I'm considering taking up the drums in addition to the bass, though I don't intend to spend nearly as much time on the former as the latter. Has anyone here done this? Can I expect to be a better bass player as a result?
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Is Playing the Drums Good for Playing the Bass?
- Thread starter SalmonKing
- Start date
I can't really tell if playing the drums helped my bass ability but playing the bass sure helped my drumming
Stick_Player
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- Nov 13, 2009
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Yes. Absolutely. I am a bassist of 25 years and drummer of about 8. Drumming has helped my bass playing immeasurably.
I really think that most bassists are frustrated drummers at heart. Most of us strive to work in concert with our drummers to create a "pocket" that just feels right. I never got good at playing drums, but I am sure studying drums will greatly enhance your bass playing.
I stick to bass as my primary instrument, but learning just a little bit on drums has really helped in gaining perspective and timing. Plus drums are really fun when you just need a break from bass.
A side perk as well (of having a drumset) is that practice doesn't always have to be at the drummers place.
A side perk as well (of having a drumset) is that practice doesn't always have to be at the drummers place.
Learn another instrument because you want to learn it, not because it will help you learn your primary instrument. Learning your primary instrument will help you learn your primary instrument. However, having learned guitar first because I wanted to learn guitar, then picking up bass because then I wanted to learn bass, it was easier to learn how to play bass. By learning guitar first I learned chord structures (triads, inversions, voicings), the fretboard, scales, etc. All that applied quickly to bass.
I believe all musicians should play drums, and all drummers should play a musical instrument.
Drums were my first instrument. Here are some samples of me playing bass, drums, keys and guitar. YouTube - ‪BASS JAZZ‬‏
Drums were my first instrument. Here are some samples of me playing bass, drums, keys and guitar. YouTube - ‪BASS JAZZ‬‏
