What instrument(s) do you play?

[Oberon]

Hey y'all...

There are so many interesting, vibrant, and talented people who post here, it would be shocking in the extreme if none of you played an instrument or sang.

So I'll go first:


I play violin, in a fiddlish sort of way, and
I have been known to break into song at the least provocation.


I and some friends play a local coffee shop about once a month, with a repertoire that covers some bluegrass standards, a few Cuban guitar pieces (chiefly "Guantanamera") and some folky crap thrown in (John Denver, James Taylor, acoustic Beatles stuff, and so on). And a couple of originals just for fun.

Actually, it's all just for fun.

[Rachelinpa]

Piano and some guitar. I break out into song too.

[Jack Flak]

Can hold my own with a guitar; can hold a beat with drums; can fake my way through bass guitar. I've come up with some melodies on piano, but have very little experience. I also sing!

[colmena]

I play bass, piano, and bamboo flute all really badly.

Mainly Motown on bass. 'though I want to get an upright to play trad. folk/New Age
Cheesy American soundtrack personal wafflings on the piano in Bb.
I just blow into the bamboo flute until it sounds pretty. Much like life.

[phoenix13]

Stuff I can play well:
-violin
-flute/piccolo

Stuff I can play decently:
-piano
-fiddle (same as violin, only different style. I do celtic and hungarian fiddling)

Self-taught folk instruments that I think I can play decently but have no way of judging:
-bodhran
-erhu

[Trinity]

Learnt violin, cello and piano when I was younger but never really loved 'em than I discovered and fell in love with Bass, haven't looked back since.

[Enyo]

It's been a few years since I've played, but...

I have eight years of classical training on the clarinet.
I have two years of jazz training on the alto sax.

I played bass clarinet for two years.
I've learned how to play oboe, although I never did it very well.

I also did two years of dancerettes and flag corps.

I don't play anymore. My son and my niece are now playing my clarinets. It's kind of cool, but since I stopped playing, my beginner clarinet has been in near continuous use (from me, to my nephew two years after I stopped playing clarinet for marching season, to my niece immediately after he finished school, and now to my son). I just let my niece start using my orchestra quality instrument last year. Unfortunately, my sax is still in a case and not being touched.

I would like to get another flag for twirling back up here, though. It was a lot of fun and great exercise.

[Oberon]

We could put together a pretty good house band, looks like.

I know Jennifer is a first-rate accompanist on piano and keyboard, and probably could make a fair concert performer if she put in the time to practice.

[Beat]

I've played drums since I was about 10 and I guess I sing if I'm inebriated/alone in my car. :D

[pure_mercury]

I took six years of piano as a boy, and got a guitar at 13. I am no good at either, but I can make quite the racket. And I have a good singing voice and range, but I need lessons on pitch and key.

[Jennifer]

I know Jennifer is a first-rate accompanist on piano and keyboard, and probably could make a fair concert performer if she put in the time to practice.

Fat chance of THAT happening (based purely on my historical precedent). :)

But a house band could easily be in the works. I like playing by ear anyway. (cuz, um, I don't need to practice, nor do I have to play what's on the page! :blush:)

I dabble in lots of things, although officially I played clarinet, oboe, xylophone, and pipe organ.

....A little birdy told me that Nocaps also has some musical skill.

[Uberfuhrer]

I play the Coke bottles.

[Oberon]

One of the fun things I like to do with my fiddle is play stuff that isn't ordinarily played on fiddle. For example, I can play the guitar riff from Southern Culture On the Skids' "Camel Walk." Or, when my group plays Clapton's acoustic "Layla" or "You Look Wonderful Tonight," I play the signature electric guitar part.

I can also do a fair "Jump" by Van Halen (on double stops), as long as we stay away from Eddie's big solo. :D

[rhinosaur]

I can play the guitar pretty well.

I can fake it on:
- Piano
- Mandolin
- Banjo
- Bass Guitar
- Bass Fiddle (plucked bluegrass-style, no bow)

[Tallulah]

One of the fun things I like to do with my fiddle is play stuff that isn't ordinarily played on fiddle. For example, I can play the guitar riff from Southern Culture On the Skids' "Camel Walk." Or, when my group plays Clapton's acoustic "Layla" or "You Look Wonderful Tonight," I play the signature electric guitar part.

I can also do a fair "Jump" by Van Halen (on double stops), as long as we stay away from Eddie's big solo. :D

Very cool, Oberon! I'd like to see that! Did you see this video? YouTube - ALEX DEPUE DAZZLES OPEN MIC NIGHT (MySpace.com/alexdepue) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHC_Qyov2Xc)

I play piano well, and I took up guitar six years ago. I'm working hard, b/c I want to be good on guitar. I can fake bass and cello. I really want to learn some stuff on mandolin, like Battle of Evermore. I'd love to be able to play violin, but I feel like a big-time klutz when I attempt to learn.

