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Post subject: Learning 2 instruments at once
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:09 am
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I've been playing the guitar for a while now, but I've still got a lot to master.
I've recently been thinking about taking up bass. Is it a good idea to learn 2 instruments at once? I've heard some people say that one of the instruments will suffer from this, but I'd still like to get some more feedback.
Cheers.


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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:19 am
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Try a bass. You might prefer it and find it easier to play, but don't buy one yet just in case it's not right for you!


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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:05 am
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Thanks man.


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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:51 am
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As you know how to play guitar it'd be much easier for you to pick up bass :wink:


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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:52 am
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Learning to play both should not be an issue.

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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:00 am
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Although a bass is much like a guitar - hey, it has strings! ;) - it is a different musical instrument. It follows the drums and not the melody most of the time (as my drummer used to say, 'play notes on the bass drum not the accents'). The styles are different - slap bass (funk) is not really applicable to guitar. The frets are further apart, the strings much thicker, the sounds much lower.

I started on guitar and moved to bass for a few years. Bass is still an instrument that I'd like to play but my hands are too small (fret spacing) and the lower frequencies (especially the low-E) are almost indistinguishable to my ears.

Obviously, the same music theory and general playing skills apply. If you know guitar chords and scales, you can do the same things on the bass.

So, as noted, go to your local store and try one out for a bit before committing. If you can, go back a few times.


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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:06 am
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There's always a lot of cross over between bass players and guitar players. Most guitar guys can do a bit on bass, and many bass guys can do a bit on the guitar.

For most music genres, the bass player tends to have an easier time, but I know a lot of bass players that drop my jaw with their skills.

If you have the foundations in guitar, picking up some bass chops isn't a bad idea at all.


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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:27 am
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yitty79 wrote:
If you have the foundations in guitar, picking up some bass chops isn't a bad idea at all.


I'll agree with that one. As for one instrument suffering when you play both, it just depends on your dedication to both. If you divide the time efficiently enough then you can get away with playing both instruments and neither one will suffer.


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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:07 pm
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Thanks for the great feedback guys! I'll go and try out some basses this weekend..


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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 1:57 pm
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Playing bass and guitar at once isn't overly difficult. If you already play guitar, you should know scales which will make bass lines easier to master. They're relatively the same instrument, so it's not a big deal. With something completely different like a piano or flute, the difference could cause a bit of confusion due to mastering the finger placement of both instruments.


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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:43 pm
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I agree. I was emphasizing the variances (lower frequency range, fret spacing, and alternate styles). The same fingerings go from guitar to bass (just dropping the B-E strings on a 4-string bass). But the style variances require a slightly different mindset.

Flute and harmonica aren't too difficult once you understand the fingerings/placements. On the other hand (hah), piano was very difficult for me. I could probably quickly become a virtuoso with my left hand (or right with more work) but coordinating both is not my, eh hem, forte (more music humor). I can coordinate two hands on guitar for picking, tapping, tremolo bar but a separate line per hand causes my brain to freeze (and you don't even need to worry about bends and harmonics).

For beginner inspiration, I'd say start with blues bass then move onto John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) and others in that range. Save Getty Lee and Les Claypool for later. :)


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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:50 pm
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Learn how to play anything you want. Every instrument I've learned, before and after the guitar, have helped my Guitar Playing. I learned Trumpet, Bass Guitar, and Prime Guitar simultaniously. Then, later, Mandolin, and Keyboard. If you take an interest in Music Theory, it makes it all easier. If you don't want to be bothered with Music Theory, stick to one instrument.

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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:04 pm
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My two cents says there's nothing wrong with learning two instruments at the same time. I'd say learning the guitar and piano at the same time would be the most adventageous. The theory learned while studying the piano would help the guitar playing. If I had to do it all over again that would be my path.

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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:41 pm
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I'd say don't be an absolute beginner on two at the same time, but you shouldn't have to wait too long to start a second one. I took guitar & bass lessons at the same time--but from the same teacher and I'd played guitar for about 3 or 4 years first.

It may vary from person to person--how focused you are, your time commitments, your desire and your musical aptitude.

Don't be afraid to try it--but don't be afraid to set one aside for now if it doesn't work.

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Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:05 am
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Thanks guys! Picking up bass should be easy enough according to what you are saying! I can't wait to go try a few basses out.


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