Anyone play an instrument or instruments?

[tuliptree]

I did a quick search, couldn't find a thread...soo....

Who here plays an instrument? I just started to play bass, its something I've wanted to do for a long time, and I finally dove in. I'm really excited.

I had started guitar years ago, but then along came baby #1 and I never got serious. I can play a few chords here and there, a few songs, but not much more at the moment. I had 6 years of piano when I was young so I can read music and understand the basics, chords, some music theory and other things that both help and yet sometimes hinders my learning (I'm just getting past the barrier of the linear piano structure, it helps me in terms of knowing what I'm playing and understanding chords, but the translation between the piano layout and guitar/bass layout was at first hard for me to push past at first). But, I'm having a really good time.

My dad, my uncle and my grandma were/are all musicians. My grandma was a bass player in an all girls band in the early 40's, so its an honor to learn. Right now I have my dad's old, old 60's Hofner bass. Its got some history to it, he was shocked on stage pretty severely once while playing it, and so by his request its strictly acoustic now. It needs a lot of work so I'm about to make a purchase and get myself a new one that will be my learning bass, and I will eventually have the Hofner repaired and will probably keep it as more of a collectors item. I can be pretty clumsy sometimes, and I don't want to bang his around.

Anyone have any suggestions for a good first bass for learning (something not too expensive, but not so cheap that I will outgrow or that will fall apart)? I really like the look of classic looking/vintage basses. I'm looking at Ibanez right now, they seem smaller, and I'm only 5"2' which would be a good thing.

This is what I'm considering
http://cachepe.samedaymusic.com/media/quality,85/brand,sameday/fit,330by330/EDB400CNF-2140b85ea6642c9d01201a08f7820982.jpg

I LOVE the look of this one, but not sure I want a hollow/semi hollow body
http://www.bigmeankitty.com/waterstone/guitar_image/bass_Indra_sm.jpg

This is what I'm playing right now:
http://www.halkans.com/images3/943hofner.jpg

Geeze louise, a few rum and cokes and I'm spilling my life story to you guys! :o

Anyway, I'd love to hear about what you guys play or want to learn to play!

[urstwile]

There are quite a few musicians on the forum. Most notably, since you bring up learning to play bass, is Kool. :)

Myself, I play guitar, sing, and play piano. I've also played flute, bassoon and a variety of percussion instruments, but I don't have any of those around the house anymore, so I mostly stick to guitar and some piano and the singing. :)

EDIT: Found the thread (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18956&highlight=Axes) I was looking for. :)

[tuliptree]

Wow, very impressive urst! :) That's one thing I've never learned to play: flute or other woodwinds. I had my kid's recorder out tonight and boy, that was quite an ear sore! LOL I'm encouraging everyone in my family to get together and just bang away and make noise. My sister plays guitar so we've been practicing together while she is in town. We are calling ourselves Sister Dissonance (she's a psychology masters student right now so its quite appropriate on many levels!)

[frankster]

Yup, Kool is the GDF bassist. My husband is a bass player too. I'll ask him what he reckons. His baby is an early 70s Fender fretless precision bass, but he's still got the old fretted one that he got as a teenager.

[tuliptree]

Ooh, thanks Frankster, that would be great. I really want to make a good purchase. Any input would really be appreciated! What kind of music does he play/prefer?
I was looking at the Fender precision, it seems to be a sure bet sound and quality wise, but the fret board looks bigger than that of some of the Ibanez. I don't want to be dwarfed.

Kool, if you're out there, I look to you for guidance too! :)

[frankster]

What kind of music does he play/prefer?

At the moment it's funk. He's been in ska and folk bands before now though.


I was looking at the Fender precision, it seems to be a sure bet sound and quality wise, but the fret board looks bigger than that of some of the Ibanez. I don't want to be dwarfed.

This is true. He's got great big lovely man hands. Is there anywhere near you that you can go and see what kind of width is going to be easiest for you to play? Lady hands can be a pain in the butt sometimes! I had to do the soldering to fix his old bass though because his fingers were too big to manage it himself. :D

[tuliptree]

At the moment it's funk. He's been in ska and folk bands before now though.

Nice!



This is true. He's got great big lovely man hands. Is there anywhere near you that you can go and see what kind of width is going to be easiest for you to play?

I went to a local music store the other day and chatted with the store manager. He immediately recommended an Ibanez as a first bass (not to be confused with first base), both price wise and size wise for me. I'm still doing my homework though, and I have a list of about 10 or more that I'd love, but I need to get my head out of the clouds for some (price). I keep reminding myself to start with something basic, and if I go crazy and continue on I'll eventually treat myself to something great. I'm really tempted to go out tomorrow or this weekend though and just get one. The one I'm currently using doesn't stay tuned for too long and the E string is really fuzzy sounding. It needs some love and care put into it.


Lady hands can be a pain in the butt sometimes! I had to do the soldering to fix his old bass though because his fingers were too big to manage it himself. :D

See, lady hands can also be a good thing, too! :)

[John G]

http://www.folkmusician.com/images/sb-2.jpg > http://www.germes-online.com/direct/dbimage/50222258/Bass.jpg

imo
but i like jazz
used to play it on:
http://www.johntgordon.com/pictures/TROMBONE.jpg
but now play the non-jazz :(

[ZippyTheWonderMonkey]

I play trumpet and percussion (mostly trap set drums)

[budafist]

Funny this should pop up today because I picked up the guitar last night for the first time in about 2 years. Just been mucking around reading tabs online and today I sat in the sun and played to Tofu the bunny. My fingertips are sore from the strings.

