Learning a new instrument: Bass or Guitar?

Question:Which is more difficult to master? Which is more fun? Which can get me in a band faster?

Thank you.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Which is more difficult to master? Which is more fun? Which can get me in a band faster?

Thank you.

Answering each of your questions in order:

It's easier for a beginner on bass to perform than it is for a beginner on guitar. As others have noted, if a band is willing to have a bassist who just thrums repeated root-note bass parts, then a rank beginner can perform passably. But to master either instrument is equally hard (does anyone EVER really master an instrument?). So bass is easier to start, but both are equally tough in their own ways when you get advanced.

As for which is more fun--that's personal and subjective. What's your personality? Do you like to be out front playing leads? Do you like the thought of being an indispensible foundation? When you listen to music, do your ears settle on the melodies or are you very conscious of the entire spectrum of sound--or do you naturally gravitate toward the bottom?

Yes, bass can get you in a band faster--because there are fewer bassists out there. Especially, there are few with good gear--get a bass amp that's powerful enough for club gigs and you'll be in some demand (tho' it never pays enough).

One technical explanation for you: if you learn guitar, and then later want to switch to bass, that's easier than if you learn bass and then later want to switch to guitar. The four lower-pitched strings on the guitar are the same notes (an octave higher) as the four strings on a standard bass--so any patterns, scales, riffs, arpeggios you learn on the guitar will sound the same on the bass.

Bass is easy as cake, guitar takes years to get good. So if you just want to get in a band, like you say, I'd say bass. But bass is boring and in the background.

Bass guitar only has 4 strings, as you probably know, all you do is hit single notes, usually with your fingers.

Guitar you'd have to know chords, scales, and a lot of other stuff. Don't expect you be able to be in a band in a year.

So it's up to you.

RE: the guy below, I didn't say he'd have to be Geddy Lee, he just wants to get in a band. And, as a bassist, that's the easiest way possible. Most bassists don't know scales or probably even music theory--and that's okay, because bass just blends with the music and no one really notices, kinda like Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols.
But if you join a band and you can't play guitar, you will be laughed at, it's not the same situation.

Below: Well yeah, but I was saying it's considerably easier to get good at bass than guitar. And since he wants to join a band (he seems to want to get in one fast), I'd go with bass.

Guitar! Definately guitar, more range, lots of subtleties and is as difficult as you make it. Like everything it depends on how much you practice and how you're learning (Lessons, tutor, friends etc).

RE: Above: You still need to know scales and arpeggios on the Bass and as your bassline needs to compliment the main guitar you really need to know what your doing.

Above: Then we're agreed, whatever you play, you need to play it well, or at least as good as the band needs you to play it.

Do both but start with guitar and then later on do a bit of bass.

start with guitar cause you'll pick up the strumming when playin guitar and den u can play both

Go with guitar! It might take you longer to master it but the wait is well worth the reward. Once you/ve mastered it, you will be more noticed in your band. Guitarists get more fame and popularity than basists do most of the time.

The guitar is absolutely more fun and it will get you in a band faster...

Your welcome...

Oh... and... with all honesty... it is stupid to learn to play the bass first... without learning to play the guitar... I mean c'mon.... the guitar is like the most popular musical instrument in the whole universe... and the bass serves only as a background music...

And I'm sure of everything I'm saying because my brother's got a band of his own...

It's definitely a guitar, dude...