I think I’m just a bit too excited, I want to learn it all at once. But I guess the heart of the matter is that my inlaws play bluegrass and I so badly want to play with other folks that I want to play a string instrument to fit in with them… but I’m a saved oboe player so the whistles and flutes are much more attractive and easy to command for me. But… I think fiddle and mandolin look soooo cool…
Someone talk some sense into me!
Sense? You’re barking up the wrong tree, here. 🙂
My philosophy has always been stick with one (or at least a “family” of instruments that are related) until you feel that you have mastered that instrument to your satisfaction.
As you get into it, you’ll probably realize that you’re *never* going to feel like you’ve mastered it, because learning can be a life-long process. But you may also decide that you’ve hit a certain level that’s OK, and still feel the other instruments calling to you.
If you try to take them all up at once, you run the risk of becoming the old adage: “Jack of all trades, but master of none”. So a lot of it depends on your personality, what level you aspire to play to, and why you want to play in the first place…
I am a bit more orthodox than Rev.
I am old enough to admit being the Jack of All trades.
Unless you have no day job and are in a relationship with an independently wealthy sweet young thing/hunk willing to pay the food/rent/credit cards for your good looks and obvious talent giving you unlimited time, focus on one instrument and play it well.
People may initially be impressed with a multi-instrumentalists flexibility. However, if you are a hack on all the instruments, you get found out pretty quickly and the good players lose respect for you. Worry about your reputation more than the number of instruments scattered around you.
Guess I am just getting to be an old fart. When one is younger, with great synapses, eyes and fingers, one thinks they can conquer the world-or any instrument that strikes their fancy.
Mandolin, then fiddle, makes sense as the tuning is similar and the fretted mandolin is a great help for left hand fingers position so that you’re not entirely lost on the fiddle fingerboard.
Worked for me.
Good luck
Yeah, that’s about how it is here. Fiddle is best for this cat. Sure, I like to plunk on the tenor banjo, same notes, similar fingerings, bigger stretch, obviously. I like to play the whistle too, and playing the whistle has given me ideas about being a better fiddler, phrasing, etc., but at the end of the day, I always ask myself, when playing something other than the fiddle:
“Um…hey eejit, wouldn’t this tune sound better on your best instrument?” 😉
I’m focused on similarly-fingered melody instruments (tenor banjo, OM) and trying to learn (invent?) bouzouki accompaniment in my spare time. Trouble is there doesn’t seem to be any spare time.
I think that learning the mechanics of playing diddley music pales into insignificance when compared with the wealth and subtlety of learning the music itself. Playing two instruments can help with this. I’d recommend anyone wanting to learn this music to play the whistle. It’s such a simple thing, it takes no effort at all and it fits into your pocket. And because there is no such thing as a fiddle tune or a whistle tune, the insights into the music through playing the tunes on both are very helpful and rewarding.
Once again, I find myself in agreement with Michael, and once again he’s said what I was about to say in a better way than I would have.
I’d only add that the “one at a time” might help in the beginning stages of the instrument. Pick the one that you’re most dying to play, and spend a while getting a good start on it. Once you have maybe a dozen tunes that you can play happily, you can allow yourself to take up another instrument and you’ll probably benefit greatly from it.
one at a time is the best when you’re getting started off. i would say once you can can do some rudimentary sessioning on the flute and whistle you could start thinking about adding fiddle.
i play a couple instruments, and i only seriously work on one at a time. i might put the flute up to my face, but if i’m spending a few weeks or a month or two on the concertina, that is the only instrument i am working on developing technique. the same goes for flute. there was a few weeks (about 4 or 5) where i played flute exclusively, working on embouchure and tuning. i did play the concertina in this time, but spent none of it on bellows control and tone control. before i was working on flute, i spent about a month playing piano, and i hardly touched the flute or concertina. it can get distracting to seriously work on more than one at a time, even though you may dabble in your other instruments at a time.
however, there are also some times when i just work on upping my repertoire on flute and concertina, and switch back and forth between them equally. but then, of course, i am only working on repertoire, and not technique.
Thanks so much for all the wise words!
