Anyone play an instrument, or fail to?

delw · 16-06-2014 12:56AM

Banjo String wrote: »

Whistle and the pipes.

I cannot play the Banjo btw.

But can you string a banjo?

MacBizzle · 16-06-2014 12:57AM

delw wrote: »

Have a guitar gathering dust as well,got lessons as a child many years ago but never keep it up which i regret,have any bordies taught themselves to play guitar online?

I've a cousin who did and he's claaaaaasssss. Everyone I've met who've learned online are better than those who had teachers.

If you follow online instructions well you'd be better off than paying for lessons imo, the fact you'd have to figure some stuff out yourself would really help too.

I'd say go for it

Dave! · 16-06-2014 12:59AM

I play guitar and piano. Took a few guitar lessons when I was 13, but I've mostly self-taught on both, and hence not as good as your classically trained types! I've been thinking of getting some advanced guitar lessons soon though, because I'm kinda stuck in a rut since I stopped challenging myself (and started listening to Bob Dylan!) when I was about 18. It's a bit frustrating when you hit your creative limit and end up playing the same stuff every time you pick up the instrument. I lost interest in electric guitar a good few years ago too, mostly because I never had any decent equipment so couldn't get a good sound out of it. But I only recently (few months ago) joined my first band, which I play piano in, and now every time the singer leaves his Telecaster on the ground, I'm over playing it

So thinking I'll probably buy some proper gear of my own soon.

I sing a bit too, mostly just backing vocals in the band. Would ultimately like to write and sing my own songs. Some day!

Oh I bought a violin a few weeks ago too, but it's not easy so I'm gonna leave that til I can take lessons.

I can play a bit of uke too.

scouttio · 16-06-2014 01:01AM

I bought a harmonica and learned how to play Mary Had a Little Lamb....4 years later I now forget how to play Mary Had a Little Lamb

Dar · 16-06-2014 01:03AM

Have been teaching myself piano for the last couple of years. Played around with ukulele, ocarina and viola as well. Used to play a bit of guitar years ago, started again this week using Rocksmith 2014. Music practice has never been as fun

.

Tardful Slakerly II · 16-06-2014 01:07AM

monkeysnapper wrote: »

I bought a saxophone about 4 years ago and have tried learning it on and off , I taught myself a couple of tunes and played a bit of jazz scales. I don't think I'm to bad when I'm making **** up on jazz scales but as soon as I start a tune I know I sound terrible to me.

My neighbour and my wife said you sound ok, good even... I just started believing it when my 7 year old niece heard me and said I was pretty bad. My advice is always ask a small child for a honest answer.

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

I don't think a child is ever going to give a different opinion of Jazz, or the saxophone. I think a small child is the last person to ask, listen to some of their music before you look for any more opinions from them, dire stuff - very little jazz!
I know what you mean about the noise. I had an electric guitar and I was able to play it with headphones plugged into my amp thankfully.

BrensBenz wrote: »

Classical and acoustic guitar and (the much under-rated) ukulele. No singing!
Chet Atkins best describes my musical education:

"I'm confessin' I never took a lesson,
All these notes are a matter of guessin'"

When I first started to show promise on my £4-19-11 plywood guitar, my dad suggested lessons, but I declined. I got and still get tremendous satisfaction from hearing a tune I like, figuring out the chords myself and finding a key where I can play the chords and melody line together.

I mean no disrespect to trained musicians - I regularly stare at monitors to try and see HOW they do it and I would probably recommend "some" lessons to beginners. After all, "somebody" taught Shakespeare his grammar and spelling......!

I think it's sad to see so many instruments neglected and abandoned. I've heard many reasons for this but there is only one reason really: the amount of music trapped within and the desire to release it was outbalanced by the prospect of thousands of hours of practice, frustration / ecstasy and sore body parts.

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.

Tardful Slakerly II · 16-06-2014 01:11AM

The Ukulele seems pretty popular actually.

woodturner · 16-06-2014 01:12AM

I got an electric guitar and amp when I was about 15. 20 years later and I'm still making noise. I can play bits of songs, mostly Metallica and all from tabs online. I tend to get distracted and start playing a different song than learning a whole one.

Riddle101 · 16-06-2014 01:15AM

I've been trying to learn how to play the guitar for the last 3 years now. But every time I try, I just end up putting it away again and get a feeling of shame and self loathing from it. One day I will focus and try harder, but I can't even look at my guitar now without feeling bad, and then I just get angry and try to forget about it again. One day though, one day......

woodturner · 16-06-2014 01:16AM

BTW I strongly believe that everyone can play a musical instrument and really well. It's just finding the one that is meant for you.

Dar · 16-06-2014 01:16AM

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.

I got my first for 20 euro, had no problems with it. Only stopped using when I got a larger concert ukulele.

woodturner · 16-06-2014 01:21AM

Riddle101 wrote: »

I've been trying to learn how to play the guitar for the last 3 years now. But every time I try, I just end up putting it away again and get a feeling of shame and self loathing from it. One day I will focus and try harder, but I can't even look at my guitar now without feeling bad, and then I just get angry and try to forget about it again. One day though, one day......

Trust me I feel like that very often. I found if I put the guitar away I'd leave it there. Now I leave it lying around and pick it up nearly every day. Just don't beat yourself up over it. I do a little woodturning as a hobby which can be taught professionally or self taught. I'm learning on my own and am doing the same as you are now. I can't remember how long it is since I used the lathe.

SterlingArcher · 16-06-2014 01:21AM

I blow my own trumpet. cue slow clap. