Your Second Instrument 

Expanding Your Horizons

Sure, you already play an instrument. But have you ever considered learning to play a second one? Lots of folks do for a number of reasons:

• A lot of kids start on an instrument like piano and then take up a band or orchestra instrument when they have the opportunity at school. 
• Some adults will pick up a different instrument than the one they learned as a kid — perhaps an instrument they always dreamed of playing. 
• Maybe your first instrument has a natural doubling instrument, such as the flute and the piccolo.  
• It could be that your first instrument isn’t included in groups like marching band or jazz band. Yet, you still want to participate so you pick up an instrument that works in these kinds of ensembles. 

If you’re considering playing a second instrument, it’s important to understand that the experience of the second instrument will be differ from your first instrument.  

Tempering Expectations

You might think that because you already know how to play music on an instrument that starting a new instrument will be easier and progress more smoothly than the first time around. Maybe? Sorta? Or not? 

Certainly, there are specific skills that will carry over, such as reading music. Even if you are transitioning from Treble Clef to Bass Clef with your second instrument, there might be some adjustment, but the skill is still the same. Think of it like code switching from American English to United Kingdom English, e.g., elevator = lift, apartment = flat, cookie = biscuit, etc. You adjust; it’s just a little weird at first.

The biggest difference you’ll experience will be in how your second instrument works. Moving from the piano to a woodwind is vastly different, while woodwind to woodwind is somewhat the same. It’s simply how your muscles engage that is unique to each instrument. For example, even though all saxophones involve the exact same fingerings on nearly identical size-appropriate mouthpieces there is still some adjustment for the embouchure and air support when transitioning from Alto Saxophone to Soprano or Bari Saxes. Strangely enough, while the Saxophone and Clarinet mouth pieces look nearly identical, how the muscles are used is very, very different. If you try to muscle a saxophone mouthpiece like a clarinet, you aren’t going to get a very good sound at all. That saxophone mouthpiece is a completely different animal in some ways.   

The Fickle Finger of Fate

When we play our instrument, we build up muscle memory for every body part that helps manipulate and facilitate that instrument. It makes sense to us that if we start on a guitar and then take up the trumpet the fingers are doing remarkably different things to make the instruments work. 

But what if you are going from clarinet to oboe? These instruments look nearly identical, and you are told they have similar fingerings. Should be an easy transition, right?  Not really. This is where it helps to know up front that it’s the subtle differences that will frustrate you and require both time and patience. 

That means you’ll spend time playing Hot Cross Buns or Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star on your new instrument for a little bit longer than you anticipated. Reinforcement in your beginning steps will mean confidence with those muscles as they code switch from one instrument to the next.

Big Benefits

Learning to play a second instrument broadens both your understanding of music and the skills for how both instruments work. Each instrument you play is unique and will give your brain a new puzzle to figure out. The transition will carve deeper, wider, faster paths in your brain’s neural network for the aspects that are similar to your first instrument, while creating new pathways specific to the second instrument. For that reason, each instrument you play deserves its own practice time and priority. 

Even More Benefits

Are you considering taking up a second instrument? There are plenty of benefits that you’ll experience if you do, including:

• Enhanced cognitive ability. When you learn a second instrument, you’ll stimulate new areas of your brain, increasing flexibility and adaptability.
• Better memory. A second instrument will challenge your brain to store different musical knowledge, improving both short and long-term memory.
• Increased creativity. Exploring a second instrument will allow you to expand your creative expression while exploring new genres and musical styles.
• Expanded musical perspective. Playing multiple instruments will bring about a deeper understanding of music theory, orchestration, and harmony.
• Greater repertoire. Playing a new instrument will give you greater access to a wider range of music and performance opportunities.

If you’re considering exploring a second instrument, we applaud you. We’re also happy to help you with the transition, private lessons, or any questions you may have. Feel free to contact us when you’re ready to take the leap and expand your horizons.