Generalist or specialist?

In spite of my arrogant "Jazz" self-image, I have probably played more rock, standard...even country than jazz.

I learned to play anything that payed. It never made sense to me to spend years learning a particular style; then go out and find someone who wants to pay for you to play it. I researched the market and learned to be able to compete in that area.

Any music on any instrument I'd become adequate on for anyone who is a descent person and (for musicians), who can play was my approach.

Last year, I played gigs on keys (B-3-straight ahead jazz-50 gigs-synths-used on most key gigs-mandolin on recordings and at an Italian restaurant-tenor banjo-I cheat, sometimes and use a banjo body with a 6 string guitar neck-haven't been caught yet-vibes (with the local Philharmonic and, occasionally, with a jazz quartet), arrangers (about 20% of my gigs), piano and guitars and basses....LOTS OF GUITARS AND BASSES. I get lots of upright calls; sadly injuries make it hard to met the demand-love the instrument, though.


As far as styles go...everything for Dixie to Funk...from standards to Bossa...from dance to dining and concert settings. Then there's my sentimental favorite...Jazz!

I tell everyone I'm a music "HO".

In the earlier years, I played everything and anything to survive. Now, changing things up is sometimes a lot of fun.

My friend Rory mentioned in a recent post how he has to play multiple styles and multiple instruments in Nashville to make a living.


What about you?


Russ

I always felt being a "one Trick Pony" is a big hindrance and limits your potential as a performer. letting you personal likes & dislikes vs pleasing the audiences will IMO hold you back from excelling into many genres. I say be versatile, mix it up, please as many people as you can, do it better then the next guy and good things will come your way.

In a nutshell, whatever you do, do it well. Okay, the Rorys of this world are in a minority, but there's no reason not to aspire to that level of competence, even if you never actually achieve it. The fun is in the trying. Play what you play, step outside of it now and again and, always, love what you do.

I'm definitely a generalist, despite my reputation here for being all Country. On a typical night I will play standards, blues, Cajun, Zydeco, Country, Swing, old and semi-old Rock. Even a few Jazz songs that I would never post in front of the Jazz purists here!
DonM

I have always been a generalist. Back high school I was playing in marching band, orchestra, jazz band, in the “pit” for stage productions and also rock bands that at fraternity parties. In college I started getting into all sorts of Latin music including Peruvian folkloric, Mexican mariachi, Brazilian, and Afro-Caribbean. My taste in music is very eclectic. That’s one of the things I love about arranger keyboards- we can cover so many styles of music!

Although at times I do pause and think if I had just focused on one style and instrument I’d probably be pretty good – not a jack of all trades master of none. But I wouldn’t change anything. It’s been a wonderful ride.

It's been a "wonderful ride" for me, too...at least what I can remember (LOL)!

How many people play multiple instruments out? What are they?


R.

I play drums with some different bands and churches. Sometimes some Latin percussion too. Once in a blue moon I do some "legit" percussion for stage productions.

I'm a generalist. I learned early on that those players who played what the people wanted to hear were the ones working. I have always tried to put the audience first in my choice of music.

Joe

I think the very nature of arrangers makes it pretty much a slam dunk for the generalist, here.

Ask the same question on a piano or B3 forum, you might get a different answer..!

I guess I was wanting to know about people who played arrangers and other instruments...varied venues, etc.


R.

Same answer, then, Russ.

From symphony orchestras, pit orchestras (on t'bone) to cabaret backing, rock bands, jazz bigbands to small outfits, reggae bands, Top 40 bands, original music bands, country bands (old school and new), from session work to orchestration, from playing to mixing, mastering and arranging....

You name it, I've tried it..!

Polka bands, brass bands, conducting, competing - been there, done that. Played bass for over a year full time as a kid to save for my first organ and Leslie.

Being a musician is different from being an arranger player, or a pianist, or a guitarist. If its got anything to do with music, I'll take a crack at it! Guess that keeps me in the 'generalist' category.

Generalist...I play arranger, but also play(ed) B-3, Piano, Rhodes, and Synthesizer, in either band, recording studio or jamming situations. I used to play a fair amount of guitar, bass, some sax, but have not done so in quite some time.

I play pretty much all styles, but have more strengths in Country and R&B (including Rock&Roll), probably because those were the genres that had most of the playing jobs. In the past, I've done several musicals, including three Rock Operas (Tommy, Hair, and Jesus Christ Superstar), where I was the musical director, which included performing on Acoustic Piano, Fender Rhodes, Hammond B-3, and various synthesizers.

Recently I've started doing soundtracks for private videos, and last year I did demos for a few upcoming songwriters and singers (mostly Pop and Country)...some work is done in the studio, some with the Tyros4 (or S910), some using both methods.

The past year has brought many changes, including moving to new digs, which has taken some adjustment, but has proved to be the right course taken.

So yeah, Russ, "generalist" would fit me best.

Ian

I first played trumpet, through college. Picked up drums and bass while there. Bought an organ upon graduation. Learned guitar somewhere along the way.
I no longer play anything much besides keyboard and a little guitar, but the experience of knowing how to play these other instruments has been invaluable in knowing how arranger voices should sound.
DonM

How true that is, Don. Knowing what is possible and not possible on other instruments is invaluable.

Way back in the 80's when I was teaching Electone, we had a guy named Claude Dupras, who was a world champion organist (from Montreal) and he did seminars on how to imitate instruments on the organ, as well as orchestration style classes, so we would know the correct ranges of orchestral instruments (the string section, brass ensembles, woodwinds etc.), and that knowledge has managed to stick in my old brain all these years, and has proved very handy.

I must say you have a wicked guitar emulation on the arranger, in fact, you seem to make any arranger do that job for you. No doubt your guitar playin' days paid off handsomely.

Ian

Don is the BEST keyboard guitarist I've ever heard.

Yup...I watched him do his guitar thing at one of the jams and still couldn't understand how he made it so authentic. It probably doesn't hurt that he has Octave and Half hands.

Eddie

Absolutely !!!

Wow, thanks guys. Your checks are in the mail!
DonM

I play keyboard and lead/rhythm guitar in a classic rock band. But for a number of years I also played bass guitar as well.

When I was young I tried violin for a while ... but my tone was so painful I ended up abandoning it lol. Such a pity though because at the time I was addicted to Django Reindhart and Stephane Grapelli. I ended up deciding to stick to guitar.

I am definately a generalist. I will play any style of music that the audience want to hear.