Any other multi-instrumentalists out there?
- Thread starter SantoUno
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I played bass guitar and drums intermittently to help out a friend before getting replaced by better players. More seriously, I played viola, piano (& harpsichord... *shrug*) and organ.
But before all that, first musical love is solo violin music, proudest moment? Playing this piece, albeit a lot less flawlessly.
But before all that, first musical love is solo violin music, proudest moment? Playing this piece, albeit a lot less flawlessly.
Piano and violin.
Learning to play the guitar though. (Reaaally wanna learn the drums and ukulele though)
Learning to play the guitar though. (Reaaally wanna learn the drums and ukulele though)
Primary instrument is saxophone. I own an alto and tenor, so that's what I'm usually playing.
I also play clarinet, and a bit of piano, bass, and I'm starting to mess around with a guitar.
I also play clarinet, and a bit of piano, bass, and I'm starting to mess around with a guitar.
SantoUno said:
I'm sure I could, too, but a decent drum set is ridiculously expensive, and it's all I can do to pay my rent atm...Someday, maybe.
One word: TIME.
I primarily play guitar, but I also play piano/keys and bass, and I've spent significant time with drum programming. When I picked up piano four years ago, after five years of exclusively playing guitar, I learned how to play by listening to other peoples' songs, learning how to play them by ear, and practicing what I'd learned constantly. As I became increasingly familiar with the instrument, I was able to start writing songs and patterns designed to challenge myself and increase my skills. After four years of playing, I still learn the same way.
I find playing multiple instruments refreshing rather than overwhelming because I do not try to play every instrument every day, nor do I try to increase my skill in my different instruments simultaneously. Instead, I focus on one at a time, either based on what I feel like experimenting with or based on which instrument I feel is lagging behind in terms of technical skill.
My greatest piece of advice for you, SantoUno, is to give yourself time with piano, bass, and drums before starting intense work on a specific project. Recording is very high-pressure, even when you're doing it at home. I needed a year or two of practice with the piano before I was able to start writing and recording piano/keys parts for my album The Places I Go (download and stream it for free at http://www.theplacesigo.net ). The more time you give yourself to get comfortable with your instruments, the more energy you will have free to spend on creative innovation rather than technical performance.
I primarily play guitar, but I also play piano/keys and bass, and I've spent significant time with drum programming. When I picked up piano four years ago, after five years of exclusively playing guitar, I learned how to play by listening to other peoples' songs, learning how to play them by ear, and practicing what I'd learned constantly. As I became increasingly familiar with the instrument, I was able to start writing songs and patterns designed to challenge myself and increase my skills. After four years of playing, I still learn the same way.
I find playing multiple instruments refreshing rather than overwhelming because I do not try to play every instrument every day, nor do I try to increase my skill in my different instruments simultaneously. Instead, I focus on one at a time, either based on what I feel like experimenting with or based on which instrument I feel is lagging behind in terms of technical skill.
My greatest piece of advice for you, SantoUno, is to give yourself time with piano, bass, and drums before starting intense work on a specific project. Recording is very high-pressure, even when you're doing it at home. I needed a year or two of practice with the piano before I was able to start writing and recording piano/keys parts for my album The Places I Go (download and stream it for free at http://www.theplacesigo.net ). The more time you give yourself to get comfortable with your instruments, the more energy you will have free to spend on creative innovation rather than technical performance.
My main instrument is the bass, but I also play the double bass, the piano, drums, the guitar, the banjo, the harmonica, the saxophone, the tin whistle and the accordeon very well. Other than those I play the bagpipes, the didgeridoo, the violin and the cello decently. Brass is my one weak point when it comes to music, but I play a bit of trumpet. I teach music in a variety of these instruments.
I play the drums, keyboard, and am an aspiring singer/screamer. So I'm not really a multi-instrumentalist but still. 
My main instrument is the piano, took lessons from age six til I graduated high school. I also played the violin in school orchestra since third grade, and studied the pipe organ when I was in high school. I also played mallet percussion crap in the school band for about four years, but I hated the band so I don't really count that experience for much.
Of all those instruments, the only one I still play with any regularity is the piano. Being an adult and being busy made it really hard to keep up with, which makes me sad. And without someone else to play violin with, I haven't touched that in about eight years. Same with the organ, I don't go to church or have access to a pipe organ, so I haven't had any opportunity to keep up with those skills either.
Of all those instruments, the only one I still play with any regularity is the piano. Being an adult and being busy made it really hard to keep up with, which makes me sad. And without someone else to play violin with, I haven't touched that in about eight years. Same with the organ, I don't go to church or have access to a pipe organ, so I haven't had any opportunity to keep up with those skills either.
