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[Kazerei]

I searched for a thread where GAF can discuss the musical instruments we play, but found nothing. Feel free to mock if I missed it.

I started playing piano when I was four years old. Asian parents, yep. At first I didn't really like it, but as I grew older, I started to really enjoy and appreciate the fact that I could make music. I went the classical route of course, and eventually passed the grade 10 exam and necessary theory exams at the Royal Conservatory. I started working towards Performer's ARCT, but stopped when I got to university, because I really didn't have enough time to practice. I still play the piano occasionally, mostly popular music stuff, just for fun.

I also tried playing the violin when I much younger, but quit after like three lessons. I hated it. Supposedly the learning curve is a bit steep, so it takes awhile before someone can sound good. And I also played the clarinet for two years in my junior high school's band. From that I discovered I don't have the lungs for woodwind or brass instruments. I'm terrible at singing too.

Now the real reason I created this topic is because I just bought myself an acoustic guitar. It was kind of an impulse buy. Other than Guitar Hero (lol) I have zero experience playing a guitar, but I understand it in theory, and I want to teach myself how to play. GuitarGAF, are there any good online tutorials or resources? Any advice? Halp!

 

[Menelaus]

Learn you some open chords and you'll be strumming along to Nickleback in no time!

 

[Onemic]

I searched for a thread where GAF can discuss the musical instruments we play, but found nothing. Feel free to mock if I missed it.

I started playing piano when I was four years old. Asian parents, yep. At first I didn't really like it, but as I grew older, I started to really enjoy and appreciate the fact that I could make music. I went the classical route of course, and eventually passed the grade 10 exam and necessary theory exams at the Royal Conservatory. I started working towards Performer's ARCT, but stopped when I got to university, because I really didn't have enough time to practice. I still play the piano occasionally, mostly popular music stuff, just for fun.

I also tried playing the violin when I much younger, but quit after like three lessons. I hated it. Supposedly the learning curve is a bit steep, so it takes awhile before someone can sound good. And I also played the clarinet for two years in my junior high school's band. From that I discovered I don't have the lungs for woodwind or brass instruments. I'm terrible at singing too.

Now the real reason I created this topic is because I just bought myself an acoustic guitar. It was kind of an impulse buy. Other than Guitar Hero (lol) I have zero experience playing a guitar, but I understand it in theory, and I want to teach myself how to play. GuitarGAF, are there any good online tutorials or resources? Any advice? Halp!

Get Rocksmith, it makes practicing fun as fuck


I play drums and guitar, although I'm not proficient inn either.(I'm much better at drums though) Started playing guitar 4 years ago and drums 3 years ago, but really I'd say I actually started playing drums 2 years ago and guitar last november, as I wasn't as serous about either(especially guitar) until more recently.

I really want to get good at drums, but I keep getting discouraged about my lack of progress. I mean my coordination isn't really a problem, but I can't do double strokes or paradiddles to save my life and its gotten to the point where I feel like I'll never get good enough to actually use either rudiment in any type of musical context. Especially so when I hear people saying they learned to play double strokes fast in as little as 1-3 months and after 2 years I still can't play it accurately or fast enough to use in any type of song.

Anyway, I still love playing though, and ultimately I'd love to graduate my playing so that I can maybe be a part time musician. My main problem has always been finding people to play with, as I've never jammed with anyone in my life.

 

[Kaladin]

or learn some power chords and you'll be playing Green Day in no time

On topic, I have some basic guitar skills myself, but fuck fingerpicking. I'm trying to learn the banjo though which is coincidentally mostly fingerpicking and it's a tougher instrument to master.

 

[Onemic]

I was actually planning on making an official musical instruments thread myself, but I guess you beat me to it

 

[ChiTownBuffalo]

I played the violin for 17 years.

Yeah. Lots of lessons, a couple violins, youth orchestras, insane competition.

I more or less hate violinists now. Not the music, but dang, 1st violin section is the worst.

 

[Kaladin]

I played the violin for 17 years.

Yeah. Lots of lessons, a couple violins, youth orchestras, insane competition.

I more or less hate violinists now. Not the music, but dang, 1st violin section is the worst.

