Is bass guitar the new lead guitar?

I've spent a while in the last couple of days here at PA looking through the old and new versions of the Rogues Gallery (which is, may I say, the most successful thread started by lil' ol' me). Many of you post pictures posing with, or playing your favorite musical instruments (fair enough, I'd post one of me with my Hammond if I had such a piccie) - and I noticed a trend...

A majority seem to be bass guitars.

When I was in my teens, there were of course many of us who had/played instruments, but a vast majority were lead guitars - nobody wanted to play bass guitar...

OK, the 1970s was the time of the guitar hero, but there are just as many (arguably more) great players now as there were then; conversely, although the bass guitarist has come more to the fore in recent years (especially in certain areas of prog), we had outstanding players back in the 1970's, too (ah - the 1970s, when bass guitars only had 4 strings...).

So - is it just my perception, or has the bass guitar overtaken the lead guitar as the instrument of choice, and if so, why?

...and for a bonus point, why are bass guitarists now unsatisfied with 4 strings, and prefer the 5 & 6 string versions - and don't give me the "they're more versatile" argument before listening to 4 string players like Jaco Pastorius, Jeff Berlin, Dave Holland, Geddy Lee et al.

4 string are way cooler than more, I bought a five stringer, but found myself hardly ever touching the fifth. But to be honest, bass guitar is a lot easier to learn to play, I think that's why a lot of people play that instrument. The downside is it's a lot lot lot harder instrument to master.

Jim Garten wrote: I've spent a while in the last couple of days here at PA looking through the old and new versions of the Rogues Gallery (which is, may I say, the most successful thread started by lil' ol' me). Many of you post pictures posing with, or playing your favorite musical instruments (fair enough, I'd post one of me with my Hammond if I had such a piccie) - and I noticed a trend... A majority seem to be bass guitars. When I was in my teens, there were of course many of us who had/played instruments, but a vast majority were lead guitars - nobody wanted to play bass guitar... OK, the 1970s was the time of the guitar hero, but there are just as many (arguably more) great players now as there were then; conversely, although the bass guitarist has come more to the fore in recent years (especially in certain areas of prog), we had outstanding players back in the 1970's, too (ah - the 1970s, when bass guitars only had 4 strings...). So - is it just my perception, or has the bass guitar overtaken the lead guitar as the instrument of choice, and if so, why? ...and for a bonus point, why are bass guitarists now unsatisfied with 4 strings, and prefer the 5 & 6 string versions - and don't give me the "they're more versatile" argument before listening to 4 string players like Jaco Pastorius, Jeff Berlin, Dave Holland, Geddy Lee et al.

Well, I'm a guitarist and from my perspective bass guitar is a bit easier to play in the usual part-time hobby band situation. By that I mean cover bands which play standard rock/metal songs ... of course when you're in a prog or jazz band, things are quite different.

Other pro bass arguments:

• Easier to play & sing simultaneously (usually)
  
• Instrument is easier to tune and to keep in tune, strings rarely ever break
• people usually don't hear subtle bass mistakes, in comparison to lead guitar
• Most of the time you're in the background, playing a supportive role for the other players & vocalists ... that means you have more opportunities to interact with the audience
  

I think that play bass and sing simultaneously is more difficult than play guitar and sing. Because the bass and drum run together and harmony is very important too and the bassist can't stop. Simultaneously is more difficult for me, in that order, drums, keyboards, bass and guitar.

zFrogs wrote: I think that play bass and sing simultaneously is more difficult than play guitar and sing. Because the bass and drum run together and harmony is very important too and the bassist can't stop. Simultaneously is more difficult for me, in that order, drums, keyboards, bass and guitar. In Brazil is very common people learn to play acoustic guitar and sing, maybe because bossa nova or traditional music from Brazil people is more prone for that. I'm bass player and this is my opinion about it.

Think of:

• Geddy Lee
• Les Claypool
• Tom Araya
• Sting

Sure, it's not easy ... but manageable. But of course a bassist will have to make compromises in order to sing and play simultaneously.

BTW: I agree that to sing and play drums simultaneously must be the most difficult task ... but in the case of keyboards it totally depends on what they're playing.

There are plenty more... Richard Sinclair, Glenn Hughes , even Chris Squire (who's got an excellent voice and sings most of the backing vocals for Yes), to name but a few. Ah, and that guy from Riverside, Mariusz Duda... I've only heard a couple of songs from them, but he sure can sing.

Edited by Ghost Rider - August 09 2006 at 11:30

ivansfr0st wrote: Don't forget Lemmy either

Lemmy's that most curious of animals, a bass guitarist who effectivly plays as if it's a rhythm guitar... and a bloody loud one, at that!
    

Ghost Rider wrote: I can't play any instrument, but I love the bass guitar - and somebody has recently offered to teach me how to play it! I'm not sure I will ever become the next Chris Squire, but you never know... I might just put out an ad in order to find some musicians for my future band!

A DT cover band, eh?

MikeEnRegalia wrote: Geddy Lee Les Claypool Tom Araya Sting

I actually find it amazing that Claypool can play bass lines like Jerry Was a Racecar Driver and Tommy the Cat and sing at the same time.

well, a lot of it is because people realized that bassists were needed and there were too many bad guitarists.  Bassist were in high demand, and yes, songs when you start out are much easier (smells like teen spirit, money, etc.).