Musical instruments discussion thread
- Thread starter Kazerei
- Start date
- Status
I really wish the same thing for myself. I didn't start trying to play any instrument until I was about 15 and I've never had formal training so I feel like I missed out on the fundamentals. I always say I'm going to take lessons but I think it might be harder now that I've got so many bad habits that need breaking. Any time I try working with a book or DVD lesson program I find myself bored by the beginner and intermediate sections and completely over whelmed by the advanced stuff.
show me your skeleton
Member
if you keep up the 30 minutes a day, particularly if it's structured practice & not just noodling, you'll be really good.
jealous!
jongkookie
Member
It's why I have a love/hate relationship with it. On one hand I wouldn't be worth a damn as an audio engineer if I never learned how to properly play the bone. On the other hand, it is probably the hardest brass instrument to play. I sometimes want to go back to my middle school self and told me that I should've picked another instrument. It's damn easy to play but practically hard to master. But, I don't mind it at all... the difficulty is what makes it so much fun.
This sadly isn't true if your a music major. For us, it's not about finding time, it's about making time for it. Our schedules revolve around the fact that we gotta practice so if I have an hour break between classes, my ass isn't at a Starbucks sipping a cup of expensive coffee, it's in a practice room getting shit done because we don't want to suck. I think if you do the same thing as we do, you'll find yourself a lot of time to practice.
Me being on GAF right now and not practicing is just pure laziness lol.
Stormbringer
Member
I would have never actually imagined music would take such a big place in my life but there I am, playing music as much as my time allows me too.
At first I though that I, too, would've loved to start playing music during childhood. But thinking about it, I'm pretty sure that, like many children, I would've lacked the maturity to approach and discover the instrument and the music in a way that would make it a durable hobby for me (especially if my parents forced it on me...).
Anyway, as for the timeline, and for the instruments themselves, sparked by my love for blues music, I basically started with this harmonica :
- Following up with a few guitars, and ending up with these :
played on this :
The Vox (which features a power attenuator) is pretty nice for apartment practice, but good God, what I would do to be able to play one of these fancy big amps at home. Plugged the pink Aria to a 100W Fender amp once... Needless to say, it sounded like a different guitar.
- Aaaaand I'm currently hard at work practicing this :
An acquaintance of mine sold me a 10 years old Yamaha DTXpress, barely played, and in excellent condition, which looks pretty much like the one in the above picture (which is not mine).
It's weird because out of all the instruments I've played, it's the one that's the most natural to me. Playing drums feels so exhilarating.
I'm currently taking lesson playing an acoustic drum kit at my teacher's house. A whole different feeling than the electronic one, really. I don't regret my purchase though (and given that I'm living in an apartment, I had no choice anyway). One day...
At first I though that I, too, would've loved to start playing music during childhood. But thinking about it, I'm pretty sure that, like many children, I would've lacked the maturity to approach and discover the instrument and the music in a way that would make it a durable hobby for me (especially if my parents forced it on me...).
Anyway, as for the timeline, and for the instruments themselves, sparked by my love for blues music, I basically started with this harmonica :
I'm up to something like...7 harmonicas now ? In various keys of course.
- Following up with a few guitars, and ending up with these :
played on this :
The Vox (which features a power attenuator) is pretty nice for apartment practice, but good God, what I would do to be able to play one of these fancy big amps at home. Plugged the pink Aria to a 100W Fender amp once... Needless to say, it sounded like a different guitar.
- Aaaaand I'm currently hard at work practicing this :
An acquaintance of mine sold me a 10 years old Yamaha DTXpress, barely played, and in excellent condition, which looks pretty much like the one in the above picture (which is not mine).
It's weird because out of all the instruments I've played, it's the one that's the most natural to me. Playing drums feels so exhilarating.
I'm currently taking lesson playing an acoustic drum kit at my teacher's house. A whole different feeling than the electronic one, really. I don't regret my purchase though (and given that I'm living in an apartment, I had no choice anyway). One day...
