Do you play an instrument?

Stompbox

A lot of people that post on this forum seem quite musically attuned (or maybe just attuned to my tastes :P) and although I'm aware there's an Instruments forum I'm quite interested in knowing how many of the peeps here are prone to dabbling!

So, do you? If so, was it a desire to emulate your favourite artists that inspired you or were you first encouraged by your parents etc.? For those who don't, have you ever considered it?

lordgoat

I play because i like making sound. I rarely have the patience to learn someone else's songs, why put all that effort into it when you can make up your own. When you realise how bad they are I think you can see how difficult it is to do it properly.

Not sure if this is alt/indie but seen as it's christmas...

PaulieBoy

lordgoat wrote: »

I play because i like making sound. I rarely have the patience to learn someone else's songs, why put all that effort into it when you can make up your own. When you realise how bad they are I think you can see how difficult it is to do it properly.

Not sure if this is alt/indie but seen as it's christmas...

Pretty much fully with ya there!
I like to doodle on an instrument, just mess about for fun.
If I wanted to play some artists song that I like I could just stick on a CD, a lot less work :-)

rcaz

I'm bang on with both lordgoat and PaulieBoy, I play because I love making sound and I'm not arsed learning other stuff.

I play a good bit, do DIY recording and programming, write and arrange with a band and I'm saving up to get some studio time for that band. Links in my signature if anyone fancies giving us a listen...

I always think its really interesting how knowledge of an instrument can change your listening habits and the things you notice.

Captain Darling

El Pr0n wrote: »

I'm bang on with both lordgoat and PaulieBoy, I play because I love making sound and I'm not arsed learning other stuff.

I play a good bit, do DIY recording and programming, write and arrange with a band and I'm saving up to get some studio time for that band. Links in my signature if anyone fancies giving us a listen...

I always think its really interesting how knowledge of an instrument can change your listening habits and the things you notice.

I used to play guitar around the clock when i was in my teens. Have gotten back into it again recently, really enjoying hammering out a few tunes again.

Ear drum bleedage ahoy!

KeanSeenan

I play a few instruments..well, that's a bit of an exaggeration..I have a few that I can make a passable noise on and I'm good at most guitar based things.But yeah, I record stuff on my pc often and most of it gets forgotten about, but somethings stick. I like making my own songs and that along with doing weird covers when I'm bored, but even with just messing around I notice certain patterns I fall into, I'm not sure if it's to do with the music I listen to(you're only as good as your influences) or just my limits with music.I find playing instruments I know very little about helps avoid these patterns.

Stompbox

lordgoat wrote: »

Not sure if this is alt/indie but seen as it's christmas...

Well I'm just interested specifically in the Alt/Indie crowd, as this kind of music is typically generated by the performer/artist I'm keen to see if this is reflected in the number of us who play.

El Pr0n wrote:

I always think its really interesting how knowledge of an instrument can change your listening habits and the things you notice.

+1. I genuinely think my appreciation of Grizzly Bear would be stymied somewhat had I not become a musician. Understanding how music can be articulated increases your sonic awareness tenfold. You become an active spectator as you attempt to mentally dissect every aspect of their soundscapes.

lordgoat wrote: »

I play because i like making sound. I rarely have the patience to learn someone else's songs, why put all that effort into it when you can make up your own. When you realise how bad they are I think you can see how difficult it is to do it properly.

Can't say I fully agree here lordgoat. When I began playing guitar, breaking down Strokes tunes into their individual components allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of melody, harmony, how percussive and string instruments coalesce and just solid rudiments of good songwriting. But I certainly agree that penning your own tunes makes your realise how brutal the learning curve is!

EDIT: Wow, ten for ten so far! Don't suppose you could alter the poll to make the results public lordgoat? I funked up!

