The Pros and Cons of Being a Multi-Instrumentalist

by Frederik Nielsen, Aug 19, 2019 . 3 min read

The Pros and Cons of Being a Multi-Instrumentalist

Are you so good at playing one instrument that you need a new challenge? Maybe you don’t want to be boxed in by only playing the guitar and want to jump on the bass?

Many musicians in the Roadie community play more than one instrument. And the Roadie 2 is able to tune any stringed instrument, so you won’t have to invest in more tuners.

But before you jump in head-first, let’s have a look at some of the pros and cons of spending time and money on another instrument.

The Benefits of Being a Multi-Instrumentalist

Mastering more than one instrument will make you a much more versatile musician. So let’s have a look at some of the benefits you’ll enjoy as a multi-instrumentalist.

1. Understand Your Band Better

If you’re part of a band, then you know that communication is key to collaborate efficiently. When you understand more instruments, you’ll also understand your band better.

2. Land More Gigs

If you’re not part of a band but like to play jam sessions or paid gigs, then you’ll have more opportunities as a multi-instrumentalist. More instruments equal more money.

playing acoustic guitar and banjo

3. Teach More Students

Speaking of money, are you a guitar teacher? Then you should consider branching out. Imagine how many students you could have if you learned to play more instruments.

4. Broaden Your Horizon

It’s a very rewarding feeling to learn a new instrument. It can give you a new perspective on music creation and even spill over into the instruments you’re already proficient with.

Since you’re here…

Do you play different stringed instruments? If yes, then we’ve got the right gear for you. Check out our automatic tuners, Roadie 3 and Roadie Bass. Roadie 3 works on all string instruments with a guitar machine head including electric, acoustic, classical, and steel guitars, 7 &12-string guitars, ukuleles, mandolins, banjos, etc. Roadie Bass is compatible with all of these instruments as well as 4, 5 & 6-string bass guitars. Take a minute to check them out here.

The Downsides of Being a Multi-Instrumentalist

Although you might be sold on the idea of becoming a multi-instrumentalist, there are a few things you should be aware of. Here are some of the downsides you can experience.

1. Master of None

Jack of all trades, master of none — or so the saying goes. When you divide your time between instruments, you forego the opportunity to become a virtuoso in one single instrument.

2. Confused Technique

Some players have trouble changing their mindset from one instrument to another. If you’re in a bass mindset, you might suddenly find that you punish your guitar strings unnecessarily.

confused technique

3. Higher Costs

More instruments mean more outgoings. You already know how much you’ve spent on your guitar, so multiply that by the number of instruments you want to add to your arsenal.

4. Time and Motivation

Learning a new instrument takes time and motivation, so if you’re struggling for both then it could be a bad idea to learn new instruments and having to start from scratch.

Yea or Nay?

Now that you know some of the pros and cons of being a multi-instrumentalist, it’s up to you to decide if it’s worth the extra investment. Ready to be a one-man band?

How many instruments do you play? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments section here below!



Subscribe to Gain Access to our Alternate Tuning Library & Accompanying E-Book Guide
Discover the origin of the most popular tunings, some less-known facts, AND most importantly, learn how to play songs in your desired tunings.

Check out some other similar articles

Post Rock is a genre of music that emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Rodrigo Sanchez
May 15, 2023 . 3 min read

Knowing how to repair your guitar at home can be a valuable skill for any musician.

Rodrigo Sanchez
May 8, 2023 . 3 min read

These 10 essential jazz guitar chords will help you become a better guitarist.

Rodrigo Sanchez
May 5, 2023 . 6 min read

Today we’re going to look at how to play “A Horse with No Name” on guitar.

Rodrigo Sanchez
May 1, 2023 . 4 min read

A lot of people stargaze, others “shoegaze”.

Rayan Sayegh
Apr 21, 2023 . 5 min read

Great female fingerstyle guitarists are on the rise. However, guitar playing is a field dominated by men.

Rodrigo Sanchez
Mar 10, 2023 . 3 min read

Although women by no means are under-represented in the music industry, female instrumentalists are not quite as common as we’d like them to be –

Frederik Nielsen
Mar 6, 2023 . 4 min read

These 4 facts about Eric Clapton are truly impressive. With a prolific output, both as a solo artist and as part of several bands,

Rodrigo Sanchez
Jan 6, 2023 . 3 min read

Have you ever wondered if you should buy a vintage guitar to play? Many guitarists get quite excited about vintage guitars.

The Roadie Music Team
Nov 14, 2022 . 5 min read

The 4 most popular guitar brands have decades of tradition and the highest reputation.

Rodrigo Sanchez
Nov 7, 2022 . 3 min read

These 13 tools and tips for playing guitar with arthritis can help you immensely. It is no secret that arthritis can affect your guitar playing;

Frederik Nielsen
Oct 21, 2022 . 5 min read

These 5 Interesting Facts About Chet Atkins will shed some light on how special he truly was.

Rodrigo Sanchez
Sep 16, 2022 . 3 min read

There are countless underrated rock bands who don’t get the recognition they deserve. But imagine actually receiving critical acclaim for your work… and still not being remembered.

Frederik Nielsen
Jul 8, 2022 . 6 min read

Today we look at 5 famous guitarists that are self-taught. All of them are certified legends in music and have influenced scores of musicians everywhere. 

Rodrigo Sanchez
May 2, 2022 . 6 min read

The answer to how long it takes to learn guitar may not please you. In fact, there is no easy answer to this question. If you expect to hear something like

Rodrigo Sanchez
Mar 7, 2022 . 4 min read

John Lennon was one of the most beloved songwriters of his generation and was taken from us way too soon.

Frederik Nielsen
Nov 29, 2021 . 3 min read

What in the world is 432 Hz vs 440 Hz? Well, these are just two different frequencies that have sparked a debate over which is better.

Rodrigo Sanchez
Nov 15, 2021 . 5 min read

It is quite hard to pick the best 8 Willie Nelson songs. He is such a prolific writer and has written a myriad of great songs over his long career.

Rodrigo Sanchez
Oct 29, 2021 . 6 min read

These four interesting facts about sting give us some insight into the life of this celebrated musician.

Rodrigo Sanchez
Oct 22, 2021 . 4 min read

Have you ever wondered what are the 5 most used types of guitars?

Rodrigo Sanchez
Oct 18, 2021 . 4 min read
We'll be bringing you recommended tabs and plenty of interesting quotes from guitar legends along the way!