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banjohope - Posted - 11/04/2009: 11:45:53
You hear people say, " he/she can play anything that has string on it", and I don't how they do it. Some of my theories are, maybe they have sound library, or dictionary in their head, maybe they have sound theory built in their system, maybe they are in-touch with their soul, or subconcious mind, or whatever they tune-in. There got to be some science, or logic to it. Any help?. Thanks.
steve davis - Posted - 11/04/2009: 11:52:49
They have a good ear.
Bill Rogers - Posted - 11/04/2009: 12:00:42
Talented musicians can really play about anything they tackle. Seward McCain, a well-known top jazz bass player, was an ace trumpet player in high school. The typical bluegrass journeyman sideman can usually play all the instruments, with fiddle being the one that might be weak.
Bill
banjoak - Posted - 11/04/2009: 12:10:39
Difference from understanding music than understanding an instrument. If you approach playing just in trying figure out and memorize where to put your fingers, it doesn't automatically lead one to understanding music.
The instrument is just a tool to bring out the music.
uncledelphi - Posted - 11/04/2009: 12:11:25
I'm one of those that can play pretty much anything. The only instrument I've ever tried that I couldn't play was the Saxophone (I think I was over-blowing it).
I don't know of any science or logic, other that that I was immersed in music growing up. My mother was musical, and my father loved music (but the only things he ever played were records). My mother started teaching me a little piano at age three, and I started taking lessons from a real piano teacher at age four. I was classically trained on the piano for 10-12 years (I honestly don't remember when I stopped, my early teenage years sort of run together in my mind). I don't know if that classical training is what did it, but I thing it sure did help.
Of course, there is a difference between playing an instrument and really mastering it. The only thing I consider myself to have completely mastered is olde tyme banjo (frailing). I mostly piddle with everything else, but try to have fun doing it.
Texasbanjo - Posted - 11/04/2009: 12:18:12
I used to feel like you do -- until I got to the point on my banjo picking that I felt I needed something else, something more, something.... and that something else was learning another instrument and another and.... now I can play banjo, guitar, mandolin, a little dobro and a little bass.
After you learn one stringed instrument, it's much easier to learn the next one (or it was for me). Learning the banjo first let me understand how stringed instruments were set up, more about chords, rolls, frills, etc., so when I went to guitar, it was fairly easy to apply what I knew from banjo to the guitar -- same thing with the mandolin and dobro. Bass was then really easy to pick up after that.
I think it's great to go to a jam and be able to "fill in" for whatever instrument isn't there. Of course, taking 2 or 3 instruments to a jam is a lot of trouble but.... I still do it.
Let's Pick!
Texas Banjo
Galante_K4 - Posted - 11/04/2009: 13:08:02
Hhhmm, I always believed that almost all 5 string banjo players could also play, at least decent, back-up guitar. Personally I find that I can do stringed instruments but don't have the breath control to do wind instruments or even sing.
1four5 - Posted - 11/04/2009: 13:21:36
All I have to go on is reading biographys of some of my heros. They all were addicted to their music, lived it, breathed it, dreamed it 24/7. What my look natural and unexplainable to us... behind the scenes, is really a life of hard work and dedication, because they have a passion for it.
Dean
BC Bill - Posted - 11/04/2009: 14:19:26
Michael,
I don't think it is difficult or esoteric. It is like they say about learning languages, "Once you learn the second one, they get easier and easier." Once you learn a second instrument (and I am assuming that you learned the first one properly) you begin to see that all the patterns are related and repeat (with some alterations). As you fool with more instruments, it just gets easier and easier, and it all makes more and more sense.
