Having spent this year (and many prior years) thoroughly focused on guitar (amassing a versatile collection, finalizing my amp & effects rigs, getting everything into tip-top shape from a maintenance standpoint), I've been thinking about branching out musically a bit in 2008. I've long talked about learning some more traditional instruments. So starting in January, I'm going to start learning the mandolin, and when I get basically proficient with that, I'm going to start learning the banjo. I already picked up a couple of chord charts and basic instruction books for each. If I can handle both of those, I may branch out to violin or lap steel. By the end of 2008, my goal is to be a one-man bluegrass band. Seriously, I don't know if I'll ever play any of 'em in a band, but it will be cool to be able to incorporate them into recording projects as they fit.
Which brings up a personal rant topic... why the f#$% couldn't all the original musical instrument designers agree on a common tuning scheme for string instruments? Guitar's tuned EADGBE, violin and mandolin are tuned GDAE, banjo typically GDGBD, dobro & lap steel are in all sorts of open keys. It's bad enough to have to learn new technique for every instrument, but when all the scale & chord fingerings change, it's a nightmare. Makes me want to cheat and tune everything like a guitar, just so I could learn faster. :)
--B
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2 comments:
Good luck with the mandolin. If you're successful I'm sure my parents would love to hear a demo.
Good luck with the mandolin. If it works out, I'm sure my parents would love to hear a demo.
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