You could be a fiddle player in a country band and be 1st violinist all the time.

 

[ChiTownBuffalo]

You could be a fiddle player in a country band and be 1st violinist all the time.

Those are long knives you stab me with, sir.

Ha.

I moonlighted as a fiddle player in a country band for, 2 weeks. Playing bluegrass/CHarlie Daniels stuff is hard. Completely different vibe. ANd the incessant fear that if my Russian tacher ever found out, he'd kill me.

 

[Fidelis Hodie]

I really only play guitar and pretend I can play harmonica. The good thing is I know enough to fake the rest with midi (drums, strings, piano).

 

[wenis]

I really only play guitar and pretend I can play harmonica. The good thing is I know enough to fake the rest with midi (drums, strings, piano).

The great thing about the harmonica is that anyone can really play it. It'll probably take a day or two to really understand how to create the pitch and stuff, but even then, just getting the basics down and you're set for life.

 

[mickcenary]

This:

+

= mich joy/fun in my life.

Sure, V-Drums of this caliber will never match a nice acoustic kit, but the sheer play-time/versatility more than makes up for it. <3.

EDIT: Great thread, too.

 

[CorvoSol]

Trombone!!! I played the Trombone for like, 6 years, and nowadays I can't make a single note on it. Not because I don't remember how, but because I've lost the embuh-- you know, that thing.

I miss playing it, though.

 

[Kazerei]

Well I just spent the past half hour playing a few chords and dammit this is hard and kinda hurts. What's the proper technique for holding down the strings? I know each string is supposed to resonate very clearly, but I keep muddying them up.

Also my hands are kind of small. I bought a full-sized but maybe I should've gone with a 3/4-sized :\

 

[Mononofu]

I have a piano and a electric guitar. Major difficultly motivating myself to practice though :\

 

[Onemic]

Well I just spent the past half hour playing a few chords and dammit this is hard and kinda hurts. What's the proper technique for holding down the strings? I know each string is supposed to resonate very clearly, but I keep muddying them up.

Also my hands are kind of small. I bought a full-sized but maybe I should've gone with a 3/4-sized :\

It's supposed to hurt. It'll take about a week of constant playing for you build up calluses to minimize the pain. My calluses are so big now that I can literally play for hours on end and not feel a thing.

 

[Kazerei]

It's supposed to hurt. It'll take about a week of constant playing for you build up calluses to minimize the pain. My calluses are so big now that I can literally play for hours on end and not feel a thing.

Alright, good to know I'm on the right path at least ._.

 

[TestMonkey]

I used to play trumpet. Bought a real nice one a few years ago thinking I might get back into it but it's just been on display. Getting back the muscles involved in playing was just too much. Fond memories of it though.

 

[Kyaw]

Well I just spent the past half hour playing a few chords and dammit this is hard and kinda hurts. What's the proper technique for holding down the strings? I know each string is supposed to resonate very clearly, but I keep muddying them up.

Also my hands are kind of small. I bought a full-sized but maybe I should've gone with a 3/4-sized :\

Try to trim your nails all the way down on your fret fingers.

 

[KevinRo]

Played Bb Clarinet. Alto Sax.

Loved beating the rich kids at competitions and in placements.

Never once thought about making it a profession. Now that I look back at it, maybe I should have but this economy...

I always hated the fact that you had to watch your back. There are always people better than you.

*edit*

Oh yeah. I played Classical and Jazz. Also some Clarinet polka. Don't ask.

 

[AlexSmash]

Those are long knives you stab me with, sir.

Ha.

I moonlighted as a fiddle player in a country band for, 2 weeks. Playing bluegrass/CHarlie Daniels stuff is hard. Completely different vibe. ANd the incessant fear that if my Russian tacher ever found out, he'd kill me.

ive been playing for 15 years and i know that feel.

ive learned exclusive to play classical peaces.
when i joined an irish folklore cover band i realized how completely different it was.
rhythm and groove, off-beat... etc, all that shit means nothing in pre 1900 music that you play on violin, lol.

because of that i want to start playing drums.

 

[ronito]

Majored in Classical guitar performance.
It made me a sad, cynical man.

 

[MeshuggahMan]

This:

+

= mich joy/fun in my life.

