multiinstrumentalism

Multiinstrumentalism refers to the practice or ability of a musician to perform on multiple musical instruments. A multiinstrumentalist can play more than one instrument professionally or semiprofessionally, either within a single live performance or across a broader repertoire. The term applies across genres and instrument families, including strings, keyboards, winds, brass, and percussion, and can also extend to electronic instruments and sound-producing devices. Polyinstrumentalism is a related term often used in academic or artistic contexts.

Contexts and practice vary: in folk and traditional music, performers frequently learn several instruments to fulfill different roles within ensembles. In jazz and popular music, producers and performers rely on players who can switch between melody, harmony, and rhythm instruments. In classical music, composers and performers have historically written for multiple instruments and, at times, toured as instrumentalists on more than one instrument, though specialization remains common. The rise of recording technology and home studios has increased demand for versatile musicians who can perform, arrange, and record parts on several instruments, including electronic controllers and synthesizers.

Skills and training involve cross-instrument technique, transferable motor skills, ear training, and knowledge of timbre, range, and articulation across instruments. Practice strategies emphasize developing a base level of competence on several instruments, targeted repertoire, and learning across instrument families to facilitate transitions during performance or composition. Benefits include greater versatility, better understanding of orchestration, and efficient collaboration; drawbacks include greater time investment and the risk of uneven skill levels across instruments.

In contemporary usage, multiinstrumentalism is valued in fields such as session work, film scoring, and indie production, where the ability to play multiple parts can streamline recording and arrangement.