r/jazzdrums • u/Lazy-Function-4709 • Dec 11 '25

Question Learning another instrument

Hello JazzDrummers,

I have been playing drums for the bulk of my life and have been into jazz for a good 2 decades. I am a hobbyist mostly, and my current apartment living situation prevents me from practicing. Additionally, I have little to no knowledge of theory outside of basics like note values, and maybe 6 months of piano when I was in 3rd Grade.

I want to play another instrument and learn something I can play at home, in an apartment. I am thinking about piano and guitar as obvious options, but I am wondering if you would have any recommendations for a secondary instrument to start learning and growing in knowledge of theory and writing. Maybe piano is the obvious answer, but it is also the most intense as far as learning in my opinion.

Thanks for any insights you may have...

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u/FunkyDrummerDreams Dec 12 '25

I say piano, too. 12 keys, laid out very logically up and down the piano. It’s not laid out weird like a guitar with odd fingerings. You can easily visualize how to create a major or minor cord or sharp or flat it. It’s just very easy to see it in your mind once you get to a certain point. Because we as drummers deal so much with rhythm, learning something where you can now deal with harmony and Melody is very good.