Should I feel about switching instruments a lot?

I don't know why, but for some reason I feel kind of bad about switching up the instruments I play a lot because I feel if I learn a new instrument, I'll drop or give up on the previous instrument. So far I play guitar, bass, and saxophone, and I'm thinking about learning a brass instrument, violin, and possibly learning piano. When it comes to instruments, I'm a pretty fast learner, and if I practice a lot, it only takes me like a year or two before I can play them professionally(For instance, last year I had hardly any knowledge of jazz bass, now I'm playing in jazz band). I got a violin for Christmas this year though I've yet to learn and I have an old keyboard in my room which I figure I might as well learn how to play. My band teacher said he could find a brass instrument for me to learn, but he has to figure out which one would be best for me(So I could be playing anywhere from a Tuba to a Trumpet). Final point, should I feel bad about switching around instruments a lot and learning a lot of instruments, or should it not bother me?

learn everything you want, and play whatever makes you happiest/makes you the most money, OK I SAID IT!

learn everything you want, and play whatever makes you happiest/makes you the most money, OK I SAID IT!

So it's alright to know how to play a lot of instruments? I assume that's what you meant. Another issue with learning a lot of instruments, is I don't know how I could use my knowledge of playing them. Sure if I learned violin I could be in orchestra, but what could I do with my piano skills?

well, you can play all of the said instruments, you'll know much better how to compose for them, aren't they reasons enough?

It's been in my expierence that if you want to do too many different things like play too many instruments, you'll end up becoming a sort of Jack of all trades, knowing some about all, but master of none

It's been in my expierence that if you want to do too many different things like play too many instruments, you'll end up becoming a sort of Jack of all trades, knowing some about all, but master of none

What if I master them all though?

What if I master them all though?

Fat chance of that, and besides, what's the point of wanting to master them all anyway?

Fat chance of that, and besides, what's the point of wanting to master them all anyway?

Musical expertise, besides, what if I wanted to be a band director one day? Besides, actually learning the instruments would make me more aware of the limits for each instrument.

To be honest though, meaning no disrespect to anybody on the forum, but I would imagine jazz bass may be a little easier to pick then other instruments??? I personally would argue that purely because there are two parts to a piano.

But yeah, as I don't play any instrument apart from piano I lack the expertise to properly answer your question :o

To be honest though, meaning no disrespect to anybody on the forum, but I would imagine jazz bass may be a little easier to pick then other instruments??? I personally would argue that purely because there are two parts to a piano.

But yeah, as I don't play any instrument apart from piano I lack the expertise to properly answer your question :o

Each instrument is hard in it's own way, sure there are two parts to a piano, however, you wouldn't be able to just pick up a bass one day, and play it, it would probably take you years to learn how to play. Simular if I simply picked up a piano, I wouldn't just be able to pick it up one day and become a jazz pianist. To truly say which one is harder, one would have to learn to play jazz with both instruments.

Each instrument is hard in it's own way, sure there are two parts to a piano, however, you wouldn't be able to just pick up a bass one day, and play it, it would probably take you years to learn how to play. Simular if I simply picked up a piano, I wouldn't just be able to pick it up one day and become a jazz pianist.

Well actually, I picked up a Bass and learned how to play in about 6 hours :o

Well actually, I picked up a Bass and learned how to play in about 6 hours :o

So you learned all the notes, how to read the music, finger positions, scales, arppegios, in six hours? Learning an instrument is not simply learning how to play it, but learning how to read the music, and where all the notes are, and actually being able to play the music.

So you learned all the notes, how to read the music, finger positions, scales, arppegios, in six hours? Learning an instrument is not simply learning how to play it, but learning how to read the music, and where all the notes are.

Yeah, I did, it wasn't really that hard. Music is very universal. Why is that so unusual that I did?

Yeah, I did, it wasn't really that hard. Music is very universal. Why is that so unusual that I did?

Ah, so you're saying if I gave you the music for a standard level bass piece you would be able to play it? Okay. I don't know, it usually takes a thing called "practice" before you can play an instrument fluently. Plus jazz bass differs from standard basslines stylisticly and jazz bass lines tend to be harder to play. But you're basically saying that with 6 hours of experience, you could play a standard level bass tune without messing up. Oh, well that must just be you, because for most people, it takes practice before they can get good at an instrument. The only way it's believable is if you've had experience with other string instruments or you're just a musical genius. All I know is that if you gave a standard level pianist a bass and they had no prior knowledge of string instruments, it would probably take longer than 6 hours before they could play a standard level bass tune, perfectly. Then after they got more experienced with bass(Probably a few monthes to a year), they would still have to spend a couple more monthes/years learning the jazz style.

Ah, so you're saying if I gave you the music for a standard level bass piece you would be able to play it? Okay. I don't know, it usually takes a thing called "practice" before you can play an instrument fluently. Plus jazz bass differs from standard basslines stylisticly and jazz bass lines tend to be harder to play. But you're basically saying that with 6 hours of experience, you could play a standard level bass tune without messing up. Oh, well that must just be you, because for most people, it takes practice before they can get good at an instrument.