Bill
email me at lakesidestudio@shaw.ca
NYCJazz - Posted - 11/04/2009: 14:25:15
My mentor, Roy Smeck, was the epitome of the multi-instrumentalist. He was known as the "Wizard of the Strings"
I know he had a great ear, but he also had an unstoppable work ethic. He had a reputation for nonstop practicing and arranging.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqg1...ture=related
Nathan
banjotef - Posted - 11/04/2009: 15:00:48
I started playing piano very young, by ear. I thought that learning the piano first made the stringed instruments easier. I also play guitar, and banjo. I have never been able to learn a wind instrument, like trumpet, or saxophone.
However, there really IS a science to it. Read "MUSICOPHELIA", BY Robert Sacks. He is a neurologist who has studied physical and actual brain differences in people who are talented, and sometime HYPER-talented with music. For example, some people who have advanced dementia, such as Alzheimer's, are still able to remember music, harmony, and play an instrument.
Go down pickin'
banjohope - Posted - 11/04/2009: 15:25:44
Thanks NYCJAZZ, Roy Smeck , he was one of them.
minstrelmike - Posted - 11/04/2009: 15:41:59
There are two things you learn when learning the first instrument.
One is how to make the instrument work.
The other is how music works. How chord progressions work to make songs or how melodies are built on scales are the first two perspectives but everyone learns verse/chorus and the importance of rhythm and lead vs backup and all sorts of other stuff.
When I pick up another instrument, I already know how the melody to Shortning Bread goes and I know the chords. The instrument will have either chords or notes I can string together and since I don't have to learn a new song or anything new about _music_ at all, the only thing I need to learn is how to make chords (and I know which 2 I want) or how to form notes (and I know which 6 I want) and then I go from there.
I also know enough to start simply. I started banjo by strumming chords just like a guitarist would. Puts everything into perspective.
Mike Moxcey
http://moxcey.net/mike/minstrel/index.html
banjoak - Posted - 11/04/2009: 15:42:09
quote:
Originally posted by banjotef
However, there really IS a science to it. Read "MUSICOPHELIA", BY Robert Sacks. He is a neurologist who has studied physical and actual brain differences in people who are talented, and sometime HYPER-talented with music.
I like "THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON MUSIC" by Dan Levitin, neurologist, specializing in music cognition. A way easier read. Sacks approaches it by when brains go wrong. Levitin explores much more about (other than disease) how our brains work, what happens in our brain when we listen to, and play music, and explains why we are all neurologically capable of playing good music. He also doesn't get too mired down in neurological technical jargon.
steve davis - Posted - 11/05/2009: 05:16:05
Find the three major chord shapes of whatever instrument you pick up and build from there.
Edited by - steve davis on 11/05/2009 07:31:37
250gibson - Posted - 11/05/2009: 08:27:00
Transitioning from one string instrument to the next takes less time once you already know how to play one well. For instance, going from banjo to guitar, your fingers are already accustomed to contorting to strange positions to make chords, so you don't have to deal with that part of the learning process. Your ear is also trained, so you know when a particular note or chord sounds "bad". Also, the basic therory comes into play, because regardless of the instrument, the therory is the same.
So, my take is that a combination of finger dexterity, ear training, and therory is already learned, therfore the learning curve gets smaller. Scientifically, the learning vs. time curve gets logarithmically shorter and steeper, the more instruments you play. For instance, it may have taken you 5 years to learn how to play guitar, once you pick up a banjo, it may take 3, switch to mandolin, it may take 1 1/2 years, etc., etc.
Leave fiddle and other bowed stringed instruments out of the equation, because learing to bow is a whole new learing process/curve.
steve davis - Posted - 11/05/2009: 08:35:18
Banjo and guitar have three common note strings in B G and D which makes the transition
easier for me.
oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 11/05/2009: 16:54:08
I can "Play" anything with strings and chromatic frets, and many things with "other-than" chromatic frets. I find quarter tone frets too confusing and those things with partial frets here and there - I don't even try. But I know how to find the notes of what I want to play and I can memorize tunings pretty quick - or I can fudge things by putting them into a tuning similar to one I use. I think you'll find this true of perhaps millions of players. It really says more about how similar western fretted instruments really are.