I’d say I put about 85% of focus on the flute, 10% on the whistles, and 5 on noodling with the others. I’m a stay at home mom and while I love my job it was leaving a bit of time where I was physically busy but my mind was kinda bored so devised a schedule where I play flute while the kids play on the floor and listen to the music while they are asleep. It has been very helpful in getting me through the winter boredom and the kids like the music so… win for everybody!
And may I say thanks for the site and discussions, there is so much help to be had here!
It isn’t insane at all…..I am currently learning concertina, flute and tin-whistle and it’s great as long as you KEEP practising!!!!
I strongly agree that the whistle is a great learning tool for this music, regardless of your ultimate instrument. The full range of expression is available there – the diddlies, the dynamics, varying the attack, sliding around the notes, etc. Driving the music with your own breath is a powerful way to engage with it. I’m sure I learned more about The Music from playing the whistle than from any other source. I need to get back to the whistle, since I seem to be losing the ability to play strings.
Steadkeeper, good on you. I’ve been where you are now many many moons ago on the other side of the world. I don’t think you need to be concentrating on only one instrument … whatever takes your fancy is what I recon. Its the listening to and playing of beautiful tunes that is the sustaining thing for a stay at home mum … love them in your own timeout for yourself. It doesn’t really matter if you are an expert or not on any one instrument … just that you get enjoyment, relaxation, pleasure out of playing and practicing … its your timeout … and you can spend it however you like (and still be there for the kids which is the important consideration). Now if you were growing up in Ireland surrounded by the music, it would also be just a part of your life and you would just be playing it as part of your life … fitting it in between other commitments … becoming an expert or a performer or whatever comes much much later. Not everyone needs to be a great, compete in Fleadh, perform to huge audiences or whatever. Enjoy the beautiful tunes and do and play whatever instrument the mood dictates. I agree with Llig on this one. A great way to start out. Good on ya!
I’ve played fiddle for a while and wanted to play uilleann pipes. Finally got a set that works so all the fiddle tunes are migrating to the pipes eventually. Still like playing fiddle since I can play that at sessions. Play the instrument your heart sends you to. Started as a guitar player back in high school, but haven’t touched them in a long time.
Most professional Irish musicians seem to be proficient on more than one instrument. Likewise, many professional classical musicians can play at a professional standard on more than one instrument. For example, my cello teacher, a seasoned orchestral pro on the cello and viola (BBC orchestras), played sax in a dance band and clarinet in a trad jazz band (he ran both bands). The clarinet and sax he learnt at Kneller Hall, the Military School of Music, because it was the rule that if you were a military musician you had to learn to blow or bang something, no matter how good you were on any other instrument. He always said that Kneller Hall gave the best professional training in the country.
Most professional Irish musicians seem to be proficient on more than one instrument. Likewise, many professional classical musicians can play at a professional standard on more than one instrument. For example, my cello teacher, a seasoned orchestral pro on the cello and viola (BBC orchestras), played sax in a dance band and clarinet in a trad jazz band (he ran both bands). The clarinet and sax he learnt at Kneller Hall, the Military School of Music, because it was the rule that if you were a military musician you had to learn to blow or bang something, no matter how good you were on any other instrument. He always said that Kneller Hall gave the best professional training in the country.
I’ve finally got a guitar teacher! Woo hoo!! He doesn’t do anything Irish but is quite good at fingerpicking the blues. I’m sure he can teach me quite a bit. But I’m still learning tunes with my mando.
Of course I get all kinds of advice from people.
"Don’t play the mando, it’l ruin your guitar playing.
"Don’t play guitar it’ll only confuse your mando playing.
“Stick to the mando. It’s better for Irish tunes.”
“Stick to the guitar, there aren’t very many good Irish guitar players but TONS of mando players.”
I’m gonna play BOTH and damn the torpedos!!
I have to agree with I_Fel “ Play the instrument your heart sends you to.” When I began playing music I learned the recorder. I did that for a couple of years and played in a recorder group at Youth Music. I got bored of the recorder, and really wanted to play something else, I really liked the fiddle and flute…
“My heart sent me to the fiddle.” 🙂 I LOVE IT!!! I still have other instruments I would like to learn to play, but my ‘main’ instrument is the fiddle.
I don’t really think it matters whether you learn the fiddle or the mandolin first, I’m sure the fingering is either the same or very similar.