[spirilis]

Bass horribly, don't think guitar-like instruments are for me (not right now anyway). Trying out drums soon (getting an electronic kit) as I always find myself beating out rhythms against my (desk/car door/steering wheel/shifter/floorboard of my scooter/etc.) while listening to music anyhow.

[GZA]

I've been playing guitar for five years. I don't know how good I am compared to the musicians here who sound like they've been playing longer than I have, but I think I can confidently say I'm at least good on both rythem and lead for my age. I play a lot of different stuff, from sort of country/bluegrass to bop to rockabilly and other stuff. I can do improv pretty well, too. I play electric and acoustic guitar.

Anyone got any recordings?

I can also play bass fairly ok. I sort of do bass solos more then actual bassplaying (althugh I've been told my bass solos are pretty good for pure improvisation), but I think if I was to try to actually play a baseline I could do a decent job, but for the most part my bassplaying is screwing around. I'm kind of ok at drums and harmonica, and I used to play piano when I was like 10 but stopped.

By the way, it's my goal to be able to write very good songs and possibly profesionally record them by the time I'm 25, but I'm going to aim for an earlier age if I can, but no rush.

[Beat]

Anyone got any recordings?


I have a recording of me playing drums to a fairly cheesy radio-rock style song. It was a song of the band of a guy whom I worked with, back when I was in high school. They let me play the drum part because it was for my "Senior project" in high school (and I was a little better than their drummer hah) , which I did on the subject of "music recording." Because it was a quick recording it doesn't sound awesome but it sounds a lot better than a tape recorder set up in a garage or something (thanks to my Dad who did pretty much all the technical stuff on it).

If you really want it PM me and I'll hook you up, but I'm not gonna just provide a link here for the public. I'm not much for making a spectacle of myself :cheese:. It's a pretty cheesy song and the drumming is pretty straight-forward rock. Not too much to it although the ending is a jam. lolz

U got any recordings GZA-ster?

[Haight]

Can hold my own with a guitar; can hold a beat with drums; can fake my way through bass guitar. I've come up with some melodies on piano, but have very little experience. I also sing!Same-same.

And notta plays the piano. :headphne:

[ArbiterDewey]

Played Baritone Saxophone through middle/high school. I still play my alto sax occasionally.

Have tried to learn:
-Piano
-Bassoon
-Guitar

[htb]

I play saxophone, sing, and can operate a guitar.

My favorite instrument, however, is the studio -- recording, engineering, producing.

[YourLocalJesus]

Stuff I can play well:
-violin
-flute

Stuff I can play decently:
-piano
-fiddle (same as violin, only different style. I do celtic and hungarian fiddling)

Self-taught folk instruments that I think I can play decently but have no way of judging:
-bodhran
-erhu

You seem to be on the same page as me. I play the tin whistle (mostly D-whistle, but I kind of like the F and G, too), and I know just about every irish drinking song + most rebel music by heart :D (the songs themselves, not on the whistle)

Played guitar for a few years, but i'm just no good at it.

Am I getting you wrong, or are you somehow into irish folk music?

[phoenix13]

You seem to be on the same page as me. I play the tin whistle (mostly D-whistle, but I kind of like the F and G, too), and I know just about every irish drinking song + most rebel music by heart :D

Played guitar for a few years, but i'm just no good at it.

Am I getting you wrong, or are you somehow into irish folk music?

No no, you've got it. I was the fiddler in a celtic band in high school and used to improvise with a band in a pub back in my hometown (one of those "anyone can join" setups). I will say that I can't match titles or lyrics to tunes (which I can do in classical music... weird); I just play by ear. Hurrah! We've got an ayyyyrish laddie!

[Evan]

I play the drums, and I'm pretty damn good, if I do say so myself. Been playing for about 12 years (I'm 22).

Used to play in a band; got exposure on MTV news, Billboard and Rolling Stone magazine, etc. (This was largely due to the fact that we were so young, I admit)

[phoenix13]

I play the drums, and I'm pretty damn good, if I do say so myself. Been playing for about 12 years (I'm 22).

Used to play in a band; got exposure on MTV news, Billboard and Rolling Stone magazine, etc. (This was largely due to the fact that we were so young, I admit)

Hmmmm, I'm feeling skeptical about this one... ;)

[Thursday]

I play the drums, and I'm pretty damn good, if I do say so myself. Been playing for about 12 years (I'm 22).

Used to play in a band; got exposure on MTV news, Billboard and Rolling Stone magazine, etc. (This was largely due to the fact that we were so young, I admit)

So whats this about coming down to La to be my drummer now ? :D

[Beat]

Well, you've got the ego thing covered. Where's some recordings, diss?

Also, what's your current setup?

[Evan]

Hmmmm, I'm feeling skeptical about this one... ;)

So whats this about coming down to La to be my drummer now ? :D

:)

[Evan]

Well, you've got the ego thing covered. Where's some recordings, diss?

