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Bassists Who Are Multi Instrumentalists...

#43
Mic Karn plays reeds, saxes and bass clarinet, ocarena/recorder and programs drums very well. (here's best wishes for him)
Bill Lazwell plays...the recording studio
Amy Denio: singer, bass plr, tenor sax, drum programming
almost as good as Amy: Prince

non-bass: Ira Sullivan! trumpet AND sax bebop virtuoso.
Yuseph Lateef and Rolland Kirk
Jack DeJohnette, drums and piano/melodica
 
#44
I've found playing bass gives me a head start on most "traditional rock" instruments... I'm not a breathtaking multi-instrumentalist, but I'm picking up piano fairly quickly. I do find drumming fairly easy (in my limited way), because you gain an understanding of rhythms needed. My friends see me as a "multi-instrumentalist" because I can fill in on most things. But I do feel bass is a good place to start
 
#47
I play bass as my first and main instrument. Picking up the piano forced me to learn theory that i didnt "need" so it ended up helping my bass playing but, it was the theory that made me a better bass not the piano. The piano put me in a situation that bass never had. Now I now how music works not just how bass or piano works which helped me pick up guitar very quickly. It makes learning a new instrument more about technique and less about scales and theory which cuts the learning curve way down.
 
#51
John Deacon.

Deacon was a monster bassist and played piano, guitar, synth, and million other things. Deacon had to be good... he was playing with three other guys who were all multi-instrumentalists and amazing musicians.

I would never compare anyone to The Beatles... but if you put a gun to my head Queen is the only real choice.

One thing about John... he didn't sing much. He probably knew his limits.
 
#54
plangentmusic said:
...but manily bassists.

McCartney is the first to mind. And John Paul Jones. Who else?

It seems that it's usually pianists or guitarists who can jump around to other instruments. And...some of you are not going to like this...I do believe it's because those instruments allow for more musical knowledge. That's not to say bassists are LESS knowledgable, but it is possible to play "decent" rock bass without knowing a lot of theory. It's the bottom of the musical pecking order and most guys who go beyond it, move away from it.

Well, I refused to accept that. But instead of arguing, I went about learning. I already played drums and sang (did that before bass) but then I set out to play piano and then guitar and acoustic guitar. (And upright bass, harmonica, percussion and a little bad saxaphone). I think as a bassist it came naturally to me, yet I don't see a lot of other bassists who cross over.

And no need to talk about groove. Of course, that's what we do and that's what seperates us from guitarists. But still...you know what I mean.

Here's a little sample of some of my multi-instrumental playing. It's junky, fun 60's guitar instrumental stuff, but you'l get the idea.



Anyone else? Anyone play several instruments but just choose the bass as their main ax because, well..it is the coolest instrument of all. ;)
Click to expand...


Right, cause you need to have a degree from Berkely to play rock guitar...

Come on guy, seriously?
 
#59
Anything you do musically, will help your bass playing- assuming you approach it with an open mind. I've learned from singing, listening to CD's, footling around on the piano, building and modding instruments, studying audio electronics, etc. Lifelong learning, and all that.

As far as doubling goes, I'm a truly appalling guitarist. My approach is basically to play it like a pint-sized piccolo bass. Good for adding noodly bits when I'm recording and checking out rhythm arrangements, but not much else.

To tell the truth, I do it mostly to annoy guitar players- seems like the perfect revenge!
 
#60
I started out on piano, added trumpet, guitar, baritone/trombone/etc., bass. I even play a mean little recorder ;)

I think bass is easily my favorite due to it's versatility and driving factor. Probably the best at bass, guitar, and trumpet, but would love to play more trombone if I owned one.
 

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