Anyway whatever you play, enjoy it!
Lazyhound, I have to tell you that you’re repeating yourself again.
Steadkeeper, it all sounds good, but why separate your kids from your calling? Let them grow up with the music, and dance them around the kitchen.
Your last post contained just the kind of information to allow others to help you out. Why not enter it in your bio?
I meant the listening to recordings part, of course. You have said that you play for them.
I wouldn’t call it clinically insane…
lazyhound--things are changing. multi-instrumentalism is becoming more and more common. nine year olds out here in the states usually out play me, and on three instruments at that. i only went to the usa midwest fleadh once, but just about everyone i saw who won at the senior and just below won on several different instrumentswhen they grow up, they will end being professionals and playing multiple instruments. i also think that many professionals can play more instruments than they play out.
as for classical music, my band teacher at high school was a saxophone player, but he subs for the chicago symphony on clarinet, and i only ever heard him play the flugal horn. i also know he can play a mean jazz flute.
The only thing that occurs to me is that it will take you twice as long to learn each tune, because you learn it on one instrument, then you have to learn it on the other.
I can switch ( fairly ) easily between guitar and bouzouki, but my concertina repertoire is entirely a different matter, and when a tune starts up at the session that’s in my band repertoire I think “ I know the bass-line to this….” which isn’t much help at all.
Do whichever one you feel like doing. I started on the fiddle when I was young, and picked up the whistle and flute from having played the clarinet as well. Then there’s the piano as well which is an entirely different matter. I agree with Pete’s point about twice as long to learn each tune as well….
Yes. However, judging by the number of multi-instrumentalists on the mustard board, a fair number of us are, at the very least, certifiable. As noted above, become proficient on one, and it will be easier to transfer musical concepts to another.
I agree with llig, as echoed by bobhimself. Whiste is a great entry point to the music, easy to get started with, and since you already have some wind experience, you should find getting started even easier. You can always jump to another instrument once you get some tunes under your belt, and experience playing with people. And while the purists might flinch, I have heard more accordion and whistle in the background on folk and country songs lately, so why not bring the whistle into bluegrass circles???
And I would echo that, as a lifelong passion, fiddle is a wonderful instrument. I sometimes regret not pursuing it myself, but as a multi instrumentalist already, I have to draw the line somewhere.
Hey Steadkeeper, I really laughed when you referred to yourself as a “saved oboe player” as that is exactly what I am too - I must remember that title for myself occasionally. I too play mostly flute and a little whistle, and stick to the same family as that is what I am drawn to. I can play basic clarinet and am keen to obtain a Xaphon sometime, also tried studying recorder playing after dropping the oboe (whistle is so much nicer). I couldn’t imagine playing any other kinds of instruments and when forced to try to learn piano found it so unenjoyable and WRONG. But there are others who happily flick between vastly different instruments so if it works for you then go for it.
If you want to do bluegrass, play mandolin - the king of
bluegrass instruments. Also, you should find a bluegrass
online discussion group - might be more useful to you than
this one 🙂
If you want to play bluegrass, take up the 5-string banjo. That way, when you realize the error of your ways, it’ll be all that much more dramatic and you’ll be ever more motivated to play anything in ITM. Probably bodhran.
Also, if want to play bluegrass, then really get into it -- listen
to lots of bluegrass recordings and try to get that style of playing
down. If you are serous about music, you don’t want to be one of
those people who play “folk music” so that everything from
cajun to Irish has same dreary sound.
… of course, it’s better to play than not play, regardless of how
you do it
I play just two instruments now, uilleann pipes and whistles. Most good pipers are good whistle players and in any case, you can take a whistle all sorts of places where you can’t take pipes. The two instruments are similar in some ways (it is a tube with holes in it) but also offer totally different interpretations of tunes.
When I first got started playing Irish music I was playing harp, whistle, and bodhran. After I got the pipes I couldn’t manage anymore and dropped the harp. Felt I had to choose between the two and it was really no contest. Always contemplated taking it up again until I needed money for some (now fairly dysfunctional) drones and sold the thing. In mean, in reality I wasn’t going to ever learn to play it, as the pipes were slowly sucking my soul away. The only thing I regret from selling it is that I had only been playing pipes about eight months at the time and didn’t know enough to get a better set of drones. Live and learn.
