A bass guitar is also a type of electric guitar.
But there are other sorts of electric guitars out there. Then there are the popular acoustic ones.
Making a choice to enter a guitar store is tough. With so many instruments lining up to welcome you, making a quick decision and coming out from it with your guitar at your back is a pretty tricky task.
But if you want to choose a guitar for yourself, there is always a way. To find that out, we are going to take the help of this post.
Before that, I would like to share a little story from my side.
I am a bassist (of course!), and I thought that this real-life event from my side cans help you pick your guitar.
For the first timers, I would always recommend trying different guitars hands-on and then identifying their real tastes in playing this instrument. You may also try out other instruments, such as the piano because you might feel more comfortable and connected to playing it.
With that being said, it is ‘story time’ now.
How to Know If Going for a Bass Guitar Is Right
I am a bassist working with a band. But, contrary to popular (or misinformed) belief, I do perform solo as well.
Yes, I perform solo with a bass guitar.
Many might think performing in that way using a bass guitar is a little complicated. But on the other hand, many others do perform solo as bassists. You can also sing along with playing your guitar.
What I do is that I pick my mate Rob up because he plays the drums, and we make a performance solely on music. For audience requests, I have also played covers for various famous song titles.
The thing is, a bass guitar is a versatile instrument. If you can use it in practical ways, then it is going to take care of your career. You have to learn it, which is easy and then practise it for a specific time until you get comfortable reducing petty mistakes and getting rid of stage fear. Then, you are good to go.
Listening to these good words, I reckon you might jump towards a bass guitar and bring it home.
Well, it is again a matter of deep thinking about what kind of instrument you want.
If the bass guitar is the one for you, then looking at these points and reading about them can help you out, my dear artists:
- Playing Solo (Front-end-centre) or Supporting a Band?
- Are You Okay with Weights?
- What Type of Learning Curve You Are Looking at
- At What Pitch Do You Want to Play Your Guitar?
Without further ado, we are going to read a little on each point mentioned:
1. Playing Solo (Front-end-centre) or Supporting a Band?
A bass player is the one who usually supports the lead guitarist and the drums and other musical instruments.
That deep, bass; bellowing sound is what people want.
But if you have a fear of facing the crowd, then choose to be a bass guitarist.
But here is where I would like to tell you more about bass guitarists.
Do you think people don’t look at you even if you are at the side of the stage? They do notice you. From time to time, the bass guitarist, along with other instrumentalists or musicians, has to participate in the chorus.
So, your active involvement is mandatory.
Sure, you can choose to be a bass guitarist if you are an introverted person. But I have seen many introverts making a living by singing on the front stage. Most of them are lead guitarists, though.
But things might change (if you want to change them). You can be a front-end-centre player by playing the bass guitar.
Pick cover songs or your own compositions for that. You can talk to a drummer or a keyboardist to support you.
Of course, at the end of the day, it is your choice whether or not you want to play at the front or be a usual support artist. You can fulfil your dreams of becoming an accomplished bass player in both ways.
All you need to do is to find your preference. If you are okay with playing the bass guitar anywhere on the stage, then go for it.
But if you want to learn a glimpse of the potential of other instruments in different stage positions (drums’ keyboard, or others), then do give it a thought and try out those instruments.
2. Are You Okay with Weights?
A bass guitar is a little heavier than a traditional electric guitar. If you need to hold it for more extended periods of time, then you might find it a little tricky.
But these things aren’t a problem to most bass guitarists, not because they are bodybuilders or because they have broad shoulder muscles with a strong back.
Anyone can hold a bass guitar for extended periods of time with the help of straps. The thicker the straps, the better hold you are going to achieve with the guitar.
Now, manufacturers had identified this problem long before I wrote this blog. That is why modern models are pretty lightweight compared to those that were made and sold previously.
A bass guitar will cost you around 600 to 1000 pounds or more. I remember taking out an unemployed bad credit loan in the UK to buy my first guitar, and I deliberately chose a higher-end model.
I am not asking you to choose an expensive guitar. All I am saying is to avoid the cheapest models as later you might face maintenance-related issues.
Plus, a guitar bought with a proper inspection will also lead you to understand its weight. So, compare many instruments and select the one that’s a little lighter for you to carry.
Forget looks. The music that you make with it is essential.
3. What Type of Learning Curve Are You Looking at
This is where the bass guitar wins in popularity over other guitars.
An electric guitar has 6 strings. Not only is it challenging to learn the guitar within a few months, but it is also a lengthy task to find out combinations of notes into chords.
And the notes! You will have to find the positions of each note in those closely stationed strings.
That’s complex.
You have only 4 strings in a bass guitar. You can, in fact, learn to play it within a few months. Added to that, you don’t need to find combinations such as the ones in electric guitars.
The simplicity of playing the notes on a bass guitar is a primary reason people prefer it.
4. At What Pitch do You Want to Play Your Guitar?
Due to having 4 strings rather than 6, a bass guitar is gifted with 4 pitches. A, D, G and E are the lowest of them.
With an electric guitar, you are awarded increased numbers of pitches due to the 6 strings. You can play at A; D; G; B; E, and another lowest E.
Whether you want to make it, music comes down to your preferences.
You can very well use 4 strings to compose your dream track. You may also get chances to alter your music with the help of a Digital Audio Workstation or DAW, such as Microsoft FL Studio.
To Conclude
Now that you know what you can do with a bass guitar, it is time to head to the store.
As a parting piece of advice, I am always going to tell you to try these devices hands-on.
You will know what guitar is right for you.
Like they say in the movies: The Guitar Will Choose You!
And then you will feel unmatched happiness.
