Multi talented musicians?

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 2 Jan 2005 10:59 am

How many of you guys play more than one instrument? It seems that one pretty much has to be on the multi talented side now days to get hooked up with a band or to get any sort of reliable gig work.

I have been a harmonica player for around 45 years, chromatics, chord, bass harmonicas and blues harps. I have a fair handle on acoustic guitar but would not advertise my self as a stage or solo performer with the acoustic by any means.

It has been only recently that I have taken up the steel guitar and consider myself a raw beginner.

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(I am not right all of the time but I sure like to think I am!)

Ron ! · Post by **Ron !** » 2 Jan 2005 11:26 am

Started at the age of 6 on Hawaiian guitar.Picked up the PSG and Dobro
Play a little rythm guitar,Bass,piano.And I think that I will stick with these instruments.
Don't need anymore instruments in the house...girlfriend will kick me out.

Ron

Nikaro SD10 4x6

Webb Kline · Post by **Webb Kline** » 2 Jan 2005 11:49 am

Piano, Hammond, syths, PSG, lap, Dobro, 6 stringers, mandolin, bozouki, bass, banjo, harmonica, melodica.

Aside from piano and B3, I don't consider myself any more than adequate with any of the other instruments, but it has been a lot of fun learning to play them all and I can do well enough to get a lot of session work. They call me up and say, "load up your toys in your car and come on down to the studio."

The secret is not in being the best at any instrument but to be able to play well within your abilities on all of them. I'm never without work if I want it. So many instruments, so little time.

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 2 Jan 2005 11:51 am

Although I am usually hired to play pedal steel, I have worked as a lead guitar player, bass player and once had to agree to play some drums in order to get the job.
Some bands put a boom mic in front of me and had me sing harmony.
I can play some fiddle and keyboard but if I did that in public I would probably loose my job.
It does seem that it is getting increasingly necessary to play several instruments to hold a job.

Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 2 Jan 2005 11:58 am

I play steel,dobro,lead & rythum guitar,mandolin,Lap steel and Banjo.
Mainly guitar,dobro,steel and mando
on gigs these days. In my neck of the
woods, if you want to play regular with the "better" local bands you need to wear a lot of diferent hats.

Michael Barone · Post by **Michael Barone** » 2 Jan 2005 12:12 pm

I'm like Webb. B-3 with bass pedals, Synths, Guitars and bass, drums left handed, PSG. I have found that keyboard experience (with chord intervals) enables a unique understanding of the E9 tuning.

The experience of playing certain jazz riffs on a keyboard has also helped in learning pick blocking (I believe).

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Mike Barone

Carl Williams · Post by **Carl Williams** » 2 Jan 2005 12:13 pm

Started playing piano early and then: Guitar, Banjo, Pedal Steel and Fiddle. I know I'll never be very good on any one of these instruments, but it's okay and don't we all have to have a passion/hobby? My experience in two small-time country bands and having the frightful experience 30 years ago of backing Little Jimmy Dickens (one gig)on pedal steel with only 18 months exp on the instrument, have been highlights of my musical exploits! ha Besides all of this, it gives me something to do when the boss/nightshift supervisor runs out of things for me to do--she's pretty tough!

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David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 2 Jan 2005 12:21 pm

Let see: 28 fret 6 string electric bass, upright bass, elec. and acou. guitars, mandolin, 6 string elec. mandolin. PSG, Dobro, laspsteel, drums and latin percussion, harmonica, a touch of alto sax, trombone, recorder, flute, dirt simple keys.

But I have mic'd and recorded many more, and usually got to try them out, or play at a gig,
if not own and play them regularly.

So others from life as a studio rat include :
carillion, vibes, marimba, african marimba, spoons n bones, dijerido, cello, ukelele, zithers, dulcimers, hammer dulciumers, Hammond, Uliian pipes, scotish pipes, bombard, Nickleharp, Hurdy-Gurdy, banjo, accordian and small squeeze boxes, balalika, bazoukis, lutes between 8 and 30 chords, pouble and washtub bass, melodica.

I have at least played these for an hour or so with people in public, or recorded a few things with them.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 02 January 2005 at 01:37 PM.]

Webb Kline · Post by **Webb Kline** » 2 Jan 2005 12:25 pm

Mike, I'm with you. I played PSG for several years back in the early 80s then went back to playing a lot of jazz and blues piano and organ. I never realized it until a couple of years ago, when I started playing steel again, how much my acquired scale and chord theory from my jazz playing was a benefit for me on psg. It made sense to me like it never did when I played it years ago.

