• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

What's your view on this?

T

Thomas Kievit

Guest
May 19, 2012
3,614
1,906
35
#1
Big change this will turn out to nothing, but I have to ask you this : what is your view on people who only play one instrument? I know some people who play several instruments, and I know some people who only one instrument.

I know it can help you with creating your own music if you play on several instruments, but is it necessary to play on several instruments? Personally I'm fine with bass guitar, though I'm itching to learn how to play drums and guitar. But even if I won't learn how to play them, I'm fine.

Anything wrong with that?
 
Last edited:
#6
We are all musicians first and bassists second. You simply cannot be a bassist without being a musician, but many musicians aren't bassists. That sounds rudimentary and obvious, but if you dig deeper into it shows that you can become a better musician (and bassist) by trying out other instruments. Even if you're really, really bad on drums or keyboards or whatever, you get insight into what they're all about and then you can use that knowledge to enhance your bass skills. The time and expense it takes to truly master an instrument is significant, so decide beforehand whether or not you're willing to decrease your bass practices to accommodate this new venture. All of this depends on your goal as a musician. Do you just love to play bass and do it for fun, do you aspire to be the best bassist you possibly can be (don't we all?), are you a bassist just for live gigs, but really prefer to compose, do you find yourself playing in situations you're not crazy about because you're a bassist? Answers to these questions determine whether or not it's okay to play more than one instrument IMHO. Personally I'm amazed by some people's ability to excel on more than instrument when gaining an acceptable level of proficiency on one is a daunting task in itself.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SheaNC, Impermanence, tuba_samurai and 5 others
#7
Multi instrumentalist is cool. Especially if you master the basic skill of it.

When I start to learn guitar, my harmony skills is increased. That's my biggest improvement for my bass playing so far.

Myself recommend to learn more than one instruments. But don't force yourself cause it'll make you bored to learn new instrument. Just take 15 to 90 (max) minutes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Thomas Kievit
#8
I hate multi-(talented)-musicians (he said jealously...JK). Actually, I can noodle pretty well on several instruments, but having only focused on bass for a long time, that's the only one I can hang with a band and perform live with. Absolutely nothing wrong w/just playing one. Lots of very talented musicians do just that....probably the majority. Don't worry....be happy! :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: StyleOverShow and Thomas Kievit
#9
Well, all guitar players can play bass.

25q9obcjpg.gif



And while it's fine IMO to just play one instrument, it makes perfect sense that to be able to play several would make for a more rounded musician. I especially appreciate drummers who also play a melodic instrument.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rio Haride, Oldschool94, punchdrunk and 3 others
#10
Good question..i am cursed or blessed lol..play bass so naturally since i first picked it up and also can play guitar...i have 2 opinions in this. 1) guitar has made me understand bass better in the relational aspect and playing counter lines, which way opens the door if you only have 1 guitarist in your band 2) everytime i play guitar for a spell(i write the songs in an original band and to make it easier have learned to play guitar)iwhen i pick up my bass and just close my eyes and play..and truly enjoy and feel the music versus thinking the music..i always say to myself "why did you waste all week playing the guitar"
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rio Haride and Thomas Kievit
#12
i teach music for a living.. all strings, and a million piano students.

nothing wrong with only knowing one thing. i will say that any really great player will have some rudimentary keyboard skills. all college music programs have a required keyboard class- gennerally, a hands-on way to work with the stuff they study in theory class. i think some keyboard skills go a long way. on top of that, knowing guitar is really useful, but really doesn't matter too much.

i'm happy ive invested the hours in learning piano, violin viola cello, ext ext, and if i could do it all over again i don't think i'd want to just invest all of that effort into one instrument. but thats just how i am. i studied with some amazing players who only knew the bass, and like i said, some very basic keyboard stuff.
 
#13
Some musicians start out on one instrument and for whatever reason find out it's not the right one for them. There have been cases of people trying numerous instruments before finally settling on their main voice. There's nothing wrong with that, except perhaps the trade off between overall musical knowledge regarding the different instruments versus time spent with your chosen one.
 
#15
Weirdo chiming in... after learning some bass in my teens, somehow I was naturally inclined to take up tuba for my HS's concert and marching band. I realized quickly that the instrument is both literally and figuratively the "bass" of the band. Going to a small school, I quickly became the best/loudest player. It was a great ride that carried me through college and beyond. Looking back, it was all just playing bass... just a MUCH broader approach. I feel my tuba days definitely made me a stronger BG player.
 
#16
I played guitar for 25 years before picking up the bass (which I've been playing soley (the reason for my name) for 15 years or so.

My theory was not too bad before I started on the bass, the bass just enhanced my understanding of how the basslines actually worked.

Now, I have a an electric drum set waiting for my attention, although I have been dragging my feet for some reason. I'm sure that the drums will certainly teach me lots about rhythm when I allow it.

There are some people, who I admire, who can pick up many instruments and are quite proficient on all of them, I'm certainly not and I have to work at each one.

It's okay to play one,and great if you can play more.

I do have some harmonicas that I can't play, but I thought I could just put one in my pocket on a trip away from the bass and learn; that hasn't happened either! Lol!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back