are you a PURE bass player or do you study more than one instrument? Poll closes in a week, what say you?
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The PURITY Poll: Bassists vs Multi-Instrumentalists
- Thread starter wompwomp
- Start date
I'm a bass player. In my studio I play guitar and keys but I could never pull it off live. So, I'm a bass player.
Guitar (lead, rhythm and slide), Bass, blues harmonica, mandolin, banjo and am starting learn keyboard.
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,075
- 46,028
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
Most locals think of me a being primarily a bassist, but I actually started on guitar and have gigged on it quite a bit, often doubling on both in my old originals band, even swapping back and forth mid-song. I only bought my first acoustic guitar of my own last year, and so for now the vast majority of my shedding time goes there. I just did a major rehab on my old electric guitar though, and bought a new amp for it, so I see even less bass in my future. For the moment it’s mostly just an open mic diversion that allows me to play with real pros and various other friends, as these days I am often the only jazz oriented bassist at those events, and perfectly happy to take big chances that many players don’t want to risk in public.
I'm a drummer (almost 50 years now), and I started playing bass a little more than 2 years ago.
I also sang backup (had a vocal coach) for a while back in my gigging days.
I've probably spent more time practicing bass than drums over the past couple of years.
I also sang backup (had a vocal coach) for a while back in my gigging days.
I've probably spent more time practicing bass than drums over the past couple of years.
When I saw Paul McCartney I was hooked. 56 years as a bassist and never even considered another instrument.
Started on drums, picked up bass 6 months later. I've been playing guitar a bit in my cover band recently, so I'll count that as well.
Started on guitar at 16. Picked up bass at 24, so I say I’m just a bass player. I rarely pick up a guitar.
Bass first and foremost. Vocals second. Used to play a lot of solo/duo guitar - "strumming and humming" a friend called it. Someone actually applauded one of my guitar solos (I use the term loosely) years ago. I'm pretty sure they were tone deaf, and maybe rhythm deaf, too! I really can't play guitar too much anymore. Lots of right shoulder pain. 
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If only I could play both at once! I sing, too.
Started on guitar around 14, got into synth VSTs in the last decade, finally bought a Behringer Model D in October, then got a jazz bass in December. Doing everything in Ableton and a Fractal FM 9 Mark II Turbo.
Trying to learn more music theory these days as the motor skills are well beyond my knowledge
Looking to produce Deep House and Downtempo / Dub style music with my setup and eventually jam with friends, maybe do some covers around town.
This forum has been super friendly and helpful, big ups
Trying to learn more music theory these days as the motor skills are well beyond my knowledge
Looking to produce Deep House and Downtempo / Dub style music with my setup and eventually jam with friends, maybe do some covers around town.This forum has been super friendly and helpful, big ups
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Started piano at eight, trombone at thirteen, mandolin at forty-six and bass at sixty! Now I'm too old to play any of 'em...but....bass was the most fun!
I'm not sure how to answer this one. Presently, I really only play bass (acoustic and electric). I have spent some time studying piano, played keyboards in a band in the early '90's, and occasionally tickle the ivories every now and then. I can play chords on a guitar. I taught myself country fiddle, but never play it anymore. I learned the basics of several other instruments in college; but again, I never play them anymore. So I guess at the present, I would have to say just bassist?
Are we petitioning to change the site to Talk Instrument?
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,075
- 46,028
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
I took piano lessons and I played trumpet in junior high school, but when I got a bass I instantly got to hang with older dudes - meaning access to cigarettes and beer and girls. What trumpet?
Multi-instrumentalist is a little misleading, because most players I know who went through music school play at least some piano in addition to whatever instrument or voice they majored in. But they don't necessarily consider themselves multi instrumentalists
My voice teacher in college accompanied me ably on piano during lessons, for example, but I had to hire an accompanist for juries, because he wasn't a "real" pianist. My last bass teacher can sit down and comp standards from lead sheets on the piano, but he doesn't take piano gigs. My stepmom was a soprano, but could sight read just about anything on piano and could play guitar well enough to teach it to kids.
In other words, most learned musician's I've known can play more than one instrument, but they still consider themselves violinists or bassists or singers, or whatever, not multi-instrumentalists.
My voice teacher in college accompanied me ably on piano during lessons, for example, but I had to hire an accompanist for juries, because he wasn't a "real" pianist. My last bass teacher can sit down and comp standards from lead sheets on the piano, but he doesn't take piano gigs. My stepmom was a soprano, but could sight read just about anything on piano and could play guitar well enough to teach it to kids.
In other words, most learned musician's I've known can play more than one instrument, but they still consider themselves violinists or bassists or singers, or whatever, not multi-instrumentalists.
I have been playing bass for 30 years. I love it. So, I consider myself a bassist. I started playing guitar, drums, and keyboard for the last ten years to expand my musical mindset.
