Best second instrument

golfnut · September 29th, 2008, 02:35 PM

Looking for recomendations on the best second instrument for a lead player to learn in a country/rock band.

Mike Bruce · September 29th, 2008, 02:39 PM

Steel, lap or pedal or both. Love 'em!

Mike Bruce

Bob Mc · September 29th, 2008, 02:40 PM

Mandolin gets my vote.

SatelliteOrders · September 29th, 2008, 02:59 PM

Fiddle.

Of course, I own a fiddle, a mando and a lap steel, and thus get the hat-trick. If only I could play them all....

Skrik · September 29th, 2008, 03:57 PM

Accoustic guitar.
Ukulele.
Bagpipes.

mickeydean · September 29th, 2008, 04:04 PM

if you pick pedal steel or fiddle you will never be without a gig

jazztele · September 29th, 2008, 04:07 PM

for country, i'd say lap steel or fiddle...for rock, piano/keys. i really wish i was a better piano player...it's a big regret that i didn't get more into it when i had the time.

of course, if you can play bass, you'll always have jobs.

hockey_head · September 29th, 2008, 04:21 PM

DOG HOUSE BASS

octatonic · September 29th, 2008, 04:48 PM

Harp, Steel or Fiddle.

wangdangdoodle · September 29th, 2008, 05:05 PM

Clarinet

OutlawSteph1975 · September 29th, 2008, 05:08 PM

Fiddle and pedal steel guitar have great learning curves. Fiddle is a whole lot of technique and work just getting the tone right. PSG is a lot of theory. Banjo or mandolin will be easier to incorporate in a short time. But I'd certainly encourage you to learn fiddle or psg, but give the instruments some time (years) if you have it.

mistermullens · September 29th, 2008, 05:10 PM

Kazoo!

I've seriously been wanting to learn to play lap steel lately. I'm not really into open tunings, but I love slide, and this will force me to learn them.

Mark Davis · September 29th, 2008, 05:15 PM

Mandolin or Lap Steel

RomanS · September 29th, 2008, 05:17 PM

Speaking from experience: pedla steel is WAAAAYYY to complicated and difficult to learn to fill the "side-instrument" role...

Now, lap steel is a different story - that would be a good choice!

golfnut · September 29th, 2008, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OutlawSteph1975

Fiddle and pedal steel guitar have great learning curves. Fiddle is a whole lot of technique and work just getting the tone right. PSG is a lot of theory. Banjo or mandolin will be easier to incorporate in a short time. But I'd certainly encourage you to learn fiddle or psg, but give the instruments some time (years) if you have it.

I did play fiddle many years ago during the Alabama years. Mountain music etc. I was progressing ok but didn't really take it much further than learning the Alabama stuff and a couple of easy instrumentals. I should never have let it go and have been thinking of picking it up again. I just wanted to see if there were some other good options out there.
So what is a good make of fiddle under $1,000?

giginthesky · September 29th, 2008, 05:43 PM

nonody beats me at playing the triangle!

Califiddler · September 29th, 2008, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickeydean

if you pick pedal steel or fiddle you will never be without a gig

Then why can't I get a gig?

ajgus · September 29th, 2008, 06:22 PM

cowbell.jpg

mudshark · September 29th, 2008, 06:54 PM

Keyboards, and perhaps the Pan Flute.

Tim73 · September 29th, 2008, 06:59 PM

I personally play a bit of mandolin and a (very little) bit of banjo but I have genuine admiration for all those that can play pedal steel or failing that lap steel.

studio1087 · September 29th, 2008, 07:33 PM

Mandolin.....small, fun and really LOUD!

I have a little Sigma Mando. Great fun.

John

getbent · September 29th, 2008, 09:24 PM

Steel. You didn't ask for easiest... but, if you can play steel and lead guitar... you should generally have a gig if you really want one...

My steel is looking at me with the stink eye right this second wondering why I won't touch her... I'm skeered.

