Post by: cosine on December 13, 2006, 03:58:13 PM
Me, I learned to play the piano because my mom wanted me to. She always wanted to learn to play the piano, but never got to. So, I had to do it for her. I'm glad I did, because I really like it now.
I learned to play the guitar because everyone else does. I also wanted a portable instrument that was good for accompaniment, because a youth group I belonged to didn't have anybody to accompany us when we sang at camps and meetings.
Finally, I learned to play the clarinet just because. I had no real useful reason for wanting to learn to play the clarinet, except that I really like the way the instrument sounded, especially in Von Weber's clarinet concertos.
So, why do you play the instrument(s) you do? Is it something you were forced into by your parents? Did you learn a particular instrument to fit in the crowd, or because the crowd needed someone who played that particular instrument? Or did you choose to play your particular instrument just because you liked it, no purposeful reason why? Or was it something else that didn't mirror my experiences?
Post by: AJ Dual on December 13, 2006, 05:13:53 PM
Otherwise it was about two months of Suzuki method violin in kindergarten before they kicked me out because I couldn't master "Twinkle-Twinkle' on the one inch of bow I was allowed to use, as marked by the tape. 
I never figured out how to read the sheet music made of little smiley faces either.Why did I choose the violin? No freaking clue. I was five.
My best guess is that the violin looked like it had the most "gadgets", Violin, bow, the mysterious little cube of rosin, the case that held it all. Probably not a good criteria for picking an insturment. I can't even reliably play a tune on my little girl's 1/4 octave play-piano.
Mainly, I like guns, only one note, and any rhythm you want...
Speaking from experience, the guitar is probably better at getting the girls than White Castle, or Kindergarten Suzuki. Piano isn't bad either.
My BIL is an accomplished jazz pianist, he always had a girl 3-4 rungs above what you'd think was his league.
He "married up" too.
His last gf before he met the wife was about a 9.5 on "the scale". And I heard she wound up marrying a band director who looked a lot like the "Porkins" who blew up over the Death Star, except without a beard, or an X-Wing...
Post by: cosine on December 13, 2006, 05:34:43 PM
Mainly, I like guns, only one note, and any rhythm you want...
Yeah, but without a "happy switch" it's tough to get those paradiddles (3-round bursts) or drum rolls (full auto)...
Post by: Fjolnirsson on December 13, 2006, 06:14:52 PM
A few years back, I learned to play the harmonica, because it's portable, and on graveyard shift, I had a lot of free time.
Earlier this year, I started learning the digeridoo, because it helps with sleep apnea.
I'm learning hand drumming right now, because I own a belly dance studio, and classical and bass guitar, because I think they're cool.
Post by: doczinn on December 13, 2006, 06:18:38 PM
Post by: Standing Wolf on December 13, 2006, 07:03:18 PM
I spent $15 on a (sadly) used Harmony guitar when I was fifteen. I did reasonably well for a kid who never learned to read music, then drifted away from it to write and paint and shoot and stuff. I resumed playing a few years ago; between not knowing how to read music, however, and arthritis, I don't sound like much.
Post by: K Frame on December 13, 2006, 07:20:48 PM
Along the way I also played, at various times, tuba, trumpet, and clarinet, filling in in the band where I needed to.
Post by: S. Williamson on December 14, 2006, 12:22:07 AM
So, I started playing the guitar, also because of my brother. I messed around with it a little at first, but after hearing Type O Negative's album October Rust, I was inspired to do better. I became a guitar junkie foregoing video games, my computer, and watching TV so I could practice for 4-5 hours a day. This continued incessantly for about five years, persisting through a move up the coast to Silver Spring, MD, going through a few bands up there, moving to Oklahoma City, going through a band or two here, and eventually died out when I started up college.
By the end of it all, I had become proficient enough to fill any slot in a metal band, be it vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards/piano, etc. Outside of that, I picked up a few Irish instruments as well, including the psaltry, feadog, and dobhrain (not sure if any of their names are spelled right, though). Other weird things include the digeridoo, autoharp, organ, lap steel, drum machine/sampler, turntables + mixer (though I'm horrible at it), harp, and a few other things I can't remember the names of.
These days, I'm trying to get back into guitar, as there aren't any decently good bands in OKC that I can think of. I still play the piano about twice a week, and oddly enough it's the only instrument I can read music for. I never do, though... it's more of a catharsis than anything.
