So you’re a muso- that’s looking to add guitar to your musical repertoire. But what should you go for- Bass, or electric?
Heck, how different are they really?
Whilst bass guitars offer a great groove for the foot-tapper that can keep a rhythm, electrics are great for that adrenaline junkie who lives for the thrill of busting out a riff mid-song.
One of the most common questions people will ask when comparing the two is which of them is easier to learn, so we’ll cover that. In this article, we’ll also discuss some of the factors you should consider when choosing between the two. Let's get into it!
Most people usually find bass easier to learn, especially in the beginning stages.
However, both bass and electric guitar get just as challenging the better you get.
Bass guitars have fewer strings, and the nature of the playing style means that you are unlikely to learn more complicated riffs compared to those you can learn on electric guitars. Whilst this makes the bass easier to learn initially, it also means that you may become limited to what you play.
It is important to note that whilst both electric and bass guitars are great instruments to learn, they are wildly different. It's tempting to choose bass over electric because of the simplicity, but it may not actually feel easier if you are not interested in the style of music that playing bass comes with.
You will likely find, past the initial learning curve, that the easier of the two is the one you enjoy playing the most. You will realize, like I did, that if you enjoy playing your instrument, you'll want to pick up and play at every opportunity, making practice and musical improvements a breeze. That's how learning how to play guitar usually works.
| Feature | Electric Guitar | Bass Guitar |
| Strings | Usually 6 strings | Usually 4 strings, however some have more |
| Neck | Shorter neck that is both thinner and narrower | Longer neck that is both thicker and wider neck and allows for more string tension |
| Role | Plays melodies, solos and chords that other instruments build on | Works together with the drums in a band to create rhythm |
| Techniques | Strumming chords, finger picking and other more advanced techniques such as bends, slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs etc. | Finger/pick plucking slap bass, popping, muting |
| Challenges | Playing fast and complex riffs, which are often played solo | Maintaining rhythm, and having other players rely on you for music’s foundation |
| Pros | Very versatile, great for people who enjoy being in the limelight, great pay-off for solo playing and easy to learn songs that are recognizable | Simpler playing style, that works well in a band and is often sought after in group settings, unique and stand out compared to electric |
Choosing between bass and electric has a lot to do with your music interests, and guitar playing goals. It is important to note that although both are obviously different, the fundamentals are quite similar. Once you learn one, you will be able to pick the other one up relatively easily.
If you're someone who dreams of shredding Hotel California, blowing the socks off anyone who’s in the room, you’ll likely get the most satisfaction out of playing electric.
However, if you’re someone who taps their foot to a beat, loves a groove, and has aspirations to play in a band, then bass may be the style to learn.
Bass guitars are larger, and the strings are significantly thicker. This is due to the deep tones that need to be created by the bass guitar. Unfortunately, this means that a bass guitar is much bigger, and may not be suitable for smaller, or younger players.
Young teenagers, or people with small hands may find electric guitars more suitable for their build.
Both guitars require different amounts of time to learn, and thus are suited to different types of learners.
If you’re like me, and you love a quick dopamine fix, then bass playing is great. Starting to learn bass comes with many wins, early on. You’ll notice progress very quickly, and you’ll be able to play in a band pretty early on.
If you’re more like someone I wish I was, and you love a challenge, then playing electric is probably for you. Whilst electric usually takes a bit more dedication to overcome the
Deciding between two things that you may not know much about in the first place is tricky. But there are ways you can try both, nothing is running away from you, and to be honest, the idea is pretty similar, a guitar is a guitar at the end of the day.
If you don’t know… Try both! Many music stores offer rentals or trial lessons. This can give you an idea of whether you jam with one more than the other. In-person lessons can also help you get some exposure to both guitars before committing, a unique benefit of in-person lessons over online courses.
Another good idea is to watch videos: Seeing the instruments in action can spark your interest and give you an idea of what to expect, and what you could achieve.
Last of all, listen critically: Pay attention to the bass and guitar parts in your favorite songs. Which one do you prefer? Watching a YouTube video of a band playing can help you distinguish between the sounds of bass, and the sounds of electric- it can be hard for the untrained ear to distinguish between the two!
When it comes to choosing between bass and electric, you’ll probably find the bass is a bit easier to learn in the early stages of your guitar career. However, learning to play the guitar should be about much more than trying to play as fast as possible.
Ultimately, there is no easy answer when it comes to choosing between an electric guitar and vs bass guitar.
If you’re tossing up between the two, try to get some exposure to both forms of playing. Borrow a friend’s guitar, and watch some bands in action. That’ll help you gauge your interest in the unique roles both guitars have. And you can always learn both, I did. Just saying!
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