Del Pickup · September 29th, 2008, 10:06 PM

Lap steel is a great option cos you can learn by using your existing guitar in an open tuning. If you can do it then you can invest in a reasonably cheap lap steel.

Alternatively mandolin or harmonica are a good option as well.

Foreign Made · September 30th, 2008, 01:13 AM

Howdy

How about a bottle opener!

#:o)

Seriously buy a cool lap-steel ...

bendecaster · September 30th, 2008, 02:39 AM

Lap Steel, Dobro, or Pedal Steel.

mudbean · September 30th, 2008, 03:25 AM

If not, that's a good way to get a different sound and still play your guitar.

mud

Tim Bowen · September 30th, 2008, 03:49 AM

I'd agree that pedal steel and violin would be ideal choices. I'd also agree that the learning curves are steep. I try to spice things up a bit by adding some banjo, mandolin, lap steel, a bit of harp. And yes, absolutely, kazoo.

Also, keep in mind that adding different textures doesn't necessarily involve a huge cerebral effort; you could try baritone guitar, or 12 string or high-strung guitar.

September 29th, 2008, 02:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
golfnut Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada Age: 48 Posts: 416	Best second instrument Looking for recomendations on the best second instrument for a lead player to learn in a country/rock band. __________________ AV52 RI Hotrod Telecaster 62 RI Hotrod Stratocaster Dr Z Stangray head - 2X12 Open back cab W/Celestion Blues Dr Z Maz 38 2X12 Combo

September 29th, 2008, 02:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bob Mc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mo'town NJ Posts: 1,618	Mandolin gets my vote. __________________ All of us contain Music & Truth, but most of us can't get it out. Mark Twain

September 29th, 2008, 02:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
SatelliteOrders Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lafayette, IN Age: 38 Posts: 643	Fiddle. Of course, I own a fiddle, a mando and a lap steel, and thus get the hat-trick. If only I could play them all.... __________________

September 29th, 2008, 03:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
Skrik Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Norway Age: 38 Posts: 390	Accoustic guitar. Ukulele. Bagpipes. __________________ "Gary Moore should take his guitar and go home" -- John Lee Hooker

September 29th, 2008, 04:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
mickeydean Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2008 Location: millersville Age: 54 Posts: 347	if you pick pedal steel or fiddle you will never be without a gig __________________ I'm not getting older, I'm getting LOUDER. http://www.soundclick.com/mickeydean

September 29th, 2008, 02:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mike Bruce Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Goderich Posts: 267	Steel, lap or pedal or both. Love 'em! Mike Bruce

September 29th, 2008, 04:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
jazztele Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: chicago Age: 29 Posts: 2,194	for country, i'd say lap steel or fiddle...for rock, piano/keys. i really wish i was a better piano player...it's a big regret that i didn't get more into it when i had the time. of course, if you can play bass, you'll always have jobs. __________________ “For the guitar is the most unpredictable and least reliable musical instrument in existence...and also the sweetest, the warmest, the most delicate, whose melancholic voice awakes in our soul exquisite reveries.” Andres Segovia Last edited by jazztele; September 29th, 2008 at 05:44 PM.

September 29th, 2008, 04:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
hockey_head Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: shortsville, ny Age: 51 Posts: 379	DOG HOUSE BASS

September 29th, 2008, 04:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
octatonic Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2007 Location: An Australian in London. Posts: 1,669	Harp, Steel or Fiddle. __________________ "A jazz musician is a juggler who uses harmonies instead of oranges." Benny Green

September 29th, 2008, 05:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
wangdangdoodle Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Leeds, UK Age: 19 Posts: 172	Clarinet __________________ http://www.myspace.com/jamsblues

September 29th, 2008, 05:08 PM	#11 (permalink)
OutlawSteph1975 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,856 7 Photos	Fiddle and pedal steel guitar have great learning curves. Fiddle is a whole lot of technique and work just getting the tone right. PSG is a lot of theory. Banjo or mandolin will be easier to incorporate in a short time. But I'd certainly encourage you to learn fiddle or psg, but give the instruments some time (years) if you have it.