I also used to play the violin for about 9 years when I was younger and did orchestra and chamber orchestra for years. I can't play anymore though. I've tried a few times but I would need to practice a lot to get good again.

I took guitar, violin and drum lessons in high school :)

[urstwile]

Buda, what sites do you go to to check out tabs? I used to be an avid Olga fan, but haven't checked for good tab sites for quite some time after they shut that site down. Or is it back again? It's really been a long time since I last looked. Now I mostly figure stuff out by ear.

It's funny, many I know think tabs are harder than reading the music. To me, tabs make perfect sense, I got them right away. And this after being trained to read classical guitar music for six years.

[budafist]

Urst, I can read music for violin, but I absolutely cannot read them for guitar. If you read regular music for guitar, it doesn't tell you which strings or fingers to use! (does it?) I have actually never tried reading normal music for guitar.

I've just been googling songs as I figure them but it looks like my favourites are ultimate-guitar.com and guitaretab.com. It's all user submitted though so you have to give it whirl to judge if it's correct. I do that before printing them out. Go by user ratings too because a lot of it is rubbish.

[Bladez]

I used to play trumpet when I was a kid, and then I got into playing th bass too. Must be a designer thing *LOL* I've got an Ibanez ex-series. it's not bad. seems to be a good beginner guitar. I've played it on and off for year,s but never got totally serious with it. mostly punk kinda stuff. (Pink panther, homegrown, offspring, etc) but there's a bit of random pink floyd mixed in there too. I can strum some stuff out on my brothers acoustic guitar (most notably these days is "Hey There Dhalila" by Plain White T's) but I haven't touched anything since the summer. Funny that this came up, I was actually talking to a guy today about playing bass. Just did up some posters for his band. maybe it's a sign I should get back into it.

And based on all the typos I've been fixing as I type, i think that's a sign that I had 1 to many guinness tonight and should prolly go to bed!

[urstwile]

Buda, back when I was still playing classical guitar, it was just something I got used to. True, you didn't know where to put your fingers, but that part is not all that different from learning piano technique, really, at least I didn't find it so. Ultimately, your fingers know what's most efficient, and once you get practiced it becomes more natural. It's definitely not easy, I will say that.

Which is why I like tabs, because I do find them easier, because they do guide you for fingering. But a lot of guitar players I know can only do one OR the other. Myself, I can do both.

Thanks for teh links, I'll be checking those out, and taking them with the advised grain of salt. :)

[DesignStudio]

I'm beginning harmonica. Apparently if you play, you're supposed to call it a harp, but I didn't want to confuse anyone with the large stringed instrument. I can play a few songs, and anything I can find tabs to. I don't read music, and right now I'm just picking up the diatonic harmonica, which is the simple one key ten hole version. I've been wanting to take lessons for a while, but it's on a long list behind alot of other priorities.

[PrintDriver]

I have a A100 Hammond organ (that would be a B3 if its cabinet were different.) I can comp ok but can't site read quickly or play full solo tunes. Working on it. Drawbars add a whole new layer to those piano lessons I took as a kid.

[garricks]

I played professionally until I had an early mid-life crisis and switched to GD. The paycheck is better, too. I used to lug this thing around:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a249/garricks/GDF/28contrabassoon.jpg

In addition to contrabassoon, I also played bassoon in orchestras. I loved playing book shows, because they call for the woodwinds to double on other horns. So I picked up clarinet, sax, flute and a couple of others.

I had to make a choice: Maintain thousands of dollars of instruments or thousands of dollars of computers and software. The 'puters won. But I still play for myself sometimes.

[Kool]

Cool Tulip! :)

You might want to check out the Fender Mustang or it's cheaper cousin the Squier Bronco. They have a short scale neck, perfect for smaller hands. Gretsch also makes a nice little short scale Gretsch G2202 (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gretsch-Guitars-G2202-Electromatic-Junior-Jet-Bass?sku=514192&src=3SOSWXXA) that is similar to the Les Paul shaped one you posted above.

That Hoffner is beautiful. Keep it safe because I bet it is quite valuable.

[vtwin_gary]

i play the radio, but not all that well.

[tuliptree]

Thanks Kool! I'll keep those in mind, too. Yeah, I do think my dad's Hofner is worth a little something. Its so nice to play on it though, esp knowing he played on it! But, its headed for a nice display case methinks.

LOL Gary. What kind of radio? Did you take lessons? :p

Everyone else, neat to hear how many musicians are here, guess it is a natural creative offshoot for GDers.

Buda, Urst, I too dabble in tabs, but also can read music and can play by ear to a good extent. Reading music: I was alway better at the treble clef when playing piano, bass is making me brush up on the bass cleff!

[Red Kittie Kat]

I took lessons for drum and guitar about 100 years ago :p

Needless to say I don't play any instruments.

Although I can play a mean tambourine :D

.. which I still can't find. I've moved so many times over the last 5 years I have no clue where it is anymore - for all I know the ex gave it away .. he was famous for that :rolleyes:

[seamas]

Awww, don't relegate the Hofner to a display case.

