Learning an instrument to get better at bass?

[monsterthompson]

That's too bad.

Is and isn't. There is probably a tipping point where at some level the most progress on bass comes from playing just bass, and at some point the knowledge and skills are such that practicing other instruments helps broaden your knowledge and skills in a beneficial way. It's always changing. Fundamentals are key. Exposure is beneficial. Everyone has different goals.

 

[bearfoot]

It all crosses over. To me, the most useful was piano, not for theory but for bassline work. The keyboard presents intervallic lines that are less apparent and comfortable on a bass neck.

 

[bassstrangler]

Piano, guitar, and the bass.

 

[Kukulkan61]

I think taking lessons, learning theory and maybe learning how to read would help but I've done neither, I just practice, play along with songs, learn songs by stumbling around the fretboard, bad habits I guess but it works for me...

 

[RoosSQ]

Highly recommend learning Piano. The linear progression of notes, and ability to isolate 1 octave and really see the spatial relationships helped me immensely w my bass playing and music theory. I'd argue it's the best instrument to start with. (I started on guitar, then bass, and then piano FWIW).

 

[DavC]

piano ... i started on piano at age 6 , so i'm biased ... you can/should also think of piano as a percussion instrument ... ! you can do some complicated rhythmic stuff with both hands/fingers ... let alone learning chords and their scales .. ! which i find much easier to see on the piano ... but piano is not like bass/gtr , as in , learning movable patterns ... those white/black notes screw that up pretty good .. ! but you will get more dexterity and finger strength .. !! and if you stay at it for 50+ years like me = arthritis .. !

 

[T_E]

Highly recommend learning Piano. The linear progression of notes, and ability to isolate 1 octave and really see the spatial relationships helped me immensely w my bass playing and music theory. I'd argue it's the best instrument to start with. (I started on guitar, then bass, and then piano FWIW).

Violin is the best to start with - at an early age (4-5).

On this instrument one truly sees the "spatial relationships," as they apply to the raising of pitch. Piano [keyboard] cheats in that department (i.e., the higher the pitch, the shorter the string length - the piano does that for you). The piano also plays in tune for you.

Sound production, and ear-training are other aspects of violin playing that the piano takes care of for you. Piano is simple, yet critical to musical development.

Young tiny hands on a fractional violin - best first instrument. Transition to other instruments later. Get on the piano soon after, and continue piano the rest of your journey.

There is nothing more hilarious than seeing an 8-year-old playing (if you can call it that), on a 34", man-size, P-Bass.

Oh, and get private lessons! Self-help & youboob.com, is a waste of time.

 

[Versatek6]

I came to bass late - about age 47.

I started learning guitar and piano in 4th grade, and trombone in 5th. Guitar helped me get an early start in theory as I wanted to know what all those chord symbols meant. Piano, I had a hard time grasping, and my parents let me stop lessons as I was keeping up on 'bone. I can look at piano music and understand it, but I really can't play.

Trombone taught me musicianship and ensemble playing, along with reading music, which is a vital ability, in my view.

I can't overlook singing, either. If you can sing a part accurately, it makes it easier to play.

 

[buldog5151bass]

It can always help to play keys. Because you see everything in front of you, it makes it easier to understand theory. Keys also can cover almost any other instrument. Learn it, and it helps you understand music much easier.

Won't help your bass chops, though.

 

[T_E]

Won't help your bass chops, though.

That's a YMMV assessment.

FACT: there are too many yooboobers with chops coming-outta-the wazoo, with absolutely NO musicality. 15 seconds into their pyrotechnics, and you are clicking on the close window button.

The piano, creates the possibilities of developing your musicality. Therefor, if you consider musicality part of "your bass chops,", then yes, it helps.

 

[jnsnj]

I feel that taking classical guitar and cello lessons made me a better bassist. I personally feel that drums should be everyone's first instrument.

 

[oldfretless]

Piano, and ......Stick. Like piano, both hands doing different things, bass lines and chords, and melody. But, the bass side tuned in fifths, backwards, will bring different bass lines than you would normally play. The same fingering for a major scale translates, except the notes are from different octaves. An octave fingering is the same, but flipped. There's a reason many Stick players are bass players.

 

[T_E]

Piano, and ......Stick. Like piano, both hands doing different things, bass lines and chords, and melody. But, the bass side tuned in fifths, backwards, will bring different bass lines than you would normally play. The same fingering for a major scale translates, except the notes are from different octaves. An octave fingering is the same, but flipped. There's a reason many Stick players are bass players.

Excellent suggestion. But, there too cheapskates on here looking for $150 instruments. Can't buy a Stick for that!

 

[Geekydad]

I came at bass backwards, too, sort of. Started with a few years of piano lessons in grade school, switched to drums through junior high, and was singing all the while before finally taking some voice lessons in college. Then I stopped music entirely for a decade or two before realizing how much I missed it and taking up the bass.
At which point I discovered that my music experience had stayed with me- piano let me hear scales and read music (don't underestimate the importance of that) as well as giving me a groundwork to actually start learning music theory instead of absorbing it through osmosis via piano lessons. Drums helped with rhythm. And voice helped with harmonies and tying everything together.

Never played double bass, but I imagine it would make your electric bass much, much better (similar to what people say about going fretless) and your knowledge much deeper. But I'd recommend a different instrument- maybe one of those I mentioned above- for a wider perspective.

 

[InhumanResource]

I'd say learning any instrument makes you a better musician. Be a musician who plays bass. But if you want to get into specifics:

Piano is awesome for learning how harmony works, it helps to be able to visualize how harmony is laid out and piano is the best for this. Drums are great for learning the other side of how groove works.

All instruments add some value though, always learn more if you have the chance!

 

[tonemachine]

Interesting theory...... What a radical idea.

Only if practiced in a non-knuckleheaded way.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Does learning a new instrument actually improve your bass playing? How? Between upright bass and violin. Which would you guys recommend? Or, should the new instrument not be a string at all?

Will learning another instrument make you a better bass player? The answer is simply NO.

Will learning golf make me a better tennis player?

Will learning accounting make me a better florist?

Will learning to re-build the carborator on a '74 Dodge make me a better dentist?

The only way to become a better bass player is to spend more time (not less) actually playing the bass.

Now, will learning another instrument give you a better overall understanding of certain musical concepts? Probably. Will it open your mind to different ideas? Perhaps. But there is no possible physical way it will make you a better bass player. It's just not possible.

 

[Rayjay]

With EB as a starting point, I went on to learn guitar, piano, drums, DB, and how to sing. Theory brings it all together. It will absolutely make you a better musician even if the goal is not to perform any of those instruments in public.

 

[Dan Bass]

Does learning a new instrument actually improve your bass playing? How? Between upright bass and violin. Which would you guys recommend? Or, should the new instrument not be a string at all?

Piano, guitar, drums, guitar for scales & chords, drums for rhythm, beat, timing and piano because if you master piano you can do anything. Stu Hamm was and is a master at the piano and then he put all that knowledge into a 4 string Bass. I still have his Hot Licks VCR tape on how to Slap Pop n Tap, he is an incredible Bassist. Check him out doing Best Bass Solo Ever on YouTube, with his blue Factor headless 4-string Bass, AWESOME!!!!! Oh, on his slap Pop n Tap video he does the Charlie Brown cartoon piano theme two handed tap style on the Bass guitar, a MUST SEE.

 

[spanndrew]

I think so. But I wouldn't say that just choosing an instrument for the sake of getting better at bass is a good idea. Just practice your bass in that situation. However, I decided I wanted to play guitar and learn how to sing choral music. Both of these have helped My overall musicianship and thus I am a better bassist.