Whether you’re just starting your music career or thinking about switching things up, you may be wondering if it’s better to learn to play guitar or bass guitar. Although the basic techniques for each instrument are similar, they have very distinct musical roles. Here are some key differences to keep in mind.
Bass vs Guitar: What are the main differences?
From tuning to ease of play, let’s look at what makes these instruments so different from one another.
Tuning
Guitar and bass guitar (not to be confused with the orchestral upright bass, which we’re not discussing here) appear very similar at first glance. The biggest, most obvious difference is pitch: the bass is tuned much lower than the guitar. The standard four-string bass is most often tuned exactly one octave below the bottom four strings of a standard six-string guitar.
Band roles
Guitar players may play chords, melodies, or solos. Bass players most commonly play simpler lines that follow chords more than melodies, and which sync with the drummer (as the rhythm section). The bassist’s most common role in a band is to lay down a solid foundation of rhythm and root notes.
Size
Basses are almost always larger than guitars. A typical “long-scale” bass has a neck of about 34” in length, while “short-scale” basses can be as low as 30”. A guitar’s neck, on the other hand, is usually around 25” long. Bass strings are thicker, longer, and more expensive than guitar strings. Basses also tend to have more diverse modifications than guitars, too. There are four-string, five-string, and six-string models, and even those with fretless necks.
Ease of play
Whereas guitar players taking high solos require nimble, precise finger movements for tiny fret sizes, bass players usually stay on the low, large-fretted end of the neck. This allows them to utilize more pinch strength and the burly calluses on their fingertips.
For the most part, more rock bassists pluck with their fingers, while guitarists usually use picks. Bass also sounds amazing with percussive thumb slaps and finger taps (remember the Seinfeld theme?).
Can bass be played without an amplifier?
Almost all bass guitars are solid-body electric models, which means that without an amplifier they are very difficult to hear over moderate noise. However, models of acoustic basses are available in long and short scales. They’re not terribly common, but they do sound great for acoustic campfire jam sessions.
For contrast, both acoustic and electric guitars are very common, and most players start out on an acoustic model.
Are bass and guitar chords the same?
Any chord you can play on the bottom four strings of a guitar can be played on a bass. But that does not mean they’ll sound good! Because a bass is so low, multi-note chords tend to sound “muddy,” drowning out others in the band. Many advanced bassists work toward incorporating their single note bass lines with minimalist two-note chords, which if done correctly can make a three-piece band sound like a quartet.
Is it harder to learn bass or guitar?
Many novice musicians wonder if it is easier to start learning music on bass vs guitar, and there are a few basic factors to consider. By nature of their construction, a guitar has more strings — there are six strings on a standard guitar compared to four strings on a bass. Guitars have boundless possibilities for chords and melodies. A good guitarist often has a prominent role in a band or ensemble. This means more intricate parts and solos.
A bassist often plays fewer notes but has the paramount job of laying down the song’s foundation. There is an abundance of free guitar educational material available online when it comes to instruction. No matter your educational style, you can find a way to improve your skills. Lastly, availability and accessibility must be considered. Guitars are ubiquitous — you’re more likely to find one (or many) in almost every musical situation. You have to follow your heart in the great battle of bass vs guitar!
Does bass guitar hurt your fingers?
Both bass and guitar can cause some discomfort when initially learning. In the bass vs guitar debate, hand size and finger reach must also be considered. The bass strings are inherently larger than guitar strings and require increased finger strength to fret the note correctly. As the bass fret spacing is further apart than a guitar, a greater span is needed. This can cause some soreness as you progress.
Key factors here are to remember to remain relaxed and keep your hands and wrists free from unnecessary tension. Taking lessons will help lay the foundation for the proper technique, which will minimize pain. Flatwound strings are another way to ease the process as the strings are smoother and easier to play for extended periods.
Bass vs Guitar: Which instrument should you choose?
It is almost always best for kids under 12 years old to begin on guitar (check out our beginner’s guide to buying your first guitar). Once you have basic techniques and fitness in your fretting hand and have grown a bit, it is not physically difficult to switch over to bass.
For playing in bands, the two instruments attract different musical personalities. Bass is often in the background while the guitar is out in front, but this does not mean that guitar takes more talent. Rhythmic precision for the bass is absolutely essential. A sloppy guitarist can sound a bit better with a good bassist, but a sloppy bassist will not sound better with a great guitarist.
Also, since more people play guitar than bass, it’s much easier to find a band to play in if you’re a bassist — high demand, low supply!
