difficulty: guitar or bass?

[kopie101]

ok, ive been pondering over this for a long time, but before i say anything, i dont want people to bash me for putting this up because im not obessed or anything and i dont think its really "important" but its an interesting discussion...

which is more difficult: guitar or bass?

my original answer had been that its easier to be "okay" at bass than guitar, but that its harder to be amazing at bass than guitar...but i think there are angles that i havent considered.
id also like for you all to keep in mind that i havent narrowed down whether im asking about playing alone or with a group, i havent decided, doesnt really matter....anyway, any ideas?

[street fish]

You should play the instrument that feels right to you. . .

Bass and guitar are not the same. They do not have the same role in a band. It requires a completely different attitude and perspective to play bass as opposed to playing guitar. In my personal experience, a guitar player will pick up a bass and play it like a guitar. That simply does not work if you want anything more than either (a) a bass line that always plods along with the root notes or (b) a guitar melody line played on the bass that is so loose that it doesn't perform its role as the instrument that ties the melody to the rhythm. You have to want to study and learn what the role of bass is. This does not mean you can't step out of that role and take solos or whatever. Look at Victor Wooten. He can solo with the best of them, but when its time for him to hold down the bottom end, he's a solid as a rock.

So, I would say it really doesn't matter which one is easier to get to whatever level of progress. If you really want to play the bass, you will keep working to meet your goals. If you don't want to play it, it doesn't matter how easy or hard it is, because you won't be motivated.

[kopie101]

yeah, i tried to make it known in my first post that i was saying it does not matter, i was just curious to see what you all think.

[i like tictacs]

bass is easier to pick up and bust out a tune from a tab and play it sloppily. however, i think the bass is much more difficult to master. MUCH. there are only one or two people who i see as having mastered, so to say, the bass. guitar, countless.

[Bartender2424]

Ever instrument has its hard points and easy. I agree with what tic tac said, its easy to play the bass, but to be good at bass is very hard. Most guitarists arent absolutely disgusting, but their still considered good. "Good" bassists arent even recgonized anymore, you hafta be a Vic Wooten or a Les Claypool or Flea to be known as a "nasty" bassist.

And thats all I got to say bout that

[GSR]

well i guess i gotta say something too..

i agree with street fish in that the guitar and the bass serve different roles within a band so you should choose which role you prefer, i also agree with tic tacs and the tender because its easy to pluck some notes on the bass and sound halfway decent because you're only playing a note at a time. however it is very difficult to be seen as a respected bass player...especially if your name doesn't start with w and rhyme with ooten...

[street fish]

well i guess i gotta say something too..

i agree with street fish in that the guitar and the bass serve different roles within a band so you should choose which role you prefer, i also agree with tic tacs and the tender because its easy to pluck some notes on the bass and sound halfway decent because you're only playing a note at a time. however it is very difficult to be seen as a respected bass player...especially if your name doesn't start with w and rhyme with ooten...

What is unfortunate is that those guys are recognized and respected for what they do beyond the role of the bass in a song. I would say they aren't really respected at all for what they do as an actual bass player. Personally, Adam Clayton from U2 is one of my favorite bass players. Also, Colin Greenwood from Radiohead. These guys know how to play for the song. They are still melodic, but you sort of have to be "in the loop" to really understand and appreciate the level that guys like this are actually playing at. Its easy to listen to Victor and Les and say these guys kick ass (don't get me wrong, they do) but it goes back to what I was saying, it takes an entirely different mentality to play the bass. It isn't about being featured, it isn't about getting the attention, its about being a bad motherfucker, but you have to be content to do it behind the scenes.