I was chatting to a girl at a session the other week who is in uni studying classical violin. Apparently her violin teacher said that she should quit or at least seriously curtail her Scottish fiddling as it is bad for her technique. She said that when she was going home for the holidays, he asked nervously, “You’re not going to play a lot of fiddle and go to sessions, are you?”
“Apparently her violin teacher said that she should quit or at least seriously curtail her Scottish fiddling as it is bad for her technique”
I very much hope that is not representative of the generality of violin teachers. Sadly, it does seem to be an example of the closed-mindedness that you can encounter with some musicians - and not just in the classical camp.
It is of course perfectly possible to play the fiddle in a variety of musical genres without one affecting the other. Many musicians do it as a matter of course - Nigel Kennedy is an obvious example. Even I, at my level, can do it without any problems. When I practice at home I might spend some time, for example, on Bach or a Dvorak sonata, and then switch to an hour of playing Irish tunes. When I do the switch I automatically use a different bowing style and tone production, and I think my left hand technique uses a slightly flatter finger contact with the strings.
I am fortunate in having a classical violin teacher (Suzuki trained in Japan) who also teaches folk, jazz and improvisation, has been playing fiddle in the band Spiro for the last 15 years (another album is coming out shortly - plug! plug!), and encourages her pupils to explore different kinds of music.
Sounds a bit similar to the problem I had in the past finding the right voice teacher - most of them are classically trained and/or focus purely on technique, teach accordingly and don’t have the faintest idea about traditional singing; it’s very hard to find a performing folk singer who also teaches. After one or two unsatisfactory experiences, I finally found this brilliant person, a professional trad musician and singer who happens to live locally. It’s really worth holding out for the right teacher.
(Sorry bout the slight thread drift)
steadkeeper, I just read your original question.
If strings can play bluegrass, a flute player can play bluegrass. I know that isn’t what your question is about. But I thought it was worth mentioning this; I know some very good bluegrass players who love when a particular flute player joins them. Those sessions sound great & they have lots of fun.
On the other hand, if you have a very high singing voice . . .
I know just another cross genre stereotype.
Cheers!
Just thought of this; Is it insane to (learn to) play bluegrass flute?
Yes.
Does Del McCoury ever have a flute player?
The inlaws may enjoy this, give it a listen;
Michael McGoldrick, Donal Lunny & Bruce Molsky
“Sail Away Ladies” / “Walking in The Parlour”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BOsJdv6ZSI
There’s more . . .
“Shove the Pigs’ Foot a Little Further Into The Fire”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBIjR39WYfM
Playing flute in a bluegrass session is like playing tenor saxophone in
an Irish session.
the simple answer is NO
‘Luxury is no pleasure but pleasure is a luxury’
Francis Picabia (1879-1953) French painter and poet
fiddle is one of the harder instruments to learn so maybe one instrument at a time!
a whistle might fit in a bit more for bluegrass but u could play ur oboe anyway = ] as long as it sounds good x x x
I am done with oboe and ‘classical music’. After 7 years I found myself playing the same pieces over and over never getting any better, burnt out and told by 2 instructors that I just didn’t have what it takes to be a professional player. :(
The first time I picked up Irish flute it was like being let out of a cage. I had never really experienced playing music without paper in front of me, without memorizing scales, sitting in practice playing the same 10 things over and over perfectly while the people around me did not, getting bored and not practicing, not practicing and getting worse, playing auditions for a more challenging ensemble and failing miserably because I hadn’t been practicing…
If somebody asks me to play Hymnsong of Philip Bliss one more freakin time I think I might lose it, I have played that song enough times for one life, and let’s face it the oboe part is not really significant enough to need 2 oboe players!
To borrow (and slightly twist) a line from Joe Venuti, I tell people I play a lot of instruments: not too slow, not too fast, just half-fast.
not at all! i’m managing fiddle, mandolin, piano and harmonica with GCSE’s, JuJitsu twice a week and a healthy dose of time in the pub! but on a serious note, no. i’ve been doing it for a while and it’s always nice to be able to go to something different each day.
