Prerequisites for playing the bass guitar?

Question

I'm just wondering, coz I have plans on buying a bass guitar and learn to play it.

Do you need to know how to play the guitar first before learning the bass or can you do off without it?

Sorry if you think this is a sucky question.

Answer 1

rhythm. it helps if you've had any musical experience. but i think the bass is easier than guitar. have fun!

Answer 2

I was a mediocre guiatrist and then took up bass. I'm way better on bass than I ever was on guitar, so you don't need to play guitar to play bass. As Charlie said, I've found that bass players are always in demand.I have been asked to sit in with so many friends bands it's funny. My advice is take some lessons, have fun, and be proud of being a bass player. And female bass players are very cool!!!!!

Answer 3

No, good that you ask upfront, regardlesss of what anyone says. The prerequisites are: having fingers and having a bass (buy a Yamaha, whichever you can afford, those are great and affordable basses). Very useful additions are a cable and an amplifier (save money and buy a Gallien-Krueger or an Ampeg, with a speaker no smaller that 15"). You don't have to know anything, but learning music theory would save you a lot of time spent in stupid memorization and allow you to grow as a musician much more than dimwits who don't know music theory.
Do all your shopping online, like at musiciansfriend.com or zzounds.com, as that will save you a lot off money compared to what you'd pay in a regular store. If you prefer a regular store, ask them if they have a price-matching policy (many stores do but obviously won't advertise it) and then show them a current price from musiciansfriend.

P.S. Charlie's right - I'd hire you on the spot.

Answer 4

No, you don't need to know guitar before playing bass. I reccommend you get going, because bassists are hard to find when you're starting a band and female bassists are always awesome.