Learning Keyboard??

[Darko74]

Im in a bit of a rut with my bass playing. I was thinking about teaching myself how to play keys. I think it might help me understand theory a bit better.

Do any of you guys play keys as well? And in what way has it helped your bass playing?

[throughthefire]

I find it helps me a lot, especially with chord theory. Learning scales on the piano comes across perfectly to the bass, and it makes it obvious when trying to spot runs on the bass.

[Darko74]

Originally Posted by throughthefire

I find it helps me a lot, especially with chord theory. Learning scales on the piano comes across perfectly to the bass, and it makes it obvious when trying to spot runs on the bass.

Thats what im hoping to get out of it most. As its where my weakness is.

[waleross]

I have been taking piano lessons for 7 months now from a jazz/classical teacher. Everybody is different but a teacher doesn't hurt in the beginning...

[Chrisk-K]

I took classical piano lessons for 10 years when I was a kid (Thanks, Mom!). Once you learn how to play the piano, scales, modes and chords become a piece of cake. I suggest you take a piano lesson.

[IbanezSGfan]

Took classical lessons for about 6 years and have been on the keys about 12 and the theory/chords, etc.. really transferred well once I got the hang of it. The thing is the teacher has to be of good quality and not just someone you know who "plays" piano.. but who has a teaching license and an actual degree. That's my opinion anyway take lessons for at least a couple of years and it really should help your bass playing as far as chord progressions/formations go and you should be able to pick up on different styles easier. But anyway, good luck to you remember to start on an actual piano or keyboard with weighted keys and NOT hammer action, you'll be glad you did and keep going with your bass while your learning keys. Kill two birds with one stone by learning on the keys and then transferring it right to bass, you should progress quickly that way (if you really apply yourself)

[JimmyM]

the absolute best thing any musician can do to better themselves no matter what instrument is their main instrument is learn how to play keyboards. even if you never get good at it, it's a great and valuable skill to have.

[DougD]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

the absolute best thing any musician can do to better themselves no matter what instrument is their main instrument is learn how to play keyboards. even if you never get good at it, it's a great and valuable skill to have.

As much as I hate to admit it, JimmyM is spot on

[fourstringburn]

I did it the other way around. I'm a classically trained pianist who took up bass as an second instrument.

As such, learning another instrument came easy because music is really generic information for all instruments of pitch. The main differences, but not all of course, is the technique required to play it. There is no difference note wise, of a G major seventh chord on Bass as there is on a Tuba. (G major seventh chord consists of a G B D F# )

As for approaching the instrument, the piano is easier because a 2 year old can hit a single key and there is a perfect pitch for that note struck, where as a bass, it takes proper finger tension in the right spot along with a clean pluck to produce the note.

As for learning notes, scales, etc. Bass is easier because Bass has many one pattern fits all keys, not true with pianos. That's why there are so many players who can get by without learning to read music or even know where or what the notes are on the fretboard.
A good example of this is when I read about one of my favorite bass players, Steve Harris, saying how he likes the "odd chord shapes" he plays in one of his songs, when in fact he is playing an augmented chord which nothing more than a major chord with a raised fifth, nothing odd about that.

If all you aspire to do is be a rock-n-roller, you can get by with just working different patterns for licks and play the root of what the guitar player is doing. But that might come back to haunt you someday.

If you aspire to be more than that, there is no substitute for a real teacher who teaches music, not licks and tablature. I would suggest choosing one instrument that holds your desire to play and stick with that before you take on another.

Learning to play another instrument will also give you insight to what musical information you have learned and apply it to another instrument. As far as I know, it is still required at Major music schools to take up another instrument for that reason.

Hope that helps!

[1dgbass]

If you want to play with two hands it's tough in the beginning, but stick with it. If your learning the keys just for theory and chords than it's pretty easy.

[Joe Nerve]

I learned keyboard basics as a kid. Took accordian lessons for a few years, then played around on my own learning by ear on a farfisa mini matador. Just got into a zep tribute and they wanna do all the keyboard stuff. My ?? skills ?? are for the first time coming in handy, although I have to admit I'm not liking doing this just yet. Bass comes naturally to me, keys I feel I have to remember every single note I'm playing. Been comitted to the flute part of Stairway to Heaven for a week now (practicing at least an hour a day) and I can play it once in a while with no mistakes. If I think, it's over though. Gotta get past that hump, and will.

No Quarter is next. I've heavily considered just plugging a midi file in for that though, and faking it. I'm sure I wouldn't be the first.

Don't like keyboards. I agree with Jimmy. I shall conquer! You should too!!!

[kxt]

Originally Posted by fourstringburn

I did it the other way around. I'm a classically trained pianist who took up bass as an second instrument.

As such, learning another instrument came easy because music is really generic information for all instruments of pitch.

...

Learning to play another instrument will also give you insight to what musical information you have learned and apply it to another instrument. As far as I know, it is still required at Major music schools to take up another instrument for that reason.

Hope that helps!

Originally Posted by JimmyM

the absolute best thing any musician can do to better themselves no matter what instrument is their main instrument is learn how to play keyboards. even if you never get good at it, it's a great and valuable skill to have.

+1 to both of these

i'm also a pianist (by first instrument) who took a long and winding road over to bass. the theory knowledge i picked up in the course of learning piano (from an excellent teacher) has been invaluable not only for bass but for other instruments - and for singing (harmonizing), songwriting, and learning covers. no question in my mind this is an irreplaceable tool in any musician's skillset.

[onosson]

Keyboards were my first instrument - organ, in fact, which definitely has a different approach than piano. I had 8 years of lessons, then gave it up as a teenager until my 20s. I found ways to keep incorporating it into various bands that I was involved in, and a few years ago started bringing it out to a regular gig that I had on bass. Since "forcing" myself to get back into it regularly this way, I now am involved in another weekly gig in a trio, where I switch between organ and bass throughout the night, pretty much as I feel like. I treat the organ more or less as an extension of the bass - it covers the low end even more fully than my bass does, and allows me to do rhythm chords under our guitar player. But, it has also made me appreciate what the bass can do - and sometimes I will reach for the bass on a song I usually play on keys, as the keyboard *can* be limiting in some ways.

[Minotauros]

I started learning guitar first (I'm still learning), then picked up bass (I'm still learning). Bass, imo, is easier to learn after learning guitar. It is for me, anyway. It's learning the notes in the chords. If someone learning guitar only knows the shape of Cmaj (or any chord) and not its notes, what good is that going to be translating to bass or keyboard?

I learned more about chords and scales theory after I quit lessons (teachers thought that was unnecessary ) and took it upon myself. I looked at a keyboard and was immediately able to form the inversions of C maj.

Chords and their inversions are often easier on keyboard than a fretboard. One true thing one of my teachers said is that keyboardists have 10 fingers to use, guitarists and bassists have 4 (maybe 5 with a thumb wrap around).

I know, that was kind of a brainfart.

So the point is, it's great to learn another instrument when you have to apply music knowledge, not just how to play a song, but how to play music.