Also, what's your current setup?

Yeah, I definitely have an ego when it comes to music....

I'll PM you some information if you want, but the last real recording I made was when I was probably 13-14. I have about 8 years on it now...

[Beat]

You're a self-proclaimed bad ass drummer and there's no recordings since you were 14? Hmmm.

[Evan]

I don't orient my life around proving to people on the internet that I can play drums well, sorry man.

My current setup is a shitty Roland electric set because I have no space for real drums/I would annoy the hell out of the people below me.

[Beat]

I don't orient my life around proving to people on the internet that I can play drums well, sorry man.

That's cool. I just won't believe you. :)

[Evan]

That's cool. I just won't believe you. :)

I don't blame you. I probably wouldn't believe me either, as most people that claim they're good actually suck.

Again, I can PM you info if you want, but if you'd rather think I'm lying, I can't stop you.

[Beat]

Sure, I'll take the info. And I'm messing around; I'm sure you're decent. Don't see why you'd lie about it.

[Usehername]

I'm competent enough on the piano that if given the time, I could learn any song. I'm not competent at it by ear, though I wish I was. (ISFJ teacher = "don't worry about those patterns you keep noticing, you'll confuse yourself. Just keep practicing your scales" (i.e. rote learning). :doh:
By the time I figured out she was wrong, I was more interested in athletics and probably only practiced 30 minutes a week other than my 45 minute lesson. I was a bad ass sight reader for a time there, though.

Guitar I'm pretty competent at chording, but not anything else yet. I have an acoustic, my brother has an electric that I'm learning a bit on.

Played a few brass instruments in the school band.

[GZA]

I have a recording of me playing drums to a fairly cheesy radio-rock style song. It was a song of the band of a guy whom I worked with, back when I was in high school. They let me play the drum part because it was for my "Senior project" in high school (and I was a little better than their drummer hah) , which I did on the subject of "music recording." Because it was a quick recording it doesn't sound awesome but it sounds a lot better than a tape recorder set up in a garage or something (thanks to my Dad who did pretty much all the technical stuff on it).

If you really want it PM me and I'll hook you up, but I'm not gonna just provide a link here for the public. I'm not much for making a spectacle of myself :cheese:. It's a pretty cheesy song and the drumming is pretty straight-forward rock. Not too much to it although the ending is a jam. lolz

U got any recordings GZA-ster?

I have a few recordings of riff and chord ideas recorded in my basement in 8 bit sound from as far back as 2005 (which doesn't seme far back, but it is for me a sI've only played for 5 years). I havn't done any in a while, and even out of the stuff I still play I should probably rerecord it cause I have changed it a bit. Some of my better quality recordings are, like yours, a bit cheesy, except their more like rag-time cheesy then cereal commercial cheesy. I may be able to send them to you if you really want to hear them, just PM me and I may be able to figur eout a way.

By the way, Dissonance, I agree with you that most people who think they are really good really are not good. Plus thinking you're good stops you from learning, and when you lean there's always that feeling like :doh: I can't beleive I used to think I was good, because you realize you know nothing and therefor must still know nothing.

[EffEmDoubleyou]

I play bass, piano, and bamboo flute all really badly.

Mainly Motown on bass.

Excellent taste in bass players! James Jamerson FTW :)

I played piano for two semesters as an elective in college, but never kept up with it. My greatest accomplishment was playing "Maple Leaf Rag" well enough that you could tell what song it was. :doh:

I also put on bravura singing performances in my car. If I am in my living room, I may accompany them with a Mick Jagger impersonation. No, you can't see. :1377:

[Jack Flak]

I could listen to Sting play fretless bass all day. (sorry for getting a little OT)

[GZA]

James Jamerson is indeed awesomely amazing. Probably the best, really.

[Magic Poriferan]

I can play the piano/organ/keyboard decently. Of the three, I definitely have the least like for playing piano. Not that pianos are crappy, it's just that I prefer the sustaining and less percussive quality of the organs or keyboard voices.

I learned how to play a couple of songs on harmonica, like Get Back and Lonely Girl, but various other obligations of life meant that I never got past the basic practice phase. I really wanted to learn blues harmonica style anyway.

[pure_mercury]

James Jamerson is indeed awesomely amazing. Probably the best, really.

Yeah, he was tremendous. Jaco Pastorius was pretty amazing, too.


Weather Report - Birdland (Live)

[ajblaise]

^ wow i thought no one else listened to Weather Report, nice.


I play the drums and keyboard. Composition is what I like the most. I'm getting better at mandolin and guitar.

[colmena]

Did someone mention Jamerson?

This thread just got cool


YouTube - Marvin Gaye "What's Going On / What's Happening Brother" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9KC7uhMY9s)

[Antisocial one]

Once again I will give warm and positive answer.