Post by: 280plus on December 14, 2006, 01:45:54 AM
Post by: TaxPhd on December 14, 2006, 06:10:57 AM
When I graduated from high school and moved out, I stopped playing the violin. Oh, I'd pull it out every 5 or 6 years, tune it up, and play a song or two, and then put it away.
Fast forward 20 years. I wanted to play music again, and in a mini rebellion against my mother (who forced the violin upon me), I decided I wanted to learn to play bluegrass on the banjo. So, I bought a banjo and started taking lessons. I was having so much fun with the bluegrass, I started adding some fiddle work and then bought a mandolin. A week after that, i was playing fiddle and mando in a bluegrass band.
Beats the hell out of classical!!
Scott
Post by: Ezekiel on December 14, 2006, 06:17:09 AM
I, also, play piano (reasonably well) and stumble around at bass guitar (rather poorly). I am, also, a God of drunken karaoke.
Odd, yet cool, things we learn about each other here...
Post by: Brad Johnson on December 14, 2006, 07:14:41 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Bx9p4lwxOs
BRad
Post by: matis on December 14, 2006, 07:15:14 AM
In kindergarten I was chosen to play triangle.
At 12 my mother bought me a $12.50 mandolin (which I still have) and sent me for lessons for a year or so.
I fiddled (?) around on a guitar for a few years -- never got very good at it.
And harmonica and piano I play by ear.
In summer camp the chief cook had me barred from the dining room except for meals. I would spend hours there every day teaching myself to play the piano.
I loved it; drove him nuts.
I've been thinking of getting myself a keyboard, lately. Hope it doesn't cause my GF to divorce me.
matis
Post by: client32 on December 14, 2006, 08:44:42 AM
Post by: crt360 on December 14, 2006, 12:25:33 PM
I played violin from about 4th grade through some time in high school. Again, I hated it, and haven't played in at least fifteen years, but I'm glad I did it.
Sometime in middle school I picked up the guitar and taught myself how to play it reasonably well (not too hard after years of piano & violin). I played in a few bands in high school and college. I went a long time without playing much, but lately have started picking it up a few times a week. The end.
P.S. I like playing drums, too, but I've never lived anywhere I could play them long enough too get very good.
Post by: Norton on December 15, 2006, 03:41:20 PM
3rd grade - violin
4th - drums
5th - trombone
6th - euphonium, also started taking guitar lessons
7th - euphonium
8th - euphonium and trombone
9th - added tuba for marching band
majored on euphonium in college, played trombone in jazz band, tuba in quintet, clarinet, sang, handbells.
Post by: Sindawe on December 15, 2006, 04:22:16 PM
I've pondered taking up an instrument again, maybe Bagpipes. <Big Evil Grin>
Post by: cosine on December 15, 2006, 08:07:47 PM
I've pondered taking up an instrument again, maybe Bagpipes. <Big Evil Grin>
I've a friend who plays the bagpipes. Interesting instrument. Is there something about bagpipes which especially grabs the attention of your evilness?
Post by: Stickjockey on December 16, 2006, 06:18:55 AM
banjo
dulcimer
guitar
bodhran
bagpipes
and a few others.
Post by: Strings on December 16, 2006, 03:41:40 PM
Took up clarinet in 5th grade. Why? My brother had one. Then trumpet the following year, then quite music entirely for a couple years...
Decided to start guitar in high school after playing around on a friend's. Added bass for fun. Still play 'em...
After the Nav, picked up harp for SCA. Also picked up hand drumming (prefer a Thai Klong Ya)...
Lately, I've added mandolin and bouzouki to my list. And I'm looking for a decent price on a couple mandolas. Possibly the panpipes...
Post by: cosine on December 16, 2006, 05:12:51 PM
I'll start:
I'd like to someday play the mandolin, saxophone, bass, organ, drums, quena (kena), charango, and oboe.
Post by: Strings on December 16, 2006, 06:26:35 PM
I almost forgot: I DO have a set of bones to play with, but I really haven't been able to get them to work decently...
Post by: 280plus on December 17, 2006, 05:42:34 AM
Post by: S. Williamson on December 17, 2006, 01:28:34 PM
Quote
Is there something about bagpipes which especially grabs the attention of your evilness?
Remember, twelve men and a set of bagpipes makes a revolution.
Post by: Brad Johnson on December 18, 2006, 08:11:51 AM
Quote
Remember, twelve men and a set of bagpipes makes a revolution.