I have never met a woodwind player who couldn't do the same (given the ability to blow a double reed, and allowing for instruments that are simply too demanding to play casually) and most brass players can switch up quite a bit.
http://www.rocketsciencebanjo.com
Rocket Science Banjo - Advanced Clawhammer Techniques for beginners and long time players alike. Plus videos and 25-40 EZ Clawhammer Tunes.
& check out "How To Mold A Mighty Pinky" at:
http://www.pricklypearmusic.net
banjo brad's great banjo site
Bassora - Posted - 11/06/2009: 21:32:58
I can play different instruments. It's a skill I've used at the high school where I work. Every year we put on a madrigal dinner and while the kids are serving the meal I play dinner music. First year I played an actual harpsichord, the next year I played a Celtic lap harp, and last year I played an octave mandolin (performed lute pieces on it). I will probably stay with the octave mandolin (portability).
I seem to be able to "watch and learn" as well as "listen and learn".
I was about 8 when I saw my 16 year-old brother desperately trying to learn to play "Jessie James" on his Lindell guitar. He set the gutiar on his bed and went to the bathroom; I got up on the bed and picked up the guitar. I somehow had learned to play that song even though my brother had played it, well, not perfectly. My mother came down the hallway, saying "I am so glad you finally figured out that song."
Mom was literally shocked when she saw it was me and not my brother on the guitar.
And my brother was pissed that I had picked up his guitar.
Now there's a collection of instruments in our Music Parlor (what was once a living room), and I enjoy playing all of them.
Bassora Mo
from near the Big Mo
Paul Roberts - Posted - 11/07/2009: 20:01:14
Well, Michael began the thread with,
"You hear people say, 'he/she can play anything that has string on it', and I don't how they do it."
Not to be pugnacious, or anything, but I have to question the initial assumption, inherent in...
'he/she can play anything that has string on it'
I've never seen anyone who can play anything that has strings or anything else on it, but my wife and I (we've been able to make a living for many years because of our ability to play a large number of instruments) have been pegged such. And, I have to explain to people that it just isn't true - we can't play anything, etc... We just happen to have been interested in a number of instruments and - because of early experiences and, perhaps, genetics - have been able to get around on these instruments enough (and have been fortunate enough to obtain them) that we've been able to pay our way by playing them.
From my perspective - at this point in my life - it's not how MANY instruments one can play, but how one can take care of ones physical form, in a way that playing any instrument into old age, will still be possible. You get to the point where you realize it can all unravel if you're not careful. Didn't mean to put a wet blanket on anyone's enthusiasm, but the human form has more limitations than ones ability to learn different instruments. Take care of yourselves.
Peace
Paul
http://www.banjocrazy.com/ Gold Tone Banjos - Lowest Prices
http://www.youtube.com/user/strumstering Paul's YouTube Channel
minstrelmike - Posted - 11/08/2009: 08:48:54
It depends on what you mean by "play." I do lots of instruments, but can really only play or improvise on the banjo and harmonica. On stage, I only have to do one or two songs so I can present whatever instrument I want in a musical manner, but I can't really play with it and do whatever I want.
I've heard a similar concept in jazz (although I cannot hear it with my own ears). There are very few multi-instrumentalists in jazz even though the fingering and the blowing differences between a tenor sax and an alto or baritone sax seem minuscule, definitely much less than the differences between banjo and guitar. Yet few are able to record both alto clarinet and tenor clarinet according to the disc jockeys. They sound good to me but the other horn players and record producers can hear something.
Mike Moxcey
http://moxcey.net/mike/minstrel/index.html
banjopaolo - Posted - 11/08/2009: 13:51:07
I play many different stringed instruments, started with guitar then double bass then I decided to study Violin and Viola and now I'm a conservatory graduated professional player (and teacher).