It makes me happy to see other ukuleles around. I only knew of one GAF person who played. I took piano for years as a hobby (mostly classical), and I have two brothers who studied classical guitar (one of them has doctorate in it and teaches at a university). But more recently I heard Jake Shimabukuro's ukulele version of Still My Guitar Gently Weeps, and heard him on NPR, and now I have two ukuleles. I have a super cheap soprano one and a super cheap but slightly less cheap tenor one.
One neat thing about ukulele is that in general, online communities and players seem to be super friendly. Whether it's PMing performers on YouTube or reading tutorials people post, there is a ton of helpful material, a lot of it free, and people like playing. I've also found that there tend to be groups for that sort of thing, so if you want to get together and play ukulele once a month with people, a site like meetup.com may have a group or groups in your area.
I want to learn more finger-picking with the ukulele, but I mostly just struggle to do basic chords at the moment. I have big hands and even with a tenor, certain chords are tough.
One neat thing about ukulele is that in general, online communities and players seem to be super friendly. Whether it's PMing performers on YouTube or reading tutorials people post, there is a ton of helpful material, a lot of it free, and people like playing. I've also found that there tend to be groups for that sort of thing, so if you want to get together and play ukulele once a month with people, a site like meetup.com may have a group or groups in your area.
I want to learn more finger-picking with the ukulele, but I mostly just struggle to do basic chords at the moment. I have big hands and even with a tenor, certain chords are tough.
melichrous
Member
I played clarinet for about 2 years in secondary school, then swapped to saxophone. Unfortunately, I switched school shortly afterwards and never got around to retaking the lessons etc..
I've been contemplating buying a new instrument for the past year or so, probably either back to clarinet or I may also buy a flute. Does anyone whose played one of those two have any thoughts on the matter? If I do buy one, I'll be looking to spend somewhere between £100-£250.
I'm mainly after one to keep me entertained at college in my downtime, as I'm moving into halls of residence for my first year.
I've been contemplating buying a new instrument for the past year or so, probably either back to clarinet or I may also buy a flute. Does anyone whose played one of those two have any thoughts on the matter? If I do buy one, I'll be looking to spend somewhere between £100-£250.
I'm mainly after one to keep me entertained at college in my downtime, as I'm moving into halls of residence for my first year.
IGotBillySoSpooked
Low moral character
I'd like to learn saxophone.
Is it possible without taking lessons?
Is it possible without taking lessons?
melichrous
Member
I'd say it definitely is. Get a couple of decent books and you'll be fine. Hardest thing is probably getting used to the whole reed shebang.
I don't have particularly big hands but if you look at some of the Hawaiian guys, especially IZ, you'll see it works out somehow. When I first started playing mandolin I thought I'd never get used to it because the strings are even closer together than a ukulele and the tension is higher but with enough practice you find a way to fret things cleanly.
I've been playing guitar for about 5 years now and keyboard for almost 2 years. I still suck at it though. Theory is something I've really put off for a while which was probably a bad idea but now I'm learning it and making sure I don't forget everything like I normally do hah.
I've recorded a few original songs and some video game music covers but I don't really have the means to make them sound as good as I'd like.
I've recorded a few original songs and some video game music covers but I don't really have the means to make them sound as good as I'd like.
CheesecakeRecipe
Stormy Grey
I was a bassist for a few years in high school and into my college days before I went on a massive musical journey which took me far away from the punk/metal attitude of the band I was in at the time. We never really got back together and my days of playing have been and gone for a long time now. Sometimes I miss the instrument, pick it up and slap a line out.
Miss ya, girl.
Miss ya, girl.
Funny thing, I sold the Pod HD500 after I just couldn't get the hang of it and went back to my XT. My XT died a few weeks ago and I bought... a Pod HD bean (cheaper, don't need floorboard as I use an amp for live stuff).
Now that I'm being forced to use the HD, I'm liking it. It's different. I'm still not 100% in love with the high gain metal capabilities.. but I'll find something.
Silas Lang
Member
Played Saxaphone in middle and high school. Started on alto, switched to tenor and played baritone sax during the concert season. That thing was a damn tuba with a reed. Played classical and jazz during those days.
