Question For Multi-Instrumentalists

Dr. T · April 29th, 2005, 11:18 AM

I play guitar and fiddle, and just picked up a mandolin. My question: for those of you who play a similar array, do you find you have to practice each one every day to get/keep chops, or does practice on one benefit you on another?

RevMike · April 29th, 2005, 11:33 AM

Everytime I pick up the mandolin, I think of the scene in "Crossroads" where the classical teacher tells Eugene, (Ralph Machio), "you can't serve two masters." I reckon he's right to some point. I play guitar everyday. Mando about 2-3 times a week. I'll never get great, because I don't have the time to really explore it. Often I find myself struggling to remember stuff I learned a few days earlier. Plus it takes away from guitar time.

Even so, I like to think of it as a fun instrument, to mess around with. A little break from the norm.

ALM · April 29th, 2005, 11:37 AM

I really can't add anything to the previous post - except for perhaps to say that the hours I've put in over the years on guitar, have helped me a great deal when it comes to playing music generally.

Dr. T · April 29th, 2005, 11:53 AM

Well, I play fiddle sporadically as well, but I picked it up last night and played a whole lot better than I expected to, prompting the question...

I was thinking of Wanda Vick Burchfield, Nashville multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire, and Ricky Skaggs, ditto. How did they get so good on all those instruments? Did they start when they were 3, fer cryin' out loud?

Joel Terry · April 29th, 2005, 11:58 AM

I naturally tend to grab for the guitar. When I do, that means less time with piano (and keyboards in general), mandolin, and banjo; consequently, that means my playing on keys, mandolin, and banjo suffers.

I play bass, too, but I don't find that my playing suffers too much after long periods of not playing bass. I think it might be the instrument I play most instinctively.

Joel

Paul in Colorado · April 29th, 2005, 01:47 PM

I find that when I practice mandolin a lot, my guitar chops improve. When you play mando, every note has to be clear and concise. When I pick the guitar back up I'm not as sloppy and I'm thinking more melodicly rather then just playing riffs.

ashtray · April 29th, 2005, 02:21 PM

Well, I teach guitar lessons, but now I've also started teaching bass lessons. I'll play guitar 4-5 times per week - maybe for only 15 minutes, but it's something. I'll sit at the piano for 10 minutes once every 2 weeks or so. Bass I'll play a couple times per week - I have a "gig" tonight playing bass at my church.

My drum set gets some action once a week or so, for about 1/2 hour. My harmonica sits idle for most of the year.

You can't serve 2 master, or 5, but it can be fun trying!

0le FUZZY · April 29th, 2005, 02:52 PM

For years (60s&70s) I picked a Vox Combo organ with my rite hand. picked my Mustang bass with my leff, hammered a tamborine with my leff foot and honked four horns with my rite foot whilst singin lika duck inna three piece band.

I never practiced then and still don't on any giffin won.

Dew tew circumsizions beyond my control I no longer play inna clubs cause they are gone sew now I practice and fool around inna TELE-Shack.

IMHO yew never lose it wonce yew haff it but it kin be took away.

Wence I picked my TELECASTER I onlee honked the horns and stomped onna fuzz box. I lernt as I picked, tew me the bess way.

Ah ! the good old daze !!

At least the hornz waz in tune HEE! HEE!

Please visit my page

Joel Terry · April 29th, 2005, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0le FUZZY

<li>For years (60s&70s) I picked a Vox Combo organ with my rite hand. picked my Mustang bass with my leff, hammered a tamborine with my leff foot and honked four horns with my rite foot whilst singin lika duck inna three piece band.

That's real talent to be able split your brain enough to do that, hoss!

Joel

RevMike · April 29th, 2005, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oster

This thread caught my eye since I strive to resist the 'one master' rule.

I do too really. I play bass, guitar, mando, Uke and lap steel. Guitar is my mainstay, but the others are like mistresses. I always feel a little guilty when I go to them. hahaha. But I enjoy them too much to give 'em up. In fact I just ordered a mandobird from Elderly!

gopop · April 29th, 2005, 04:51 PM

About forty years ago, a friend of mine had the opportunity to meet Segovia. He had just done a short run-through with some orchestra in Europe and had kicked back with a $4.00 ukelele someone had left in the auditorium. Evidently, he stunned everyone. According to my friend, someone made a comment about not knowing Segovia could play uke. Segovia's response, "It's got strings, doesn't it?"

