If you had a chance to pick up multiple instruments , then which ones and why ??

[magnusdeus123]

Select the instrument you would want to pick up in the case you were give the chance now . If you already know multiple instruments , then select that instrument which you know , or are most proficient at , and tell me why you chose that one besides bass , or in that regard .

The reason I'm asking is that I'm thinking along the lines of picking up another instrument , but I'm not sure if I should at this time , because this is the time I need some serious woodshedding on my bass , practicing modes and such .

[MyUsernameHere]

You should have included Upright Bass and multiple options. I equally suck at guitar, keys, upright bass and clarinet. You know what they say about trying to double (or triple or quadruple). IMO the easiest transition is to guitar, and I'd say that either guitar or keys would be the most practical if you're intent is to compose on your own.

[Chad Michael]

Already play keyboard somewhat... would like to learn to play:

- congas
- EWI

[MyUsernameHere]

What's EWI?

[DocBop]

I have played guitar longer than bass and worked quite a bit on guitar. So my choice is keyboard in this day and age you can do anything with a keyboard and a computer.

[Marcury]

Besides bass I play guitar and Champman stick (and played flute years ago), I'd really like to play enough drums to be dangerous.

[Jonny B]

I'm not half bad as a rhythm guitarist. My drumming needs a ton of work, but I can play 'em. I wish I could make my hands ignore my brain when attempting to play keys/piano.

I play guitar because it would be difficult for me to write songs if I didn't (and after 20 years of noodling with friends guitars, you'd hope I'd learn something).

I play drums (if that's what you want to call it) because they're fun and noisy, and who doesn't like to make noise?

Keys/piano I only wish I could play.

[Valerus]

Guitar.
Because...I dunno. Great instrument.

Then drums.
I've been playing the drums on Rock Band and I've been having a blast!

[magnusdeus123]

Could you guys who are posting , specially the veterans , also mention which you'd think is a good instrument to go onto , and which would help you overall as a musician . I was planning to move onto Drums a bit since everyone talks about locking with teh drummer and all that , or move onto guitar's a bit more for composing purposes (....and for that fact that I like Satriani more than I like Wooten...{--"}) but now it's kinda seeming that everyone's recommending key's .

[The Metal Guy]

I would have listed upright bass too. But since that isn't listed, I already play pretty good guitar.

But if I was thinking just from the view point of a pure bass player who's never even touched a guitar before, I'd say drums to study the interaction between drums and bass better.

[Hawaii Islander]

I picked guitar since I own a couple and still play (sort of). I mainly noodle around on them and play power chords.

I think learning keyboards would be very useful for composing music. Many college/university music programs require piano as part of their carruculum because it is so widely used for music composition. I was never good with the left hand right hand coordination on the keys to be any good.

[skaliwag66]

I already play keyboard, drums and guitar

looking forward to learning the harmonica (blues)
and autoharp (no joke)

[ModestCargo]

I play a little of each of those (well, a lot of guitar). And I have each of those instruments.

Well, my carrots don't sound that great, but I think I just need an upgrade.

[Ramstien]

I can play a few things on piano, except I can't with both hands. My brain = *explode*.

[magnusdeus123]

I heard you get a good discount's on the best ones during march....maybe you should try that.....:P

[Deluge Of Sound]

Drums, hands (and feet!) down.

[Chad Michael]

Originally Posted by MyUsernameHere

What's EWI?

Electronic Wind Instrument.

Jeff Kashiwa is a brilliant player, I'll try to post a link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUtdP3jQKUA

If you watch the whole 6 minutes, I doubt you'll be disappointed.

I would love to learn EWI because it is so expressive.
Re: the congas because they are my favorite sounding drum and they require strict discipline of rhythm.

[Marcury]

Originally Posted by magnusdeus123

Could you guys who are posting , specially the veterans , also mention which you'd think is a good instrument to go onto , and which would help you overall as a musician . I was planning to move onto Drums a bit since everyone talks about locking with teh drummer and all that , or move onto guitar's a bit more for composing purposes (....and for that fact that I like Satriani more than I like Wooten...{--"}) but now it's kinda seeming that everyone's recommending key's .

Piano is the basic instrument of Western Music. It lays everything out visually and covers the complete range of the orchestra. So it is the best way to learn theory and harmony because most everything has been worked out relative to the piano.

A little piano goes a long way, but the important thing is to have at least some solid experience with a harmonic instrument, mine is guitar. I would never claim to play piano and I don't have the time right now to learn and still keep up with the rest of life, but I own a keyboard and refer to it when working out complex harmonies and use it to bang out simple parts on recordings.

[Seussbass]

I'm torn between the drums and the piano. I used to take piano lessons as a kid but I packed it in long ago. I was hardly a child prodigy and after so much time I can only play pretty basic piano.

As far as the drums go I can't play at all. I just can't get my head around them but I'd love to just sit and practice. Just like the piano though it's something that I'm probably not going to get around to doing for a long time.

[SmittyG]

Mandolin. I have no clue why I want to learn to play one but, every time I hit a music store that has one, I'll look over the basses they have but actually pick up and noodle on the mandolin.