How Many Are Expected To Play Two Instruments?

George Redmon · From: Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.

how many of you steel players are expected to play two instruments? for years i hauled along my 6 string, steel, two amps, assorted cables for each, volume pedal, seat, guitar stand, extra strings for each, many effect stomps, would either set there with a guitar around my neck playing steel, or standing playing guitar with no one behind the steel, looked stupid!..i finally put an end to it, when a guitar player told me..it was guys like me, that kept guys like him out of work..do you mind doing 2 jobs for one pay?

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Whitney Single 12 8FL & 5 KN,keyless, dual changers Extended C6th, Webb Amp, Line6 PodXT, Goodrich Curly Chalker Volume Pedal, Match Bro, BJS Bar..I was keyless....when keyless wasn't cool....

Jim Phelps · From: Mexico City, Mexico

Well I can relate to this.

First years of my playing music full-time, I doubled on steel and guitar, so I hauled one D-10, one amp, between 1-3 guitars, bag of effects and cords, steel stool to every gig.

As if that's not enough, I also played a little mandolin, b@njo and fiddle, so started taking the fiddle too and it became part of the regular thing. I sold the b@njo and never took a mando out.

I got tired of having to reset my tone controls when I'd switch instruments so bought a teac mixer and added that to the mess of stuff to lug.

For about a year in '82 I played just fiddle 6 nights a week. Boy, that was nice...!

By '84 I was tired of the whole biz and sold everything but one 6-string guitar and my fiddle. Yep, sold my steels. I still wanted to play music part-time but decided to concentrate on just one, the one I thought I was best on was guitar.

I really regret selling my steels now. I returned to music full-time and played steel fulltime in the last few years but haven't regained the right-hand picking dexterity I had when I quit it in '84. That's life I guess.

[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 31 May 2005 at 01:51 PM.]

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

You have a point, George. All of this started back in the mid '70s, when 9 out of 10 of the country chart records had no steel. (We all remember the days when Glen Campbell, Bobby Goldsboro, John Denver, The Statlers, and a few other steel-less acts dominated the charts.) Reasoning from the local dunderheads was, "We don't need a steel 'cause we play the covers just like the records, and very few have steel!" It was back then that it started that a steeler had to do something else to hold his job.

Trouble is, though, a 4 piece group with 2 "utility players" (who can each play 5 different instruments) is still a 4 piece group when you come right down to it, and a 4 piece group will never sound like a 7 piece group. Of course, the argument has always been..."A 4 piece group can work cheaper." Then, logically, some one came up with Karaoke, so they didn't need more than one player (who "played" a computer).

That's where we are right now.

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

Actually, 3 - pedal steel, guitar, and b@njo. There was a time I also drug a lap steel around as a 'fourth' instrument, since I used it differently than I used the pedal steel. I try to do that stuff now on pedal steel, but getting the sweet/searing lap steel/slide tone takes a bit more work.

I don't mind switching, and frankly, I've played guitar a lot longer than anything else. But on gigs these days, I'm 80-90% pedal steel. As far as I'm concerned, one should play whatever is needed in the service of the song. On a cover tune, I don't care whether the original had steel or not. If I think a song wants it, I play it.

I agree that a 4-piece is always a 4-piece, but variety can be good. I sometimes switch from steel to guitar/banjo in the middle of a tune, which can add texture and variety. In addition, less is sometimes more, and that sometimes goes to the number of instruments, IMO. In a large band, players often need to spend a lot of time laying out to avoid the sound getting too jumbled. Plus it leaves fewer personalities for potential conflict.

Ya' know, perhaps not EVERY song MUST have pedal steel - but I know this is probably a hard sell here, if not outright blasphemy.

[This message was edited by Dave Mudgett on 31 May 2005 at 02:15 PM.]

Rick Schmidt · From: Prescott AZ, USA

I don't mind carrying around more equiptment that allows me to double/triple on guitar/midi guitar one bit. Actually the final outcome of all the hastle probably lets me slip steel into alot more places and genres of music than normally would be accepted. And yes, it does keep me working.

Gary Lee Gimble · From: Fredericksburg, VA.

Banjo, steel, dobro, mandolin and guitar. A jack of all and a master of none....too much to carry around any more, time to settle on one.

Marty Pollard · Posted 31 May 2005 1:38 pm

I love it but then I love my Telecaster.
I got it 3 yrs ago and can't get enough of it.
If'n I HAD TO, I might feel diff about it but it's just a cool challenge and I love trying for that twang/pop/tone.