In the last years I took over playing banjo (tenor but also some five string) Dobro (roundneck, blues style) Mandolin and I never stopped playing guitar (calssic and jazz) bass and some piano.
I think that to play many instruments with different tuning you have to play more with the head than with the hands, if your mind knows what you want then the hands follows...
but of course when I hold my bowed instrument I really feel in my home...
bye
paolo
Laurence Diehl - Posted - 11/13/2009: 09:46:14
I started out learning a lot of fretted instruments - they all sounded so cool, and had a lot in common so it wasn't a great stretch. I also played sax(s) for a while. And Dobro. And fiddle,(but I failed miserably at that). But I found eventually that there is a big difference between "getting around" on an instrument and really playing that instrument for all its worth. There is only so much time in the day, and I am happier now just focussing down on one or two instruments, rather than being so-so on a large number of them - I am not so impressed by that any more.
Cheers,
Laurence
It takes a lot to laugh, but it takes a train to cry
Jaminbanjo - Posted - 11/15/2009: 14:43:07
All instruments transfer over to one another. If you know something on one, you can figure it out pretty easily on another. And of course, the general knowledge of music transfers over as well. I play banjo, mandolin, guitar, bass and piano - and I can definitely see how knowing one helped me out with the other.
Austin
banjohope - Posted - 11/15/2009: 16:21:40
Austin, if the piano is the mother,or source of all western music, then knowing well the piano might help to learn every other instrument. Ofcourse every instrument has its own technical skills needed to play it. The sad thing is you can find a lot of music theory for piano, guitar, violin, , but not on the banjo. But reading piano music theory helps a lot to learn the generic music theory which can be applicable to the banjo.
Jaminbanjo - Posted - 11/15/2009: 18:25:49
quote:
Originally posted by michael mana
Austin, if the piano is the mother,or source of all western music, then knowing well the piano might help to learn every other instrument. Ofcourse every instrument has its own technical skills needed to play it. The sad thing is you can find a lot of music theory for piano, guitar, violin, , but not on the banjo. But reading piano music theory helps a lot to learn the generic music theory which can be applicable to the banjo.
You're absolutely right. There isn't really a ton of music theory for banjo. But playing banjo did help me a lot in learning guitar and mandolin. So I guess Foggy Mountain Breakdown transfers over as well!  Austin
KI4PRK - Posted - 11/29/2009: 17:57:04
quote:
Originally posted by michael mana
Austin, if the piano is the mother,or source of all western music, then knowing well the piano might help to learn every other instrument. Ofcourse every instrument has its own technical skills needed to play it. The sad thing is you can find a lot of music theory for piano, guitar, violin, , but not on the banjo. But reading piano music theory helps a lot to learn the generic music theory which can be applicable to the banjo.
There is only music theory for music, not music theory for Banjo, Violin, Guitar, etc. Music theory is applicable to any instrument that follows that school of theory — for there is more than one school of theory; here I think we are united under Western Music Theory, so let it rest at that. The piano is not the source/mother of all western music. It is a useful instrument for "visualizing" music *theory*, but it is hardly the source of western music. In fact, the piano is relatively young, younger than the guitar and fiddle, having been invented (from similar sources) in 1709. I don't know what you mean by there being science or logic to knowing any instruments. I can say that some people, for reasons not yet known (I don't think) by scientists, some people can catch on to music really quick and understand what they hear more than "non-musical" folks. They understand the basics of making music (not necessarily music theory), and can apply that to many instruments. There are people out there, a few lucky people, who are so connected with the music and have such an understanding of it, who don't need to differentiate between string and wind or brass, whatever; They can just play it. That said, I know at least one person who, while having a little musical talent, is not a "natural" at music, but through sheer love of music has managed to learn three instruments (banjo, mandolin, & guitar) and can play them pretty good. However (pushing my luck here!), I am of the opinion that, unfortunately, there are people out there who just *cannot* "get" music, and while they may succeed in learning the physical motions needed to play an instrument, they will never sound that great. They might immensely enjoy jamming, which is great, but they won't have that "drive" that pickers talk about, or that "emotion". 73, Brennen
5stringpicker2 - Posted - 11/30/2009: 06:57:04
I to have this ability to pick up and play just about any instrument I can get my hands on but this does not mean I or we play it instantly. we also have a learning curve though not as steep as others it does take time to figure it out. I myself play the Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo, Harmonica, Piano, Irish Penny Whistle, Auto harp, Dulcimer, a little Fiddle, a bit of Acordian, Bass and at this time I have my eye on a set of Highland Bagpipes. The only one that ever played an instrument in my family was my grandmother so I don't think it's genetic. I just like music and many instruments interest me.