Joel Terry · April 29th, 2005, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopop

About forty years ago, a friend of mine had the opportunity to meet Segovia. He had just done a short run-through with some orchestra in Europe and had kicked back with a $4.00 ukelele someone had left in the auditorium. Evidently, he stunned everyone. According to my friend, someone made a comment about not knowing Segovia could play uke. Segovia's response, "It's got strings, doesn't it?"

Does anyone else a hard time picturing the Maestro with a ukelele, or is it just me?

Seriously though, I would imagine he probably could play just about any instrument with strings--and play it very well. (Although, again, I'd have a hard time imagining Segovia with a banjo--kind of like the ukelele. :P )

Joel

Ian · April 29th, 2005, 05:29 PM

Nowadays, I tend to think that I "play Mandolin" as opposed to being a "Mandolin Player", big difference. I don't pick it up NEARLY as much as I should. Years ago, I played all the time. Not as many opportunities lately. I love the mandolin though, and I'll bring it along whenever possible to jams and rehearsals ( as few and far between as they are), and it always gets in for a song or two.
CHEERS!!

gopop · April 29th, 2005, 05:34 PM

Just picture Mario Andretti on a tricycle....

Joel Terry · April 29th, 2005, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopop

Just picture Mario Andretti on a tricycle....

Joel

Togman · April 29th, 2005, 06:12 PM

As well as playing Guitar I also play Trombone in a traditional British Brass Band. Whilst there are no comparisons to made with the playing styles and techniques of the two instruments, there are benefits to be gained.

When playing in the Brass Band (25 Musicians + 3 Percussionsts) you have to constantly be aware of what is going on around you and reacting accordingly. This is very good for my ears and comes in very useful when playing Guitar in a smaller group.

Keeping my sight reading up to scratch also comes in useful when I get gigs that require playing Guitar from music.

Califiddler · April 29th, 2005, 11:49 PM

I play mostly guitar, but also some mando and some fiddle with a bluegrass-y band. I don't practice much any more, but I have gone through periods where I practiced one or the other a lot, and it always seems to cross over. If I play fiddle a lot for a few days, my guitar playing seems better the next time I pick it up. Sometimes I play nothing but piano for days at a time, and I don't think my strings playing suffers.

By the way, we're playing at the Englander Pub in Dublin, CA tomorrow night.

April 29th, 2005, 11:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
Dr. T Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pittston, Maine Posts: 476	Question For Multi-Instrumentalists I play guitar and fiddle, and just picked up a mandolin. My question: for those of you who play a similar array, do you find you have to practice each one every day to get/keep chops, or does practice on one benefit you on another? __________________ What we lack in expertise we make up for in enthusiasm.

April 29th, 2005, 11:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
Dr. T Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pittston, Maine Posts: 476	Well, I play fiddle sporadically as well, but I picked it up last night and played a whole lot better than I expected to, prompting the question... I was thinking of Wanda Vick Burchfield, Nashville multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire, and Ricky Skaggs, ditto. How did they get so good on all those instruments? Did they start when they were 3, fer cryin' out loud? __________________ What we lack in expertise we make up for in enthusiasm.

April 29th, 2005, 11:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
Joel Terry Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Old Hickory (Nashville), Tennessee, USA Age: 40 Posts: 4,405 17 Photos	When I focus on one, all others suffer I naturally tend to grab for the guitar. When I do, that means less time with piano (and keyboards in general), mandolin, and banjo; consequently, that means my playing on keys, mandolin, and banjo suffers. I play bass, too, but I don't find that my playing suffers too much after long periods of not playing bass. I think it might be the instrument I play most instinctively. Joel __________________ Jesus saves--and He passes the savings on to YOU! ASPCA "Well...."

April 29th, 2005, 02:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
ashtray Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ventura County, CA Posts: 685 4 Photos	Well, I teach guitar lessons, but now I've also started teaching bass lessons. I'll play guitar 4-5 times per week - maybe for only 15 minutes, but it's something. I'll sit at the piano for 10 minutes once every 2 weeks or so. Bass I'll play a couple times per week - I have a "gig" tonight playing bass at my church. My drum set gets some action once a week or so, for about 1/2 hour. My harmonica sits idle for most of the year. You can't serve 2 master, or 5, but it can be fun trying! __________________ "I need another Tele like I need another hole in my wallet."