...or a overwhelming desire to choke the first dumb retard who tries to pick up those damn pipes.
Brad
Post by: Perd Hapley on December 18, 2006, 11:44:44 AM
I can sing tenor, though. My preacher is threatening to teach me to read music, which will make things easier for all of us, come next Christmas cantata. Just got through the latest one last night.
Post by: Strings on December 18, 2006, 12:55:36 PM
Post by: Perd Hapley on December 18, 2006, 01:44:11 PM
You know I've never gone in for that originality stuff.
Is that something I could learn on my own? I'd need a guitar, of course, and I don't think Dad would loan me his vintage Martin Dreadnought.
Post by: Strings on December 18, 2006, 02:17:10 PM
Post by: Perd Hapley on December 18, 2006, 02:28:17 PM
I just noticed that I broke four thousand. Where are my cookies, cosine?
Post by: 280plus on December 18, 2006, 03:09:32 PM
Post by: Strings on December 18, 2006, 03:57:40 PM
Probably one of THE best guitars out there for a student is the Steinberger. Small enough that you can carry it with you everywhere (mine fits quite comfortably in the case from my Beretta Storm), so you can practice at almost any time. Add a pocket amp, and you won't even disturb anyone (I used to practice for hours at the local coffee shop). Some examples:
Cort copy
Knock-off w/strat body
Similar to mine, except mine's a japanese made with aftermarket EMG 89s...
And for pocket amps: here's the same one I use...
Any other ideas or questions?
Post by: cosine on December 18, 2006, 05:11:41 PM
I see Hunter Rose is giving you many good ideas for electric, but you might want to consider acoustic. You can play it when the power goes out in St. Louis.
If you have any questions in the acoustic side of things go ahead and ask!Oh, and BTW, I'm making cookies later this week.
Post by: Strings on December 18, 2006, 06:29:09 PM
Post by: Perd Hapley on December 18, 2006, 06:32:34 PM
RE portability, there's at least one model of slimline acoustic out there.
Post by: cosine on December 18, 2006, 07:03:01 PM
Don't bother with the Martin Backpacker (that's the guitar in the pic you posted) if you want a slim guitar. The thing is really small, almost impossible to hold, and just doesn't feel like a real guitar. Plus, it doesn't have much of a tone, both in volume and in quality.
If you want a small guitar, there are a lot of better options. Not all full size guitars are as big as your dad's vintage Martin Dreadnought. Smaller guitars include the Seagull Grand, the Big Baby Taylor, Taylor's x12 series, and Martin's 00 and 000 models.
Post by: Perd Hapley on December 18, 2006, 07:21:05 PM
Post by: 280plus on December 19, 2006, 01:38:25 AM
Post by: Strings on December 19, 2006, 02:09:14 AM
Post by: Perd Hapley on December 19, 2006, 02:59:07 AM
Well, if you're going to INSIST on an acoustic, there ain't much advice I can give you. I've got a Kramer/Ferrington that's fun, but I don't do much acoustic work (with a guitar)...
You soulless drudge of the corporate consumerist culture. 
280, what's an Esteban? Stevie Wonder? Stevie Nicks?
Post by: 280plus on December 19, 2006, 03:09:30 AM
Post by: Perd Hapley on December 19, 2006, 03:17:36 AM
Thank God I don't have TV.
Post by: El Tejon on December 19, 2006, 03:46:00 AM
Post by: 280plus on December 19, 2006, 04:09:03 AM
Dude, I just ordered! I'm gonna be a total guitar master!
And in only one hour too!
Post by: Perd Hapley on December 19, 2006, 04:39:18 AM
Post by: richyoung on December 19, 2006, 10:13:44 AM
you can get a half-way decent electric off EvilBay fairly cheap. And tab is dead-simple to read: you have six lines, with a series of numbers on each. The top line is the top string on the guitar (low E), and the numbers corespond to the fret. Simple enough for ya?
Uh,...no. The top line is BOTTOM string of the guitar, the HIGH E - it's like you are looking "down" onto the fingerboard as you play...unless your name is "Jimi"....
Post by: Bogie on December 19, 2006, 01:05:49 PM
But I can run sound for those of you who do...
Now, will you PLEASE try not to drop the dang mikes?
Post by: crt360 on December 19, 2006, 02:12:52 PM
Post by: Strings on December 19, 2006, 10:22:51 PM
For those who want to just learn covers (without trying to figure them out on their own), check out www.mysongbook.com