I don't play anything and I was never interested.

[Oberon]

I don't play anything and I was never interested.

How do you think you'd do as a groupie?

[ajblaise]

How do you think you'd do as a groupie?

well he won't have sex, and that's the first requirement of being a groupie.

[Oberon]

well he won't have sex, and that's the first requirement of being a groupie.

Antisocial (literally), asexual, and practically reptilian... that's it. He's got to be our manager.

[scantilyclad]

I've been playing bass guitar since i was 11, but i think i'm meant to play drums, i play them much better and have been doing it for less time.
I can also play piano, but only christmas songs.

[InaF3157]

The recorder.
*ba - DUM - ching*

[Bella]

funny

[Edahn]

Drums (12ish years) and a little piano.

[Ivy]

A little piano like Schroeder's?

http://www.snoopy.com/comics/peanuts/meet_the_gang/images/meet_schroeder_big.gif

[YourLocalJesus]

No no, you've got it. I was the fiddler in a celtic band in high school and used to improvise with a band in a pub back in my hometown (one of those "anyone can join" setups). I will say that I can't match titles or lyrics to tunes (which I can do in classical music... weird); I just play by ear. Hurrah! We've got an ayyyyrish laddie!

More like some crazy crossbreed of scottish, swedish, cornish and dutch + a few other smaller influences. :D Born and raised in Sweden, the cold north ^^ But I do love celtic music in general. My personal favourite is The Corries. Well, at least right now :D

What kind of tunes/songs did your band play?

[Oberon]

I sat down last night and worked out the keyboard parts to Dire Straits' "Walk of Life," as rendered on the fiddle. The opening strains work out nicely double-stopped on the G and D strings. The first combo is high G and low B, then high F and low B, then high E and low A, and those chords work for the rest of the opening phrase. It's handy, because the last two are at the same position on the string... the first is the second finger across the G and D strings, and the second is the index finger across the G and D strings, all from the first position.

The melody line took a little getting used to... bouncing between the first finger on the A and D strings, not a key in which I'm used to playing. But then, not all songs can be written in the holy bluegrass key of G. :D

[Noel]

Played piano for a few years when I was a adolescent. I was told that I have a 'remarkable' proficiency for sight-reading music.

[IamDisplaced]

I play the keyboard, drums, and clarinet. On the other hand, I haven't played them in quite a while. I'd be exceedingly happy if I could learn how to play the guitar.

[Oberon]

I'd be exceedingly happy if I could learn how to play the guitar.

EVERYBODY plays the guitar. Why don't you learn something different yet cool, like lute, or tenor guitar, or mandocello? :D

[IamDisplaced]

EVERYBODY plays the guitar. Why don't you learn something different yet cool, like lute, or tenor guitar, or mandocello? :D

LOL thanks Oberon for making me feel worse, considering the fact that everyone else knows how to play vs. myself. You know the annoying people you see meddling around with the instruments in stores? That's me! I'd be all for the tenor guitar, though. I'm all for it, I just want to play some strings! :cheese:

[Oberon]

Okay... it's probably truer to say that lots of people play guitar. Not everybody knows how to wail on a blues harp, though. :D

http://www.harmonicafactory.co.uk/images/P/blues_harp.gif

[IamDisplaced]

Ha! LOL I don't know, do you think I can pull off the blues harp? I'd probably pass out in the process, but it would surely make me unique wouldn't it

[Oberon]

I'd probably pass out in the process, but it would surely make me unique wouldn't it

Yes, and in a good way.

Hey, people learn it... why not you? Best part is, you can always have your instrument with you. Whip it out of a pocket and you're ready to rock.

[Beat]

Play a damn guitar with 7 necks. That's pretty original... "Hydra-tar".

Shit, I'm going to invent that.

[pure_mercury]

Play a damn guitar with 7 necks. That's pretty original... "Hydra-tar".

Shit, I'm going to invent that.

How about Rick Nielsen's five-neck Hamer?

http://johnahlschwede.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/five_neck.jpg

I met that guy. Not super-friendly. Robin Zander was cool, though.

[Beat]

I bet he wishes he had 7 necks. I'm going to be rich.

[Oberon]

I bet he wishes he had 7 necks. I'm going to be rich.

You'd better build the body out of balsa. That five-necker probably weighs sixty pounds.

[IamDisplaced]

Yes, and in a good way.

Hey, people learn it... why not you? Best part is, you can always have your instrument with you. Whip it out of a pocket and you're ready to rock.

LOL!!@"in a good way".. So, it's worth passing out over then?
Although, you are right, I can play it anywhere I go.

I don't know about that 7 neck Beat's talking about inventing lol but I think I can handle a 2 neck. See, now with the blues harp AND guitar skills, I'd be unstoppable :yes:. I can see myself playing Seasick Steve's "Dog House" and throwing in the blues harp.