(I )===='---<::)
banjoak - Posted - 11/30/2009: 14:17:55
quote:
Originally posted by KI4PRK
I don't know what you mean by there being science or logic to knowing any instruments. I can say that some people, for reasons not yet known (I don't think) by scientists, some people can catch on to music really quick and understand what they hear more than "non-musical" folks. They understand the basics of making music (not necessarily music theory), and can apply that to many instruments. There are people out there, a few lucky people, who are so connected with the music and have such an understanding of it, who don't need to differentiate between string and wind or brass, whatever; They can just play it.
That said, I know at least one person who, while having a little musical talent, is not a "natural" at music, but through sheer love of music has managed to learn three instruments (banjo, mandolin, & guitar) and can play them pretty good.
However (pushing my luck here!), I am of the opinion that, unfortunately, there are people out there who just *cannot* "get" music, and while they may succeed in learning the physical motions needed to play an instrument, they will never sound that great. They might immensely enjoy jamming, which is great, but they won't have that "drive" that pickers talk about, or that "emotion".
73, Brennen
Great points. There is a difference between knowing the music (not necessarily theory), just how it's supposed to sound, and knowing the mechanics of an instrument. The instrument is just a tool. There are folks who learn to use the tool, but don't really know how to make the music. I don't know if some folks can never "get" the music. But I see lots of folks going about it in a way that makes it more difficult than it needs to be. For some, they don't differentiate between learning the instrument and the music, and just keep focusing on the mechanics and technique, hoping that it will lead them to an "aha" moment. Others approach understanding the music from a scientific methodology. They start out with an assumption (often are told) that basics of music is more complicated than what it is. They believe they don't know anything about music (yet they actually do know quite a bit), it has this mystery to it. So they make the process more complicated. As well they are trying to figure out all of whats going on as one thing, not separating out the basic and all of the detail. One thing I noticed in what might get labeled "natural" talent, those folks did not believe the basics were that hard to obtain. So maybe the difference is in when starting out, hearing the music they want to play, the one group automatically focuses on the very basics of the music that give it "drive" or "emotion", the overall of what attracted them to the music; and put the more advanced complicated detail in the background (to acquire later). They can separate the basic from the fine detail. They bring with them previous listening experience, that they do indeed know quite a bit of how the music goes. There are some other differences between the two, mainly in how they approach learning anything. If you look at a good description of right brain/left brain learning models (don't get caught up with how the brain really works) it describes very well the two different approaches.
KI4PRK - Posted - 11/30/2009: 14:53:35
quote:
Originally posted by banjoak
quote:
Originally posted by KI4PRK
I don't know what you mean by there being science or logic to knowing any instruments. I can say that some people, for reasons not yet known (I don't think) by scientists, some people can catch on to music really quick and understand what they hear more than "non-musical" folks. They understand the basics of making music (not necessarily music theory), and can apply that to many instruments. There are people out there, a few lucky people, who are so connected with the music and have such an understanding of it, who don't need to differentiate between string and wind or brass, whatever; They can just play it.
That said, I know at least one person who, while having a little musical talent, is not a "natural" at music, but through sheer love of music has managed to learn three instruments (banjo, mandolin, & guitar) and can play them pretty good.
