4 Ways Learning Piano Can Make You A Better Bass Player
I’m going to bet that many bass players (or anyone, really) reading this post took piano lessons as a kid, and whether your parents knew it or not it’s a great instrument for introducing children to music. Even if your days as an adolescent are long gone, it’s not too late to learn some basic concepts that will benefit your approach to music as a bassist.
Here are four reasons why bass players should have some piano experience under their belt.
4 Ways Learning Piano Can Make You A Better Bass Player
- Playing Piano Makes Music Theory Easy to Understand
- Playing Piano Teaches You How to Read Music
- Playing Piano Prepares You For Playing the Bass Synth
- Playing Piano Increases Muscle Memory
1. Playing Piano Makes Music Theory Easy to Understand
A good instructor will not only teach you how to play a few songs on the piano… they’ll also educate you about what’s actually happening within the music – intervals, chords, melody, etc., and because of its layout the piano is an incredible visual aid for learning music theory. In fact, you’ll often see the piano keyboard referenced in bass guitar instructional books and videos.
The piano also makes a great launching pad for becoming a multi-instrumentalist, as music theory can help if you ever decide to switch instruments down the road.
2. Playing Piano Teaches You How to Read Music
If you’re lucky you may be able to go through your entire life without reading a lick of music.
However, what if the band leader wants you to play a very specific bassline note-for-note? Or what if the song you’re performing/recording doesn’t exist in an audible format yet?
You never know when you might land a gig that requires you to read musical notation, and with the piano’s help you’ll be prepped and ready.
3. Playing Piano Prepares You For Playing the Bass Synth
Sometimes we forget that “bass” is a frequency, not necessarily an instrument. Long before the birth of the bass guitar, other instruments – such as the tuba, bass clarinet, and upright bass – were (and still are) used to produce those low notes that lay the foundation for the rest of the ensemble.
Some modern genres may require you to play the bass synth rather than a bass guitar. We wrapped up our church’s Christmas program last month and I was asked to play the bass synth on two of the six songs (including a really cool version of “Angels We Have Heard On High”). I’m not a piano player by any means, but being familiar with the piano keys, fingering positions, and knowing where the notes are helped me out tremendously.
The video below from Worship Online is a great introduction to the bass synth.
4. Playing Piano Increases Muscle Memory
When playing finger style on the bass guitar, our left and right hands are in sync for the most part. When playing a scale, for instance, the plucking hand attacks the strings at the same time the fretting hand changes notes. Of course there are exceptions like hammer ons, pull offs, etc. but you get the idea.
However, it can get tricky when your hands are playing two different rhythms. Learning piano is a great way to build muscle memory since pianists often play some sort of bassline with the left hand and a melody with the right hand. This is a practical skill, especially if you’re aspiring to create your own solo bass arrangements and compositions.
In the video below, skip to 2:20 to see Evan Brewer’s two-handed tapping technique – it’s almost as if he’s playing the piano on his fretboard.
If you’re a young bass player, I encourage you to spend some time taking a few piano lessons. It can open your mind to new creative ideas, improve your chops, and give you a greater understanding of music as a whole.
If you’re a veteran bassist, leave a comment if you have any experience playing piano and how it’s benefited your musical journey.