JerryHandbag

I play guitar, and some basic keyboards but I've always wanted to try my hand at some exotic instrument like the Ondes Martenot or the Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer

For the moment I'm concerning myself with learning the fiddle & the mandolin. I'm concentrating on trying to learn as many as possible to make up for my woeful singing voice. :pac:

Captain Darling

I'm playing two songs tomorrow in a pub with my mate. Fookin brickin it. Never played 'live' as such. Its not in my home town, so the shame of it wont follow me around too much!

He's singing Thats Entertainment and i'm going to give Beetlebum a bash.

I plan to be very well lubricated for it.:D

DerekDGoldfish

I got a guitar about 10 years ago I tried to play for about 20 mins and then gave up. Yeah I am that lazy/undertermined

rcaz

Captain Darling wrote: »

i'm going to give Beetlebum a bash.

Nice How'd it go?

Twee.

I own a bass but was never much good at it, even after a year of lessons! I pick it up now and again and mess around, but nothing serious, couldn't be in a band or anything.

cerebis

Captain Darling wrote: »

I'm playing two songs tomorrow in a pub with my mate. Fookin brickin it. Never played 'live' as such. Its not in my home town, so the shame of it wont follow me around too much!

He's singing Thats Entertainment and i'm going to give Beetlebum a bash.

I plan to be very well lubricated for it.:D

playing live is awesome...it's a great feelin and bit nerve wreckin the first few times.. Just enjoy it and you'll be grand!

homerun_homer

I play guitar, bass, Mandolin, Piano & own an accordian too.

I play live with a band, only started in the Summer. Mostly did it just to play the venues I always go to and see what the experience would be like. Still playing with them and have 2 gigs this week, one down and one on NYE.

KnifeWRENCH

I got a bass guitar about 4 years ago. After about 3 days when I wasn't Paul McCartney I just sort of gave up. I've tried teaching myself on and off a few times (too stubborn to get lessons) but to no great avail. Problem is that I have zero patience; if I'm not good at something straight away I tend to just give up.

Bah, I'll get there someday.

Tubsandtiles

In the last few months I have started teaching myself guitar however I've got little or no talent, but that doesn't stop me having a jam and a bit of fun .

nobby grande

I have played guitar guitar fo about 5 years. really enjoy it and it has become a vital part of my life. Making music is one of my favourite past times. Unfortunately work gets in the way of full on devotion to the art. I'm different from the first few posters in that i enjoy learning great artist's music as well as creating my own. To learn and replicate some of my favourite songs is fantastic. This also allows you to appreciate the work that went into creating it.
Playing music is not the same as listening to music. Close, but not the same.

Star Bingo

used to for a good 8yr but i had to put down that guitar so as i could appreciate music again, albeit more knowingly. thought i'd leave it to the experts/true craft merchants

kev9100

I can sing a bit and am a fairly decent guitarist. To be honest, I don't think its important how great a player you are so long as you enjoy yourself.

smokedeels

Play a bit of Guitar and Bass....

I got an AKAI MPC recently and I've been having lots of fun with that. I picked-up some cables at the weekend that allow me pull samples off records. I've made nothing approaching a decent beat but I really enjoy it.... it's been ages since I've played with anyone, so I enjoy this as I can mess about myself.

Xavi6

Yep, got into guitar when I was 16. None of my family are musical (though my sister can sing) but I always had a huge interest in learning so bought a guitar and went from there. I've a semi acoustic, electric and Spanish guitar back in Ireland and just a regular acoustic over here with me.

Unlike some posters above, I love learning other people's songs. I've zero interest in wanky solos or any of that, I learn chords and sing along. Love sitting down for half an hour after work and banging out a few tunes. Also comes in handy when a party piece is needed

Up-n-atom!

