Getting into 2+ instruments

[DaveMustaine12]

Do any of you guys play 2 or more instruments? I play bass in a band, but I've been getting into more and more instruments over the years. I've been palying drums for 2 years now (I have an electronic and an acoustic set). My brother plays a piano, so I've gotten into that too a few months ago. And now, I have picked up a guitar and I try to play some Yngwie Malmsteen stuff. The band is the most important thing, but the more I play other instruments, the less I have time to progress on a bass. One side of me says that I will be a better musician with all these instruments and the other is telling me that I have less time to spend on bass and wish that I never got into all these instruments. What do you guys think? Is it better to stick to one instrument and forget about anything else? Also, do you think you get "worse" at your main instrument if you get into other instruments (you have less time to spend on the main instrument)?
What do you think?

[psbassplayer]

do whatever makes you happy.

[IPolkaLikeThis!]

you may not have as much time to practice bass as much, but you will be growing as a musician.

[:amaze:]

yeah i should stop going to school and work because it's making me a worse bass player.

[Tripp_chaos]

It all depends on how you feel about playing bass right now as opposed to playing other instruments, ie I've been playing bass for 5+ years and I'm finally starting to play guitar more, granted it's not a large switch but the slight hiatus of instruments actually worked for me. Again it's not like your giving it all up and moving on you can still play whenever you feel (time permissible) but learning the piano isn't going to make you forget how to play if anything it will broaden your horizons musically in composing and other stuff... So in summary what ps said...

[psbassplayer]

yeah i should stop going to school and work because it's making me a worse bass player.

this.

if you can't enjoy just playing whatever instrument you happen to be wailing your arms at or twiddling your fingers against without the approval of people on a musician's forum then you should think twice about playing said instrument.

not that the before mention person is you. i'm sure you think for yourself and make your own heartfelt decisions on such important matters.

[Moon Flavor]

Bass was my main instrument but then I got into drums. I used to be really good at bass but not so much anymore because I don't practice bass much but that's okay because drums are way more fun.

Playing multiple instruments is a good way to figure out what instruments is "yours"

[Tripp_chaos]

yeah i should stop going to school and work because it's making me a worse bass player.

ya know I was actually just thinking about this... Then I realized I'd be telling myself to take this job and shuv-it and losing my tuition... HDA makes a very good point on finding what's your fortè

[katana_manatee]

It is possible to progress well on multiple instruments at once, it just depends on your patience, determination and way you practice.

If you are willing and able to put in the time and value the time you have, you can do focused, goal based practice which will go in small steps to build you up to being competent and understanding of what you do in a shorter time then simply playing about improvising and trying songs until you start to develop enough technique to play some songs properly.

Obviously do some of that too but try and keep most of the practice time to regimented exercises that will improve your ability quickly.

Apply this method to all the instruments you are playing at once and you will gain a greater understanding of music as a whole and you can come up with whole band arrangements by yourself.

[burtonbassist_101]

i play bass guitar, regular guitar, and bass clarinet (although i'm slowly phasing out of the last one) but it is possible. just patience and practicing and stuff.

basically all that katana said.

[Aaron]

I play many instruments and find that the more you learn about one, then the better your playing in another progresses provided you're still putting in the hours practicing. You will however never improve if you're listening to anything involving Dave Mustaine.

[Tripp_chaos]

Moral of the thread is it's all possible you just need to stick to what you feel is right for yourself with hardwork and the such... Can this end now?

[Jody LeCompte]

Your first instrument is the hardest to learn. That's when you learn how to learn an instrument.

After that, as long as you spend reasonable time playing each instrument you won't lose anything. You won't progress on an instrument your not spending enough time on, but even with time constraints, you can muster enough time to keep what you've got.

[FunkMetalBass]

Your first instrument is the hardest to learn. That's when you learn how to learn an instrument.

After that, as long as you spend reasonable time playing each instrument you won't lose anything. You won't progress on an instrument your not spending enough time on, but even with time constraints, you can muster enough time to keep what you've got.

This.

I found that picking up other instruments was much easier once I already understood the musical basics and a fair amount of chordal theory.

[PaulSimonon]

Pretty much if you give me an instrument and it's not an accordian, brass instrument, or flute I'll probably be able to play figure it out and be able to play it well enough to play simple melodies or harmonies.

Instruments currently at my disposal: Bass, Guitar, Banjo, Organ, Alto Sax, Clarinet, assorted harmonicas, claves, computer.

I'm fairly competent at all of them except my reed instrument chops are down because I haven't played them in awhile, but I could probably pick it back up if so inclined.

Personally, I feel understanding the roles of different instruments improves me as a bass player, and musician in general. I no longer feel the need to cram a bunch of notes into a song or play with different techniques just because I want everyone to know how skilled I am. I play what fits and improves the song, even if it's not that interesting to play. Sacrificing a song to look cool is lame.

[Left Shoe]

8 years on bass, 10 years on classical clarinet.

[blacklungfever]

I'm mainly a bass player, but I also play guitar, drums, piano, and trombone.

Playing drums makes me better at bass (time/rhythm), playing piano makes me better at bass (harmony), playing trombone makes me better at bass (melody/articulation) and guitar is fun.

So no, I am not getting worse at bass since I play 4 other instruments, and there is nothing wrong with being a multi-instrumentalist. Go for it.

[chaosMK]

Unless indie music is your bag, I think it's better to be good at something. No serious band really wants a mediocre anything. It would suck to be the one holding a band back because of skillz.

I've learned 9 instruments, but only play bass in bands.

[Thonk]

Unless indie music is your bag, I think it's better to be good at something. No serious band really wants a mediocre anything. It would suck to be the one holding a band back because of skillz.

I've learned 9 instruments, but only play bass in bands.
valid point, but they also dont need a virtuoso.

i play bass, guitar, piano, and drums, all of which i can play quite well. it is different for everybody though.

[dreamsofapollo]

I think the more instruments you play the better. I started out with Saxophone and within a few months I had started guitar. After that I started playing piano, then bass guitar, and about 6 months ago I started drums. Those are the instruments I practice daily and feel that I am the best at. Other then that I dabble in trumpet, ukulele, and harmonica. Overall I love the fact that the music theory carry's over for all of them. I feel that each instrument helps the other.

[Mr. Grill]

All the instruments scratch eachother's backs (figuratively).

I play drums, guitar and bass, all for about the same amount of time (5 years). Playing guitar has helped my bass skills and vice versa, but the most helpful instrument has been drums. It really improves your rhythm and timing, making you into a more well-rounded musician.

[Gopherbassist]

I used to fiddle around with my brother's guitar, and I found that whenever I picked it up, I'd learn something new I could apply to playing bass. Somehow this made it easier to learn another new thing with the bass, which then made it easier to learn something new on th guitar again. Switching back and forth helped me, so no, I don't think you'll get worse on your main instrument.