Anyone play an instrument, or fail to?

BrensBenz

Tardful Slakerly II wrote: »

Is a Ukulele like guitar lite? How much would I pay for one that sounded good and stayed in tune? The size is convenient and they do have a nice sound. I think someone else mentioned the Ukulele too.

Well, a few guitar chord shapes and you're away. One word of warning though: a guitar "D" shape on a ukelele is actually "G" and so on. Mr. Google has lots of ukelele chord charts and better information.

I'm sorry but I have a "thing" about buying wooden instruments, i.e. ignore brands and price tags. Put it on your knee, play whatever you can manage and the right instrument will call to you!

My (first) uke, with a gig bag and free spare strings, cost about €120 four years ago in a little shop in Cork. It sounded better (to me) than instruments costing hundreds more. It has very little "jewelry" onboard but always brings a smile.

It holds tune reasonably well but, as with all wooden instruments, doesn't like moving from central heating to a car boot. It became VERY unhappy when it spent a few hours recently in cargo on a Boeing and then freaked out when it got a blast of the local climate! But then, my classical guitar "sulked" for over a week after a transatlantic trip......in cargo......on a Boeing!

bnt

bnt wrote: »

Voice was my first instrument - I starred in school musicals before my voice broke from soprano choirboy to alto donkey. Electric bass has been my first instrument ever since, with some keyboards. Badly out of practice, though.

I play clarinet, not as well as I will next year, but I do play.

SouthTippBass

Have been playing electric bass for 16 years on and off, I like to think I'm reasonable acceptable at it.

Used to play the drums as well, took a load of lessons too. That was a long time ago though, I did my last gig on the drums ten years ago. I always said I would come back to them and this year I have, been practicing for the last 2-3 months. Dont have a kit though, so just working away on a practice pad and a kick pedal. Was practicing my Purdie shuffle today

The amount of information available, and its ease of access with the internet and all is fantastic, and I wish I had it all those years ago. There isn't any excuse for bad drummers these days.

Also spent two years playing a trumpet. Didnt get very good, but got up on stage a few times and had some laughs. Wont be going back to it though, didnt enjoy it as much as bass or drums. It did feel awesome in the hands though.

czechlin

My first instrument was a violin. Gave up after one year (I was 7 when I started). Then played the recorder for a few years. Always wanted to learn how to play the piano and a guitar so I ended up with a ukulele... Only learning now.
Sax players are cool. And I love the sound of a cello but due to my violin history I won't even go there.
I sang in a choir for a few years as well. I don't think I'm great though.

Peregrine

I think most people secretly play or want to play the ukulele.

Nimrod 7

Nimrod 7 wrote: »

I think most people secretly play or want to play the ukulele.

It's a dearly-held dream of mine anyway.

Ukulele or Spanish guitar, its a difficult decision.

MacBizzle

Nimrod 7 wrote: »

I think most people secretly play or want to play the ukelele.

Not me, got one for Christmas and it's mank.

Anyone want a ukulele? :pac:

stefan idiot jones

I've been playing the bass for nearly thirty years, well I say bass, I own and play a 1974 Rickenbacker 4001 Fireglo with chequered binding.

WHAT A FCUKIN' CACOPHONY IT MAKES.

Lemmy, Bruce Foxton, Geddy Lee, Geezer Butler, Roger Glover, I'm in good company.

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=rickenbacker+fireglo+4001&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=IuyfU8cIhI-QBcyagVA&ved=0CDQQ7Ak&biw=360&bih=615

Maximus Alexander

MacBizzle wrote: »

Not me, got one for Christmas and it's mank.

Anyone want a ukulele? :pac:

I'd offer to take it but we will only get in trouble. :pac:

Echoes675

monkeysnapper wrote: »

My real problem I have learning saxophone is it's such a noisy instrument to learn and I hate anyone listening to me .

I've been playing sax for about 16 years. Throughout secondary school I refused to practice at home knowing that other members of my family could hear me. It didn't help that they felt it ok to comment when they did. (I know they believed they were being supportive but I was super shy about my playing at the time) Even when they said I was sounding good was something I didn't want to hear as it just highlighted that they could hear all my mistakes, squeaks and honks.

Anyway, 3 years of playing in front of people at uni has made my shyness of practice a thing of the past. Remember, practice is for making all the mistakes so when you go to play a gig your playing is relaxed and comes naturally.
I totally understand your issue but my advice would be to either find somewhere else you are comfortable practising in or just do it and get over your fear. I practice at home now and couldn't care less who hears me playing my diminished exercises or overtones/altissimo

Mr. CooL ICE

I got piano lessons when I was 10, but hated it because fcuk beethoven. I wanted to play blur/oasis stuff. Bought a bass with my summer work money when i was 16.

Been in and out of bands since, but after stopping for about 4 years, I filled in on bass in a friends band and have been there 3 years now. Album recorded, gigs played, the lot.

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

I remember this phase all right, probably one of the toughest parts when you're starting out.

The key for me getting past it was to stick to a rhythm at all costs. Tap it out with your feet, or use a metronome if it's easier, and change chord on every fourth beat. Strum anyway, even if you haven't completed the chord change. It won't sound great, but stay in the rhythm and keep at it and at it and your left hand will catch up eventually. Then you can gradually speed up the beat.

It stands to you later on too, because if you're playing a song for people / in public, it's always better to hit a bum note than to miss the beat. The latter is much more jarring and always sounds worse.

Excellent advice. I would recommend using both a metronome and tapping your foot. Tap your foot to the metronome and then play the guitar to your foot tap. Sounds stupid, but if you are concentrating too much on what your hands are doing, your foot might not keep rhythm. You can wean yourself off the metronome when you're confident you don't need it any more, but you should always, always, always tap your foot (or headbang).

Kimbot

I have played the following instruments:

Bagpipes (10+ years)
Tenor Saxophone (5+ Years)
Drums (On and off for years)
Guitar (Not too greatly but can play a few tunes)


I havent played any of them in a while tho and I would love to buy a Saxophone again.

Jonny Blaze

I play bass and a little drums.

One man rhythm section!

Except that im also kind of learning the harmonica too.