Anybody play keys as well as bass?

[lwknives]

My parents got me a MIDI keyboard for Christmas (USB connectivity, velocity sensitive, 49 keys) .
I plan on using it to make drum tracks, orchestral parts, and key, piano parts. Maybe try and learn keys well enough to play in a band setting.
Ive played around with it a bit, I was surprised at how easy it was to play around and improvise. (in C maj and A min anyway lol).
Do any of y'all play keys as a second instrument? Do you have to be proficient at playing keys to lay down MIDI controlled instruments? Is it worth spending the time to get "good" at keys? What kind of tips do y'all have?

[Kmonk]

I play bass, keys and guitar. I am self taught so I usually find the easiest way for me to learn is just listen to a song and play along with it until I figure it out.

[klokker]

In general, I think some keyboard knowledge is basic to any instrument. It's not an absolute, but my recommendation to any bass player would be to have a keyboard background of some kind.

[lwknives]

Originally Posted by klokker

In general, I think some keyboard knowledge is basic to any instrument. It's not an absolute, but my recommendation to any bass player would be to have a keyboard background of some kind.

It will be the other way around, I already have a bass and guitar background. I learned theory from a bass perspective (strings, frets and notes) not a keyboard perspective.

[Disaster Area]

I actually started on the piano before eventually branching out to the bass. I'm going to have to agree with klokker: some piano knowledge is helpful no matter what instrument you play. As for tips, if you'd be up for it piano lessons are pretty priceless; if not, there are also good books and resources out there to teach yourself. (Since it's been a long time, I can't think off the top of my head what those resources are. If I find any, I'll post them here.)

[onosson]

This thread is at 16 pages and counting ...

Keyboard players turned bassist club

[lwknives]

Originally Posted by Disaster Area

I actually started on the piano before eventually branching out to the bass. I'm going to have to agree with klokker: some piano knowledge is helpful no matter what instrument you play. As for tips, if you'd be up for it piano lessons are pretty priceless; if not, there are also good books and resources out there to teach yourself. (Since it's been a long time, I can't think off the top of my head what those resources are. If I find any, I'll post them here.)

Lessons are out of the question for at least a year. Ive looked at a few websites and have learned quite a bit already. But it would be great if you could post good links, Im kinda shooting in the dark.

[FrenchBassQC]

Good thing I had a bit of keyboard background. A long time ago, the band I was with at the time had a gig at a high school for a dance and I broke my left arm three weeks before it. I learned all the bass parts I was playing on the synth and we did the gig this way...

[kreider204]

I've been learning recently. I had a handful of lessons when younger, but nothing serious. I would say my previous experience was equivalent to about halfway through this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Alfreds-Basic-...ne+adult+piano

I spent the last year working through this book, and now I'm starting level 2. I'm already playing some very basic songs (simple Xmas tunes and such).

I would say with an hour of practice a day, at least 5 or 6 days a week, you could be minimally decent in a year, halfway decent in two. YMMV, etc.

[MycooLeeyun]

I started on piano about 8 years ago and later picked up the bass. After playing piano, the bass was real easy to get into because I had a lot of the theory down already. It sounds like you have more of a midi keyboard than a digital piano and would suggest just experimenting with the sounds you can get from it. It's not really worth learning how to play piano on a 49 key midi controller, but you can definitely incorporate it into a band setting or a recording. Think Geddy Lee.

[lwknives]

Originally Posted by kreider204

I've been learning recently. I had a handful of lessons when younger, but nothing serious. I would say my previous experience was equivalent to about halfway through this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Alfreds-Basic-...ne+adult+piano

I spent the last year working through this book, and now I'm starting level 2. I'm already playing some very basic songs (simple Xmas tunes and such).

I would say with an hour of practice a day, at least 5 or 6 days a week, you could be minimally decent in a year, halfway decent in two. YMMV, etc.

I just dont have the time to put in an hour a day, maybe 4-5 hours on the weekends or 1-3 hour sessions one or two days out of the week.
I dont know what the levels mean.

Originally Posted by MycooLeeyun

I started on piano about 8 years ago and later picked up the bass. After playing piano, the bass was real easy to get into because I had a lot of the theory down already. It sounds like you have more of a midi keyboard than a digital piano and would suggest just experimenting with the sounds you can get from it. It's not really worth learning how to play piano on a 49 key midi controller, but you can definitely incorporate it into a band setting or a recording. Think Geddy Lee.

I dont need to know how to do classical stuff or anything mostly I would focus on rock stuff. Im loving the organs!

[giacomini]

I play piano/keys first, bass is my 2nd.

[aseksysasquatch]

I think learning keys can help a lot with music in general, I learned keys before I learned bass, and especially learning theory on keys helps give you a better understanding

[lwknives]

I did take piano lessons back in elementary school. I dont think I got past marry had a little lamb. (I can still play it though lol).
Would I be better off starting from scratch or trying to jump in at a higher level? I already know most of first semester theory (chords, arpeggios, scales ect).
Would I be better off just learning songs?

[s_mcsleazy]

i play a bit of keys now and again.

[stratovani]

I've been known to tickle the ivories now and again, but I'm rustier than a '73 Buick!

[dalahorse]

I took piano lessons as a kid. My parents had a very old baby grand piano in the house. I studied drums and piano at the same time, but ended up really taking off with the drums. I also did my theory studies on the piano.

These days I play drums, bass, and keys (in order of profficiency). My keyboard setup includes a Fantom G and a Juno-106. I'm pretty good at synth bass and lead parts, but still stink at playing piano, proper.

MIDI programming doesn't require much in the way of keyboard proficiency. However, the better you are, the easier it will become. I use Apple's Logic software for sequencing and recording. It works really well for me.

[SquierJazz72]

I keep a small keyboard around and play it from time to time. I have a couple of little melody pieces I have been working on extending on bass that were originally born on keys.

So, bass is my primary instrument, guitar a close second. What I know of keys comes third, and I can play drums, but only in a very basic fashion, nothing spectacular.

[Baird6869]

God no!

I suck at keys... But bought a synth yesterday. Already learning Metallica, Rush and Journey tunes.

My plan is to play a few songs at a gig with it next year. I did the same recently at a gig with guitar as well as a mandolin a month after I bought it.

Kinda pushes me to learn new instruments quick.

[mellowinman]

When I was about five or six, I started piano lessons. I'm not sure what age I started with the lady who was a classically trained Russian, who slapped my wrists if I got my fingering wrong, but piano was a total life experience for me, long before I ever dreamed of picking up a guitar or bass.