NOTICE
Mandolin madness: Learning to play an 'alternative' instrument such as the mandolin or unrelated may pareisier than mastering the standard garage band instruments and may provide a path to rock-star status.
Photo by Jerry Wang
Ditch the rhythm guitar and pick up a ukulele for an easier path to becoming a rock star //ABBY OLCESE
t some point in their lives, many people harbor a dream of becoming a rock star. Usually these visions revolve around electric guitar, bass or drums.
But increasingly, instrument preferences seem to be getting more diverse. Artists such as the Punch Brothers, Sufjan Stevens and Bela Fleck are repopularizing lesser-used instruments such as mandolin and banjo. At Mass Street Music, 1347 Massachusetts St., employee and local musician Jason Jones says he's seen more interest in the instruments from college-age customers. The ukulele, too, appears to be making a comeback, being used by musicians ranging from YouTube phenomenons such as Jake Shimabukuro to manistream artists such as Jason Mraz. With artistlike these getting attention for playing different instruments, people are making the choice to start learning alternative instruments themselves.
Learning to play an instrument with no previous musical training may seem like a difficult task, but it's not impossible. In fact, it's pretty common. Thom Alexander, founder of the Americana Music Academy, 1419 Massachusetts St., says at least half of his students are adults who always wanted to learn to play an instrument but never got the chance.
"They grow up, get jobs, have kids, and after a while decide 'Well, heck! I wanna learn this stuff now!' Alexander says. He says that learning an instrument as an adult can actually have advantages because adults have more control over their fingers.
Sometimes, learning an alternative instrument can be less difficult than learning to play the guitar or drums. Hawley Shoffner, 2009 graduate and Lawrence musician, says she finds "odd" instruments are easier to pick up than "normal" ones. Shoffner plays a variety of instruments including ukulele, accordion and kazoo. She says she writes most of her songs on ukulele because it's easier to figure out the chords. "It's ridiculously easy to play," she says.
The internet has also made it easier for people to see others successfully playing different instruments, Schoffner says.
Jones is also a fan of the ukulele, which he started playing in college. He says that for people who are interested in learning an instrument, but have little musical training, it's a good way to start. "It's a quick-result instrument," Jones says. "There are fewer strings, and they're thinner."
Shoffner says she thinks musicians' increased exposure on the internet has helped drum up interest in diverse kinds of instruments. "It's a lot easier to record your own music now, and you don't have to be super talented to play a show by yourself," Shoffner says. "You can just play cutely instruments and it works out."
Both Jones and Alexander say that time is the biggest issue when it comes to learning a new instrument. Alexander says that with lessons it's not too difficult for new musicians to figure out how to play as long as they're committed to practicing. Sometimes it can take as little as six months.
"You'll have a better experience learning because you're playing something that plays right and sounds right, instead of having to work with something that doesn't sound like it should," Jones says.
For beginning banjo and mandolin players looking for a good instrument to learn on, Jones suggests Deering Goodtime banjos and Gold Tone mandolins. At $379 for the banjo and $322 for the mandolin, they're not cheap, but Jones says the investment is worth it.
For new musicians, this is encouraging news. Sure, it may take a while before you can jump on stage and bust out a performance of "Dueling Banjos." But if you're willing to squeeze in some time for a little practice, that goal isn't impossible. Who knows? After a few years, you may even beat Bela Fleck's record 27 Grammy nominations. Only time will tell. Jp
MUSIC LESSONS IN LAWRENCE
If you're interested in tuning your musical abilities, here are a few options.
Americana Music Academy (guitar, drums,
bass, brass, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, dulcimer,
piano and harmonica)
1419 Massachusetts Street
Phone: (785) 830-9640
Website: www.americana-music.org
Lawrence Piano Studio (piano)
2512 W. 6th Street, Suite B
Phone: (785) 842-2182
Website: www.lawrencepiano.com
Richard's Music Company (guitar and bass)
15 East 8th street
Phone: (785) 842-0021
Website: www.richardsmusicstore.com
Natalie Cox (piano and guitar)
Phone: (785) 842-9219
Website: www.nataliecox.com
Eric Mardis (banjo)
Phone: (785) 840-8530
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