However (pushing my luck here!), I am of the opinion that, unfortunately, there are people out there who just *cannot* "get" music, and while they may succeed in learning the physical motions needed to play an instrument, they will never sound that great. They might immensely enjoy jamming, which is great, but they won't have that "drive" that pickers talk about, or that "emotion".
73, Brennen
Great points. There is a difference between knowing the music (not necessarily theory), just how it's supposed to sound, and knowing the mechanics of an instrument. The instrument is just a tool. There are folks who learn to use the tool, but don't really know how to make the music.
I don't know if some folks can never "get" the music. But I see lots of folks going about it in a way that makes it more difficult than it needs to be. For some, they don't differentiate between learning the instrument and the music, and just keep focusing on the mechanics and technique, hoping that it will lead them to an "aha" moment. Others approach understanding the music from a scientific methodology. They start out with an assumption (often are told) that basics of music is more complicated than what it is. They believe they don't know anything about music (yet they actually do know quite a bit), it has this mystery to it. So they make the process more complicated. As well they are trying to figure out all of whats going on as one thing, not separating out the basic and all of the detail.
One thing I noticed in what might get labeled "natural" talent, those folks did not believe the basics were that hard to obtain. So maybe the difference is in when starting out, hearing the music they want to play, the one group automatically focuses on the very basics of the music that give it "drive" or "emotion", the overall of what attracted them to the music; and put the more advanced complicated detail in the background (to acquire later). They can separate the basic from the fine detail. They bring with them previous listening experience, that they do indeed know quite a bit of how the music goes.
There are some other differences between the two, mainly in how they approach learning anything. If you look at a good description of right brain/left brain learning models (don't get caught up with how the brain really works) it describes very well the two different approaches.
That pretty much hit the spot; I'll add a little bit here. While music theory and logic can never hurt your playing in the largest amounts, be aware it IS possible and far too easy to over complicate learning an instrument. One reason I enjoy "teaching" myself to play is that I don't have to subscribe to any one school of thought to learning. I am a logical person, but although I don't take an UNlogical approach to learning banjo (or another instrument), I don't follow any particularly logical path to it either; I just learn what I want. Contrary to a lot of advice, I don't use a regimented practice routine, I just sit and pick and learn along the way. It's worked delightfully well for me. Then again, I have a lot of time on my hands (being a homeschooled teenager whose parents tolerate my obsession with music). To make my blabbing short: The worst thing you can do while learning an instrument is to over-complicate it. 73, Brennen
BRUNO25 - Posted - 12/11/2009: 15:21:17
I think it's like a good athlete. You may have played one sport first, or most, but a lot of those skills transfer to other sports. You have to become very familiar with one thing before the next thing becomes easy. Or, easier.
Paul Ryan - Posted - 12/17/2009: 19:31:12
As a songwriter, I need to play a number of instruments, unless I am prepared to keep hiring studio pro's for my CD's and demos. I agree with those saying that the second instrument is easier once you have one under your belt. Still though, for all of them I find to play at a high level (not saying I do), each truly has it's own tough patches on the learning curve that requires attention. Said that, I do believe banjo players moving over have an advantage vs the other way around. I think the combination of both right and left hands in banjo is a pretty good grounding. Flatpickers certainly require right-hand technique but it's nothing like banjo. Squareneck players need to work that metal bar without sounding like cat-scratching, but it's not like doing neck drills with fretted instruments. Someone mentioned the common open strings banjo and guitar. I'll go a step farther. Banjo rolls are applicable to squareneck rolls and to a lesser degree travis picking on guitar. Moving up the neck exercises are similar for banjo and guitar, and the open tuning approach is similar banjo to squareneck, allowing for quite a few lick-driven chord transfers. I play eight stringed instruments (not that impressive since there are relationships like laud:guitar and dojo:banjo). So one of the toughest things is to give each justice with your practice time. So what I have done (finally) is for my main three - to develop scale-sheets, and metronome exercises. So in a practice session now it's very efficient, I do 15-30 minutes of scales or right hand technique each on guitar, banjo and reso. From there I'll focus on one focus instrument for that session, and put the others back in their cases.
