Members Stabby Posted June 21, 2009 Members Share Posted June 21, 2009 I love music. I currently play some jazz piano (just a beginner), but I'd like to add another instrument for some variety. I've been thinking about some instruments for months and I can't figure it out. 1) Trumpet. I adore the sound of the trumpet in jazz. I would love to be able to play it. One of the downsides is that I can't skip a single day of practice or my lips will weaken. Some days I'm just too busy with my studies or when I'm on vacation. 2) Drums. This looks like a lot of fun and it would help me become better at the piano since my rhythm will vastly improve. 3) Bass guitar. I love bass sounds, but I'm not sure if such a background instrument would suit me (no one really pays attention to the bass player in a band) 4) Hand percussion. I could buy a Handsonic HPD-10 and improve my rhythm with that. It seems like a very cool instrument to play. Or I could just buy a real conga set with bongos. I would say the most important aspect is pure fun. But they all seem like a lot of fun! Is there any way I could figure out which instrument suits me best? I could take a few lessons, but that would be too expensive for all those instruments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rudolf von Hagenwil Posted June 21, 2009 Members Share Posted June 21, 2009 Dictaphone! it is very seldom today, you find instantly a job in an ensemble and it is totally analogue, Beck and all the others will like it Phait possibly finds it a bit unnatural... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members D Charles Posted June 21, 2009 Members Share Posted June 21, 2009 I'd pick up guitar, like piano you can play complete songs on it and guitar and piano are the best instruments to write on IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jeff Leites Posted June 21, 2009 Members Share Posted June 21, 2009 Be the first on your block to learn to play the hurdy gurdy:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMS Author MikeRivers Posted June 21, 2009 CMS Author Share Posted June 21, 2009 Learn to play something that you already play better. If you want to play music with different instruments, find some friends who play. That way you can get instant gratification, and you can delegate who'll bring the pizza and who'll bring the beer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rampy Posted June 21, 2009 Members Share Posted June 21, 2009 Your best bet is to go with drumset. As you said, it would improve your rhythm and additionally your sense of time (My guitar skill improved when I picked up drumset). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members the stranger Posted June 21, 2009 Members Share Posted June 21, 2009 Plus, you have a drumset ready for impromptu jam sessions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Roy Brooks Posted June 21, 2009 Members Share Posted June 21, 2009 I'll go with bass. If you can play bass you can always find work. I play bass gigs between guitar gigs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Lee Knight Posted June 21, 2009 Moderators Share Posted June 21, 2009 Drums!!! Something about the division of a rhythm across all four of your limbs... it's just so all consuming. Your body is the pulse. And once you start getting that even just a little bit, it is reflected in everything you do musically going forward. If you weren't already on the piano, I'd say piano. Drums 2nd... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Lukenskywalker Posted June 22, 2009 Members Share Posted June 22, 2009 Plus, you have a drumset ready for impromptu jam sessions. yeah, drumset at yo' house= every Tom, Dick, and Dickhead 'musician' will be coming over to jam/crash...eat yo' Twinkies, pork rinds, boink yo' Ho, siphon yo' gas, steal yo' Foodstamps, and yo' Zildjan 'simbo' an Cowbell be missin' after said 'Jam' did I mention they be stealin' yo' garden hose and Ramen Noodoos 2? My advice?, Buy a set of Harmonicas from Musicians Friend....strap 'em on..ever' body's ban' needs a good Harp Player... you'll be invited to jam wif' da best Musicians around... no packin', no leavin' yo; gear behine... fo' someone to 'steel' you can jam, be called back, and not have to lug no gear otha' den 3 lbs. of Harp...and then YOU can boink THEY Ho's and drink up they 40 ouncers and split.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dparr Posted June 22, 2009 Members Share Posted June 22, 2009 The Chapman Stick [YOUTUBE]qM2oFkQmyPk[/YOUTUBE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rudolf von Hagenwil Posted June 22, 2009 Members Share Posted June 22, 2009 I would say the most important aspect is pure fun. But they all seem like a lot of fun! Is there any way I could figure out which instrument suits me best? I could take a few lessons, but that would be too expensive for all those instruments. The real fun starts when you know what you want, and then learn this instrument properly. If you don't know what instrument you like to learn, nobody can help you. And forget the trumpet, it takes years until you can play a straight tone, and your neighbours may shoot you before that time is over. But for people with an attitude like you, it is better to leave it, and learning something with which you to earn a living. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rjt Posted June 22, 2009 Members Share Posted June 22, 2009 I stick mostly with pianos and synths..... think of myself as mainly a piano player who uses synths for back-up stuff. Just to add some variety to my songs, I use hand percussion.... several types of drums, rattles, cymbals etc. I don't really "study" it and take away time from the piano, but it is nice to add something simple and real to a tune. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ernest Buckley Posted June 22, 2009 Members Share Posted June 22, 2009 I would improve the piano chops. You`re just a beginner you say... well, learn to play the piano well enough so you can play through a chart. Learn the chords at least! To me the piano is the best first instrument to learn. After that, you can expand. Right now I think your focus should be improving on piano. