bass and sing at the same time. Don't let that discourage you...if you concentrate on bass....do not neglect your singing...if a girl, who looks as you do, can sing AND play bass, you could conquer the world! LOL Hell, I might even kick my bass player out of the band and hire you? Generally...the low end Fenders are considered very good brands for the money, but it's up to individual choice.

Answer 4

Have a stroke of genius...

Whether you play bass or 6 string...
if you are left handed, play the right handed.
Your more articulate hand will be on the frets.
Think about it.

Bass or 6 String...
Decide whether you want to play rhythm and solos,
or if you want to play Thumpin'
the amount of strings don't matter unless u r chronically lazy.

make an educated decision

BTW...

Forget your sub-woofer cab.
You need a musical instrument cabinet
to play music through. A guitar/bass amp
ain't no stereo system...
it's a different ball game.

Decide what you want to do
and do it right.
or stick with your horn.

Answer 5

go with the guitar if you wanna pick up bass later you can do that since you can play that easily if you can play guitar.

Go to musiciansfriend.com and look for a package deal for a guitar and amp. There are plenty of videos, lessons, and tabs you can get online. If you have some kind of torrent program you can download guitar dvds from some torrent sites. Do your research and you can find a good deal. Good luck.

Answer 6

I played trumpet in high school! But mostly, I've played guitar all my life. Don't go bass because it's easier, cause it ain't!! I play the hell out of a guitar, but I really have to work to play the bass!!
I have learned over the years, but It's still not easy!! It's not even about rythem. To play good guitar OR bass you really have to have real good rythem! Aftr that, you really have to learn exactly what is required of you. I suggest finding people who play each instrument, and learning all you can from them. If that doesn't work, GO WITH YOUR HEART!!!!

Answer 7

You will have a better chance of getting into a band playing bass because every second person you meet plays guitar. Ibanez have a pretty good range that is cheaper than the top shelf Ibanez stuff!

Answer 8

The bass pretty much hits on most audible frequencys depending on how its eq'ed. The frequencies where its most relevant are between 50k-250k. Just get a fender, they are the most popular basses, you can get them cheap and they typically sound good for all styles. Just stay away from the squier line thats a little too cheap. Left handed models shouldn't be too hard to find.

www.musiciansfriend.com