When I was younger I played the tin whistle in school (not exactly an achievement...) and I went to keyboard lessons with a guy who used to play in a 'big band' type group. Really wish I had learned something properly at that age, guitar or piano or something a bit more substantial. I got a ukelele last month with the intentions of it giving me a good foundation to learn the guitar, but I can't even tune the thing by myself...so if anyone knows someone doing lessons, let me know:p

Bubs101

If a decent looking girl asks then I play the guitar, otherwise no

Hail 2 Da Thief

Can play a guitar very badly!

osnola ibax

Guitar, would love to learn piano and how to use logic

IrishCian

I started playing guitar about 3 years ago, I'm not amazing or anything but I'm a solid rhythm guitarist. Decided to learn bass a year or so back, I can mess around on a piano and I'm teaching myself drums now Just love writing stuff, and when you do learn a difficult song and can reproduce it, its a great feeling. Not as good as writing your own stuff, but still nice! If you want to hear my stuff I've a thread in the band promotion section, http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056184140

smokedeels

smokedeels wrote: »

Play a bit of Guitar and Bass....

I've decided to take guitar lessons, I'm starting this Saturday.

I originally learned these instruments by "messing about" with friends, but I want to know how to "play them properly" and to read music.

I'm starting to feel like music is a language I enjoy but I can't speak it.... if that makes sense.

Looking forward to the lessons

JerryHandbag

82 people and counting, that would make one hell of a jamming session!

RC88

i been able to play guitar for bout 4 years(not fantastic but not bad either), also ableto play a bit of drums and bass

i love listening to songs where the guitarist pours his/her soul into his/her solo(eg dave gilmour "time") and not just widdleing around for the sake of it
since learning to play an instrument, my taste in music has really evolved, i listen to music i prob would'nt have years back(jazz,vintage blues,country) just from trying to expand my playing style

flyswatter

Drums is my best instrument, playing for 5 years now. Really good at this stage. I think I've gone past the rock stage now. I'm just going to learn that stuff for my band and concrentrate on Jazz and Latin. Hope to get to Grade 8 on drums as quickly as I can but I'm going to try and teach drums in the Louth area soon.

I'm pretty good at guitar and I'm going to practice a lot this summer.

I'm learning Piano at the moment. I'd be more into keyboard/synths but anything like that.

Self thought on guitar and have had a few piano lessons. I was brought up around music and rhythm from a young age so I take to this stuff naturally.
Drums is really important to get lessons in I feel, moreso than anything else for me.

Really into music technology and production for about 4 years, have a good recording and production setup.

I've became a good singer recently. I think my falsetto needs improvement but my lower register and midrange is strong I feel. My dad has sang in choirs and big singing groups like that.

I produce mainly electronic music at the moment but I'm writing hip hop stuff at the moment and I'll hopefully be writing and practicing a lot this summer.

smokedeels

Has anyone had much luck messing about with alternative tunings on guitar

I was reading up on "ostrich guitar"

1d

---

* downtuned to d (from e to d)
2d

---

* uptuned to d (from B to d)
3D

---

* downtuned to D (from G to D)
4D
5D

---

* uptuned to D (from A to D)
6D_

---

* downtuned to D_(from E to D_)

Apparently one of the guitars on Venus In Furs
and All Tomorrows Parties are played like this.

I think I'll mess about with it later.

I've no real understanding of music theory, I guess
I'll just try a few chord shapes on it.

flyswatter

smokedeels wrote: »

Has anyone had much look messing about with alternative tunings on guitar

I was reading up on "ostrich guitar"

1d

---

* downtuned to d (from e to d)
2d

---

* uptuned to d (from B to d)
3D

---

* downtuned to D (from G to D)
4D
5D

---

* uptuned to D (from A to D)
6D_

---

* downtuned to D_(from E to D_)

Apparently one of the guitars on Venus In Furs
and All Tomorrows Parties are played like this.

I think I'll mess about with it later.

I've no real understanding of music theory, I guess
I'll just try a few chord shapes on it.

Sonic Youth are famous for using the weirdest tunings to get as unique a sound as they can.

foxmulerider

guitar and harmonica:)

foxmulerider

never heard about it before:mad:

smokedeels

flyswatter wrote: »

Sonic Youth are famous for using the weirdest tunings to get as unique a sound as they can.

THE SONIC YOUTH TUNING TUTORIAL