Playing piano helps!!

[sirpug]

Been playing bass for a couple of years now. I'm a mediocre bassist but I do have a basic knowledge of theory and the circle of fifths.

Well, I recently picked up a keyboard and decided I was going to learn the basics. Wow. I've only been doing the piano thing for about a week with YouTube instructional videos but seeing the scales and chords on the keys is really making everything click. I'm amazed at how it's been helping my understanding of music and, through that, making me a better player.

Just thought I'd share my experience and see if anybody else has experienced the same thing. Are there any other instruments that you've used that helped you click something into place with your bass playing?

[somedumbguy]

learning the piano allowed me to learn how to play almost any instrument. All I have to do now to learn a new instrument is to learn how to play the "notes." Such as, how do I play an "E" on saxophone etc

[MalcolmAmos]

Originally Posted by sirpug

.......... and see if anybody else has experienced the same thing. Are there any other instruments that you've used that helped you click something into place with your bass playing?

Yes, IMHO, keyboard being laid out in a line, instead of spread over several strings seems to help visualize music theory a little easier. Rhythm guitar helps a bunch but the one thing that I thinks pulls everything together - click something into place as you said - is playing with others. Knowing how to augment and not compete. Knowing how to help and not step on toes.

Have fun.

[sirpug]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

the one thing that I thinks pulls everything together - click something into place as you said - is playing with others. Knowing how to augment and not compete. Knowing how to help and not step on toes.

I agree 100%. Personally, other then my practice alone at home, I never had a stretch without playing with others. The whole reason I started was to help out some friends with their band (someone had a guitar and rig and they needed a bassist so I stepped in and loved it, been in the band every since).

I was just surprised at how things have begun clicking since I started learning the piano.

[bassandbeyond]

I love playing piano, almost more than playing bass!

Piano is a fantastic instrument for getting a "complete picture" of the music. It's like a self-contained orchestra.

But IMO, bass is one of the most clearly and logically designed instruments for "seeing the theory". What I mean is, because bass is consistently tuned in 4ths, ALL fingerboard patterns are consistent in every key. I still have to think about how to finger a minor7(b5) chord in certain keys on the keyboard, but on bass I can play it instantly from any root.

[sirpug]

If anybody is interested, this is the guy I found on YouTube with really good piano instructional videos. I just started at 1 and moved on. On lesson 4, he steps away from the piano and gets into some really good basic theory instruction for a few videos.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Lypur#p/c/253192EED47525A8

[Trapezius]

The piano always works. A great way to get a better understanding of harmonies, scales etc.. and hey, it's probably the most versatile instrument on the planet. No matter what genre you're in, the piano simply fits.. (with a few exceptions, of course).