[phoenix13]

More like some crazy crossbreed of scottish, swedish, cornish and dutch + a few other smaller influences. :D Born and raised in Sweden, the cold north ^^ But I do love celtic music in general. My personal favourite is The Corries. Well, at least right now :D

What kind of tunes/songs did your band play?

Aw man, that's a crazy crossbreed. I'll bet you had to work through the agony of growing up between conflicting cultures/races by writing a book entitled "Dreams From My Aryan Father." :alttongue:

OK, it's been a while, but I do remember playing Dillion's Fancy, The Butterfly (?), some tunes we heard on a Great Big Sea CD (I'm a Rover, Meri Mac, Donkey Ridin', other stuff I can't remember), and some Christmas arrangements. I was only in the band for 4 or 5 months and we played in lame venues like shopping malls and grocery stores, but I had a great time.

I'm gonna check out the Corries on youtube. Adjö så länge!

[YourLocalJesus]

Aw man, that's a crazy crossbreed. I'll bet you had to work through the agony of growing up between conflicting cultures/races by writing a book entitled "Dreams From My Aryan Father." :alttongue:

:doh::rofl1: Watch yer back, lad! :D

OK, it's been a while, but I do remember playing Dillion's Fancy, The Butterfly (?), some tunes we heard on a Great Big Sea CD (I'm a Rover, Meri Mac, Donkey Ridin', other stuff I can't remember), and some Christmas arrangements. I was only in the band for 4 or 5 months and we played in lame venues like shopping malls and grocery stores, but I had a great time.

I'm gonna check out the Corries on youtube.

Pretty traditional then. Great Big Sea is pretty good at times, I love songs like "the night when paddy murphy died", "the old black rum" and "true newfoundlanders". Not to mention "Barret's privateers", but Stan Rogers version is a thousand times better. :)

What did you think about ra corries?


Adjö så länge!

Found that on wiktionary? :D Jag hoppas du dör! :D Eller kanske inte.

[Oberon]

I must get into Celtic fiddling. Thus far I have been somewhat intimidated by the intricacy of it... but those guys have learned to play those complicated, blindingly fast reels. Why not me too?

[phoenix13]

Pretty traditional then. Great Big Sea is pretty good at times, I love songs like "the night when paddy murphy died", "the old black rum" and "true newfoundlanders". Not to mention "Barret's privateers", but Stan Rogers version is a thousand times better. :)
:yes:

What did you think about ra corries?

I'm not done yet! I only listened to one song, but I liked it.

Found that on wiktionary? :D Jag hoppas du dör! :D Eller kanske inte.

i kommer att skära ut ditt tarmen och bära den som ett halsband!
^If that made any sense, I win.

I must get into Celtic fiddling. Thus far I have been somewhat intimidated by the intricacy of it... but those guys have learned to play those complicated, blindingly fast reels. Why not me too?

OK, we really need to start an Ayyyerish band. Oberon can be the fiddler, I'll play the bodhran, and Jesus can play the tin whistle. Yeah! Let's do this!

[YourLocalJesus]

I'm not done yet! I only listened to one song, but I liked it.

A few good ones: The roses o' prince charlie, Scotland the brave, the bonnie lass o' fyvie, dark lochnagar, Flower of Scotland(they actually wrote it!), The green fields of France, The Skye boat song.

These guys have a lot of songs about the strife for scottish independence. I kind of love it.


i kommer att ta bort tarmen och bära den som ett halsband!
^If that made any sense, I win.

:rofl1: That is actually correct. :huh: "I will remove the intestant and wear it as a necklace" :D Though "I" is not used for self reference nowdays, but luckily I happen to know we actually did use it like 200 years ago :D It's very formal, so it kind of lends an air of royalty to it :rofl1:



OK, we really need to start an Ayyyerish band. Oberon can be the fiddler, I'll play the bodhran, and Jesus can play the tin whistle. Yeah! Let's do this!

My fright of being on stage without being drunk as Shane MacGowan is very well-documented :D But when I have about half a bottle of whiskey in hand and the rest in my stomach, I tend to sound just like Shane :D

[Oberon]

My fright of being on stage without being drunk as Shane MacGowan is very well-documented :D But when I have about half a bottle of whiskey in hand and the rest in my stomach, I tend to sound just like Shane :D

[shrugs]

Works for me.

Provided you're willing to share, of course.

[YourLocalJesus]

Oh, no problem :D That's one of my many problems, really. I share too much. I always have too much of the good stuff at home, and when someone/me decides we should throw a little party, I tend to say "Oh fuck, just get over here, i've got enough for the three of you" :doh:

[KLessard]

I play piano as first instrument and I play it on a regular basis in a Baptist church(Gospel/worship style).

I also play keyboards in a Christian band, scottish mouthblown smallpipes, whistles and shofar (ram's horn and yemenite). I've also played the xylophone as a child.

