What are the best instruments a song writer should know how to play??

[jamort]

yeah i almost would say that getting a laptop is orth it u dont have to worry about the lighning thing unless its on the charge... I would get a mac because ive got a new computer with vista on it and i spent more time fixing things when i install programs than using them

[JRSB]

Originally Posted by MYRMW

I am a songwriter and I am going to a academy in Australia and I have electives of instruments we can learn throught out the 3 year course. My major will be vocal.

I was thinking the other instruments I would like are to increase my guitar skills i know a little on classical guitar but maybe look at bass guitar.

I was also looking at drums as another, keyboard is basic, I was even looking at a few wood sind instruments such as a sax. I have had many say to learn the clarinet before the sax as it is easeir. How true is this. Any advise?

Are there any good books I could buy to give me a head up on these instruments. I was even thinking of learning again a violin or flute to add definition or would I beable to create those sounds using a midi found in Cubase and Pro tools??

Hi which academy are you talking about, is this the con? Either way, congrats - I wish I was doing music for my education, but im stuck with a degree in computing

Ive mucked around a bit in the con and narimba, both have great resources so which ever school it is, you'll have the chance to play around with their stuff.

[crooked09]

Originally Posted by MYRMW

I am a songwriter and I am going to a academy in Australia and I have electives of instruments we can learn throught out the 3 year course. My major will be vocal.

I was thinking the other instruments I would like are to increase my guitar skills i know a little on classical guitar but maybe look at bass guitar.

I was also looking at drums as another, keyboard is basic, I was even looking at a few wood sind instruments such as a sax. I have had many say to learn the clarinet before the sax as it is easeir. How true is this. Any advise?

Are there any good books I could buy to give me a head up on these instruments. I was even thinking of learning again a violin or flute to add definition or would I beable to create those sounds using a midi found in Cubase and Pro tools??

Damn seems like you know about 5 instruments more than the average musician It really depends on what your goals are exactly but it would be my instinct to just try and master one instrument rather than dabble in all. But its all about what you want to do. If your interest is mainly writing melodies and lyrics and playing instruments are just a way of getting ideas for that purpose, then possibly that is a good way to do it.

[jamort]

ive been told the sax is the easiest of the woodwinds to learn basic stuff one

[Kingfrog]

Each has its strengths and weaknesses.

I like using the guitar for RHYTHMIC songs as the guitar has a built in rhythmic function by virture of strumming and damping. Keys deliver lush chordal progressions and allow one to create the entire orchestra or band as well when PRODUCING one's own music..

[aristonrr]

Of course I'm biased, seeing as I'm mainly a pianist... but if you're thinking about music theory, harmonies and melody, then playing the piano will probably be worth your while...

BUT

... I've jammed with a lot of musicians, and I've come to the conclusion that EVERY instrumentalist should have some background in percussion... because a lot of sax/guitar/flute/bass/keyboard/string players are bloody awful in terms of timing, rhythmic flexibility and groove. If you're not planning on sticking to "classical" music (in the broadest sense), then get a couple of bongos and start honing your rhythmic capabilities.

[Svencanz]

Easy question to answer:

Keyboards.

Because if you can play keys, you can play "anything". Given today's computers and software. I play flute, sax, guitar, bass, and keys to "household needs", and if I was given the right by God to immediately transmute into a pro on one of these instruments I'd easily choose piano (keys).
For instance, I hardly use the sax anymore because I find I can create "better sax solos" on the keyboard (using Reason) than I can in real life. If I do ballads I'd use the real sax, because of the authenticity and breathy sound.
Anyone can learn to play ac guitar for basic song-writing needs in two months, just get your rhythm sorted and pick up a few bar chords.
Piano, different story.

S

[adalos]

I go back and forth between guitar and piano. Sometimes my best creations are something I've written on one instrument, and then transcribed over to a different one. It can really change the dynamics of a song.

the piano definitely has a steeper learning curve though. There is no bar chord on a piano, you have two hands playing completely different notes/patterns, and when you mess up on a piano, it's a lot less forgiving than a guitar usually.

with the introduction of midi, piano/keyboard really took the lead in recording as well. with some decent keyboard skills, you can now turn the instrument into just about any other instrument, including drums. other instruments don't offer that same flexibility. granted, i think a well played instrument will always sound better than a midi sample, but how many instruments can any one person learn to play to that professional level of skill?

[crazzycat]

For me he ought to play guitar, drums and piano