Paul Ryan
www.ryantunes.com
notserp89m - Posted - 12/22/2009: 09:10:10
it's nothing more than having a good ear and patience. you just sit down and try to figure it out. If you can hear what a scale is in your head you can take to time to figure it out another instrument. Now becoming and talented multi-instrumentalist takes hard work and dedication.
Bob Peelstrom - Posted - 12/22/2009: 19:09:53
A few folks have mentioned playing by ear. I pass along the wisdom of my friend, the late Bo Diddley: "Play by ear? Sh-t, I play by what's between my ears."
-bp-
P.S. I am a multi-instrumentalist, but have never mastered the Swinette...
reller - Posted - 12/22/2009: 20:18:19
It's like what my banjo picking friend told me when I first started to transfer from guitar to banjo after a few lessons he said "you'll never make a banjo picker" when I asked why his reply was "you work to much". How True. It ain't nothing but time if you have the time to devote you can learn to play about anything. I unfortunately need all the time I have (and a lot more) for the banjo. Not complaining mind you just wish I had more time.
Bigbike4 - Posted - 12/22/2009: 23:23:57
quote:
Originally posted by Paul Roberts
Well, Michael began the thread with,
"You hear people say, 'he/she can play anything that has string on it', and I don't how they do it."
Not to be pugnacious, or anything, but I have to question the initial assumption, inherent in...
'he/she can play anything that has string on it'
I've never seen anyone who can play anything that has strings or anything else on it, but my wife and I (we've been able to make a living for many years because of our ability to play a large number of instruments) have been pegged such. And, I have to explain to people that it just isn't true - we can't play anything, etc... We just happen to have been interested in a number of instruments and - because of early experiences and, perhaps, genetics - have been able to get around on these instruments enough (and have been fortunate enough to obtain them) that we've been able to pay our way by playing them.
From my perspective - at this point in my life - it's not how MANY instruments one can play, but how one can take care of ones physical form, in a way that playing any instrument into old age, will still be possible. You get to the point where you realize it can all unravel if you're not careful. Didn't mean to put a wet blanket on anyone's enthusiasm, but the human form has more limitations than ones ability to learn different instruments. Take care of yourselves.
Peace
Paul
http://www.banjocrazy.com/ Gold Tone Banjos - Lowest Prices
http://www.youtube.com/user/strumstering Paul's YouTube Channel
One of the groups I look up to Indigo Girls, has Emily Saliers as one half of the group. She has stated and I believe it, judging by what I have seen, that she can play anything with strings on it. Now I have seen her play 5 string banjo, uke, mandolin, guitar, slide guitar, piano and a couple of other smaller instruments. Heck I have "wallpaper" on my computer of her playing one of her "deering" spitfire banjos. She is sought after as a guest guitarist on other peoples albums and intricate guitar work is probably what she is best known for. And surprisingly she does NOT play banjo with just a guitar strum. She does finger pick and clawhammer style as well as a combo down brush and up pick. Her uke style is strum, but then again, isn't most peoples? The how she does what she does is one question I would love to ask her, with the variety of instruments she plays. My GUESS is that she understands music theory and sees the instrument as just an extension of what she hears in her head and can then search on any instruments fretboard for the appropriate place to get those notes. I have known others who could walk into my (or anybodies home) and pick up any of my instruments and start jamming. I am amazed when they say they have always wanted to play a (fill in the blank here) and never had the opportunity before then.
Ritchie Mintz - Posted - 01/04/2010: 21:14:40
"I knew the guitar like the back of my hand so when I picked up the banjo, it was like I'd played it my whole life." Don Reno
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