Play mostly just guitar now. Had a friend leave a banjo at my place for a few months and it was a blast to play. Really want one of those now. Love the twangyness of it.
Play mostly just guitar now. Had a friend leave a banjo at my place for a few months and it was a blast to play. Really want one of those now. Love the twangyness of it.
storafötter
Member
Yeah I can relate to what you are saying here. The Ukulele society is very friendly and helpful. I got a cheap Lanikai Soprano, Mid tier Tenor and a Yamaha Guitalele. I really want a Banjolele too as I have a thing for banjos.
I have big hands myself but thankfully for me finger picking works. It would be awesome to have a Ukulele meetup with GAF (if we were enough people). What type of ukulele strings do you like the most? I know Aquilla strings are the most popular and they are pretty decent but I do actually enjoy the more mellow softer sound of the black strings (I got on my soprano).
Musha_Soturi
Member
I play piano, did up to grade 7 before I quit. Don't play so much these days, but I'll sit down and tinkle the ol' ivories now and then.
Taught myself to play guitar using the theory I gained from piano. I still suck.
Also sing and I've been writing songs since I was 12. Never done too much with them though.
Taught myself to play guitar using the theory I gained from piano. I still suck.
Also sing and I've been writing songs since I was 12. Never done too much with them though.
Wolf Akela
Member
Used to practice the piano, but for several reasons there's really no more space in my room so I have to put it somewhere. It was a cheapo piano anyway.
I've been learning how to play the flute these days though (Artley Symphony), but no lessons. I'm not at home from 8am-10pm because of work, so weekday practice only happens at 12-2am. I'm still not very consistent especially with my embouchure. Sometimes I instantly get my proper embouchure, but sometimes I have to make many adjustments before I get it right.
I still have so many basics to learn, particularly transitioning between certain notes (like A->G#) and my grip. When I keep doing A->G# loop I often end up shaking the flute a bit.
Instruments I want to learn are the piano, flute and violin. I was going to go for the violin instead of the flute but apparently it's the worst instrument to learn without a teacher.
I've been learning how to play the flute these days though (Artley Symphony), but no lessons. I'm not at home from 8am-10pm because of work, so weekday practice only happens at 12-2am. I'm still not very consistent especially with my embouchure. Sometimes I instantly get my proper embouchure, but sometimes I have to make many adjustments before I get it right.
I still have so many basics to learn, particularly transitioning between certain notes (like A->G#) and my grip. When I keep doing A->G# loop I often end up shaking the flute a bit.
Instruments I want to learn are the piano, flute and violin. I was going to go for the violin instead of the flute but apparently it's the worst instrument to learn without a teacher.
phisheep
NeoGAF's Chief Barrister
Just get yourself a damn banjo. Right now.
Really, as a life-transforming instrument this thing is a blast. Every other instrument I've played has at some stage turned out to be a bit of a burden, not the banjo.
I couldn't even imagine learning the violin on my own. I would never have caught on the little details that made my playing a lot harder if not for him correcting me. Videos and books are not going to replace that.
My grand piano literally takes up half my living room (and I live in a one bedroom apartment).
I'm very grateful that my parents made me take piano lessons. I wasn't really into it at first, but I didn't hate it. Then the better I got, the more I enjoyed playing. I guess the key is that my parents were generally positive and encouraging. They celebrated every grade I earned, and didn't put pressure on me to win awards and stuff.
Neat! Rachmaninoff's piano concerto no. 2 is so amazing.
CrudeDiatribe
Member
Love the blues. Not very good at harmonica yet.
Eleven guitars, one banjo, one recorder, five harmonicas.
Have been playing guitar for 24 years now. Don't really know anything but I can play it well.
Would love to play piano, I can do OK with either hand, but not both at once. Should pick up USB keyboard sometime.
I've played guitar for probably close to 12-13 years..I'm not really sure. I think I picked it up either the summer of my 8th grade year or summer going into freshman year. Not as good as I should be, probably. I have a black Casino as my electric and some generic acoustic.
