Musical instruments thread

Whaleboy · September 27, 2003, 13:57

Do you play? If so what, and for how long? What kind of stuff do you play?

I play piano, 14 years, and I play rock, jazz, though moving back in a classical direction, I trained classically.

I also play guitar, 2 years properly, 4 years technically, rock, metal. I play accoustic and rhythm.

I used to play drums for a couple of years, but haven't for ages.

Discuss!

Whaleboy · September 27, 2003, 14:58

or not

Paul Hanson · September 27, 2003, 15:19

I'm a dab hand with a triangle.

And coconuts. Very good on coconuts. Must be why they always made me play them at school plays.

General Ludd · September 27, 2003, 15:27

I took cello lessons as a child, but didn't keep it up. I also learned to play the harmonica in my teens, but again, didn't keep it up.

Whaleboy · September 27, 2003, 17:00

Coconuts

Pekka · September 27, 2003, 17:03

That's pretty cool. I'd like to be able to play piano so I'd be able to play jazz... jazz

Whaleboy · September 27, 2003, 17:03

You can play jazz on coconuts.

Jaguar · September 27, 2003, 18:28

I play violin and viola well, and piano not very well. I want to pick up guitar sometime.

Whaleboy · September 27, 2003, 18:35

JW: Start on accoustic, preferably classical, because fingering is easier (if not strumming), then upgrade to accoustic. Starting on electric is a common error imo.

Jaguar · September 27, 2003, 18:42

Beginners on electric guitars also isn't very pleasing to listen to.

Whaleboy · September 27, 2003, 18:43

Same with violins!

Asher · September 28, 2003, 02:43

Quote:

Originally posted by elijah
JW: Start on accoustic, preferably classical, because fingering is easier (if not strumming), then upgrade to accoustic. Starting on electric is a common error imo.

Classical guitars easier to start with? You're kidding, right?

Anyhow, I've played Piano since I was a wee lad and took lessons for many years, up through Grade 7. Then I just didn't care anymore and did it when I was bored, don't play it very much these days but still have the "mad skillz".

Current instrument is an acoustic guitar.

Whaleboy · September 28, 2003, 06:05

Quote:

Classical guitars easier to start with? You're kidding, right?

No, playing chords on a classical guitar is easier than a steel string accoustic. The reason is that the strings are slacker, and softer on the fingertips (mine look like a lunar landscape), the frets are more defined and the fretboard is wider so theres less risk of hitting the wrong string.

Asher: Wanna jam sometime?

Sarxis · September 28, 2003, 18:24

Pipe Organ for 12 years, piano for 15. Trombone for 20, and Baritone/Euphonium for ~17, though I haven't touched a wind instrument since I got out of high school.

I do a lot of electric keyboard stuff too.

Drogue · September 28, 2003, 18:39

Quote:

Originally posted by Pekka
That's pretty cool. I'd like to be able to play piano so I'd be able to play jazz... jazz

Jazz

This thread has got me in a musical mood, and it's too late to play (wake the neighbours + parents

)

I play all sorts of instruments, from guitar and piano (badly) to tenor saxophone (not badly

). Went back to playing the trumpet when I got bored the other day, but I can't express myself like I can on a sax.

mrmitchell · September 28, 2003, 18:54

Accordion *ducks*

Drogue · September 28, 2003, 18:58

Quote:

Originally posted by mrmitchell
Accordion *ducks*

Boo!

Accordions deserve a treatment the moderators would not allow me to suggest

Straybow · September 28, 2003, 21:16

Acoustic guitar ~19 years

General Ludd · September 28, 2003, 21:20

Quote:

Originally posted by Drogue

Boo!

Accordions deserve a treatment the moderators would not allow me to suggest

My uncle plays the accordion, and my father and grandfather both play the bag pipes to boot.

Urban Ranger · September 29, 2003, 10:42

I play the piano, but I love to learn sax. I also play the Chinese flute.

MikeH · September 29, 2003, 10:46

Quote:

Originally posted by elijah
No, playing chords on a classical guitar is easier than a steel string accoustic. The reason is that the strings are slacker, and softer on the fingertips (mine look like a lunar landscape), the frets are more defined and the fretboard is wider so theres less risk of hitting the wrong string.

They are generally thicker strings and higher actions though. I think an electric is much easier to play.

Az · September 29, 2003, 10:54

the Piano. I used to be good, but didn't have any real practice for something like 3 years, so I probably suck now.

Jazz is cool, supporting a guitar, and singing at the same time is cool, as well. Classical is great, two, though difficult.

duke o' york · September 29, 2003, 11:33

My girlfriend plays both flute and piano to grade 8 but says she isn't quite good enough to play professionally.
I can't even manage the paper and comb, but I've promised myself I'll learn to play the tenor sax before I retire so I can spend lazy days making a godawful racket!

I may get her to teach me the piano now we've got one, but I'm not sure she (or anyone) has the patience.

Whaleboy · September 29, 2003, 12:08

Quote:

from guitar and piano (badly)

Now now, if only you would pay attention when I tell you to strum properly, you would be good at that god awful radiohead song

.

The rest of Apolyton should be grateful. The other two Northamptonians have heard Drogue sing!

. Perhaps "sing" is a little strong....

Notwithstanding this, I want to hear Drogue rap!!

Drogue · September 29, 2003, 15:28

Quote:

Originally posted by duke o' york
My girlfriend plays both flute and piano to grade 8 but says she isn't quite good enough to play professionally.

Sadly, the grades are becoming less of a test. I messed up my grade 8 royally, was so ill I couln't stand to play, missed the solo of one of my pieces and my improvisation was all over the place, and I almost got a merit

My brother is grade 8+ and still would not be classed as god enough to be a professional.

Verres · September 29, 2003, 15:34

Quote:

Sadly, the grades are becoming less of a test.

I really hope that is true! Have hardly any grades at piano(only bothered up to grade 4), just love playing it

Drogue · September 29, 2003, 16:02

But not to me

I didn't take any grades below 7

But I messed up royally on both and got good marks, no idea how they found that many marks. The first time I sorta flirted with the nice lady and she managed to find me the exact mark for honours

Wish the Uni's did that!

Japher · September 29, 2003, 16:20

Played piano since I was 6, mostly rag and jazz early on and moved to classical in college. Still play to this day, just for fun.

Played Alto Sax since I was 10; jazz. Stopped playing when I was 18-19. Friends and I had a jazz band that played around town for mall opening, block parties, weddings, etc...

Played Bassoon since I was 12; classical (duh). Stopped playing when I was 24-25... Played in the HS band (winter season), Played for the Fresno Youth Philharmonic, State Honor Bands and Orchestras, UC Davis symphony orchestra, and for small production around the Sacramento area.

I can also play clarinet, though only when my sister lets me steal her instrument; which I ussually do and can get away with fo 1-2 years at a time.

I use to play the penny whistle a lot. Then I got a dog and whenever I play it she attacks me

...

Decent with the harmonica.

Alinestra Covelia · September 29, 2003, 16:26

I've been playing classical piano since I was seven (O so many years ago). Apart from a few singing lessons (opera), I haven't had the chance to study any other musical instruments.

The pieces I'm working on right now include Liszt's Liebestraum, Chopin's Fantasia in D Minor, Brahms' Rhapsody in G major, and the infamous third movement of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata (known affectionately around here as the "Apeshit Movement".

Verres · September 29, 2003, 16:27

Moonlight Sonata! I LOVE that piece!