Sure, V-Drums of this caliber will never match a nice acoustic kit, but the sheer play-time/versatility more than makes up for it. <3.

EDIT: Great thread, too.

I have been researching to buy an electronic kit lately thanks to recently acquired $250 in amazon gift cards. What model is that and how much is it? Looks pretty nice.

 

[jchap]

Piano 25 years. Still play nearly every day. I go through withdrawals when I cant.

I also used to play Baritone and Trombone

 

[Onemic]

I have been researching to buy an electronic kit lately thanks to recently acquired $250 in amazon gift cards. What model is that and how much is it? Looks pretty nice.

If you want a good E-kit you're looking at spending $1500+, The entry level for a decent E-kit is much higher than an acoustic set. Of course the price ceiling for an acoustic kit is exponentially higher than an E-kit though.

 

[MeshuggahMan]

If you want a good E-kit you're looking at spending $1500+, The entry level for a decent E-kit is much higher than an acoustic set. Of course the price ceiling for an acoustic kit is exponentially higher than an E-kit though.

So I've noticed! Crazy expensive. I'd love to get an acoustic set but the noise is a major factor in purchasing electric. I'm just a long time guitar player looking to add drums to the mix. Honestly I don't even need anything incredibly nice just something to practice on and possibly record with.

 

[Fidelis Hodie]

The great thing about the harmonica is that anyone can really play it. It'll probably take a day or two to really understand how to create the pitch and stuff, but even then, just getting the basics down and you're set for life.

It's true. I used it way more than I thought on my first album,

 

[Onemic]

So I've noticed! Crazy expensive. I'd love to get an acoustic set but the noise is a major factor in purchasing electric. I'm just a long time guitar player looking to add drums to the mix. Honestly I don't even need anything incredibly nice just something to practice on and possibly record with.

You should look at something like this then if you're tight on money. I know Pearl also makes portable ones and they come with plastic heads to deaden the sound for silent practice. Of course if you can afford it I'd say just save up 2000 bucks or so and get a nice E-kit. Here's a Roland one that's available for $1500

 

[Bread]

I'm a beginner piano player now, started last September. I'm pretty good at reading sheet music, and I'm learning chords now. I'm having a lot of fun with it, and I hope I continue playing.

 

[British Monsoon]

Been playing the guitar for ages, but I only really practised enough in the past 5 years or so and am now starting to record some of my own stuff - I also started playing the mandolin and ukulele last year and just recently got a banjo, which I'm finding to be a lot of fun to play, but it's hard getting used to the steel finger & thumb picks.

 

[Satch]

i used to play trumpet but i made myself quit after i started torturing myself in college for not living up to my own impossible standards

 

[Llyranor]

Picking up the violin in your late 20's with zero previous musical background is a major pain, but also a lot of fun.

 

[Fou-Lu]

I have a 550w bass amp sitting in my closet and no longer own a bass or keyboard to use it with. Feels bad man.

 

[phisheep]

Wonderful thread.

I started playing recorder at 6 and never gave up. Still got about 7 recorders buried around the house somewhere (and still play tenor sometimes, unfortunately someone dropped some furniture and shattered my beloved bass).

My Dad got a piano that I learnt to play a bit.

Then I played B flat clarinet to grade something-or-other - did some youth orchestras.

Finally (nearly) gave up on woodwind when I joined a choir and realised I could sing. Wife bought me a banjo from a car boot so I learned that. Wonderful instrument. Portable (unlike piano) can sing along (unlike woodwind). What's not to like? Good sociable instrument.

Can't do guitar - it's got more strings than the fingers I have available.

However, something's gone wrong. Wife bought me an alto sax this year. Maybe my singing voice has gone off a bit?

 

[AquaticSquirrel]

I have a keyboard and some music theory so I can read music but...not very well.

I've never taken a lesson but I want to learn to play Keyboard/Piano so I downloaded a bunch of sheet music of songs probably way to hard for me but that I like and I'm basically slogging through them at a very slow pace and learning all of the notes one by one, it's very painstaking and slow but if I stick with it I'll eventually get there and then when I'm more finacially stable and have a bit of experience I might take up lessons.