Guitars (and basses) are meant to be played!
(and in certain instances keeping guitars in cases can do more harm than good-but I see that there isn't much celuloid on the Hofner, so one danger there is avoided)

I've been playing (guitar) a little over 25 years -my main acoustic is a '53 Martin 00-17 that my father bought new.

Also play some bass (did much more of that in the past), harmonica, some percussion and a little bit of keyboards.

About a year and a half ago I hooked up with one of thew managers whare I work.
He's a singer / songwriter of considerable talent who also plays guitar and keyboards.
We've been doing some recording (we have a fairly large catalog of original material), and hope to get regular gigs soon. We also recruited another singer (female), who is real good -once an 11-week winner of a "Star Search" singing group. We also got a drummer to record with us who has been in some well known bands -with one song on the Guitar Hero game.

So far some of the recordings sound great -and they aren't fully mixed or mastered yet.

[Virgo Nightingale]

I used to play flute, tenor sax, piano and guitar. The latter two are the only ones I might still play again. I have tiny hands though, so both can be tough (I can barely play on octave on a piano, and the necks on most acoustic guitars are a bit big) but I do still futz around on them on occasion.

The only instruments I own now are one old Casio keyboard two guitars: One is a crappy Marina acoustic guitar I inherited from my ex-boyfriend. It's missing a chunk from the edge of the fretboard around the 4th fret, and my ex 'fixed' it with a wad of paper and some scotch tape. The neck is a little warped, so the intonation is shot, and it doesn't stay in tune for more than half a song (a bad thing when you have a very sensitive ear). My other guitar is a cheap Westone electric I got when I was 15. I haven't played it years, and it and it desperately needed new strings, so it pretty much was collecting dust. It recently took a dive into the wall, causing the headstock to split, taking the high E string with it. It might make an appearance onstage with my fiancé, playing the role of a Peter Townshend victim. :D

My fiancé has plenty of guitars for me to 'borrow' so my lack of playable guitars isn't much of a problem.

We may be moving into his mother's house, which comes with a piano. Hopefully my skills on that front will improve! :)

[tuliptree]

Good luck on the house thing Virgo! Nice, a piano to boot!

seamus, yeah you have a point. This is what I keep tossing in my mind back and forth back and forth. Fix the Hofner and play that or get a second one to learn on and preserve the Hofner. Maybe I should get a learning bass, then repair my dad's when I have a little more to invest in it, and then treat it with care, but not totally stop playing it. It is the perfect size for me, really. Besides the monetary value, it has a ton of sentimental value to it for me, which makes it worth way more to me than it would to anyone else. I just don't want to mortally wound it with clumsiness.

John G, do you play upright? That looks a lot like my grandma's. They have such a nice deep rich sound. I can see why you would say you like upright better. My dad has hers (it was his mother-in-laws), so we're all playing museum to others basses! :)

[seamas]

What needs fixing on the Hofner?

[Silence04]

I play the keyboards, sing, produce, and i used to dj (still got the tabels, just haven't done a gig in a long time)
My main hardware:
Kurzweil K2000s, Roland Jx-305, Korg ER-1, Emu XL-7 :D
http://www.radianation.com/images/gear/kurzweil.jpg
http://www.vintagesynth.com/roland/images/jx305.jpg
http://www.synthtopia.com/synth_review/synth_images/KorgER-1.jpg
http://www.vintagesynth.com/emu/xl7.jpg

[MikeHun]

Joined a marching band because they gave me free silver trumpet way back.Many years I've been playing trumpet again, didn't play for five years got back into it, hard to find time though. I kept my embouchure going by taking my mouthpiece along with me on the commute. I've had a Yamaha, Schilke, Bach, Jupiter and mostly cheaper models, They can be works of art in themselves and expensive.
I like the bassoon on an earlier post, had a buddy who played Bass Clarinet
really nice sound out of that melding of silver and wood
Close to me, we've got a blues festival in Waterloo Canada during the summer they have a jam session at some venues. Main stage has the real acts. I like blues, Ska, Jazz and Classical. My horn influences are Clifford brown, Miles Davis, Roy Eldridge, Lee Morgan.

[tuliptree]

What needs fixing on the Hofner?

Pickups need completely replaced (electrical problem that caused my dad to be shocked while playing, so it is now strictly acoustic for safety reasons), the neck has a slight bow to it now so that the E string especially is pretty fuzzy. It also goes out of tune really quickly. Also the tuning heads are really hard to turn now, the knobs have fallen off, and where the strap goes, the screw hole is stripped so the strap falls off. It needs some love. A variety of major and minor things. Not sure how much it would cost for all of that.

[tuliptree]

May I suggest that we form a virtual GDF Orchestra with all of these great instruments and musicians on board? What would we call ourselves?

[balou]

You guys are all too cool for my school. ;) I dabble with my concertina...

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/124/accordionstagiw15msconym7.jpg

[tuliptree]

Ooooh, how neat balou! No way, you are too cool! :)

[tuliptree]

Hey, where's cornfed? I know she's a musician. CORNFED where are youuuuuuuuu? :)

[Navian]

You have me beat Balou,
http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/46/72/22847246.jpg
a Kazoo is about as far as I go for playing a musical instrument (anyone can hum along). :)

I did take choir classes in middle school (5th-7th grade).

