Other instruments along with Piano
i'm doing guitar in parallel to piano. of course i'm a lot better at piano and it's my main instrument. but i'm worried that when i'm learning some techniques for guitar that i'm building up muscles that are either of no use for the piano, or even worse, that are antagonistic to those i use while playing piano. now i know i'm probably being too paranoid about this, but i'm very serious with piano and want to insure that my hands are at perfect muscular state for it.
any suggestions will be great to have,
thanks, inbi
any suggestions will be great to have,
thanks, inbi
There are 24 comments, leave a comment.
i play both piano and guitar at a very high level.
not only are there no "conflicting muscles" (what a concept!), the agility you build in your left hand from playing guitar translates into a much more independent and supple left hand.
the rhythm grooves in the right hand guitar strumming translate into more natural rhythms while comping piano.
it's a win-win situation. the only downside is actually having enough time in your life to master them both.
but to do that, all you have to do is live long (and prosper).
not only are there no "conflicting muscles" (what a concept!), the agility you build in your left hand from playing guitar translates into a much more independent and supple left hand.
the rhythm grooves in the right hand guitar strumming translate into more natural rhythms while comping piano.
it's a win-win situation. the only downside is actually having enough time in your life to master them both.
but to do that, all you have to do is live long (and prosper).
merci
have you guys ever heard of a melodica? i'm a self-taught jazz pianist and its a great instrument to compliment a lot of the techniques this site offers. its a reed instrument with a keyboard that works by blowing air into a mouthpiece. its kind of awkward to play the piano and melodica at the same time at first, but after some practice it is really something else. you can pick one up on ebay, get a honher.
did you guys notice that inbi is having the same question than me about "duality" with musical instruments? maybe the number or type of questions about music are finite and could be described mathematically in an n-dimensional space, where each dimension is an instrument...
dr. chang could put that in his book!! hahaha
ok , now serious... the real question is: is it better to be student of many instruments, or master of one.... that's got me thinking for weeks..
dr. chang could put that in his book!! hahaha
ok , now serious... the real question is: is it better to be student of many instruments, or master of one.... that's got me thinking for weeks..
great idea, fenix9885! monty alexander plays a melodica on some of his recordings, i'll try to find one on ebay!
well.. im not trying to master the guitar, i'm just learning the basics of flamengo. i was just wondering purely from the technical piont of view.
flamingo ? bird ? :)
oh oops, damn, can't edit x) ...
lobito,
i'm primarily a drummer and i can tell you that my drumming has helped my piano playing and my piano playing has helped my drumming. if you should want to pursue another instrument, please do it. because the chances are that it will-in one way or another- help your piano playing. it will give you a different perspective and a broader one as well.
it all goes into that organic computer called the brain and working on another instrument will--in one way, shape or form--come out and enhance your piano skills. atleast, that's my view on it.
i'm primarily a drummer and i can tell you that my drumming has helped my piano playing and my piano playing has helped my drumming. if you should want to pursue another instrument, please do it. because the chances are that it will-in one way or another- help your piano playing. it will give you a different perspective and a broader one as well.
it all goes into that organic computer called the brain and working on another instrument will--in one way, shape or form--come out and enhance your piano skills. atleast, that's my view on it.
thanks pnowanabe for the comment.. indeed i enjoy fooling around with a drumset, and i am even thinking of buying one. like albetan teaches us, he shows the percussion first to understand the rithym and from there play the piano.
i bought a drumset for my kids (it wasn't for me, honestly) about four years ago, and then spent about 18 months teaching myself rudiments, paradiddles and have learnt most of the basic pop, blues, rock and latin rhythms, although my playing is not to a high standard. my son, 13, has just finished a year of lessons with a pro drummer and is now way ahead of me.
i also play a little bass guitar and can say that playing drums and bass have done wonders, not only for my piano playing, but my general musical appreciation and "ear".
one point to note is that i learnt to play piano at a young age from sheet music, so with both bass and drums i decided, by contrast, to learn to play them by ear, thus helping me in my quest to learn jazz piano (which is based more on ear and imitation).
i also play a little bass guitar and can say that playing drums and bass have done wonders, not only for my piano playing, but my general musical appreciation and "ear".
one point to note is that i learnt to play piano at a young age from sheet music, so with both bass and drums i decided, by contrast, to learn to play them by ear, thus helping me in my quest to learn jazz piano (which is based more on ear and imitation).
i have (at least) two weaknesses that i am working on: (weak but with no arthritis) left hand independence, and practising comping rhythms. considering the above posts about the advantages of playing other instruments, which would be of most benefit for me to take up: learning the bass or learning the drums? i would guess at the bass ?????
thanks, 7, that is really helpful. your experience with other instruments reassures that you know what you're talking about and your advice is valued. i'll have to see if i can raise the dosh for a bass + lessons. in the meantime, i can continue
to work on the drum tapping etc to help with the rhythm. it's comforting to know that plans are heading in the right direction.
to work on the drum tapping etc to help with the rhythm. it's comforting to know that plans are heading in the right direction.
i think a really good thing would be to play 2 (or even 3) instruments at, literarly, the same time. like the harmonica and the piano. cuz piano is all about being able to take into consideration the numerous different aspects of playing at the same time (rythme, articulation, sound, intensity, pedal, 2nd pedal, the notes themselves, the coordination of the 2 hands etc etc). so if you can add another instrument with all its different aspects while keeping a decent piano playing you're definitly gona improve your piano skills.
i saw a guy play electric bass with his left hand (no open strings) while playing the keys with his right. i tried it too, but it's kinda tricky to get the bass loud enough by "left hand tapping", but yes it can (and has been) done.
on almost every gig, i'll pull my stunt of playing harmonica (held with the right hand) while comping keys in the left hand.