Also, as a b@nj0 player I just took up reso a couple yrs ago so now I double in bluegrass too.

But it's all finger picking and if it twangs, I'll play it.

Finger picking Tele is way cool because I can do lots of great rolls and stutters that sound Oh So Bakersfield!

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

Steel, several electric 6 strings and a solidbody electric 12 in recent years,.. in years past a banjo, lap steel or electric mandolin besides...not to mention lead/harmony vocals in 80% of the songs any given night.. I was honored to be able to do it and my contribution was well appreciated by everyone in my band. It was NOT a hassle.. it was a priveledge... bob

Tom Jordan · From: Wichita, KS

I play steel and guitar, on occasion mandolin and banjo. Yeah, it can be a pain in the butt at times but I never felt that that I put anybody out of a job. I most areas that I've played (CA) there just isn't enough musicians around that can drop the ego and work as a team member. We've tried to use guitarists and most were to embarrased to play "country" and wanted to impress friends with their rock chops or what ever. Also, dificult to find people who are dedicated enough to the band's goal to show up for practice...don't need to practice that country junk. I've always thought that the individual musician was the one the "cut" himself out of a gig.

I've even done midi solo gigs (still do) because frankly I hate to hear people whine about having to play country music or not wanting to play a request because they thought it was corny (geez, I'm starting to rant...better stop). We don't get paid to play what we want to hear, it's the customer that is "paying" to hear what they wan't to hear. Yes, we have "our" standards and support artistic freedom of expression but the requests are important whether I want to play them or not.

And last but not least, I consider myself a musician...not a steeler or guitarist or whatever...I just try to use what I know to contribute to the sound of the band and fit the mood of the song

Tom Jordan

Marty Pollard · Posted 31 May 2005 2:59 pm

Oh and about putting somebody out of a job?!?
You're kidding, right?

I view it like I view my cash; if you can take it, you can certainly have it.

Les Anderson · From: The Great White North

I sort of felt that being able to play more than one instrument was a prerequisite now days. Though I most certainly do not consider myself a steel player yet, I do a not bad job on the upright bass and have been playing harmonicas (chromatics/harps) for better than fifty years.

In fact, my big chord harmonica (24 ¼” long)) is one of the most requested instruments; however, it is more for a novelty act than anything else.

My bass harmonica is also a novelty act when I am playing the upright bass in a band.

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

[This message was edited by Les Anderson on 31 May 2005 at 05:46 PM.]

Nate LaPointe · From: Los Angeles, California, USA

I sorta get a kick out of being able to switch instruments, guitar-steel. Most of the crowds I play for really appreciate it, especially because many of them are familiar with the sound of the steel but not the instrument iteslf. So I suppsoe it is sort of a novelty for them. 2 hassles for me...
1)I have to adjust the boom mic stand from when I'm standing playing the 6-string to when I'm sitting playing the steel.
2)More stuff to haul around/set up/tear down. I need a roadie!!!

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www.natelapointe.net

Mark Metdker · From: North Central Texas, USA

The more instruments you play, the more valuable you are, at least in most local bands. Heck, even in touring bands. Ask a guy like James Pennebaker of Big and Rich. He has always been a utility guy, and has always found work. If I'm a front man, I'll hire a utility guy over a one instrument guy. I currently play steel guitar, lead guitar and slide guitar. I have to bring my steel, 3 guitars, 2 amps and numerous stomp boxes. I don't get any more money than anyone else in the band. But, I'm not playing for just a paycheck. I have fun playing. Why else would I drag all this heavy stuff around for crap pay!

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Zum U-12 w/True Tone pickup thru a Nashville 112

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Larry Strawn · From: Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.

Steel and Guitar,,,

Simply because dedicated guitar players are hard to find in our part of the world..

Don't think I put any one out of a job,,If some one had wanted the job, they could have had it.

As of last Friday night, that may all be over with,, got my fingers crossed!!

Maybe after a few some more rehearsals I can leave my Tele at home!!

Larry

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Emmons S/D-10, 3/4, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

[This message was edited by Larry Strawn on 31 May 2005 at 06:35 PM.]

Drew Howard · From: 48854

I double and triple on other instruments, and ask for more money and usually get it.
Nothing to retire on, mind you.

Drew

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Drew Howard - website - Fessenden D-10 8/8, Fessenden SD-12 5/5 (Ext E9), Magnatone S-8, N400's, BOSS RV-3

Webb Kline · From: Orangeville, PA

I got ya all beat in the massive multi-instrumental martyrdom department.

