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Bassists Who Are Multi Instrumentalists...

#63
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...


I honestly think the best bassists, Guitarists, drummers etc. Are dedicated to that one instrument. Some can play various but they would focus on that one instrument to get their level of playing. I have played other instruments very little so the bass is what I excel at I feel I would be a better bassist than most cross over musicians. Same for the likes of Stu Hamm and Victor Wooten
 
#66
In order of appearance: clarinet, saxophone, bass guitar, guitar, tuba, trombone. Not simultaneaously, but sequentially (is that a word??). many physical problems causing me to change: allergies, RSI, accidents, the lot. Back to the BG for just under two years.
But I've always been happy to play bass (or tuba) for its harmonic impact en influence on the groove.
 
#67
Ian the bassist said:
I honestly think the best bassists, Guitarists, drummers etc. Are dedicated to that one instrument. Some can play various but they would focus on that one instrument to get their level of playing. I have played other instruments very little so the bass is what I excel at I feel I would be a better bassist than most cross over musicians. Same for the likes of Stu Hamm and Victor Wooten
Click to expand...


Couldn't disagree more. There's a stigma that if someone does many things, they aren't master at any of them. Well, there are plenty of people that just do one thing and they're not a master at it. I think if you have talent, you have talent and it doesn't have to be one thing

I'm not saying you HAVE to play other instruments, but understanding some other instruments can only help.

John Paul Jones is as good a bassist as anyone.
 
#69
plangentmusic said:
Couldn't disagree more. There's a stigma that if someone does many things, they aren't master at any of them. Well, there are plenty of people that just do one thing and they're not a master at it. I think if you have talent, you have talent and it doesn't have to be one thing

I'm not saying you HAVE to play other instruments, but understanding some other instruments can only help.

John Paul Jones is as good a bassist as anyone.
Click to expand...
Well John Paul Jones main instrument is the bass but I know what you mean. I just mean if you gets someone who plays 7 different instruments all equally the same amount of time for 10 years(One of them is bass) and you get a dedicated bassist who has played the same amount of time the chances are the dedicated bassist is going to be a better bassist than the multi instrument player(assuming the bassist has a fair bit of talent). This is only my opinion. The best bassists I have seen have put alot more time into bass than any other instrument. Same with guitarists and drummers.
 
#71
Me :)

Started on trombone, learned euphonium and a little trumpet. I then began to learn some piano and started acoustic guitar and a few months later bought my first bass. Then a little later switched to fretless bass and started to learn flute and upright bass. Yes, flute.

Oh, I still play trombone as first chair in my wind ensemble at school.
 
#73
"Dirty Ray" from Evick and Bret Michaels Band was a drummer first, also guitarist and sings. I think we'll see a lot more of him since he's early in his career.
I started on jazz sax, but playing swing for so many years still shows through. I've got to really stay on top of things or I naturally start to drag into a swing kinda "dragging knuckles" kinda groove.
 

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