How hard is it.....

[Dr LuKas]

...to learn to play guitar? I'm considering learning, anyone here play and know? I'm not really up for pain in the arse lessons or spending hours every night (I have shit to do) but I've always kinda wanted to be able to play but now I'm more seriously considering it now I have the money.

Also is it much harder to learn than Bass or about the same?

[jh1980]

lucasledge said:

...to learn to play guitar? I'm considering learning, anyone here play and know? I'm not really up for pain in the arse lessons or spending hours every night (I have shit to do) but I've always kinda wanted to be able to play but now I'm more seriously considering it now I have the money.

Also is it much harder to learn than Bass or about the same?

Playing a bit isn't hard. Playing well takes a lot of time and effort.

The bass is imho easier, but to be really good again takes time and effort.

Sorry dude, no comforting answers there...

[Dr LuKas]

I won't become an expert, I don't expect to be amazing, just being able to funk it out is all I want.

Any other players?

[Billy]

See I would like to learn as well Lucas - bit of acoustic guitar I think would suit me - just with me I'll probably fork out for an expensive guitar, get really into it for a few months and then give up

[Dr LuKas]

;D Yeah man, I'm probably a bit more commited than that, but I don't want to waste time and money if I'm never going to get anywhere near good.



I've got a major dilemma, I don't know if I should try to learn Bass Guitar or just Electric Guitar? Fuck I like them both, which one should I choose??? (yes at work I just daydream ;D )

[Billy]

if I had the choice I would learn bass

[jh1980]

lucasledge said:

;D Yeah man, I'm probably a bit more commited than that, but I don't want to waste time and money if I'm never going to get anywhere near good.

I've got a major dilemma, I don't know if I should try to learn Bass Guitar or just Electric Guitar? Fuck I like them both, which one should I choose??? (yes at work I just daydream ;D )

It doesn't take a lot of time to learn a whole bunch of chords, and then with a bit of practice you can easily play that sort of basic stuff - takes a little time for your hands to get used to changing to the right position though. However if you want to do lovely lovely solos and complex stuff it's not *that* easy (unless you happen to be a natural)...

Well you'll need two amplifiers if you want both, unless you get a combi amp... bass is undeniably cool but you can probably have more cheap fun with the 6-string...

[Dr LuKas]

Cheers JH, I'm going to have a nightmare deciding, if I do decide to go ahead with learning. Can you teach yourself reasonablly well?

[jh1980]

lucasledge said:

Cheers JH, I'm going to have a nightmare deciding, if I do decide to go ahead with learning. Can you teach yourself reasonablly well?

Yes and no.

It helps if you have mates who play, and you can get teach yourself books for things like chord fingerings... which you will soon ditch and work things out by ear, probably...!

Yeah it's tricky deciding between... but like I say, guitar sounds ok on its own, whereas basses are best used with other instruments...

[Dr LuKas]

"guitar sounds ok on its own, whereas basses are best used with other instruments... " Yeah I agree with you there.

I have got a mate who started playing guitar and then moved on to bass and now plays bass in his band. I've also got a couple of other mates who play a bit of guitar but I don't see them very often....

[jh1980]

lucasledge said:

"guitar sounds ok on its own, whereas basses are best used with other instruments... " Yeah I agree with you there.

I have got a mate who started playing guitar and then moved on to bass and now plays bass in his band. I've also got a couple of other mates who play a bit of guitar but I don't see them very often....

Indeedy. Except for the occasional bass solo... but these are rare outside jazz, and should never be prolonged too far. There is a theory that they, like drum solos, evolved from the need for the other band members to get a lift home. Bass players and drummers are more likely to have their own transport (especially stand-up bass!)

Well if any of them are feeling like being helpful... this is why it's good to learn when you're still a kid - schoolmates bands, jumpers for goalposts...oops there I go lol... see also while at Uni.

In essence it's not hard, but you do need to really want to in order to put in some practice, and not get too frustrated...

[Rulesaints]

Learn to play the bass and when you get goodish at that the guitar should come easily...

[ITFC Dudette6]

My brother plays the bass, and he taught himself.

I play the saxophone, so I'm not the right person to ask...

[Dr LuKas]

Uni?! Been there, (kinda) done that.

How much does it cost for a decent bass/electirc guitar and a decent amp.

I don't want to spend too much, and if it's going to cost too much and be too difficult I might give it a miss for a couple of years. I ideally want to spend about 3 grand on lens in the coming months, so won't have much too spare for a whim like this.

[Dr LuKas]

Popcorn peanuts, looking at big butts,
No I cannot keep my mouth shut
Rocking to the beat of the fabulous forum
My 606's I adore them

Blush my lady, when I tell her
That I do really love to smell her
Sopping wet her pink umbrella
Do the dog with Isabella.

[ArgyleNeil]

lucasledge said:

Popcorn peanuts, looking at big butts,
No I cannot keep my mouth shut
Rocking to the beat of the fabulous forum
My 606's I adore them

Blush my lady, when I tell her
That I do really love to smell her
Sopping wet her pink umbrella
Do the dog with Isabella.

It will take you a while before you are playing Stuff like that amigo,
Jh has hit it on the head.
I have been playing since i was 16 and i am ok but would not put myself in the very good bracket as you do need to practice alot.
It is getting your fingers used to the constant movement and stretching. Also the first bit where you have to make your finger tips harden up by playing until you bleed alot.
If you have some natural rythym that will be helpful as it is very easy to look at another guitarist and be able to think it looks easy but chord changes dont sound right unless the timing is spot on. I have learned more over the years from jamming with others than from any books etc. my advice if you want to get good is take some lessons, they will always pay off, i wish i had taken some.

[Dr LuKas]

OK thanks Neil for your input, you've made it sound really hard, but thanks again for your honestly.

[Shippers]

You'll only want a bass if you're going to play in a band, or get the chance to play with others often. Bass is very easy to play to a basic level, but the difference between beginner and really good is huge.

With guitar you are much more likely to enjoy playing on your own. It's not difficult to learn a few bar chords (you can actually get away with learning four chords most of the time) and you can play anything by shifting them up and down.

This might sound pompous and daft but if you have a decent musical ear, and have natural rhythm then learning either is not too difficult at first and is best done by experimentation and talking to other guitarists. You will need to want to do it, and just enjoy sitting playing for a while with no real point in mind but just to enjoy making noises and sounds which eventually become music with practice.

I'd suggest trying to learn a few chords and playing around on a mates guitar before you buy anything. See if you get a feel for it, and if it comes easily. If it feels frustrating and like hard work it's going to be a waste of money.

That's Shipper's opinion, as a boy who learnt bass first, then guitar when I broke my finger and couldn't play piano for a while.

[Dr LuKas]

Alright Shippers thanks for the advice. I've got a lot to ponder......

[Shippers]

Don't take lessons - unless you want to copy every other guitarist - experimentation is the way to go...