I really wished I could have learned how to play a decent instrument while I was in school (middle or highschool). My parents couldn't afford to pay for band class (you had to buy the instruments and pay a monthly fee).

[seamas]

Pickups need completely replaced (electrical problem that caused my dad to be shocked while playing, so it is now strictly acoustic for safety reasons), the neck has a slight bow to it now so that the E string especially is pretty fuzzy. It also goes out of tune really quickly. Also the tuning heads are really hard to turn now, the knobs have fallen off, and where the strap goes, the screw hole is stripped so the strap falls off. It needs some love. A variety of major and minor things. Not sure how much it would cost for all of that.

Hmmm, it might be difficult to find replacement pickups for that -there is a good changce they can be repaired (pickups -and guitar circuitry is fairly simple), but the "shocking" sounds like there is a problem with the grounding- it might not be grounded at all -which could be a simple fix for a guitar tech.

The bow in the neck-depending on severity, might just need a truss rod adjustment. (there is a ton of info online on how to do this properly.

The tuning machines need cleaning (take them off, let them sit in naptha for a minute, get replacements for missing screws) and then oiling (WD40).
If they are beyond help, they could probably be easily replaced.

As for the strap button -that there is a very easy fix. Drill the hole slightly larger (to remove any loose wood/debris) to the width of a small dowel.
Apply wood glue to the dowel, put dowel in hole then trim the dowel down.
Then re-drill the screw hole for the strap button.


Depending on how much of this you tackle yourself, and how much you give to the repair tech to do, it shouldn't be too big a job.

[tuliptree]

Thanks for all that info seamus. My dad was just here, gave me a lesson on the bass. I asked him about the neck and how it bowed/warped.

He said that it happened when he was shocked. He was on stage getting ready to play and he grabbed the mic while holding the bass and his arms grabbed onto the mic and he couldn't let go or make a sound. I guess everyone in the audience (including my future mom) thought he was goofing around and being funny. My uncle, also in the band, was the only one who knew what was going on and luckily was able to unplug everything. My dad said he was thrown off the stage and the bass went crashing down as well (he also described how it felt and what it did physically and mentally, its kind of freaky to know what happened to my dad, quite a disturbing event!) Anyway, so, not sure how extensive the damage is. But the rest doesn't sound as bad as I was thinking. I won't be the one to do it, I have a feeling I'd do more damage than good :(, but perhaps I'll be able to fix it sooner than later. My dad pointed me to a good local place that makes guitars and basses so I at least know where to take it now!

Hey, a kazoo is still an instrument, Navian. You can play it in my imaginary orchestra I am concocting in my brain!

[Navian]

Hey, a kazoo is still an instrument, Navian. You can play it in my imaginary orchestra I am concocting in my brain!

Interesting...

Why would it have to be imaginary?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazoo
This is some interesting info (I know quoting Wikipedia is bad):

Professional usage
The kazoo is played professionally in jug bands and comedy music, and by amateurs everywhere. It is one of the few acoustic instruments to be developed in the United States and one of the easiest melodic instruments to play well, requiring only the ability to hum in tune. In North East England and South Wales, kazoos play an important role in so-called jazz bands (really children's marching bands).

In the Original Dixieland Jass Band 1921 recording of "Crazy Blues", what the casual listener might mistake for a trombone solo is actually a kazoo solo by drummer Tony Sbarbaro. The Mound City Blue Blowers had a number of hit kazoo records in the early 1920s. The Mound City Blue Blowers featured Dick Slevin on metal kazoo and Red McKenzie on comb-and-tissue-paper kazoo. The vocaphone, a kind of kazoo with a trombone-like tone, was occasionally featured in Paul Whiteman's Orchestra. Trombonist-vocalist Jack Fulton played it on Whiteman's recording of "Vilia" (1931) and Frankie Trumbauer's "Medley of Isham Jones Dance Hits" (1932).

The kazoo is not often found in European classical music, a rare exception being David Bedford's With 100 Kazoos, a piece which emphasizes the simplicity of the instrument - rather than being played by trained musicians, kazoos are handed out to members of the audience, who accompany a professional instrumental ensemble.

The kazoo was used in the 1990 Koch International and 2007 Naxos Records recordings of American classical composer Charles Ives' "Yale-Princeton Football Game", where the kazoo chorus represents the football crowd's cheering. The brief passages have the kazoo chorus sliding up and down the scale as the cheering rises and falls....

(click link for more)

[tuliptree]

No, no, no. I mean its imaginary because I am putting all of you here on GDF into an orchestra, playing the instruments you are all able to play. And since you can't all come over to my house to do that (well, you can, but it could be expensive for some of you), I am just pretending we are. And to think, I haven't started drinking yet. Then the orchestra will get really roudy and noisy! :p

[Kool]

Tulip, that sounds like an amp grounding problem. The bass itself only generates a tiny amount of electricity. In order to get shocked like that it would have to be coming from the amp.

It's always best to let a trained luthier handle truss rod adjustments so it sounds like a wise move. You'll have an awesome axe when it gets done. :)

[tuliptree]

Ah! I didn't even think of that Kool, but it makes sense. I think my dad is just erring on the side of caution because he doesn't want that to happen to me.

