Learning a Lot of Instruments

[ekeyrose]

So, this isn't about any one instrument; it's about four or five.

I like piano, and have been playing for almost seven years. However, I have never really had a steady practice routine. I was seeing an instructor for five years, but throughout most of my years playing piano, I only practiced three times a week for an hour each session. Pretty bad, huh?

Well, I just don't think piano is my instrument of passion. I've always loved guitar and bass, and recently got one. And I also love violin. And then there's voice. I do not want to go into music performance, thankfully. That would be impossible. So, I have some questions:

1) Is there some way I learn a wide variety of instruments and still be successful at college? I don't want to be a "jack of all trades, but master of none," but I love so many with such similar intensity! Do I settle on two to succeed, or is there a field that learning a lot of instruments can be good for me? My first choice is to become a music therapist. If not that, teaching music at an elementary school level (preferably at a gifted school or other program where kids were specifically interested in music).

2) I need to work full time to move out because my home life is getting worse and destructive to my health in various ways. How do I keep up practicing with a full time job?

3) Any suggestions on how to proceed with my dreams?

The main point: I want to learn many different instruments, but don't think I can. How can I either choose just a couple or be able to live musically where not being the best of the best, but still very proficient, can help me?

Please, answer. Even if you think your answer is BS, just try. Thanks!

[g_s_223]

I have studied quite a few instruments over a lifetime, and indeed it has been very interesting. My suggestion would be that at any one time you concentrate on just two instruments, and phase one in or out ever six months or so. The two instruments ideally would be very different, e.g. keyboard and strings.

Also it's worth noting that going multi-instrumental can imply quite substantial costs: all those instruments themselves, the scores, the tuition etc.

As a random aside, allegedly Paul Hindemith played most orchestral instruments but he was an adequate (rather than great) orchestrator.

[faulty_damper]

The technique is simple enough if you've mastered your body with one instrument.  You also don't have to learn music again, but may need to learn to read for the clef it uses.

I mastered my body with the piano and because of that, I have exceptionally great form when playing the flute.  Very few flutists, even professionals, look as good as I do.  They sound way better than me but that's because I'm not a flutist.

[j_menz]

I mastered my body with the piano

Apparently with the exception of your humility, and your mouth. 

[Bob]

Anything over one instrument will turn you into a jack of all trades to people in college.  Are you going to major in music?  I don't think it's necessary 'bad' but people might think you're not serious about any of them. 

[j_menz]

Anything over one instrument will turn you into a jack of all trades to people in college.  Are you going to major in music?  I don't think it's necessary 'bad' but people might think you're not serious about any of them. 

Bach, Beethoven, Mozart.....

Obviously people in college are pretty stupid.

[Bob]

I didn't say it was right. 

Bach, Beethoven, Mozart.... They're playing their own stuff, a narrower range of styles....

I suppose I could see that though.  Someone majoring in music in college, focusing on something like early music, playing a couple string instruments, harpsichord.... It's kind of implied if you play and instrument, you're covering *all* repertoire though, at least I'm think so. And at least for college. 

[indianajo]

My high school wind band director said at UH music school, they were expected to learn to play every instrument in the band. I think he was a musical education major.   Unfortunately, all those instruments are none of the ones you said you want to play.  (U of Houston)
We had a wide and educational repretoire, including Bernstein, Grainger, Shostakovich, Holst, Persechetti, Wagner,  Nehlybel, Lennon & McCartney, King,   He directed pieces that too tough for even semi-pro regional orchestras, because of the difficulty of correct pitch on strings. (I've heard some such regional orchestras maul pieces on television we did much better. The strings had bad pitch unity).   We were great, the best musical years of my life. 
But the job didn't pay all that well and after four years The director went on to become a school counselor.   
Church musical director is another position that can involve one in classical keyboard, solo and group voice,  plus praise band (guitars, bass, synthesizer), plus sometimes an orchestra for special events.  They pay of these people is very low, also. 
I educated myself in a difficult unpleasant job (lots of mathematics) to earn my way, and then took music up as a hobby.  With the help of a small scholarship I qualified for at a State competition,  and ROTC pay, I paid my way through school without incurring debt.  My musical opportunities have not been that great since high school, the college band was purely awful!   But there is always piano, synthesizer, and now electric organ, to challenge me. 
If I was starting over, and had any kind of a normal immune system (I don't and didn't, pneumonia four times in college) I would study for a job in medicine.  I have a young friend that studied to be an RN, and then trained further to be a Nurse Practitioner. She is doing very well financially.  Now they are letting people with that training prescribe medicines as if they were family praciticioners or something. 

[quantum]

If you make a plan, and structure your learning so that you are not learning too many instruments at a given time it is certainly possible.  You could also earn money through music along the way at the same time adding to your skill: accompanying on piano is one example.  Singers often need an accompanist during their lessons.  Most orchestral instruments use piano accompaniment during their jurys.  There is money to be made there. 

Music therapy seems like a good direction for what you are after. 


I've learned many instruments, although at this time only play three professionally. Personally, I believe that learning about the different perspectives another instrument provides, is a asset to your primary instrument whatever that may be. 

Anything over one instrument will turn you into a jack of all trades to people in college. 

The travesty here is some of these people have been employed as professors and are spreading this nonsense. 

[awesom_o]

I've learned many instruments, although at this time only play three professionally. Personally, I believe that learning about the different perspectives another instrument provides, is a asset to your primary instrument whatever that may be. 

The travesty here is some of these people have been employed as professors and are spreading this nonsense. 

I wholeheartedly agree with this excellent post!

[Bob]

It doesn't make the professor look good if the students aren't great.

On the practical side... The more instruments you know, the more you can teach.  People will pay -- beginners -- even if it's not your primary instrument.  In those cases, it's just the technique of the instrument that's your weak spot.  Knowing what the music should sound like, etc., is easy.

[outin]

I mastered my body with the piano and because of that, I have exceptionally great form when playing the flute.  Very few flutists, even professionals, look as good as I do.  They sound way better than me but that's because I'm not a flutist.

Maybe it's less important how you sound if you look good then...my approach to piano has been all wrong 

[faulty_damper]

Maybe it's less important how you sound if you look good then...my approach to piano has been all wrong 

Then explain why the best pianist/musicians also look the best while performing, often with tension and unnecessary effort.

[outin]

Then explain why the best pianist/musicians also look the best while performing, often with tension and unnecessary effort.

That would be quite difficult for me to explain, since I have not noticed such a thing   

[thalbergmad]

I play many instruments.

Tenor banjo, plectrum banjo, guitar banjo, ukebanjo, bluegrass banjo & now learning cello banjo.

That is more than enough for me.

Thal

[faulty_damper]

That would be quite difficult for me to explain, since I have not noticed such a thing   

That's because in actuality, they don't play with tension and unnecessary effort.