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlueStrat Posted June 22, 2009 Members Share Posted June 22, 2009 I would improve the piano chops. You`re just a beginner you say... well, learn to play the piano well enough so you can play through a chart. Learn the chords at least! To me the piano is the best first instrument to learn. After that, you can expand. Right now I think your focus should be improving on piano. +10 Where I live, there are lots of guys who can play a lot of things half assed, and a few that are really great on one instrument. Guess which ones work the most? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rhino55 Posted June 22, 2009 Members Share Posted June 22, 2009 I know a guy here that always seems to have a gig playing hand drums He sits in with ALOT of people. Ultimately, I guess it really depends on what your goals are musically. Fun jamming with friends = drum kit have it set up at your houseFun by yourself = guitarFun making a little money/jamming with friends = hand drumsFun making more money = bass If I were you I would focus on the piano playing, get some great chops like a couple others already said, and mabe add a bass synth pedal. You'd be putting out alot of sound and it would probably be alot of fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members girevik Posted June 23, 2009 Members Share Posted June 23, 2009 I love music. I currently play some jazz piano (just a beginner), but I'd like to add another instrument for some variety. I've been thinking about some instruments for months and I can't figure it out. 1) Trumpet. I adore the sound of the trumpet in jazz. I would love to be able to play it. One of the downsides is that I can't skip a single day of practice or my lips will weaken. Some days I'm just too busy with my studies or when I'm on vacation. 2) Drums. T his looks like a lot of fun and it would help me become better at the piano since my rhythm will vastly improve. 3) Bass guitar. I love bass sounds, but I'm not sure if such a background instrument would suit me (no one really pays attention to the bass player in a band) 4) Hand percussion. I could buy a Handsonic HPD-10 and improve my rhythm with that. It seems like a very cool instrument to play. Or I could just buy a real conga set with bongos. I would say the most important aspect is pure fun. But they all seem like a lot of fun! Is there any way I could figure out which instrument suits me best? I could take a few lessons, but that would be too expensive for all those instruments. You already made your choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members techristian Posted June 23, 2009 Members Share Posted June 23, 2009 Drums definitely! They are both percussive instruments of sorts because you strike both of them. Plus , drums will get your feet to work !! Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ernest Buckley Posted June 23, 2009 Members Share Posted June 23, 2009 If you`re looking to make $$$ and be of the most use, the piano is going to deliver. If you`re looking to gig a lot, drums would be a good way to go. The thing about the piano is that it will introduce you to all the theory you will need and then you`ll be able to move to another instrument afterwards quite easily because all of the theory is there already. I went to school with a percussionist who eventually became the drummer in my band. He practiced his main instrument, the drums but he also practiced the piano because he said, everything you need is there harmonically so I have no preference for you but I think its wise to get the piano down, then if you want to move over to drums, that would cover a lot of bases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members halfnote Posted June 25, 2009 Members Share Posted June 25, 2009 The flip answer would be trumpet. At least it would keep the world from another singer! :poke: However horns are the most difficult instruments to play...it may seem that keyboards, with their multiple lines are, but horns, besides being played in a way that looking at what you're doing's almost impossible, have the added difficulty of embouchure or the way the shape oof the mouth afffects not just the timbre of the instrument but the pitch of notes. Hand percussion instruments can be learned easily but that's better after one gets full control of rhythm, which you suggest is not the case. Also, many people just can't keep themselves from being too busy with those. Drums would be good, perhaps, but b/c they seem boring when practicing simple parts many are tempted to try to do more than they've actually capablity to do. A bad drummer can ruin everything; in fact, many think the drummer should be the best musician in a band. Not only must perform multi-limb ambidexterously but also shade their playing to highlight what everyone else plays. I nominate bass. Not only will it be something about which you, as a pianist, should have some idea but while it, like any instrument, can be a lifetimes work, can yield results quickly. Keep in mind that you have not just standard upright & guitar basses but synth bass & fretless guitar bass. BTW... "3) Bass guitar. I love bass sounds, but I'm not sure if such a background instrument would suit me (no one really pays attention to the bass player in a band)" Hmmm...Bootsy Collins, Jaco Pastorious, Larry Graham, Richard Davis, Ron Carter, James Jamerson, Stanley Clarke, Paul McCartney....yeah, I see what you mean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Lukenskywalker Posted June 27, 2009 Members Share Posted June 27, 2009 Tasty! but why come you never heet that big ol' crash simbo to yo' right out front???? Seriously, nicely done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rabid Posted June 28, 2009 Members Share Posted June 28, 2009 I also say drums. The combination of piano and drums makes for a very solid music foundation. Plus, drums are great stress releif. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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