I also have a uke and learned how to play it, but then forgot about it and can't remember where I put it or chord formations.
I took a keyboarding class in middle school, but never learned how to read music. I play piano anyway. I got a real one in my house after my uncle's mom died, but I had been playing keyboard for years anyway. I play by ear mostly and use my knowledge of guitar on piano. It comes pretty natural to me, even if sheet music is completely unreadable to me. I've tried. I've read sheet music for things that I know how to play and I get close to kind of figuring it out, then it just shorts my brain.
I had a bass at on time that was stolen by a roommate, sadly. I had just bought it off a buddy and was having fun with it. I feel like I could play drums after pretty extensive practice on RB3 with cymbals on expert. I'd really love to branch out into other stringed instruments like violin, cello, double bass. I just don't have the room for that kind of stuff. I'd love to someday, though.
I also have a uke and learned how to play it, but then forgot about it and can't remember where I put it or chord formations.
I took a keyboarding class in middle school, but never learned how to read music. I play piano anyway. I got a real one in my house after my uncle's mom died, but I had been playing keyboard for years anyway. I play by ear mostly and use my knowledge of guitar on piano. It comes pretty natural to me, even if sheet music is completely unreadable to me. I've tried. I've read sheet music for things that I know how to play and I get close to kind of figuring it out, then it just shorts my brain.
I had a bass at on time that was stolen by a roommate, sadly. I had just bought it off a buddy and was having fun with it. I feel like I could play drums after pretty extensive practice on RB3 with cymbals on expert. I'd really love to branch out into other stringed instruments like violin, cello, double bass. I just don't have the room for that kind of stuff. I'd love to someday, though.
CrudeDiatribe
Member
I play lots of bottleneck guitar. I do enjoy others playing CBGs, but personally have never wanted one over one of my fretted six or twelve stringers.
Do you play bottleneck or steel guitar already?
I played trumpet for 7 years and french horn for 1 year.
Both are fun to play, especially french horn.
I didn't have much talent for either though. I stopped playing altogether once I started college.
I have dabbled in piano (took a beginner's course) and I'm thinking of devoting a lot more time to it in the future.
Both are fun to play, especially french horn.
I didn't have much talent for either though. I stopped playing altogether once I started college.
I have dabbled in piano (took a beginner's course) and I'm thinking of devoting a lot more time to it in the future.
storafötter;41733083 said:
I put Aquila nylgut strings, high-G, on both ukuleles so far. I might someday try Worth brown mediums though. I like this string comparison video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSgV6POe9nI
Also, check out some other videos on that guy's channel. He has one or two free e-books (in German, but the tabs/notation should still make sense), and I think he just released 3 new ones for sale, including classical and Celtic music. He's one of the people on YouTube I'd like to imitate since he seems to fingerpick well.
I just have a regular guitar right now, but I got a look at a CBG over the weekend at a music festival. I liked what I saw and have been looking into a three string.
CrudeDiatribe
Member
Yeah, but do you play slide on it? Or are you looking for a fretted CBG?
I do a little slide, but I would probably get a fretted CBG to start with at least.
I play an acoustic guitar, mostly the one pictured in my avatar. I also have an Ovation acoustic-electric that I hate, a Mexican Fender Stratocaster, a Vox VT15 modeling amp, and I'm fairly decent at playing genres I like like classic rock, a little bit of metal, a little bit of punk (mostly The Ramones), some blues, and country rock.
With an acoustic learn open chords and strum patterns, then some moveable scales like the major and minor and major/minor pentatonic. Maybe some barre chords and definitely power chords and you'll be good to go.
With an acoustic learn open chords and strum patterns, then some moveable scales like the major and minor and major/minor pentatonic. Maybe some barre chords and definitely power chords and you'll be good to go.