Well, I'm feeling good about getting it fixed up, it sounds like these are all doable fixes, yeay! :)

[budafist]

My mum always wanted us to play instruments. We got to choose which ones, but there wasn't the choice not to play really. I guess she must've wanted to play when she was growing up but there just was no money back then. So she had to live through us :)

[urstwile]

I played professionally until I had an early mid-life crisis and switched to GD. The paycheck is better, too. I used to lug this thing around:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a249/garricks/GDF/28contrabassoon.jpg

In addition to contrabassoon, I also played bassoon in orchestras. I loved playing book shows, because they call for the woodwinds to double on other horns. So I picked up clarinet, sax, flute and a couple of others.

I had to make a choice: Maintain thousands of dollars of instruments or thousands of dollars of computers and software. The 'puters won. But I still play for myself sometimes.

Playing bassoon was one of my favorite musical excursions, I have to admit, but it only lasted through high school. I couldn't afford my own instrument so I didn't pursue it, and I was more into classical guitar at the time in terms of getting my own instrument. I'd love to pick up the bassoon again, though, if I could find a decent one that I could afford. They're not cheap. :eek:

[garricks]

urst, I was lucky. The Phil owned the contra I used. If the markings were to be believed, it was Heckel # XX. :eek: Treated that baby with some love, let me tell you! My bassoon is a nice Fox, couldn't afford a Heckel at 12 grand in the 80s, I have no idea what they go for now. But that Fox really sang with the H.2CVX bocal I glommed on to for sixty bucks! Ah, teh memories.

[urstwile]

At least you've got one now, that's pretty cool, garricks. It's like a big-ass recorder with a goofy reed. :D

[tuliptree]

That is cool Garricks! I so badly want to hear all of you play! Maybe we should upload some audio clips and have a listening party one day.

I have to get my bass back first though! After much thought, and an opportunity that suddenly presented itself, the Hofner is being looked at by a luthier to see what repairs will need to be done.

The place my dad recommended just happens to be the same place my mom just started taking guitar lessons (I didn't know until the other night!). My sister and her kids were in town visiting so my mom decided to come stay with us on Friday night, and she brought her guitar because she was going to her lesson Saturday morning. So, I sent the bass with her! I'm waiting to hear back today or tomorrow what the luthier suggest, how much work and the cost. Initially the guys at the shop suggested I only have basic repairs done to make it play right, without destroying the original integrity, which is what I wanted anyway, so I was happy to hear that.

I did a lot of thinking about what I wanted and the input of others (thanks!), and realized all of my criteria was met with the Hofner. Small, check. Lightweight, check. Classic looking, check. So rather than spending money on a new one, I'll refurbish the one I have. I'm glad I made the decision. I'll just have to treat it gingerly and over come some of my spastic movements so I don't hurt it!

Oh, btw Kool, Seamus, I talked to my mom more about when my dad was shocked. Funny, my dad doesn't remember a lot of it--he really did suffer some trauma from the event. But my mom was there (this was 1969, just before I was born) and she said the electrical surge in fact did not come from the bass itself, as you suspected, but that the wiring at the club where my dad was playing was faulty. There was a lawsuit involved to cover my dad's medical bills, and he won (this was all new info to me, so I'm learning some parental history in this process!). So . . . I guess it would only be whatever damage the surge caused to the pickups, if any? Guess I'll find out!

[Kool]

That is cool Garricks! I so badly want to hear all of you play! Maybe we should upload some audio clips and have a listening party one day.


I just posted one of my new pieces the other day http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34496

If you don't hate that one too much there are several more on my site. (Just click my username) :)

[Paj]

I played the drums in highschool and enjoyed it, but never really took it seriously. Lately Ive been having jams every so often and remembered how much i really enjoyed it, and was suprised at how much i didnt suck. Its one of those things that keep tickling the back of my mind, something to get back into one day.

I'd love to get an electronic drumkit, my friend bought one recently and i am insanely jealous

[TheBluePanda]

I'd love to learn how to play the Piano or Guitar. However, every time I try, my incredibly short attention span gets in the way.

[Paj]

my niece got a fantastic keyboard for christmas last year. it has a whole database of songs you can learn, with a little LCD keyboard display on it that tells you what keys to press. shes still a bit young for it, my sister uses it more than her actually, lol.

now i want one too :p

[budafist]

my niece got a fantastic keyboard for christmas last year. it has a whole database of songs you can learn, with a little LCD keyboard display on it that tells you what keys to press. shes still a bit young for it, my sister uses it more than her actually, lol.

now i want one too :p

Now that sounds fancy!

I wonder if they have electric drumkits now with the same concept?

[tuliptree]

I just posted one of my new pieces the other day http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34496

If you don't hate that one too much there are several more on my site. (Just click my username) :)

Kool, I went to your site but can't get it to play :( I was looking forward to listening. It might be a problem on my end though, so I'll poke around. Thanks for the link! :)

[dragoonking]

I played the trumpet for a year but then I hated it so I now play the violin, I have been playing for three years and I really like it even if I am a boy

[Broacher]

After nearly four decades of avoiding musical instrumental training, I have recently undertook the grueling discipline of boomwhacker training for my upcoming annual spring chorus show.

Not only will I be singing (two voices: high tenor and low bass) and acting (as a prince, no less) but I will be featured in the 'Boomwhacker Brigade' where it is my honour to play notes B and B flat (hopefully in the right places) in a stirring rendition of 'Mexacali Rose'.

And if there truly is a God, this performance will never make it to YouTube.

[frankster]

coolio Broacher!

