Does bass guitar require two hands?

Question

Sorry for not making sense....
Okay, I'm right-handed, and I can play the piano with just my right hand, but you know how your right hand is supposed to be hitting certain keys in a certain rhythm, and your left hand is supposed to be doing something completely different?

My hands can't do that. If my right hand is doing something, my left hand can follow, do nothing, or move a little bit and mess up my right hand. (and vice versa)

Same with acoustic guitar. I couldn't do chords and strum at the same time.

Is this bad? Does bass guitar require separate movement of the hands?

Answer 1

It's really up to you! I am a singer/songwriter who dabbles a bit in everything. I started with a keyboard growing up, and always loved fooling aroung with my Dad's hamonica, jew's harp, and guitar, as well as my mother's bongos. I didn't know how interested I really was until I learned how to play the Viola. I LOVED that! Then, I realized I had interest in the drums... the guy who played drums for the jazz band let me play around on his, and taught me a couple of little things. I never actually played a guitar untill 1999, when I was avidly writing songs with a song writing partner of mine. I was given a guitar by a good friend, and bought my second guitar in 2003. Bass, I tried an upright bass back in my orchestra days. After learning to play one four stringed instrument, it wasn't very hard to understand another. Electric Bass, I tried just this year for the first time. It was so easy, and I haven't picked up a 4 stringed instrument since 1988! I learned how to play drums from various drummers between 1989 and today. I played various hand drums/latin percussion starting around 1990, got my own hand drum in 1991, and last year bought my first set of Congas. So, if you're wanting to know what is actually easiest, and hand drum is good to start with, and I see you've already done that. Playing with stick is a whole different animal. I can play a drum set, but it's hard to learn all the fills & stuff even after the REALLY hard time trying to train each of my four limbs to play totally different rhythms! Bass is actually really easy to understand, and as well, it's easy to read the sheet music for. I have to tell you... the hardest thing to find, when you're trying to put together a band is a really good Bass player! If you learn that instrument, and you can at least sing some kind of harmonies, lead vocals, or back ground vocals, you'll have it made! Here's the other side of it all... guitar, or piano... guitar is the hardest to play of the two. I did learn piano first, but still, remembering chords, and all the things that go along with the guitar is hard. If you think you might want to write songs in the future, either instrument would suffice. If you want to feel like the main event musically, these are the two to choose from. Apparetly, you already have your foot in the door on the keys, so that may be your direction to seek. It all really depends on what you feel you latch onto when you hear music! Do you love Bass lines? Do you love the rhythms that make you dance? Do you love the guitar solos? Do you love the keys, or piano parts? Figure out what you really LOVE in a good song, and then go from there. If you find what really gets you going, it will keep you going while you're learning!

Answer 2

Yes, much like guitar you'll need both hands. You won't be doing as much strumming, but more individual picking of strings typically in bass. Also, if you play slap bass (a style of bass where you'll slap a string with the "ball" of your thumb and pluck at another string, creating a more percussive sound), it can feel even more complex than just the guitar strumming. Don't necessarily assume you can't do it, though. Just keep at it and drive it into your skull (and hands). I never thought I'd sing and play guitar at the same time and now I can (sometimes) and am happy with that.

Answer 3

It takes two hands. My fiance plays bass, its basically just like a acoustic only it has 4 strings and a longer neck. Hope I can help you.

Answer 4

Yes, one hand makes the chords on the fretboard. The other hand pick/strokes the strings.

Answer 5

Yes, even moreso than strumming a guitar.

Answer 6

Yes, it does.

If you're looking for a guitar-type instrument which doesn't require two coordinated sets of fingers, try playing slide guitar!

Answer 7

well u should use two hands one to strum and one to press ur left hand on a note but if your a pro u could probally do it with one hand

Answer 8

that should get better with practice,

you could try playing slap bass

or you could do all hammers if you have really strong fingers lol (hammer=hitting the fret w/ your left hand to make the sound)

Answer 9

Yes.

Answer 10

Yes it does