Lessons on other instruments

[Joe Nerve]

While driving home from a gig the other night I heard a really beautiful new age piano piece on the radio. I felt inspired.

I can play piano, a little. Enough to to dub anything I ever needed into a recording, or jam happily with myself. I have always been in awe though of people who could effortlessly play classical pieces and/or sit down with a sheet of music in front of them and just bang out whatever it is.

I wish I could do that. And though I've wished that a million times before, this time that wish flipped a switch...

I CAN TAKE PIANO LESSONS!!!!!​

If all those YouTube kids can become virtuosos by the age of 6, certainly, if I apply myself - in 3 years I can learn enough to at least impress myself .

I also had another blindingly bright light bulb go off with that realization.

I know very little theory and can't really read music. I got stuck on every attempt to learn because I got bored on the bass before anything took root (I can already play much better than any bass music theory book or video could teach me). I don't have the time, nor the patience to learn theory on bass. And well... I'm doing fine without it.

Learning piano can very well be my ticket to learning the theory I always wished I knew?

Duh!​

Now to find me a teacher....

Anyone else take lessons on another instrument?

Anyone inspired to join me in my venture ?

Anyone have anything at all to say regarding this?

 

[G19Tony]

Not a musical bone in my body, but at 58, I'm learning to play the drums and the bass. I'm taking lessons from a drum instructor. I'm learning bass online. Both ventures are going well. I also do online guitar lessons, but I'm not as into that as I am the drums and bass. They were always the two cats I watched the most at a show.

You can learn anything you set your mind to.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

I have played; banjo, electric lead 6 string guitar, 6 string acoustic rhythm guitar, of course bass, piano, clarinet, and fiddle. The clarinet and fiddle did not take and I never got beyond "chording" on the piano.

Took lessons on the banjo, 6 string guitar, and on the piano our Daughter would spend some time with me when on visits. She teaches piano.

Theory is theory, works the same on any instrument. See a chord, and or note, and you know what you can do with that information.

Yes the piano and theory go hand in hand as it is all in a straight line, not broken between 4 to 6 strings.

.................

Good luck.

 

[saabfender]

Years and years of trombone lessons myself. Highly recommend getting a piano teacher. You know, for musical instruction.

 

[MrLenny1]

A few lessons with a good teacher will take you a
long way.
Go for it.

 

[JRA]

Anyone else take lessons on another instrument?

piano and saxes/clarinet. being able to use the piano (you don't have to be a pianist!) in your musical journey is a huge benefit, IMO. i have stated in other posts how some amount of 'piano proficiency' can generalize to almost all other instruments. i think it's a win/win for bass players!

good luck, joe!

 

[Bob_Ross]

I know very little theory and can't really read music. I got stuck on every attempt to learn because I got bored on the bass before anything took root

I see what you did there

 

[Oddly]

I have just the thing...have fun!

 

[dreamadream99]

Learning piano can very well be my ticket to learning the theory

That’s how it worked for me. I learned to spell chords and hear progressions on piano. It’s just all visually laid out so clearly in front of you. I can’t imagine learning theory on a bass. Plus, piano theory transfers to any instrument you play—even a new one.

Here’s a story to illustrate the power of transfer: in second grade I sang a song with my class at an assembly. We rehearsed for weeks, and I memorized that song. Now this was years before I learned to read music or any theory. Years later when I was a professional musician, I was asked to play this song on the fly. I should point out that I hadn’t heard the song, or thought about it, again at all in the intervening years. But I was able to muster the bassline note for note, despite never having played it on bass, nor seen the printed music. It was like retroactive skill. It shocked and amazed me.

 

[MixBass]

Piano- the mother lode for harmony and theory.
I think of playing other instruments as cross-training.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I've never had bass lessons - a couple of years on guitar, and I converted that knowledge to 4 strings. I had two semesters of classical voice lessons in college. As a child, my sister had piano lessons - I took her books and taught myself.

Go for it, Joe.

 

[Wisebass]

Learning piano can very well be my ticket to learning the theory I always wished I knew?

Hi Joe

One of the first things that I can remember (my early childhood),
is sitting on my grandpa' s lap while he played the piano.

There was always a piano at home (my dad played piano and violin)

long story bla bla...

I never learned to play the piano (or any other instrument)

But when I was in school (my parents put me in music class),

I did not have to learn the flute (there is no headbanger Emoji )

because I could sight read! (by the age of 6!!!!) (I was a curious kid )


Check it out! piano is cool!
There is no better instrument, if you want to learn how to "see" music!

greetings

Wise

btw: still remember not to bring a note stand to the rock gig!

 

[Badwater]

Cifra Club on the YouTube. I don't understand a word they say, but the music speaks volumes.

 

[IamGroot]

In Russian piano method, fluid motion of the hands is considered very important (irregardless whether you get the right notes) as is the ability to play scales flawlessly. An audition of any pianist up through concert level will always start with scales.