[tuliptree]

I played the trumpet for a year but then I hated it so I now play the violin, I have been playing for three years and I really like it even if I am a boy

Boy violin players are awesome! I love Andrew Bird, and he plays violin! :) (Awesome live KCRW performance here (http://www.kcrw.com/music/programs/mb/mb050406andrew_bird) both audio and video versions.)

Neat Broacher, I'm kinda hoping someone puts it on Youtube, I want to see/hear! :)

[tuliptree]

Now that sounds fancy!

I wonder if they have electric drumkits now with the same concept?

That would be what I need. I am completely spastic on any kind of drums. :o

[Sneaky Muffin]

I play guitar occasionally, used to play Bass in an band but the less said about that the better ;)

Anyone here heard of Andy Mckee? absolute genius in my opinion, check him out here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ddn4MGaS3N4

this song, drifting, is probably my favourite but he has many others equally as good, enjoy :)

[Virgo Nightingale]

Andy McKee is AWESOME. Someone posted one of his YouTube videos here on GDF and I was so impressed, I forwarded it to my musician fiancé. HE was so impressed, he bought tickets to a show of his in NYC. He was fantastic.

[tuliptree]

Really cool! What an interesting style. Had I not seen the video I would never have guesed how he was playing.

[Red Kittie Kat]

Boy violin players are awesome!



Uh huh ... David Garrett *swoon* http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/RedKittieKat/smilies/i_like_you.gif

[garricks]

Boy violin players are awesome!

Joshua Bell. Amazing.

[garricks]

OK, please forgive the slight hijack, but I couldn't figure out where else to put this, and I didn't want to start a new thread... On the way home, I heard a radio spot for an upcoming orchestra concert. I am quite sure the script read:

“...The Orchestra has awed audiences all over the world...”

however, the announcer had a bit of trouble with pronunciation, and it came out:

“...The Orchestra has odd audiences all over the world...”

Five hours later I'm still snickering! :p

[tuliptree]

LOL Garricks. Fine by me, you can hijack if its food related, and for general snickering, too. :p

The announcer must have the same problem as I have. My husband teases me because he can't tell the difference when I say "Dawn" vs "Don". Actually, I can't hear the difference when he says it supposedly correct. Odd/awed, same sounds. He said I am on the cutting edge of evolvoing dialect! Dawn is awed because Don is odd!

[doctorfoz]

...can't tell the difference when I say "Dawn" vs "Don".

*thinks that's cute


I've been trying to think of a way in which to describe the sheer enormity of my LACK of musical ability - of any sort - but it's impossible!

Which is a shame, because I love listening to all sorts of musical genres and am continually frustrated that I'm not an ace jazz/blues/classical guitarist/drummer/singer/bassist/flautist/trumpeter/pianist (you get the idea?)

my one claim to musical fame is that many years ago I walked up to a friend's piano and randomly hit some keys - and made a perfect chord. (At least that's what he said, he might just have been saying that to be nice!)

any my 5yo daughter belly-laughed at me recently when I was singing along to the radio whilst decorating....

sigh...

[tuliptree]

That's ok foz, I'll still add you to my mental GDF orchestra! :p
Wait, that doesn't sound right!! :D

[doctorfoz]

GDF mental orchestra... whaddya mean 'have they finished warming up'?? that was their best performance for years!!! :)

[tuliptree]

Foz!! I found a long lost video that captured the humble beginings of the Mental Orchestra. You on violin, me conducting, circa 1979:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TrU00NR1u0

:p

[doctorfoz]

thankyou for that - now everyone in the office is wondering what i'm laughing at!

[tuliptree]

tee hee! :D

[morea]

I haven't played in years, but I started with flute (I was terrible at it) then switched to french horn (which I loved). I can play the trumpet pretty well and I taught myself the piano.

I have also played the church organ, which consists of two keyboards and foot pedals configured in the same manner... but I always felt like I would fall off the bench when reaching for the outer notes. I have always wanted to learn to play the tenor sax. Maybe some day.

I started college as a music major: french horn and voice.

[tuliptree]

thankyou for that - now everyone in the office is wondering what i'm laughing at!


I know, this is a delayed response (my brain is on half speed this morning) but I've been wanting to work this in conversation since yesterday, so I'll seize this opportunity! I picture you saying to your coworkers:

"Wha' Happened? I can't do my work!"

(I watched A Mighty Wind again!! lol!! :D )

[tuliptree]

I haven't played in years, but I started with flute (I was terrible at it) then switched to french horn (which I loved). I can play the trumpet pretty well and I taught myself the piano.

I have also played the church organ, which consists of two keyboards and foot pedals configured in the same manner... but I always felt like I would fall off the bench when reaching for the outer notes. I have always wanted to learn to play the tenor sax. Maybe some day.

I started college as a music major: french horn and voice.

Cool Morea!

LOL, No! don't fall off the bench!

[morea]

I always worried that I would slip off the bench and do a faceplant into the keyboard. Not sure that I could make that look intentional. ;)

Oh, I also played in the handbell choir at church. That was kind of neat!

[Virgo Nightingale]

I've always wanted to play cowbell. So if your mental orchestra needs more cowbell, let me know.

[doctorfoz]

*wishes he'd added 'needs more cowbell' to the youtube clip comment...

