Yes, the double bass is generally considered to be harder than the bass guitar. There are a few reasons for this:
- Size and weight: The double bass is a much larger and heavier instrument than the bass guitar. This can make it difficult to hold and play, especially for beginners.
- Fretless fingerboard: The double bass has a fretless fingerboard, which means that the player must rely on their ear to find the correct notes. This can be difficult, especially for beginners who are not used to playing a fretless instrument.
- Bow technique: Playing the double bass with a bow requires a good deal of skill and practice. The player must learn how to control the bow pressure and speed in order to produce a clear and consistent sound.
- Intonation: Intonation is the accuracy of the pitch of the notes being played. It is especially important to have good intonation on the double bass, as the instrument is very sensitive to pitch changes.
The bass guitar, on the other hand, has a fretted fingerboard, which makes it easier to find the correct notes. Additionally, the bass guitar is typically played with the fingers, which is easier than playing with a bow.
However, it is important to note that the difficulty of any instrument is subjective. Some people may find the double bass to be easier to learn than the bass guitar, depending on their individual musical aptitude and prior experience playing other instruments.
Additionally, it is important to remember that the difficulty of an instrument is not the most important factor to consider when choosing which instrument to learn. The most important factor is to choose an instrument that you are interested in and that you enjoy playing.
If you are interested in learning to play the double bass, I encourage you to find a teacher and give it a try. It is a challenging instrument to learn, but it is also very rewarding.