In my duo, Woody & Webb, we bring as many as 17 instruments on stage with us. I love it. I never get tired of songs because I simply change instruments when a song starts losing inspiration.

I play PSG, Dobro, Piano, acoustic and electric 6 stringers, lap steel, mandolin and banjo and melodica. I'm getting a mandola and a Bozouki soon, as well. Woody plays Acoustic and electric 6 stringers, Baritone and tenor ukes, Hammered Dulcimer, mountain dulcimer, hamonica and he foot triggers a couple of pedals from a Roland handsonic.

In addition, we use a TC Helicon Voice Live for additional harmonies and we're known to hand out a djembi, bongos, boudran, tamborines, maracas and other shakers to the crowd to beef up the rhythm section when we need it.

We make a lot of noise for a couple of old guys. College kids think we're cool, and we also play a lot of coffee houses in children's hospitals sponsored by Starbucks. It's a great stress breaker for parents who are there with their sick and sometimes dying kids, as well as for the med staffs. We may look like and actually be fools, but we make people laugh and sing and that's what it's all about.

Variety is indeed the spice of life. The difference though, is that we are not "expected" to multi-task like this; we do it because it's fun and the people get a kick out of.

Even with my country band, I still play piano, psg, Dobro, 6 stringers and mandolin. Yeah, it's a lot of stuff to drag around, but you learn how to utilize leverage and how to cut back on unneccessary sound equipment.

With the duo, a pair of Bose L1's take care of both PA and monitor duties better than anything I can think of and hardly take up any space. My Pod has presets for everything I use execpt for the piano which goes direct.

I know someday we'll have to cut back, so we may as well enjoy it while we can.

Scott Denniston · From: Hahns Peak, Colorado, USA

Ya, I've gotten calls where they said " Well you play dobro/banjo too don't you?" I've been seriously thinking of taking up the baritone sax as a side though. Bah Bomp!! I actually started on a reed instrament,

Roger Edgington · From: San Antonio, Texas USA

Normally I just play steel but can switch to bass in a pinch. Bass was my main instrument 40 years ago and I still love it but I'm a tad rusty now. Sometimes I set up my 10 string non pedal and stand up and play.

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

If they pay enough, I can bring all 5 of my steel guitars.

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Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
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Tim Harr · From: Dunlap, Illinois

I play Steel Guitar and usually take my Telecaster.

The only reason I take the Tele is to play it while I sing. I could sit and sing behind my steel but I choose I play guitar when I sing.

I have fun playing both on the gig.

I have played guitar and steel on the same song swithching between then two mid song/verses, etc..

It is what I have always done.

Being versitile is what has secured many gigs for me.

Why hire a steel player when you can have a steel player that plays lead, sings a lot, and writes charts too...

I market myself as a musican rather than a steel player.

Whatever it takes to compliment the song/band and get the job done as best as I can.

Tim

Al Marcus · From: Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)

Tim-You got it! Back in the Big Band days, you had to double to get a job.

I have always played Guitar and lead Steel. In smaller groups I would even play a set on the Piano. As Tim says, whatever it takes for a musician........al

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

Garry Vanderlinde · From: CA

It seems that most steel players I've come across are guitar players also. It looked like great fun, so a couple of years ago I got a 'tele and haven't regreted it one bit.

George Redmon · From: Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.

Mr Kline, i think the work you do for the hospitals is just great..you have my respect sir. I to play Nursing Homes, shelters, and have done my share of Jail Ministries...my trouble with doing the Jail Ministries, is they check your back ground so extensively,
i always had in the back of my mind.."i wonder...did i pay that old parking ticket or not?...eeeegads!

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Whitney Single 12 8FL & 5 KN,keyless, dual changers Extended C6th, Webb Amp, Line6 PodXT, Goodrich Curly Chalker Volume Pedal, Match Bro, BJS Bar..I was keyless....when keyless wasn't cool....

[This message was edited by George Redmon on 02 June 2005 at 12:04 PM.]

Zach Parish · From: Asbury, MO USA

I started in my band playing guitar, anything from acoustic, to electric, to slide guitar. And now I have decided to play PSG. When I go to gigs I carry, an electric guitar, an acoustic guitar, and my PSG. I also carry 3 amps, one for each guitar, and my pedal board. It is easy for my to complain about carrying all of my stuff, but at the end of the night its all worth it.

Leslie Ehrlich · From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

The last time I played live I had guitar and steel. I needed two vocal mics because I did lead vocal on most of the songs I played steel on.

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