[morea]

Virgo - I used to tell my student advisor that I was going to switch from french horn to triangle. I told her that I could write a dissertation on the difference in timbre between the standard triangle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangle_(instrument)), the equilateral triangle, the isoceles triangle, and assorted scalene triangles, and that I could have some custom made for demonstration purposes.

She told me to stick to the french horn. :rolleyes:

[tuliptree]

LOL Morea!!

Virgo, my orchestra definitely needs cowbell, much more cowbell. Cowbell away, I say! You are now a cowbell-playing-keeper-of-the-avocados! What an honorable title. If we could get you in the Youtube clip, that would be the best! :p

[tuliptree]

I have a bass update. Kool, you may be interested . . .

Well, the pickups are completely destroyed. Not necessarily from the shock, but he said that the switches in the Hofner are all open and exposed. This bass has been in storage under less than stellar conditions for so many years, and he said that there is alot of wood powder on the inside that has sort of disintegrated and got into the electric components. He was concerned about it being devalued if we opt to do completely replace them (though we'd also keep the originals in the event it were ever sold, but that is not the case, this is an instrument that will be passed down in the family). The neck is indeed bent as well, but not bad. That was all on the initial inspection.

So he highly recommended for starters I get an entry level short scale or jazz bass for size for now. Then when I am ready to invest (we're looking at around $400 right out of the starting gate, but it will most likely be more than that) I'll have it worked on. (I am indeed looking at a Hofner Icon for now, Kool).

I'm a little disappointed as I was really starting to look forward to playing my dad's, but I am back to my original plan, so that's not so bad. I just thought it was a good sign that I've really been missing having it around to play, it means I am anxious and serious about learning!

[garricks]

I've always wanted to play cowbell. So if your mental orchestra needs more cowbell, let me know.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a249/garricks/Cowbell.gif

(hee hee)

[Kool]

Sounds like a plan Tulip. :)

[garricks]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkJ03vm8FJk

Two members of the Israel Philharmonic playing Bach on one flute. Yeah, you read that right...one guy is the fingers, the other guy is the embouchure. I love the way the embouchure guy has a death grip on the neck of the flute to keep from getting his teeth knocked out! :D

Oh, and mouth guy is also conducting the orchestra!

[Red Kittie Kat]

Well that's different :D

[urstwile]

um, why? :confused:

:D

[garricks]

Because they can! :D
Because you'd expect it to sound like carp, and it doesn't!

You know the tune, "Bugler's Holiday" by Leroy Anderson? It's hilarious when played by three bassoons or saxophones... and it really pisses of any trumpet player within earshot...bonus! :D

It's the unexpected, the whimsical.

[tuliptree]

That's truly a strange sight. The finger guy's facial expressions are hilarious. Something one doesn't often get to see while a person is playing flute, but it must be what they are feeling!

They definitely would qualify for membership in my mental orchestra!!

[cornfed]

Here I am Tulip! I missed this thread entirely! I play guitar. I make the occasional attempt to play the fiddle and mandolin but thats only in spurts.

Hey, PD, does that Hammond have a Leslie in it? We have been lugging a Leslie around for about 10 years now. We don't have the organ to go with it but my husband seems happy enough to just be lugging a leslie around!

[createdirector]

I played clarinet when I was younger and have been trying to find the time to learn guitar. Maybe someday. :)

[tuliptree]

Here I am Tulip! I missed this thread entirely! I play guitar. I make the occasional attempt to play the fiddle and mandolin but thats only in spurts.


Hey! I found your band on Youtube, you sound sooooo good! :)

[Broacher]

Rare spotting of the broacher at his inaugural debut as an instrumentalist in the boomwhacking group 'Out of Whack'.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2073/2476058957_64ff6ceeb2_o.jpg


(Sorry about the facial blurring. An artifact of my anti-alien-abduction underwear)

[cornfed]

Thanks, Tulip! I feel so flattered!

[tuliptree]

(Sorry about the facial blurring. An artifact of my anti-alien-abduction underwear)

Cool Broacher!

I didn't know that anti-alien-abduction underwear had such intriguing side effects! :p

[Red Kittie Kat]

I new you were a handsome devil Broacher :D

[tuliptree]

Thanks, Tulip! I feel so flattered!

:)

[tuliptree]

I new you were a handsome devil Broacher :D

So you've got a thing for blurred faces Kittie? Funny, I always thought you'd be more interested in guys with a lense flare! :D Or sparkly guys for that matter.

[Red Kittie Kat]

You have no idea how erotic a little gaussian blur can be.

It takes me a while to build up to a full blown Lens Flare :D

[budafist]

So let me see...gaussin blur gets the ladies but save your lens flaring until after the first date?

[garricks]

Wow, I thought I was suddenly in the "breaking up with your avatar" thread! :D

[Red Kittie Kat]

lmao you two :D

You got it buda ;)

[tuliptree]

It takes me a while to build up to a full blown Lens Flare :D


Keeping mouth shut . . . keeping mouth shut . . . leaving thread quietly so this does not get CNSFW-ed . . .

[Red Kittie Kat]

lmao Tulip .... lip getting sore from biting it? ;)

[tuliptree]

Ow! My wip is bweeding! :D

[Red Kittie Kat]

lmao I thought perhaps ;)

[tuliptree]

Oh no, you're a vampire too! (Runs away with bloody lip)

[garricks]

Youse guys! ur cwacking me up!

