Double Bass Anybody else wish they could clone a band member? AKA an "animal"

[neddyrow]

I have been playing music with one guy for 15 years and in that time, he and I have been in may bands together. in those bands, he has played fiddle, mandolin, guitar and banjo. He can also play electric guitar, keys and pedal steel. The bluegrass community used to refer to a person who excels at many instruments as an "animal" - correct me if I'm wrong.

Well the band we play in is pretty great but my buddy is by far the most talented. He has that great bluegrass voice and plays fiddle, mando and banjo better than the members of our band. he is very helpful in teaching them how to play parts better as he teaches people as well.

I just wish I was in a band of me, him and two of his clones. We'd be killer!

So does anyone else have that band member that crushes it on every instrument they touch?

 

[marcox]

The mando player in my longest-running band (15th anniversary this year!) is a monster piano player who taught himself banjo in the van during our summer tours and can tear it up on guitar and accordion, too. As a music education major, he had to learn the basics of woodwinds and horns and says he was a passable player on those instruments, too, which I absolutely believe.

He likes my singing voice better, though, so I don't feel completely outclassed.

 

[Don Hergert]

I hadn't heard the term "animal" used in my decades in bluegrass circles, but things are changing so I just may not have encountered the term used that way. Lots of high level musicians in bluegrass, and other genre too, play multiple instruments and they may also play them well.

Our 16 year (so far) band's primary bass player also sings and plays guitar and mandolin at a professional level, and also as a career runs a very popular full-time recording studio (where we've recorded 4 albums). Our band's fiddler also plays piano at a professional level. Our lead singer also plays rhythm guitar at a professional level. They are all great and I'm honored and thankful every time that we play together.

I've primarily played banjo for about 55 years, but also play mandolin, Dobro and most recently double bass. With age and some associated health/mobility issues I notice that it's becoming more challenging for me to keep up with these fine musicians, but I still enjoy trying and it's definitely worth it. The music is good.