CrudeDiatribe
Member
storafötter
Member
I put Aquila nylgut strings, high-G, on both ukuleles so far. I might someday try Worth brown mediums though. I like this string comparison video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSgV6POe9nI
Also, check out some other videos on that guy's channel. He has one or two free e-books (in German, but the tabs/notation should still make sense), and I think he just released 3 new ones for sale, including classical and Celtic music. He's one of the people on YouTube I'd like to imitate since he seems to fingerpick well.
That is a nice comparison video thanks. I used to follow quite a few ukulele players in the past on youtube but lost track of them pretty much. Well I don't think I will change the Aquila yet strings but whenever I get a new ukulele I think I will do so. I will admit I am not very technical or knowledgeable about what strings suits best other than brand name. When it comes to what style I would love to imitate it would have to be George Formby or Cliff Edwards. There was this generous user who actually uploaded a bunch of classic ukulele songbooks from the 20s and one of them was by Cliff Edwards.
Stormbringer
Member
Oh, I've been thinking of getting one too. Haven't been able to find candy-cheap ones where I live though...
CheesecakeRecipe said:
Tried to play bass a few times. Feels awesome.
You should try to get back to it, as I'm sure you still remember how great that feels to play this. Nice instrument too !
CrudeDiatribe
Member
I'd just order one online. I realize that not everyone can just throw $300 on a whim purchase, but that in relation to the cost of other instruments it is pretty cheap.
FO-totality
Poet Centuriate
"Classically" trained cellist, self-taught bassist, fledgling electronic composer here.
I love playing them both but I kinda wish that the orchestra in middle/high school would've played more popular songs and had more opportunities to play like the bands. I pushed my way into jazz band as a bassist because of how sick I was of orchestra getting the shaft so often.
I love playing them both but I kinda wish that the orchestra in middle/high school would've played more popular songs and had more opportunities to play like the bands. I pushed my way into jazz band as a bassist because of how sick I was of orchestra getting the shaft so often.
Crag Dweller
aka kindbudmaster
I had quit playing guitar around 1990 and really didn't catch the music bug again until Rock Band 3 came out with its cool (but gimped) pro mode. This past April I decided I wanted to get back into playing again and I had a limited budget to get everything I needed to setup a modest home studio.
I had the Ion drums for the game already so it was fairly cheap and easy to convert those into a electronic set. I found a old Alesis DM5 brain and added another pad and a few more cymbals.
I run a midi to usb from the drums into the computer and use a program called Addictive Drums.
I also wanted to be able to get both classic guitar sounds so I went with an Epiphone Les Paul Standard and a Sqiuer classic 50's vibe Stratacaster as well as a nice sounding Recording King Acoustic.
A friend had the bass sitting in his basement for years, so he just gave it to me when he heard I was doing this. I also got a Line 6 Spider Jam amp.
I've ougrown the Line 6 spider jam pretty fast. I mainly got it because of its recording capabilities and jam tracks built into it.
But after I picked up a nice small mixer, I was getting better results mic'ing the amp and recording on the computer so in hindsight I could of spent my money more wisely there, but its still a great practice amp.
The mixer is a Berringer x1204 usb mixer. All the instruments go though this and into the computer and mixed with a DAW program called Reaper. I also picked up a cheap keyboard to teach me how to play a little.
Overall I was able to stay under my budget and got everything for under 2k.
The first song I recorded was Children Of The Sea by Black Sabbath. I used a backing track with the bass and drums for this one, but all the guitars are me. Children Of The Sea
This was before I had got the mixer and everything was recorded with the Spider Jam's internal recording ability onto a sd card in a slot in the back of the amp. Nice feature to have in a practice amp, but it took forever to record this way, which is why I eventually got a mixer.
I've also made a couple Neil Young covers this summer where I played all the instruments. Theres a lot of great backing tracks out there but I wanted to try to play everything on a couple of songs just to see if I could.
The first one is a song called L.A. from Time Fades Away, one of my personal favorites L.A.
This next one is a electric version of a song called Campaigner. Originally an acoustic song from his album Decade. I found a version on youtube he did during the Weld tour that I thought was a great take on a old classic. Campaigner
Don't mind the singing though, I not very good at it. I'm working on another great old Neil Young song called Winterlong right now. Just need to find the time to work on it some more.