[Red Kittie Kat]

mmmm blooood :D

[cornfed]

As promised in the oyster thread, I am being have!

[Virgo Nightingale]

No comment. ;)

[tuliptree]

LOL Cornfed! I am being have too, or at least trying.

[tuliptree]

No comment. ;)

LOL Virgo!! You know you want to say it! :p

[Piscosour]

I play the oboe and English horn.

[seamas]

The band I'm in just released a CD.

You can listen to excerpts on digstation
(Kevin Kane is the Singer, guitarist and principal songwriter, I play lead acoustic and electric guitar and harmonica)

Kevin Kane Band (http://www.digstation.com/AlbumDetails.aspx?albumID=ALB000019153)

[tuliptree]

Oh cool seamas! I didn't see that posted until just now. Thanks!!

I wanted to stop in here and just say for the record that I just put my last remaining sticker from Buda (one of the rodents, my favorite one, I've been hoarding it and saving it for something special) on my bass guitar case! Thanks Buda! :)

[seamas]

Lol, this thread got bumped right when I was making another shameless plug on another thread.

[budafist]

Oh cool seamas! I didn't see that posted until just now. Thanks!!

I wanted to stop in here and just say for the record that I just put my last remaining sticker from Buda (one of the rodents, my favorite one, I've been hoarding it and saving it for something special) on my bass guitar case! Thanks Buda! :)

WOOT! Glad my creatures are getting around :)

[tuliptree]

Yup! :) Globe trotting critters they are!

[garricks]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gXh83hNnWw

This cracked me up...and I'm not a big gamer...it's the Oberlin quartet. I feel sorry for the poor fourth bassoonist and his beatboxing. But the page turns are hilarious... The guy in the back on our right looks like me when I was in college :eek:

Electric contrabassoon, comlete with wah wah pedal!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l7PRqOdQLc&feature=related

Echo Sonata of two unfriendly groups of instruments
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j57GPRiDBy0

One of the people who inspired me when I was young. Milan Turkovic, playing the Vivaldi e Minor first movement. In the 70s he was one of the very few solo bassoon artists, and his studio recordings are amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wNr_fmXtyY

(Can you guys tell I'm wondering why I gave up music for design today?)

[urstwile]

The Vivaldi was delightful, garricks, his intonation is impeccable!

And I'd forgotten how funny PDQ Bach was, it's been ages since I listened to Peter Schickele's (sp?) stuff. :)

[dariobt]

For the life of me, I can only play my MP3 player... :(

[.freak]

I'm not superb at any of them, but I play a few instruments:
Drums (I'm actually pretty good at these)
Guitar (I'm pretty good at this, too!)
Piano
Alto Sax
Tenor Sax
and a little bit of Xylophone.

Drums are my 'main' instrument. I play in a band, and I'm currently taking lessons for 'em! :D

[garricks]

urst, Turkovic was a god to me for many years. He has a natural feel for the music that I could never match.

And, for the 20 years I lugged that contrabassoon around, it NEVER occurred to me to hook it up to an amp and a wah wah pedal.

There's lots of PDQ Bach on YouTube, but unfortunately most of it's performed badly. :(

[tuliptree]

Great links Garricks! I loved the contrabassoon hooked to an amp and wah wah pedal. Not only does it sound great, it looks so darn silly I love it!

[cornfed]

My mother in law used to play the contrabassoon! She moved on to drums.

[jpic.etre]

The band I'm in just released a CD.

You can listen to excerpts on digstation
(Kevin Kane is the Singer, guitarist and principal songwriter, I play lead acoustic and electric guitar and harmonica)

Kevin Kane Band (http://www.digstation.com/AlbumDetails.aspx?albumID=ALB000019153)

Hard and Angry, eh? :)

Has a very distinctive sound, kind of like Buckingham/Nicks era Fleetwood Mac (prolly cause of the male/female vocals and choppy hooks). Nice, though! The guitar work is solid.

I just moved in my strat to the studio, I can practice whilst rendering files...

[garricks]

The Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain performs:

A favorite movie theme. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfK-UzQ48JE)

A well-known movie theme from the 60s. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3gp7B8WC4Q)

ROFLMAO, but surprisingly good!

[Kool]

Aieyieyi LOL

[urstwile]

I love those guys and gals. :D

[seamas]

Hard and Angry, eh? :)

Has a very distinctive sound, kind of like Buckingham/Nicks era Fleetwood Mac (prolly cause of the male/female vocals and choppy hooks). Nice, though! The guitar work is solid.

I just moved in my strat to the studio, I can practice whilst rendering files...

Thanks for listening (I missed your post).

We're producing the second CD now. Though we don't have the female singer this time.
She was very good, but her scope of reference is more Broadway, pop and show-biz. (she added a bit of undue stress and drama before our performances -demanding wardrobe standards that didn't go with our personalities)

I'm searching around for another female vocalist -hopefully someone with a multi-instrumental talent, but who has more of a blues/country/roots rock/folk influence, and writing skill. A Lucinda Williams type voice -or even that classic Irish voice would be awesome, and I think bring us closer to the appropriate sound.

A large magority of the tunes have been written by the volcalst -I'm trying to sway him away (arrangement wise)ch of a classic rock sound, and more to the "roots rock" sound -more informed by traditional motifs and and production, but you do what you can.