Question - Is playing an instrument an okay topic for the Common App's long essay?

Common App prompt:
Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
1. Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.
2. Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
3. Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.

4. A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.

5. Topic of your choice.

Question: Is it appropriate to use an essay about playing upright bass for the long essay on the Common App? I was worried that, since the Common App asks a short answer question about an extracurricular activity, and I listed bass-playing and string orchestra in the activities section, submitting a long essay about playing bass might seem redundant, or the topic might not be welcomed, even if using the "Topic of your choice" option. I answered the short-answer question with an essay about my involvement in one of my school's clubs, by the way.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Perhaps you should pick a different experience or story to tell colleges - something that lets them see you as an individual and not just someone with musical interests or academic pursuits. Talk about something that isn't already on your application but has shaped you or made an impact. Be more personal! Since you already talked about bass in your short answer pick a completely different topic but perhaps tie it in with your passion for playing bass.

Hope that helped!!

Thank you for your advice!
Sorry for the confusion; I wrote about involvement in a school club for the short answer question, not about playing bass. Regardless, I think it would be better to write about something more personal for the long essay.

Oh sorry about that! Regardless I still think you should think outside of the box and surprise them! Maybe play off of another talent of yours or like you said something personal that shows them your inner emotions!

Good Luck!

Could you please give any of mine a look and critique them?

Certainly!