Is It OK to learn other Instruments while learning bass?

frozilla · #1 01-08-2009, 05:26 PM

I've just recently stumbled onto I alot of free time and I'm currently taking bass lessons. I'm a beginner. I was thinking guitar

...or saxophone

. But I was worried that learning another instrument on top of this one may interfere with the my studies. What are your thoughts?

bongomania · #2 01-08-2009, 05:31 PM

No problem at all, as long as you have the dedication and drive to commit to practicing both.

donc1234 · #3 01-08-2009, 05:38 PM

Funny thing that I just noticed. I have been taking clarinet lessons for 3 years and the music is in the treble clef. I got a bass for Christmas and have been letting the clarinet slide. I also made a lot of effort to learn the bass clef in the last couple of weeks.

I just went back and read some treble clef music and I had to think about the notes.

Oh well, if piano players can read both clefs I guess I should be able to....

Don

PSPookie · #4 01-08-2009, 05:49 PM

No!

It is FORBIDDEN!

Messiah25 · #5 01-08-2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frozilla

I've just recently stumbled onto I alot of free time and I'm currently taking bass lessons. I'm a beginner. I was thinking guitar

...or saxophone

. But I was worried that learning another instrument on top of this one may interfere with the my studies. What are your thoughts?

TRAITOR!!!!

debassr · #6 01-08-2009, 05:50 PM

Of course it's OK!

GianGian · #7 01-08-2009, 05:56 PM

I play a bunch of instruments...but I can play only drums and bass really well, I mean, in a way that satisfies me. But first I learned drums really well..then bass really well...anbd then the others. I recommend to learn on instrument really well, when experiment with others.

BigOldHarry · #8 01-08-2009, 05:57 PM

my 2 cents:

Learning some drums will make you a better bassist. I did me.
Learning some piano will make you a better musician.

B.C. · #9 01-08-2009, 05:59 PM

Yes it is ok, and I even encourage it.

Like the post above me states, each instrument can teach you about how to play bass and vice versa.

I love having a drummer who plays bass. He knows my role, and as I am learning drums, I learn his. It helps us groove.

StyleOverShow · #10 01-08-2009, 06:04 PM

Back in my college days, I had to play various instruments as a composition major. It was enlightening and improved my overall capabilities to read treble and bass clefs.

Nowadays, I don't have the luxury of free time, so I concentrate on a single clef. I split my time between the upright and the EB (although I spend less and less time practicing on the EB). Whatever instruments you take up, just keep the technique honest and clean.

-richard

EADG mx · #11 01-08-2009, 07:09 PM

All instruments have some transferable skills

learn as many as you want

frozilla · #12 01-08-2009, 07:16 PM

Thanks alot for the feedback!

Jefenator · #13 01-08-2009, 07:19 PM

Not only is it okay, in the music school I went to it was required. If you go through their program, like it or not you're taking piano lessons.

Never did me any harm. *twitch*

EADG mx · #14 01-08-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefenator

Not only is it okay, in the music school I went to it was required. If you go through their program, like it or not you're taking piano lessons.

Never did me any harm. *twitch*

Like most music programs. You either have to learn piano, or at least it's recommended and would be beneficial.

Zombbg4 · #15 01-08-2009, 07:27 PM

Of course, I started on trombone before bass and still play it. It's tough though if you intend to be good at both as your practice time obviously doubles.If you plan on going to college for music its a great way to get a nice scholarship especially if you're competent on both.

p.s. I say learn sax!!

debassr · #16 01-08-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GianGian

I play a bunch of instruments...but I can play only drums and bass really well, I mean, in a way that satisfies me. But first I learned drums really well..then bass really well...anbd then the others. I recommend to learn on instrument really well, when experiment with others.

That sounds exactly like my path too.

Darko74 · #17 01-08-2009, 08:13 PM

i can play a little guitar(but who cant) and about 3 years ago took up clawhammer banjo, which i love as much as bass(if im allowed say that here)

DocBop · #18 01-08-2009, 09:18 PM

Best second instrument to learn is keyboard. Makes learning theory visual, best for studying ear training, if you get into recording need it for MIDI work, these days lots of bass is done with KB or doubled with KB might as well get the working instead of a piano player. Making learning to solo easier by being able to play chords and see how scales sound against them. And composition, and arranging, and just sitting and messing around. Learn enough to play "arrangers piano" and can sit and "work" on tunes with the girl singer.

Jefenator · #19 01-08-2009, 11:23 PM

Drums are also a great second instrument for a bassist. In a music school run by me, drum lessons would be required along with piano. Rhythm is actually much more important than pitches & harmony IMO IME.

When I play drums (occasionally & badly

) I feel like I'm doing the same job as on bass: laying out the form, keeping the sheep from straying too far.

CatfishStudios · #20 01-08-2009, 11:35 PM

I play guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle(very poorly) Piano, bass, drums, saxophone, Shakuhachi, , mountain dulcimer and lap steel. and I can honestly say, that each instrument has given me new insight on the other instruments, in other words... Every time I learned to play a different instrument, I got better exponentially with all of them. I say if you desire it, go all out, and do it.