[Bella]

The violin -
in my dreams.

In real life - the glockenspiel.

I'm kidding

[GZA]

Once you hear a glockenspeil solo you'll never say that again :P Ever heard Rose Room by Benny Goodman (which also has the great Charlie Christian on guitar, amazing solo!)?

[Bella]

No, indeed, I have not.....

[GZA]

Look it up on youtube, try to get the recorded version, it's essential listening if you like jazz or glockenspeil or music or life :tongue:

[whatever]

mandolin... I play it when stressed about something :blush:

[GZA]

Thats awesome!!!!!!!

[EvanTheClown]

i played Tuba for 6 years, then decided that the band director was a douche.

[Oberon]

mandolin... I play it when stressed about something :blush:

You play mandolin? I would never have guessed that, not in a million years!

[YourLocalJesus]

Mandolin! :D Another member of the irish band/mob :D

[Kora]

Does voice count?
Mezzosoprano here.

[Oberon]

I would say it counts.

I was a bass in the university choir back in the day, but never a soloist.

[whatever]

:laugh: you knew I play mandolin from back when there was a threat of a bluegrass band being founded in the secrets thread ;)

[Oberon]

:laugh: you knew I play mandolin from back when there was a threat of a bluegrass band being founded in the secrets thread ;)

Yes, now that you mention it, I did know that. :doh:

[ed111]

I enjoy playing the keyboard and composing electronic music (using Reason software). I was also once a renowned trombonist (in my own local area hehe).

[phoenix13]

I enjoy playing the keyboard and composing electronic music (using Reason software). I was also once a renowned trombonist (in my own local area hehe).

I don't know what you Brits call it, but in America, it's BONER.
Ex: There's a world renowned boner in London.

[ed111]

I don't know what you Brits call it, but in America, it's BONER.
Ex: There's a world renowned boner in London.

I think you're teasing me :) I would never claim to be a renowned BONER (especially in capitals).

[phoenix13]

I think you're teasing me :) I would never claim to be a renowned BONER (especially in capitals).

I didn't make that up! That's what we call 'em in marching band. They're boners and play 'bones.

[ed111]

I didn't make that up! That's what we call 'em in marching band. They're boners and play bones.

How unfortunate! They must endure quite a lot of ridicule :p I think I'd rather heft a souzaphone around than be known as a boner!

[dorareever]

I play guitar and keyboards but not well. I suppose I can come up with something listenable on a 4-string banjo, a bass and anything resembling a recorder but it's hardly "playing".

I can sing pretty well though.

[Cimarron]

I enjoy playing the keyboard and composing electronic music (using Reason software). I was also once a renowned trombonist (in my own local area hehe).
Cool, I do similar stuff: Play trombone, and compose music by computer programs...well, actually I haven't composed anything in a really long time. But I could if I wanted to. :sadbanana:
And bass guitar as well, I've been playing that more than the 'bone, in recent times.

Yes, we call them "bones", too, but I make a point never to call myself or my colleagues "boners". I use the longer, more stilted terminology "trombone-player" or "trombonist", like you said.

[ed111]

[QUOTE=Cimarron;331909]Cool, I do similar stuff: Play trombone, and compose music by computer programs...well, actually I haven't composed anything in a really long time. But I could if I wanted to. QUOTE]

I haven't been able to compose anything recently due to not having access to my equipment, but I'm looking forward to being creative in the near future!

[ZiL]

I play...my voice. I was in chorus and ensembles for years, but I'd need a few weeks of warming-up to expand my range back to its previous state.

I can play a few songs on the guitar too. I practice intensively for one week out of every three months or so :D. When I'm 60 I'll be like Jimi. Seriously, we'll be the same guy. Everyone'll be like, "oh my god it's the ghost of Jimi!" But it won't be Jimi because it will be me.

[Oberon]

Yes, we call them "bones", too, but I make a point never to call myself or my colleagues "boners". I use the longer, more stilted terminology "trombone-player" or "trombonist", like you said.

Yes... there are so many unfortunate potential constructions along those lines. For example, "Boner-blowers" is probably not a term to win friends and influence people.

[phoenix13]

Yes... there are so many unfortunate potential constructions along those lines. For example, "Boner-blowers" is probably not a term to win friends and influence people.

Hey man, the boners embraced it. That's what they call themselves. You've gotta expand your mind, man!

[sleeptowin]

I'm pretty good with the guitar, bass guitar and piano. I play some drums as well. I'm currently thinking of trying to learn a more exotic instrument.

[snowflurri]

Piano for 10 years so far... and I'm planning to learn to play the guitar this december

[Mercurial]

Learning guitar. I think it pouts when I'm done making bad sounds on it.

[chattegris]

I learned to play the piano when I was younger. I probably still can play but I haven't tried lately.