April 29th, 2005, 04:51 PM	#11 (permalink)
gopop TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central Texas Posts: 69	About forty years ago, a friend of mine had the opportunity to meet Segovia. He had just done a short run-through with some orchestra in Europe and had kicked back with a $4.00 ukelele someone had left in the auditorium. Evidently, he stunned everyone. According to my friend, someone made a comment about not knowing Segovia could play uke. Segovia's response, "It's got strings, doesn't it?" __________________ The question never asked: "Is that the rhythm player's Porsche?"

April 29th, 2005, 11:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
RevMike Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Staten Island NY Posts: 1,059	Everytime I pick up the mandolin, I think of the scene in "Crossroads" where the classical teacher tells Eugene, (Ralph Machio), "you can't serve two masters." I reckon he's right to some point. I play guitar everyday. Mando about 2-3 times a week. I'll never get great, because I don't have the time to really explore it. Often I find myself struggling to remember stuff I learned a few days earlier. Plus it takes away from guitar time. Even so, I like to think of it as a fun instrument, to mess around with. A little break from the norm.

April 29th, 2005, 11:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
ALM NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 9	I really can't add anything to the previous post - except for perhaps to say that the hours I've put in over the years on guitar, have helped me a great deal when it comes to playing music generally.

April 29th, 2005, 01:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 55 Posts: 4,318 3 Photos	I find that when I practice mandolin a lot, my guitar chops improve. When you play mando, every note has to be clear and concise. When I pick the guitar back up I'm not as sloppy and I'm thinking more melodicly rather then just playing riffs.

April 29th, 2005, 02:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
0le FUZZY Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kolly-forn-knee-ya Posts: 10,001 6 Photos	For years (60s&70s) I picked a Vox Combo organ with my rite hand. picked my Mustang bass with my leff, hammered a tamborine with my leff foot and honked four horns with my rite foot whilst singin lika duck inna three piece band. I never practiced then and still don't on any giffin won. Dew tew circumsizions beyond my control I no longer play inna clubs cause they are gone sew now I practice and fool around inna TELE-Shack. IMHO yew never lose it wonce yew haff it but it kin be took away. Wence I picked my TELECASTER I onlee honked the horns and stomped onna fuzz box. I lernt as I picked, tew me the bess way. Ah ! the good old daze !! At least the hornz waz in tune HEE! HEE! Please visit my page

April 29th, 2005, 05:29 PM	#13 (permalink)
Ian Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 635	Nowadays, I tend to think that I "play Mandolin" as opposed to being a "Mandolin Player", big difference. I don't pick it up NEARLY as much as I should. Years ago, I played all the time. Not as many opportunities lately. I love the mandolin though, and I'll bring it along whenever possible to jams and rehearsals ( as few and far between as they are), and it always gets in for a song or two. CHEERS!! __________________ "Practice , practice EAT PRACTICE!!!" Tommy Tedesco

April 29th, 2005, 05:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
gopop TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central Texas Posts: 69	Hey Joel Just picture Mario Andretti on a tricycle.... __________________ The question never asked: "Is that the rhythm player's Porsche?"

April 29th, 2005, 06:12 PM	#16 (permalink)
Togman Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cambridgshire, UK Age: 48 Posts: 345 35 Photos	Strings & Brass As well as playing Guitar I also play Trombone in a traditional British Brass Band. Whilst there are no comparisons to made with the playing styles and techniques of the two instruments, there are benefits to be gained. When playing in the Brass Band (25 Musicians + 3 Percussionsts) you have to constantly be aware of what is going on around you and reacting accordingly. This is very good for my ears and comes in very useful when playing Guitar in a smaller group. Keeping my sight reading up to scratch also comes in useful when I get gigs that require playing Guitar from music. __________________ Well it ain't the best Guitar i've ever heard, but it sounds just like it....

April 29th, 2005, 11:49 PM	#17 (permalink)
Califiddler Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: California Posts: 947	I play mostly guitar, but also some mando and some fiddle with a bluegrass-y band. I don't practice much any more, but I have gone through periods where I practiced one or the other a lot, and it always seems to cross over. If I play fiddle a lot for a few days, my guitar playing seems better the next time I pick it up. Sometimes I play nothing but piano for days at a time, and I don't think my strings playing suffers. By the way, we're playing at the Englander Pub in Dublin, CA tomorrow night. __________________ "In the fiddler's house, all are dancers."