On Being a Multi-Instrumentalist

Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2002 13:40:30 -0400

Thanks for the quick response, I currently have a Breedlove Orca (also purchased from Folk of the Wood) as my main instrument, but I am very interested in also playing an Octave Mandolin and was wondering how much larger the neck would be on the Trinity College Octave Mandolin than on the Orca...... will switching between these two require a great deal of muscle-memory re-learning with the larger fingerboard of the Octave?

I am sure for multi-instrumentalists like yourselves this may sound like a silly question, but in a past life, I played clarinet and oboe ... and these two instruments can not be learned at the same time... at least not if you want to play them well. (very different embouchure required for each). You really need to commit to one or the other, and I wondered if the Mandolin and Octave Mandolin would be similar.

I just don't want to fall into a Jack-of-All-Trades-Master-of-None kind of thing,

Thanks for your help,

Karen

P.S. Playing oboe does not necessarily make one a geak....... no, really.... a music fanatic (maybe) but not a geak

Greetings Karen,

Sure, I remember talking with you on the phone once before...and, I do remember the Orca you received...one of my all-time favorite mandos I've every played to date is the Orca...

Yes, I do know what you're referring to: instruments that are very similar yet dissimilar enough to create confusion. In psychology terms, this would be referred to as proactive interference. I have been fortunate enough to be able to completely disassociate myself from the similarities of the Octave and the Mando...and think of them entirely as two different instruments. I believe, this is the only way it would work; and yes, at this point, such as what has happened to me, you become the proverbial jack-of-all-instruments...with not enough focus on one to ever become a master...

I have found that I can relate the mandolin to a mandola...and, even use the same fingering. However, I have extra long fingers which do work to my advantage...

You might consider a mandola as your second instrument so that you can still relate the two...even though the tunings are different, they are still the same intervals from string to string...transposing from key to key is relatively simple:

When playing a song in G on Mandolin, the same song becomes C on Mandola.

At your disposal, Mickey

P.S. I had a music theory teacher in college who was an Oboe player...his name was David Wickes...I never considered him a geek...moreover, he was an inspiration; he, himself, stated that I should have no problem pursuing as many instruments as I wish. He went on further to state that the music itself, theory or otherwise, remains static no matter what instruments I pursue...therefore, he was trying to express that the study of music is stationary no matter what choice of instrument. The growth should be in the music and the tools should be the vehicle (which is secondary in reality)...interesting stuff for us multi-instrumentalists looking to rationalize. ;o)

Date: Mon, 27 May 2002 15:37:15 -0700

Dear Mickey,

Greetings Lisa,

I've visited your website several times now and am impressed with your
personal touch. I am a beginning mandolin player in a Klezmer band (think
eastern European, early 20th century) but I'm a lifelong musician (would you
believe oboe?).

Thanks for the kind words...sure, I can believe an oboe player would make a great mando player. I had a theory teacher in college (David Wickes) who was an oboe player. I'll never forget his encouraging words, after I disclosed to him my concern about being a multi-instrumentalist: "You most certainly can play any variety of instruments you wish; all music is relative and what you learn on one instrument can theoretically be applied to another." Mickey

Date: Wed, 3 Apr 2002 02:53:31 EST
Subject: PRICE QUOTES & ADVICE

Hello to one of my favorite websites ever.

And thank you, Mickey, for what I've already learned from reading your
question & answer sections.

I'm a 44-yr-old acoustic guitar player. I made a meager living playing and
singing in a "Simon & Garfunkel / Smothers Brothers" type duo during my
mid-twenties. My real career since then has been as a Gulfstream jet
pilot/instructor, except for the last 4 years, as a degenerative back problem
has left me broke, recovering from major surgery and waiting for 3 years of
S.S. Disability back pay.

I'm considered to be a pretty decent guitar player - mostly rhythm. I play
mostly at my church, which has the largest contemporary music program in SE
GA (Savannah). I own 3 Taylors - an 810, 814bce, and LKSM 12-string.
So after probably more of my background than you needed to hear...

When my money comes in, I'm planning to buy 4 new instruments. And from what
I've seen of your place I'm hoping it will be from you. Folks like NICKEL
CREEK, ALLISON KRAUSS & UNION STATION, EARL SCRUGGS & FRIENDS are responsible
for my new interests.

Much of what little knowledge I have about these I've picked up from you. So
I'll list what I have in mind and welcome any advice or recommendations about
better choices. I'll be virtually a beginner with these instruments but I'd
like to buy them only once. As I mentioned earlier, I need to be frugal with
my money. So please advise me as a guy who'll never be much more than an
active amateur with any of these instruments.

Here's what I've got in mind:
- the Jerry Douglas Dobro
- the Deering Sierra banjo
- the Weber Bitterroot mandolin w/gloss finish, MOP inlay, ?sound or F holes?
- the Cremona SV-400B violin (?or SV-350/360?)
(All with the appropriate pick-ups and any needed accessories)

Thanks very much, Mickey, for wading through my ramblings. Since I don't
know if I'll have the money in several weeks or several months, no hurry. But I'll be looking forward to hearing from you.

Best Wishes, John Wright

Greetings John,

Thanks for your kind words regarding our website...and, thanks for allowing me some time to answer your e-mail...

Glad to assist if I can...

Here's what I've got in mind:
- the Jerry Douglas Dobro

A superb choice with a phenomenal sound...this is the only Gibson being made with solid woods (mahogany)...all of their other dobros are laminated. As far as other choices go, you might consider the Regal RD-45 Squareneck if you're just starting out since you can always take advantage of our full trade-up policy at a later date. However, the Jerry Douglas would be truly inspiring to practice and learn on! I hope to own one myself someday...

- the Deering Sierra banjo

Again, a great choice...a true workhorse banjo offering professional features usually only found on far more expensive banjos. Within this same price range, would be the Gold Tone OB-250+...this would depend on whether you're looking for a brighter tone with crisp highs...which is offered by a Maple wood banjo...the Sierra is a finely crafted, American-made Mahogany banjo that offers more warmth and versatility than the standard maple banjos often used by bluegrass players...

- the Weber Bitterroot mandolin w/gloss finish, MOP inlay, ?sound or F holes?

You have great taste! I also believe that this one is a tremendous value considering that it's a solid wood, American-made F-Style Mandolin...due to the mahogany woods, and the matte finish, this mandolin is vibrantly alive with a tremendous sustain...another versatile choice that can be applied to a variety of styles. Most definitely: choose the F Soundholes...

- the Cremona SV-400B violin (?or SV-350/360?)
(All with the appropriate pick-ups and any needed accessories)
In the violin realm, the Cremona is one of the best high-end violins offered at a tremendous price...we do have many other violins to choose from...first, we'll need to confirm that you're looking to have a pick-up installed. And, are you looking for a violin to play a variety of styles on, or are you looking for a straight-ahead fiddle?
Upon answering the above questions, I'll assist you further in narrowing your ultimate choice.

Keep on Pickin', Mickey