September 29th, 2008, 05:10 PM	#12 (permalink)
mistermullens Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlanta Age: 31 Posts: 2,374 51 Photos	Kazoo! I've seriously been wanting to learn to play lap steel lately. I'm not really into open tunings, but I love slide, and this will force me to learn them. __________________ When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. - Jimi Hendrix

September 29th, 2008, 05:15 PM	#13 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 58 Posts: 12,843	Mandolin or Lap Steel __________________ I'm so blind my seeing eye dog needs glasses.

September 29th, 2008, 05:17 PM	#14 (permalink)
RomanS Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vienna, Austria Age: 37 Posts: 2,884 14 Photos	Speaking from experience: pedla steel is WAAAAYYY to complicated and difficult to learn to fill the "side-instrument" role... Now, lap steel is a different story - that would be a good choice! __________________ http://www.pbase.com/romans http://www.myspace.com/romans212

September 29th, 2008, 05:43 PM	#16 (permalink)
giginthesky Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: south jersey Age: 36 Posts: 1,074 6 Photos	nonody beats me at playing the triangle! __________________ www.myspace.com/giginthesky

September 29th, 2008, 06:22 PM	#18 (permalink)
ajgus Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: chicago Posts: 2,287	cowbell.jpg __________________ "I'm still married to my first wife...and that's my first guitar...she don't talk back to me, she talks for me..." -Stevie ray Vaughan

September 29th, 2008, 06:54 PM	#19 (permalink)
mudshark Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Groover's Paradise Age: 57 Posts: 890	Keyboards, and perhaps the Pan Flute. __________________ mudshark Klaatu barada nikto

September 29th, 2008, 06:59 PM	#20 (permalink)
Tim73 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Berkshire, England Age: 35 Posts: 1,389 21 Photos	I personally play a bit of mandolin and a (very little) bit of banjo but I have genuine admiration for all those that can play pedal steel or failing that lap steel. __________________ Born in the '70's & in my mind, still living there now...

September 29th, 2008, 07:33 PM	#21 (permalink)
studio1087 Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Near Milwaukee Age: 44 Posts: 3,993 36 Photos	Mandolin.....small, fun and really LOUD! I have a little Sigma Mando. Great fun. John __________________ JLG Carry On

September 29th, 2008, 09:24 PM	#22 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Posts: 10,169 37 Photos	Steel. You didn't ask for easiest... but, if you can play steel and lead guitar... you should generally have a gig if you really want one... My steel is looking at me with the stink eye right this second wondering why I won't touch her... I'm skeered. __________________ 'never pet a burning dog'

September 29th, 2008, 10:06 PM	#23 (permalink)
Del Pickup Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 613 5 Photos	Lap steel is a great option cos you can learn by using your existing guitar in an open tuning. If you can do it then you can invest in a reasonably cheap lap steel. Alternatively mandolin or harmonica are a good option as well. __________________ Someone told me that my tone is in my underpants. I'm not sure if that's good or bad......

September 30th, 2008, 01:13 AM	#24 (permalink)
Foreign Made Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2006 Location: on the floor, drunk; in New Zealand Posts: 152	A lap-steel Howdy How about a bottle opener! #:o) Seriously buy a cool lap-steel ... __________________ *Adios amigos* Last edited by Foreign Made; September 30th, 2008 at 05:47 AM.

September 30th, 2008, 02:39 AM	#25 (permalink)
bendecaster Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: maine Posts: 1,042	Lap Steel, Dobro, or Pedal Steel. __________________ The Demented 7th

September 30th, 2008, 03:25 AM	#26 (permalink)
mudbean Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SoCal Semi-Desert Semi-Paradise Age: 49 Posts: 1,722	Do you already play slide? If not, that's a good way to get a different sound and still play your guitar. mud __________________ www.mudbean.com "Do ya want it to be interesting, or do ya want it to be true?" "So far, it's neither."