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Are You Strickly A Bass Player ?

Nope, I have several acoustic and electric guitars, as well as 2 banjos and a tenor uke. I wish I COULD SAY I played piano and drums, as I have a nice keyboard and a modest drum set. Just not very accomplished.
 
I started out playing piano (1965), trumpet (1967) and then guitar (1969) before picking up the bass (1974) and within a year I knew the bass was to be my main instrument but I still play acoustic guitar (6 and 12 string) on stage once in a while. Recently I have been brushing up on my keyboard skills.
 
As a high school senior (in 1975) I would often sneak into the band room and further into a sound proof practice room with a drum set in it during lunch hour. I developed confidence as a drummer but moreover some previously unrealized appreciation for drummers. I seldom sit down at a drum kit other than to allow my regular drummer to hear his drums from out front during sound check...
 
I started with guitar one/ half year on-and-off, but moved on to bass shortly thereafter. I am playing bass almost exclusively (I just sold an Epi SG to get a gorgeous Classic Vibe P!), and sometimes mess around with a borrowed acoustic guitar.

I want to play kinda seriously:
- Drums (to understand the instrument more thoroughly and for some fun)
- Keyboard (because I've been told this is great and easier to improve knowledge of music theory, and for variety)
- Sax (because it's sexy as hell)
- ukulele (just for fun)

But I don't intend to stop playing bass as my main instrument. It's just so much fun, and the low sound is amazing! :hyper:
 
My main instrument would be drums if I had a place to keep them in my house. That and the fact that bassists are scarce over here made me pick the bass as my main instrument.

I can also play most rhythm guitars. Never got into playing guitar solos though. Also some keyboards. For example I can play Alla Turka to give you an idea where my level is. More than that is beyond me.
 
How many of you used your experience and knowledge playing another instrument and applied it to your first one? Did you find it easier to learn the second one after the first? There is much to be learned by taking up a second instrument which in turn may help gain more insight to your first instrument. I was encouraged to do so and I'm glad I did so I encourage others to do the same.
 
I'd like to learn ukelele so I could play while my wife paddles me

We don't really need to hear your kinky secrets, dalkowski.

;)

I've played a ton of instruments over the years, but bass has been my mainstay since the late 70s aside from a few periods when I played a lot of guitar and ukulele.

In my day I've played trumpet, sax, violin/fiddle, banjo (4 and 5 string), mandollin, uke, keys, analog synths and other electronic noisemakers (some of which I made myself), drums (I'm a pretty decent drummer) and...I guess that's about it.

I don't really play anything anymore but bass 85% of the time and guitar 15% of the time (just to keep up a little practice because I do use guitar for writing and recording.)

The only instrument I still have a desire to learn is the harmonica. I'd really like to learn how to get around on one well, but I haven't dedicated any real time to it. It can get to be an obnoxious instrument, and I'm not a guy who thinks every song (or even every 10th song) needs a "wailin' harp" soloing all over everything, but I'd really like to be able to play it.
 
I also play guitar, but that's not really saying much. Got an acoustic and a few electrics but barely have the time to play bass (my main instrument), so sadly the guitars are just sitting there. Haven't touched them in a long time. But I sure had fun with them and was making some good progress when I was laid off for 14 months!!

Writing and recording......way too much fun!! Hope to do it again one day.
 
How many of you used your experience and knowledge playing another instrument and applied it to your first one? Did you find it easier to learn the second one after the first? There is much to be learned by taking up a second instrument which in turn may help gain more insight to your first instrument. I was encouraged to do so and I'm glad I did so I encourage others to do the same.

First starting on piano, after playing drums for four years moved me along really quick. Of course the six hours a day of practice probably helped. Coming back to drums after piano, left me a much more, "tuned in" drummer. Of course the skill acquired playing guitar and drums for so long, has transferred over to the bass. Love the bass. Oh look here she is...
 

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