Interesting point about the pick blocking. I think you are right, although I never thought about it. Is it the speed and strength of our fingers from playing keys that makes pick blocking seem relatively easy for us? There is so much about the PSG that challenges me, but pick blocking has never been a mystery to me.

Yet another thing to ponder in a galaxy of brain soup. :0

Webb Kline · Post by **Webb Kline** » 2 Jan 2005 12:28 pm

David, I definitely want to conquor the pipes one day. My wife wants Amazing Grace played on pipes at her funeral and I am determined to outlive her so I can do it.

John Steele (deceased) · Post by **John Steele (deceased)** » 2 Jan 2005 12:43 pm

I double on steel and keys alot. Ocassionally I'm asked to play upright bass, although that and my banjo playing are a little rusty.
If they play Amazing Grace at my funeral, I'm gonna get up and walk out.

-John

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www.ottawajazz.com

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 2 Jan 2005 12:57 pm

Webb, I think you would know what I am getting at when I say that if you really want to learn chord work, work with hard core jazz musicians for a year or two.

The first twenty years of my musical career was doing a lot of jazz and blues work. My first venture into hard core jazz was with a fellow by the name of George Benson when I happened in on hotel room jam in Detroit one night. Jeez, talk about a lesson in chord runs and bass walks. I spent the next 12 months practicing far end jazz chording on my Hohner chord 384 and the bass 278. I tried some of these chord runs on my acoustic but my fingers wouldn’t do the disjointing as almost required.

When I did finally headed into the country field during mid the 70s, it was like walking on easy street. Mind you, in all honesty, the chord work in country has changed tons over the past 30 years.

I am still finding that reaching the far end chords on my steel is a tremendous challenge.

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(I am not right all of the time but I sure like to think I am!)

Webb Kline · Post by **Webb Kline** » 2 Jan 2005 10:02 pm

Les, being from BC, have you ever played at the Yale Club in Vancouver? My wife and I were stuck in Vancouver for a week one time, years ago, and went to hear a German blues band at the Yale. We wound up jamming all week long. They had a house B3 that was killer. We met a lot of great people and had a blast.

Per Berner · Post by **Per Berner** » 3 Jan 2005 2:18 am

I believe that if you play and understand one stringed instrument reasonably well, you can make sounds that at least approximate music on most other stringed instruments with just a little bit of practice.

I started out on acoustic guitar, then added pedal steel, electric guitar, electric bass, mandolin, upright bass, dobro, ukulele and 5-string banjo, with varying degrees of success and enjoyment - mandolin fretboards and string spacing are not compatible with my finger size, that's for sure...

I gave up my attempts on the fiddle after a few weeks. My neighbors still thank me for that.

But I can hardly wait to get my hands on an autoharp.

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Emmons Legrande II D10 8+5, Sho-Bud Pro III Custom SD10 4+5, Goodrich 120, Peavey Nashville 1000

Dave Boothroyd · Post by **Dave Boothroyd** » 3 Jan 2005 3:10 am

I'll admit to being multi instrumental- I started on Cello, then guitar, bass guitar, mandolin, recorder, penny whistle, bodrhan, Djembe, bongoes etc, Melodeon, keyboards, bombarde (a sort of tiny Breton oboe), console steel, of course, and my main instrument now, computer.
Multi talented though? - don't I just wish!

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Cheers!
Dave

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 3 Jan 2005 6:48 am

Piano, sax, guitar, harmonica, Dobro, pedal steel. Starting on piano was the most valuable of all, and prepared me well for all the others.

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 3 Jan 2005 9:19 am

Vocals, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Steel Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Banjo, Ukelele, Harmonica, Tambourine, Maracas, and some Keyboards. A feller's gotta eat, y'know!

Also kazoo, diddley bow, boo boo stick, tissue paper comb, pots and pans . . .

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Rick Alexander
57 Fender Stringmaster T8, 69 Strat, Rickenbacker BD6
Music Man & Peavey Amps

Dave Grafe · Post by **Dave Grafe** » 3 Jan 2005 10:29 am

Started with my grandpa's harmonicas and "hawaiian" steel from about age 4, piano at age 8, then flute, tuba, baritone, trombone, saxophone, double bass and guitars by the time I was out of high school. Stuck with the bass through college and beyond, playing mostly classical, jazz and big band charts. I still play the tuba now and then when there is a good parade and I'm not too busy to get some chops up (although after the first four blocks of marching and playing nearly EVERYBODY is huffin' and puffin').

Discovered PSG at age 19 (I'm 51 now so do the math) and never looked back, though I have also played a lot of bass over the years and just about every style of music imaginable - salsa, samba, bossa, calypso, hilife, rock, blues, reggae, middle eastern and of course the western genres. Had to split bass duties with the piano player for Joni Harms at the Santa Clarita Cowboy show last year when her longtime bass player fell ill, so I guess I'm not out of the woods yet.