I had the Ion drums for the game already so it was fairly cheap and easy to convert those into a electronic set. I found a old Alesis DM5 brain and added another pad and a few more cymbals.
I run a midi to usb from the drums into the computer and use a program called Addictive Drums.
I also wanted to be able to get both classic guitar sounds so I went with an Epiphone Les Paul Standard and a Sqiuer classic 50's vibe Stratacaster as well as a nice sounding Recording King Acoustic.
A friend had the bass sitting in his basement for years, so he just gave it to me when he heard I was doing this. I also got a Line 6 Spider Jam amp.
I've ougrown the Line 6 spider jam pretty fast. I mainly got it because of its recording capabilities and jam tracks built into it.
But after I picked up a nice small mixer, I was getting better results mic'ing the amp and recording on the computer so in hindsight I could of spent my money more wisely there, but its still a great practice amp.
The mixer is a Berringer x1204 usb mixer. All the instruments go though this and into the computer and mixed with a DAW program called Reaper. I also picked up a cheap keyboard to teach me how to play a little.
Overall I was able to stay under my budget and got everything for under 2k.
The first song I recorded was Children Of The Sea by Black Sabbath. I used a backing track with the bass and drums for this one, but all the guitars are me. Children Of The Sea
This was before I had got the mixer and everything was recorded with the Spider Jam's internal recording ability onto a sd card in a slot in the back of the amp. Nice feature to have in a practice amp, but it took forever to record this way, which is why I eventually got a mixer.
I've also made a couple Neil Young covers this summer where I played all the instruments. Theres a lot of great backing tracks out there but I wanted to try to play everything on a couple of songs just to see if I could.
The first one is a song called L.A. from Time Fades Away, one of my personal favorites L.A.
This next one is a electric version of a song called Campaigner. Originally an acoustic song from his album Decade. I found a version on youtube he did during the Weld tour that I thought was a great take on a old classic. Campaigner
Don't mind the singing though, I not very good at it. I'm working on another great old Neil Young song called Winterlong right now. Just need to find the time to work on it some more.
user8503492
Banned
I wanted to ask you guys about this earlier this week, saw this thread and thought it better to ask here then make a thread.
So my son who is turning 11 (5th grade) got the letter home asking if kids wanted to join the school band, it listed many horns and such which he wasnt to intrested in.
He has said for a while he wants to play drums, but with a lack of space I just cant buy him a set yet. Ive looked into E-sets but they are just tooooo pricey right now.
But on the list of instruments they will teach/allow in the band it said "Bass guitar, if student purchases it and own amp"
So now he wants to play the bass...and heres what Ive been looking at available at Best Buy I was thinking of getting him.
Its like 299.99 (perfect since I have a BB credit card and can pay later)
But I wonder what you guys think or if you have any suggestions/information on playing bass and such or if its good for a 5th grader, etc..
Some insight would be great since I dont play any instruments.
So my son who is turning 11 (5th grade) got the letter home asking if kids wanted to join the school band, it listed many horns and such which he wasnt to intrested in.
He has said for a while he wants to play drums, but with a lack of space I just cant buy him a set yet. Ive looked into E-sets but they are just tooooo pricey right now.
But on the list of instruments they will teach/allow in the band it said "Bass guitar, if student purchases it and own amp"
So now he wants to play the bass...and heres what Ive been looking at available at Best Buy I was thinking of getting him.
Its like 299.99 (perfect since I have a BB credit card and can pay later)
But I wonder what you guys think or if you have any suggestions/information on playing bass and such or if its good for a 5th grader, etc..
Some insight would be great since I dont play any instruments.
Crag Dweller
aka kindbudmaster
That looks like a decent package for your son.
Crag Dweller
aka kindbudmaster
There are a lot of resources on Youtube. Here are a couple my favorites. These can also be used by any beginner with less knowledge than the op is starting with.
Learning the notes on the guitar
The caged system
And these people have good channels
Creative Guitar Studio
You Can Learn The Guitar
- Status