[Oberon]

I borrowed a cheap Washburn mandolin last week, and have been working on learning to play it.

I discover it's much tougher on my left-hand fingertips than is my violin. Of course, that may be because it's a cheap instrument and therefore the strings are a little higher than they should be, so to prevent a buzz out of the fretboard. Of course, when I play it, it buzzes anyway. :D

[Blackmail!]

I've made 10 years of piano in a public conservatoire, but when I reached 15, I noticed I wasn't good enough to become a professional musician (I reached my limits).

Still, I can play it fairly well when I have time to focus and practise (when I have time... hmmm... I'd wish I had more). Alas, I play only classical music, no jazz. I have a slight preference for Bach and Debussy, although I also enjoyed playing Satie, Chopin, Mozart and Beethoven, Mozart being often the trickiest composer of this crowd when you need to interpret his music.

I also played church organs, I mean very large ones, since I used to train in Saint-Sulpice (Paris), which has the same dimensions as Notre-Dame's cathedral. When you play the BWV 565 Toccata on such a powerful instrument, believe me, you feel like God in front of keyboards! The whole building is resonating with sound, almost trembling.
The idea is not to make a single mistake, or else it booms into your ears during several minutes (much to your own shame). :ohmy:

Despite this experience, I usually prefer to play only for myself (when I need to calm down a little, for instance), and dislike to have an audience. Let's say it's one of the few introverted traits I hide in my extroverted shell... :)

[vince]

guitar. started playing really late at 26. I'm 29 now. I thought the first 2 years were very difficult. Now I'm intermediate and very happy to find that I'm able to compose something of my own. There's nothing better than a tune in my head that I've made myself.

[foster123]

Hey Guys,

Jazz is my kind of music and in the world of jazz I'm inspired by Shaun Barrowes so I'm trying to learn jazz piano (http://www.shaunbarrowes.blogspot.com).

[Sytpg]

Played piano/synths when I was younger.

[nonsequitur]

Piano, acoustic guitar and harmonica. Completely typical.

Started piano in primary school, stopped in secondary. Picked up the acoustic guitar 2 years ago, am now intermediate-level, I guess. I'm not too bad. Just picked up the harmonica this year, I need to learn to breath properly before I'll be ok with that.

Hope that I'll have enough money next year to buy my dream electric guitar and finally start playing with all of the effects pedals and mixers though. Acoustic gets slightly repetitive after a while, especially since I'm no classical guitarist.

[dyspraxion]

I'm okay with [electric]guitar and bass. I can play piano, in a plodding sort of way (need to practice more).

I used to play clarinet and cello in elementary school.

My favorite instrument is a computer, however. Synthesized/electronic music.

I can sing pretty well. I have over a three-octave range, and the next best thing to perfect pitch (can't recognize notes at hearing them, but I can mimic them). I've been told I should go professional. *shrugs*

[ragashree]

I essentially play Indian percussion instruments, which are completely different to either the standard western drumkit or things like Latin and African percussion, which I would expect most people to be more familiar with. Indian percussion is very technically demanding and incredibly difficult to play even up to my current standards. Which are actually quite high for a Westerner, from a notably non-musical background, who didn't start playing any kind of instrument, let alone this stuff, until his mid 20's. Without the foregoing qualifications, however, I should probably classify myself as mediocre but improving. I studied a couple of years with one of the best British tabla players (actually a Jewish Hindu from New Zealand:huh:, ah, well).

As I doubt many people will actually know what I am talking about if I simply name the instruments I can play I shall hereby provide a brief description along with the names of said intruments. I'll list them in rough order of my ability (best to worst).

Tabla (Tuneable kettledrums, the most important and popular Indian drums, normally played in pairs while sitting on the ground. They slightly resemble bongo drums in appearance but have a completely different sound/playing technique.YouTube - Zakir Hussain Masters of Percussion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As1OMMcHXFs&feature=related) Most people probably will have seen them (or at least heard them) as they're quite extensively used/sampled in a wide variety of music, especially world, fusion, and electronic music. Sometimes I even hear mutilated tabla samples playing as a background beat in the pop charts :cry:

Pakhawaj (A big double ended wooden barrel drum played horizontally. It sounds like a massively bassy tabla. It's quite physically demanding to play for long but I love the sound when I'm in the mood. So far as I know they're only used in Indian temple music and and an old form of Indian classical music known as Druphad. Until I introduce them to the experimental rock world, that is;)

Khol (A twin headed flask shaped barrel drum, normally made out of pottery and played hanging around the chest by a shoulder strap so that the drummer can dance if they want to. I presume that's why they're so popular with the Hari Krishnas, or whatever they're calling themselves these days)

Khol (A sort of folk version of the Pakhawaj, smaller and more simply constructed. Probably the easiest one to play for people who haven't studied Indian drumming technique.)