Maybe he practiced for 6 hours? And bass, yeah, it is rather easy to pick up and play. Perhaps not at a professional level, but once you know how to play an instrument well, it really isn't that hard to learn another instrument quickly.

In answer to your original question, you should try to master one instrument before learning any others. Especially in the modern day musical world, you won't be able to make a living unless you can play one instrument well. It's sad but true.

Ah, so you're saying if I gave you the music for a standard level bass piece you would be able to play it? Okay. I don't know, it usually takes a thing called "practice" before you can play an instrument fluently. Plus jazz bass differs from standard basslines stylisticly and jazz bass lines tend to be harder to play. But you're basically saying that with 6 hours of experience, you could play a standard level bass tune without messing up. Oh, well that must just be you, because for most people, it takes practice before they can get good at an instrument. The only way it's believable is if you've had experience with other string instruments or you're just a musical genius.

Wow dude, get off your high horse and look at what I wrote. In 6 hours I learned to play the Bass, I learned some scales technique and arpeggios and such, Yes I can carry a bass line without messing up, Bass is rather simple to me, don't be such a jerkwad about stuff like this. Your username is Young Prodigy, but you don't appear to really know much about music at all. You need to realize that you don't know everything. And I do practice

Perhaps not at a professional level

That was my point, in jazz band or pretty much any band, you play professional level songs. In merely six hours he would not be able to play professionally, he may be able to play a basics book, perhaps better, but he would not be able to play professionally. Similarly, I wouldn't be able to pick up the piano, practice for six hours, and be anywhere as near as good as our pianist in jazz band. Even if he could somehow play for six hours and play the stuff I play, he still wouldn't understand the theory behind the jazz music.

Wow dude, get off your high horse and look at what I wrote. In 6 hours I learned to play the Bass, I learned some scales technique and arpeggios and such, Yes I can carry a bass line without messing up, Bass is rather simple to me, don't be such a jerkwad about stuff like this. Your username is Young Prodigy, but you don't appear to really know much about music at all. You need to realize that you don't know everything. And I do practice

No one's on their high horse, you're just taking what I wrote to seriously. I'm going to ignore how you ignorantly criticized my musical ability based off of nothing.

That was my point, in jazz band or pretty much any band, you play professional level songs. In merely six hours he would not be able to play professionally, he may be able to play a basics book, perhaps better, but he would not be able to play professionally. Similarly, I wouldn't be able to pick up the piano, practice for six hours, and be anywhere as near as good as our pianist in jazz band. Even if he could somehow play for six hours and play the stuff I play, he still wouldn't understand the theory behind the jazz music.

No one's on their high horse, you're just taking what I wrote to seriously. I'm going to ignore how you ignorantly criticized my musical ability based off of nothing.

I can't see any point where Will said he could play bass professionally after 6 hours.

I've dabbled on bass aswell, i didn't find it that difficult to learn some scales and arps and improvise a bit over a standard, you're making it seem far harder than it is, maybe for a beginner, yes, but someone who plays another instrument will learn it fairly easily due to the relative simplicity of the instrument, pianists will already have the required strengh in the fingers and all string players will find the left hand fairly easy.

Well to me to "learn" something is more than just playing, however, being experienced at that particular instrument.

Ah, so you're saying if I gave you the music for a standard level bass piece you would be able to play it?

if i can do that, have i learnt bass? if so, I'm a bassist, and became one in about 2 days.

I feel it would be unfair at this point if i didn't remind you that Will and I are both guitarists.

if i can do that, have i learnt bass? if so, I'm a bassist, and became one in about 2 days.

No it doesn't mean you've learned bass, especially if the standard piece you're playing is fairly simple.

I feel it would be unfair at this point if i didn't remind you that Will and I are both guitarists.

Okay...

No one's on their high horse, you're just taking what I wrote to seriously. I'm going to ignore how you ignorantly criticized my musical ability based off of nothing.

Basing it off nothing? read what you wrote, you basically were implying that I couldn't have learned to play bass in 6 hours, just cause I can do it and you've not heard of it doesn't mean no one can do it

Basing it off nothing? read what you wrote, you basically were implying that I couldn't have learned to play bass in 6 hours, just cause I can do it and you've not heard of it doesn't mean no one can do it

True. Now back to the question you asked. It's ok you learn many kinds of instrument, but at least make one instrument better than the others. :D

Basing it off nothing? read what you wrote, you basically were implying that I couldn't have learned to play bass in 6 hours, just cause I can do it and you've not heard of it doesn't mean no one can do it

You really are an idiot dude and that does nothing to prove that you actually know anything about my musical ability. Must I remind you that I'm in concert band and jazz band, play 3 instruments, can read both treble and bass clef, compose, and might be playing professionally for a band soon. Point is, a normal pianist with NO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE or very little knowledge of string instruments would not be able to learn bass in 6 hours. You HAVE prior knowledge of string instruments, therefore, you don't count. Anyway, enough, this is going no where and I will ignore anything that does not have to do with the main topic.