What I'm doing at the moment is learning right hand first, then left hand, and then combining the two for each section. I have large hands and long fingers so I think I can reach an octave and a half maybe with one hand (thumb to pinky) or at least close to it.

Any tips for learning or finger positions from piano gaf?

At some stage I plan on getting a cheap acoustic guitar and trying to learn that too. And I'm a singer so I have a very large lung capacity/pressure so I'd like to try out a wind instrument like maybe the ocarina? Suggestions wind instrument gaf?

I've also been dabling with composing with some software but it's very hard coming from a singing rather than intrumental background, I'm ok on melody but layering the piece/chords I find very difficult which is also one of the reasons I want to become proficient in a few instruments.

I'd consider trying violing too at some point but I hear it is one of the hardest instruments to play especially considering I'm 27 so I'll probably give it a miss.

 

[Kazerei]

Try to trim your nails all the way down on your fret fingers.

Already done. My fingers hurt like hell now.

Any tips for learning or finger positions from piano gaf?

Sheet music made for "easy piano" often has fingering notations in tricky parts. Otherwise, it's kind of trial and error. If there's a phrase that's bothering you, just try different fingering and see what's best.

 

[mickcenary]

I have been researching to buy an electronic kit lately thanks to recently acquired $250 in amazon gift cards. What model is that and how much is it? Looks pretty nice.

Roland TD6KX, dude. I'm pretty sure the TD6 module has been discontinued. TD8 is the equivalent now, but I'm fairly out of touch with it all, so don't quote me on this. I got mine 5 years ago for about 2,800AUD. It's fantastic, but yeah, you're going to have to spend a bit to get a nice kit.

 

[Futureman]

I have an old, shitty bass I found at my Dad's house.

when you play it, it literally goes out of tune notiecably as you play.

is this some major issue with the bass, or could it just be that the strings are like 8 years old?

I actually would LOVE to buy an acoustic bass. What would be the cheapest/most decent acoustic bass I could pick up?


hmmm.... I see used acoutic basses at Guitar Center for around $120.

 

[EVOL 100%]

I have an old, shitty bass I found at my Dad's house.

when you play it, it literally goes out of tune notiecably as you play.

is this some major issue with the bass, or could it just be that the strings are like 8 years old?

I actually would LOVE to buy an acoustic bass. What would be the cheapest/most decent acoustic bass I could pick up?

I'm a guitar player and don't know much about bass, but yeah switch those strings now.

I play guitar and saxophone. The latter I'm not be able to practice nearly as much as I want to since the sax is so goddamn loud.

I'm trying to pickup piano too. I know enough to not embarrass myself when playing a simple song but I'd like to get good at it.

edit:holyshmoly that's a big bump

 

[storafötter]

I started learning how to play music when I was 15. A bit late than maybe most folks but it was during a time when I was discovering a lot of new music and genres. It is a shame that I dont play every day like I used to so my techniques a bit rusty at times. However I never attempted or wanted to be the most technical or best player. I play for myself and hope to one day make an album whenever I have the patience to make a song for longer than 30 seconds. Over the years I have gotten a keyboard, banjo, ukulele, glockenspiel, and bouzouki. So you can say that I really love to play instruments and experiment with them. The ukulele is probably my strongest instrument. I stopped following tabs after a while and decided to just play around with the frets on my own. The pity thing with that is that there are a lot of techniques I could have benefit from learning by trying to learn other songs. Nowadays I just lack the patience to invest more than an hour in an instrument but it still part of me and my enjoyment. Because it is a goal for me to make music that others can enjoy.

I recommend anyone who wants to get into string instruments to get a tenor ukulele first. They are much cheaper than a guitar and easier to pull chords with. Also doesn't sound as terrible if your new at it opposed to guitar. I have for years been thinking of making a ukulele OT but not sure how many ukulele players there are on GAF or people who are interested in it.

 

[teruterubozu]

Piano to Trombone to Guitar to Laptop

 

[Dice]

Next instrument I want to get is a low whistle. Then a classical guitar, but that's pricey.

 

[Owl]

Man I love music! I played trumpet and piano the longest (about 10 years), french horn for 3, and the mellophone for 4 years, bass guitar for 2. I also dabbled in percussion and played marimba and xylophone, among other things.

