Jack of All, Master of NONE?

[Illbay]

I have always been what we now call "ADHD," all my life. It has made certain things difficult for me, including becoming truly *proficient* as a musician: "Well, time to practice, where's my scale book, HEY, here's that comic book that came last week, I meant to read that (turns pages for a few minutes) now, what was I going to do again...?"

Also, I have always been so afraid of being a piece of **** on any of the several chosen instruments (about which more later) that I bounce from one to the other just trying to get "comfortable."

I play several kinds of basses, steel- and nylon-string (classical) guitars, and even a little electric guit. Now, I've just ordered a Krappy touchstyle guitar, to once again add to my menagerie.

Of course, in the back of my mind I'll NEVER be very good with it, but I BUY things like that because (in my mind at least) it means I'm really a musician, right?

So, is it possible to be a jack of all musical trades - or several, at least - and still get satisfaction? Or is always being a so-so player of several different things really just a way to spread mediocrity over as much of my life as possible?

[BassChuck]

Well, in my experience I've found that.... what's for lunch?

[mjolnir]

Ah, that's no big deal. Whatever makes you happy, man.

[spudmaster34]

I absolutley think that it is possible to be good at several instruments. Almost every profesional saxophone player has at least a decent amount of proficiency with flute and clarinet.

And, as another musician with ADD, some advice. I do not know what your situation is, but having a quasi-dedicated music room really helps me focus. I can go in, close the door, and have almost nothing other than music to distract me.