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  #1  
Old 05-29-2011, 02:57 PM
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Is Playing the Drums Good for Playing the Bass?

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I'm considering taking up the drums in addition to the bass, though I don't intend to spend nearly as much time on the former as the latter. Has anyone here done this? Can I expect to be a better bass player as a result?
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Old 05-29-2011, 03:01 PM
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I can't really tell if playing the drums helped my bass ability but playing the bass sure helped my drumming
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Old 05-29-2011, 03:02 PM
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It did NOT help Ringo.
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Old 05-29-2011, 03:04 PM
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Haha!
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Old 05-29-2011, 03:05 PM
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Yes. Absolutely. I am a bassist of 25 years and drummer of about 8. Drumming has helped my bass playing immeasurably.
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Old 05-29-2011, 03:10 PM
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I really think that most bassists are frustrated drummers at heart. Most of us strive to work in concert with our drummers to create a "pocket" that just feels right. I never got good at playing drums, but I am sure studying drums will greatly enhance your bass playing.
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Old 05-29-2011, 07:25 PM
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I stick to bass as my primary instrument, but learning just a little bit on drums has really helped in gaining perspective and timing. Plus drums are really fun when you just need a break from bass.

A side perk as well (of having a drumset) is that practice doesn't always have to be at the drummers place.
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Old 05-30-2011, 08:44 AM
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Learn another instrument because you want to learn it, not because it will help you learn your primary instrument. Learning your primary instrument will help you learn your primary instrument. However, having learned guitar first because I wanted to learn guitar, then picking up bass because then I wanted to learn bass, it was easier to learn how to play bass. By learning guitar first I learned chord structures (triads, inversions, voicings), the fretboard, scales, etc. All that applied quickly to bass.
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Old 05-30-2011, 08:47 AM
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Didn't seem to hurt Jaco any...
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Old 05-30-2011, 08:55 AM
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the more I learn about other instruments the better musician I am.
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Old 05-30-2011, 09:05 AM
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I believe all musicians should play drums, and all drummers should play a musical instrument.

Drums were my first instrument. Here are some samples of me playing bass, drums, keys and guitar. YouTube - ‪BASS JAZZ‬‏
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