Bass through Harmonica!

[BullHorn]

I wanted to share my new experience with you guys. I haven't been around here for nearly a year (With my military service and all that) and my bass playing was in a rut. I was not making any progress and was not enjoying playing the bass anymore... but it changed.

I received a gift diatonic harmonica from my grandfather and said to myself, '...why not'. So here I am, trying to learn to play the harmonica with YouTube and some ebook. I used to struggle alot with music theory on the bass and never really got the hang of it untill I got the harmonica. It helped me understand intervals and chords better, the circle of fifths, etc.

It also revived my passion of playing the bass as I opened my ears to music I've never listened to before (Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter and other greats).

I'm back on my bass now. In conclusion: If you want to understand bass better, get a harmonica.

[MalcolmAmos]

Yes! That second instrument always helps. Puts a different light on the subject. Plus the harmonica will fit in your pocket.

Have fun.

[Shakin-Slim]

I've played harmonica for years, I can definitely see what you mean. I've never learnt any theory specific to the harmonica, just blowed notes that sound good. I'll be getting a chromatic soon, then I have no choice but to learn theory looking forward to it

[Rudreax]

I started on harp before moving to bass. Seriously, everything the OP says is true. You will learn intervals, circle of fifths, ear training (hard to keep things in tune when you bend at first, and knowing what to play given a certain key) and many other things. Of course this could be said about any other instrument but get a harp anyway!