Help choosing a second instrument

Voted other - Drums or Mandolin

 

Either keyboards or guitar, but I voted keyboards because playing it would make you think differently about chords, voicing, and progressions. Guitar does the same, but since the keyboard is linear it makes it easier to visualize, at least to me.

 

What's the band genre & members?
Guitar driven or keys driven?

Choose the one you'll stick to & have chances to gig on.

 

In addition to bass, I would learn electric bass.

 

Guitar.

 

Keys now, add guitar later.

 

I have played and taken lessons on other instruments such as violin, drums, keyboards, and guitar but never got good enough to be a main instrument. Bass became my main instrument in 1970 and is how I have been working steady ever since. I always wished that I would have gotten better on violin to be able to perform with it.

 

Harmonica.......................Hohner Marine Band. Tons of YouTube videos on how to play. No other instrument for under $50 can touch a harmonica. No amp needed.

 

I don't think you need to stop with one more, and I think there are good arguments for getting as many musical perspectives as possible. I'd do keyboards, primarily because in the modern world of composition, sound creation, recording, mixing, etc. Being able to play keys is a bit like knowing how to type. You don't have to be able to take dictation, but if you can manipulate the keyboard, and learn to express chords, music theory concepts, and control concepts with it, you're in a good spot.

 

Its always good to know guitar. Works well if you are playing live with a band and you are not familiar with the song the band is playing you can always peak over at the guitar player to see what chord he is playing.
I am a very busy player but can take gigs on guitar and drums and even filled in on keys one night. For me I love to play just about any musical instrument.

 

Keys are linear. Easy to get started. Learn all the chords and inversions. Read music and practice scales. Learn songs. Also good for ear training.

Learn guitar chords and songs. Helps when following guitar player.

 

Keyboards. Getting off the fretboard makes you think differently. You come at theory, changes, etc. from a different direction.

 

I'd pick drummer, because when I am jamming, the 2 good drummers I have worked with look like they are having an absolute blast behind the kit....personally I wish I was a better sax player than I am..

but voted Piano if you want to be more of a composer

 

Paino/keys - comprised of rhythm and melody, provided you study theory you'll be able to read treble and bass clef as well as write/communicate music with anyone. Lots of jamming and gig opportunities too, as well soundtrack and as post-production, etc.

Drums - obviously better comprehension of rhythm will apply to bass, and if you become competent the paying gigs will fall at your feel.

 

Torn between keys and guitar, but chose guitar only because of its portability.