I can and have doubled on PSG, bass, harmonica, guitars and/or keys at gigs but if I have my druthers I'll just stay behind the steel. I played everything except the sax, drums and horns when I put a little product together a few years ago. I even dabble a bit at congas but I know REAL conga players so I won't talk about that. I do play a pretty mean guiro, though!

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<img align=right src="http://www.pdxaudio.com/dgsept03.jpg" width="114 height="114">Dave Grafe - email: dg@pdxaudio.com
Production
Pickin', etc.

1978 ShoBud Pro I E9, 1960 Les Paul (SG) Deluxe, 1963 Precision Bass, 1954 Gibson LGO, 1897 Washburn Hawaiian Steel Conversion
[This message was edited by Dave Grafe on 03 January 2005 at 04:29 PM.]

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 3 Jan 2005 10:45 am

Web,,,, sure did have the pleasure of doing my thing at the old Yale Club in Vancouver in 1973. In fact, I was there the same week that Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitgerald, played at the club and spent most of my time jamming with their bands. Wow, what company to be in! Actually, Dizzy wasn’t the one who was booked at the club, he was playing in Seattle. It was Ella Fitzgerald who was playing the club so Dizzy and most of his band drove up to see her. I might add, at that time, Dizzy was heavily into bebop but still held jazz as his soul.

There was a steel player from somewhere in Oklahoma who played a non-pedal with Dizzy for a short time. He couldn’t play solo worth a damn but could get some weird chord drifts out of that thing. In fact, half the time I don’t think this cat had any idea that anyone else was playing with him.

I still had my harmonica band together in those days and that was when I first got hooked on the steel guitar. The chromatic harmonica and a steel really do blend remarkably well. It took me almost thirty years but I finally picked up my own steel.

Cripes, I boot my butt everyday for waiting for so long.

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(I am not right all of the time but I sure like to think I am!)

Jerry Hayes R.I.P. · Post by **Jerry Hayes R.I.P.** » 3 Jan 2005 10:46 am

I started out on Mandolin in high school and shortly afterward went to banjo and dobro which meant my downfall as I started playing guitar a few years later and couldn't get comfortable with a flat pick so I play all instruments now with a thumb and fingerpicks. I consider lead electric guitar my main instrument and figure I can hold my own on that and made a good living at it for 22 years full time. The other instruments I play are pedal steel, mandolin, dobro, tenor banjo, and a couple of tunings on lap steel. I agree with what someone said about if you can play some on any string instrument that you can figure out some passable lines on other string instruments. I've always tried to learm the scales on other instruments. You can play most tunes and figure out chords, etc. if you do it that way. Although nowhere near the best on any of my instruments I believe I could take any instrument I play to any gig on any type of music and play the whole night on that instrument, no matter what style, key, etc. Once you get to where you know what scales work against what changes and you can hear it in your head, you can find something, no matter what your instrument....JH

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Livin' in the Past and Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 3 Jan 2005 11:20 am

Les...just wanted to say it's good to have a jazz chromatic hamonica player on the forum! I've always kept the sound of Toot's Thielman
in my head when I'm playing my little 6 string Am7 lap steel. Not really sure why, but for some reason I feel some kind of kinship between the 2 sounds. When I'm hacking away at the pedal steel, I'm hearing Take 6.

At any rate, Welcome

OH yeah...I play other stuff too. I think it helps.

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 3 Jan 2005 11:42 am

I think most musicians play more than one instrument, as you can see on these posts.

In my career, I have played Cornet, Chromatic harmonica, Alto Saxaphone,Ukelele,Piano, Organ, Bass, Guitar and Steel.

I like all of them EXCEPT the Cornet, which I had to play in the school band. I wanted to play the sax, but got the cornet free, so.............al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Webb Kline · Post by **Webb Kline** » 3 Jan 2005 12:01 pm

Les, that is awesome. What a memory that must be to have had such an honor.

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 3 Jan 2005 1:32 pm

Drums, Keys, Bass, Acoustic, Electric, Steel, Dobro, Trumpet, Clarinet, Mandolin, Harmony vocals. I want to learn fiddle but I just don't have the patience to do it.

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God Bless,
Steve Stallings

Ben Slaughter · Post by **Ben Slaughter** » 3 Jan 2005 2:46 pm

In order, sax, trumpet, guitar, mando, bass, steel. Have played around with banjo, fiddle, and keys. Have been paid to play guiar, bass, and steel. Tried to pay for people to listen to fiddle, but I didn't have enough money.