Learning Piano and Bass Guitar

[mr. sandmann]

Hi Friends!

I decided to start playing piano a year ago and went and got me a Kawai Digital for 600$ to test the waters. Now, 14 months later, my 1978 Schimmel is going to be here in may. 

I have already made the decision, that I want to learn a 2nd instrument on the side. It so happens, that the next interesting instrument after piano is bass guitar to me.
The thing is: I'm quite serious about my progress in piano play and I see a possible issue with trying to learn both. Not quite sure though.

Even as a guitar player but especially as a bass player you'll develop significant callus on your finger tips.  I'm uncertain whether or not this could become a problem for a pianist. I'm only a beginner/intermediate player so I can't say for sure. But my understanding is that your focus as a pianist when stroking a key is more orientated towards an optimal pressure and release balance than excessively sensing the keys with the nerves of your finger tips.

However, I'm uncertain of this. What I am certain of is that bass guitar is what I want to pick up as a 2nd instrument and that knowledgewise, as in better understanding the music you play, both would complement eachother. If this posed an issue I could possibly see myself reconsider and opt for violin or trumpet instead though. If not, then I actually want to skip the digital part and go straight for acoustic, meaning, buying a good quality electric bass from the start without upgrading after a year.

Thanks for any thoughts on this.

[lelle]

I think when you play with a really high level of sensitivity and control you'll be very sensitive out in your fingertips. It's not something I'd worry about if I'd aim to play at an intermediate or even advanced but non-professional level.

[j_tour]

Well, I'm having a second go at playing guitar (both as a kid and now, I've always played piano as the first instrument).

I don't think you necessarily need end up losing sensitivity at your fingertips, which, I agree, is extremely important for playing at the keyboard.

Bass guitar?  That might be a bit different, but I use flatwound strings on an archtop hollowbody guitar, pretty much exclusively for playing jazz, but also some rock and roll (but with a fingerstyle approach, à la Mark Knopfler). 

I haven't found it to be a problem, but then again my guitar (and one would hope your bass guitar) is set up to not require much pressure at the fingerboard.  Generally a lower action would be easier, provided you don't get string buzz from the pickups.

I'd recommend using flatwound bass strings, and just take it easy, would-be Jaco Pastorius!

It is more disconcerting using at the fingerboard more or less the opposite tendons than at the keyboard:  you're pulling in, rather than letting your fingers fall down.

I wouldn't worry about the picking/plucking hand:  in my experience, that's pretty much the same as at the keyboard.  Just grabbing some strings or using some patterns/Griffe.