Currently I'm trying to learn ukele and banjo, but it's hard to wrap my head around a stringed instrument. I can read tabs but, it's not much help.

 

[show me your skeleton]

been playing guitar for about 12 years, bass for 2. don't practice half as much as i should though & it's really held me back. also should probably learn some music theory.



damn i'm a really shitty musician.

 

[jongkookie]

Piano to Trombone to Guitar to Laptop

Trombones FTW!

I started the 'bone back in middle school(almost 10 years ago), now I'm in my 3rd year at university studying audio engineering with the 'bone as my principal instrument. On top of that though I can also play the piano, drums, guitar, bass, alto sax and I also sing bass/tenor as well lol. Also everything else was self taught aside from the 'bone and piano.

I've stopped learning other instruments since I honestly don't have nor money to pick up any other instruments but I do wanna learn how to play jazz guitar. It's the same basic concepts as regular guitar but the chord voicing and the ability to improvise on it is something I can't wrap my head around in. I can understand the concept, but applying it in real time... nope, not gonna happen haha.

 

[teruterubozu]

Trombones FTW!

I started the 'bone back in middle school(almost 10 years ago), now I'm in my 3rd year at university studying audio engineering with the 'bone as my principal instrument. On top of that though I can also play the piano, drums, guitar, bass, alto sax and I also sing bass/tenor as well lol. Also everything else was self taught aside from the 'bone and piano.

I've stopped learning other instruments since I honestly don't have nor money to pick up any other instruments but I do wanna learn how to play jazz guitar. It's the same basic concepts as regular guitar but the chord voicing and the ability to improvise on it is something I can't wrap my head around in. I can understand the concept, but applying it in real time... nope, not gonna happen haha.

The trombone gave me an impeccable ear. There is no guide for tone or pitch with the nebulous slide. It's all ear. There's simply no instrument like it.

 

[Verdre]

been playing guitar for about 12 years, bass for 2. don't practice half as much as i should though & it's really held me back. also should probably learn some music theory.



damn i'm a really shitty musician.

That's how I feel and I've only been playing for about 2 months. Always seems like I should be practicing more even if I do it for 30 minutes to an hour a day and since I don't have anyone to compare myself to it always seems like I suck.

 

[Nekofrog]

i play guitar/bass/other random instruments. i record music (mostly videogame remixes) and put then here http://www.youtube.com/user/nekofrog

I also have a custom 8 string guitar on the way, that bitch is gonna be bombin

 

[J.W.Crazy]

I love just about any musical instrument I can get my hands on. I wish I was better at playing them all but I'd much rather play a little of everything than be a virtuoso on one or even just a few. Mostly I just play for my own enjoyment but I do record stuff as well which usually gets put away on a hard drive never to be heard again.

I've got two ukuleles, four guitars (2 electric, 2 acoustic), mandolin, banjo, and auto harp. I've been borrowing my brothers electric bass for about 5 years now. Tons of little things like hand drums, little percussion instruments, recorder, harmonica, and ocarina. An acoustic drum kit as well as a Yamaha YDD-60 table top electric kit. Upright piano, 49 key MIDI controller, a GE electric reed organ, and a melodion which is small harmonica/accordion sounding instrument that's a mix between a keyboard and wind instrument.

I tried playing trumpet for a while but wasn't making much progress and I needed money so regrettably I sold it. I'd like to get another one someday as well as a Violin which I starting playing for about a week before my cousin who I was borrowing it from sold it.

 

[TestMonkey]

Played trumpet throughout middle school and high school. Was in a Mariachi band despite not being Mexican. Fun times.

 

[Septimius]

I have three guitars, 1 full on piano, 1 hammer-action 88 key midi keyboard, a bunch of midi-controllers, guitar effects, played french horn for years, some drums, programming beats, own a kalimba and I sort of want an accordion.

Yeah, I know musical instruments.

i play guitar/bass/other random instruments. i record music (mostly videogame remixes) and put then here http://www.youtube.com/user/nekofrog

I also have a custom 8 string guitar on the way, that bitch is gonna be bombin

I also have the Pod HD500. Thing is awesome.