Khanjira (A very weird little creature, like a tiny tambourine with only one jingle. Incredibly difficult to play, not least because the head is highly abrasive sharkskin - I kid you not - which has the ability to separate skin from hand in no time at all. It makes a pretty amazing funky sound if played correctly.YouTube - Balamuralikrishna's concert - Thani Avarthanam Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVRN9rIdOLw&feature=related) I can tolerate a certain amount of pain in a good cause.)


...and not forgetting

Gopichand (A strange kind of stringed instrument which has only one string and makes a quite unearthly wailing sound which may or may not be considered music, particularly when this particular drummer has finished with it. I "play" it if the neighbours have upset me in some way, or when pisshed. Both together are obviously ideal :whistling: My last neighbour informed me that she was quite happy for me to play my tabla at 2am if I so chose, providing I desisted from playing THAT at any time...)

[Kanamori]

I play bass pretty well, and am sort of passable with cello, guitar, and the flute.

[Demigod]

I have played the guitar and bass for about 15 years, had a band, a small CD in the past... Nothing too major.

[Jae Rae]

I play the spoons, kazoo, knee, desktop and air guitar.

[sleeptowin]

I essentially play Indian percussion instruments, which are completely different to either the standard western drumkit or things like Latin and African percussion, which I would expect most people to be more familiar with. Indian percussion is very technically [...]

Khanjira (A very weird little creature, like a tiny tambourine with only one jingle. Incredibly difficult to play, not least because the head is highly abrasive sharkskin - I kid you not - which has the ability to separate skin from hand in no time at all. It makes a pretty amazing funky sound if played correctly.YouTube - Balamuralikrishna's concert - Thani Avarthanam Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVRN9rIdOLw&feature=related) I can tolerate a certain amount of pain in a good cause.)



I'm not really in to traditional indian music, but I'm very intrigued by it. Mostly because of the skill it seems to require to play it, and the very many, and the very strange, percussion instruments that are a part of indian folk music. The video you linked to was very interesting, thanks for sharing that.

[am_i_evil666]

i play guitar....sometimes. there were times when i played guitar for real, but i have no idea why i stopped, as i like it a lot.

[G-Virus]

I play the piano (amateur) and I can play the guitar like a MOTHA <WATCH YO MOUTH>

[Eldanen]

I play the radio. FM band only though.

[G-Virus]

I play the radio. FM band only though.

http://www.dennisyang.com/archives/you_suck_sad.jpg


JUST KIDDING

[InaF3157]

Learning guitar. I think it pouts when I'm done making bad sounds on it.

Ditto.

I thought I could add to my skills on the recorder. ;) I doubt this will end well.

[G-Virus]

Ditto.

I thought I could add to my skills on the recorder. ;) I doubt this will end well.

Its not that bad if you stick with it for a week or so. Try some beginner youtube videos. Good luck with it, I am pretty sure you can rock it better than any sensor out there :D

/motivation

[InaF3157]

*is inspired by your vote of confidence*
Thanks, I will try it. sensotardation be damned.

[G.Kai]

Guitars: '79 Bulletstock Strat, MexiStrat, Rick 330. Play professionally when my introversion lets me out of the cage.

[G-Virus]

Youtube is the next best thing to actual lessons. :D

[Willfrey]

I'm a pianist.

I stopped taking lessons my sophomore year. I've recently bought a full 88-key digital (a nice one), and plan to start up on lessons again next month. I quit right at that point where I could have gone it alone, though I lack self discipline. Quitting was perhaps one of my biggest regrets.

Probably the most difficult piece I know would be either Rachmaninoff's 2nd Piano Concerto, or Linus and Lucy (Peanuts theme), I quit in the middle of learning Maple Leaf Rag. Hope to learn more blue-sy stuff.

I also strum the guitar a bit, nothing fancy just plucking and basic chords.

[ragashree]

I'm not really in to traditional indian music, but I'm very intrigued by it. Mostly because of the skill it seems to require to play it, and the very many, and the very strange, percussion instruments that are a part of indian folk music. The video you linked to was very interesting, thanks for sharing that.

Thanks, it's nice when someone takes an interest in my weird drumming! Yes, a huge amount of skill is required, and I'm not sure I really have what it takes to go all the way to the top (though I can certainly be fairly competent). If I had any sense I would just switch instruments to something more mainstream, as I suspect I could kick ass on the drum kit by now if I took it up seriously, maybe build a career out of it which would be SO much better than working ;)
But that just wouldn't be as much fun as what I'm actually doing *kicks self*

[vince]

Youtube is the next best thing to actual lessons. :D

Hah yeah. I'd say it's the other way around. I don't have to lift my ass for youtube and it's FREE.
Seriously, youtube is a gift from above for amateur musicians. That, and tab software like Guitar Pro.

[Llewellyn]

Guitar, mostly chords and picking. Bass guitar. And a little keyboard (mostly improvisation).