and i've been known to "trade fours" with myself playing harmonica (held with the left hand) and playing lead with the right hand on keys. generally i'll use an organ patch. here's an mp3 of me doing just that:
https://jeffrey-brent.com/jeffbrentplaysbluesharp.mp3
i'm also playing (overdubbed) bass, electric guitar, alto sax and tenor sax on this track. in fact the only instruments i'm not playing on this mp3 snippet is drums and trumpet.
using one of those harmonica holders around the neck to play harmonica while playing guitar or keys has never worked for me. i can't get enough suction to get good bends out of it.
on almost every gig, i'll pull my stunt of playing harmonica (held with the right hand) while comping keys in the left hand.
and i've been known to "trade fours" with myself playing harmonica (held with the left hand) and playing lead with the right hand on keys. generally i'll use an organ patch. here's an mp3 of me doing just that:
https://jeffrey-brent.com/jeffbrentplaysbluesharp.mp3
i'm also playing (overdubbed) bass, electric guitar, alto sax and tenor sax on this track. in fact the only instruments i'm not playing on this mp3 snippet is drums and trumpet.
using one of those harmonica holders around the neck to play harmonica while playing guitar or keys has never worked for me. i can't get enough suction to get good bends out of it.
oh excellent - honestly. how i wish - perhaps one day...
thanks for your thoughts, inbi.
i'm left handed in most things - i wonder if it makes a difference. it should be stronger. i need it to do what i want it to do = with all tone etc.
thanks for your thoughts, inbi.
i'm left handed in most things - i wonder if it makes a difference. it should be stronger. i need it to do what i want it to do = with all tone etc.
i've seen several people, including miles, play trumpet and piano or keyboard at the same time.
i believe playing any instrument in addition to your main ax is going to be a big benefit and never a hindrance. my second instrument is bass and i'm achieving some competency on woodwinds (flute and bass clarinet).
also, being of scottish heritage, i've even taken up the bagpipes in recent years. (hey, don't laugh). it's a whole different musical dimension. bagpipes only have nine notes but the music involves some complicated gracenote embellishments and precision timing. i've found these concepts can be of use at the piano.
i believe playing any instrument in addition to your main ax is going to be a big benefit and never a hindrance. my second instrument is bass and i'm achieving some competency on woodwinds (flute and bass clarinet).
also, being of scottish heritage, i've even taken up the bagpipes in recent years. (hey, don't laugh). it's a whole different musical dimension. bagpipes only have nine notes but the music involves some complicated gracenote embellishments and precision timing. i've found these concepts can be of use at the piano.
that's great! seriously.. i need to get launched on a few other instruments, cuz i fear guitar and piano just aint enough.
nice little track 7, you could try perhaps a duet between the 2? that'd be interesting to hear.
kai- i write with my left hand, and do pretty much everything else with my right, my teacher (and now me too) could see that i'm left handed, even though my right hand is a lot more stable, fast, powerful and inventive. for some reason when i was playing scales to her my left hand fingers seemed to need less attention from me to fall in the right places and make things like legato or stacatto at high speeds.
so as far as "stronger" is concerned i don't know, but you'll definitly have some mysterious advantage at one point or another!
nice little track 7, you could try perhaps a duet between the 2? that'd be interesting to hear.
kai- i write with my left hand, and do pretty much everything else with my right, my teacher (and now me too) could see that i'm left handed, even though my right hand is a lot more stable, fast, powerful and inventive. for some reason when i was playing scales to her my left hand fingers seemed to need less attention from me to fall in the right places and make things like legato or stacatto at high speeds.
so as far as "stronger" is concerned i don't know, but you'll definitly have some mysterious advantage at one point or another!
i try to play everthing that i can do on piano on my marimba too. bt doing so, i have to rely less on muscle memory and more on the sound of what i'm trying to play. does that make sense?
7, have you ever tried one of those one-man-band outfits, and where can they be obtained?
of the bass drum and more screw holes to attach the hi-hat assembly (without pedal) also on the inside of the bass drum.
the hi-hat assembly goes through the hole on the top of the bass drum and the cymbals are on the outside top.
attached to the bass drum pedal and hi-hat assembly are two chains.
these chains clip on to eye-bolts in your shoes (get ones with good solid heels). bass drum to right foot and hi-hat to left foot.
to hold the drum on your back, you need a couple of bent pieces of metal fastened to the drum. these have to be well-padded otherwise your shoulders will kill you.
i don't know if any company makes them, all the rigs i've seen the buskers use are custom made.
most everybody just does oom-pah beats, nothing fancy.
if you wanted to use one while playing keyboard you'd have to do it standing up.
you said you live in stuttgart, right? go down to the füssgangerzone in the center of town and check out some of the buskers' rigs.
as far as whether or not i've ever used one:
i put one on once and decided "never again". those things are heavy!
the hi-hat assembly goes through the hole on the top of the bass drum and the cymbals are on the outside top.
attached to the bass drum pedal and hi-hat assembly are two chains.
these chains clip on to eye-bolts in your shoes (get ones with good solid heels). bass drum to right foot and hi-hat to left foot.
to hold the drum on your back, you need a couple of bent pieces of metal fastened to the drum. these have to be well-padded otherwise your shoulders will kill you.
i don't know if any company makes them, all the rigs i've seen the buskers use are custom made.
most everybody just does oom-pah beats, nothing fancy.
if you wanted to use one while playing keyboard you'd have to do it standing up.
you said you live in stuttgart, right? go down to the füssgangerzone in the center of town and check out some of the buskers' rigs.
as far as whether or not i've ever used one:
i put one on once and decided "never again". those things are heavy!
7, i was merely joking, but thanks, you sure have been around the block! i live in southern germany, but not stuttgart. the weather here has been very white.
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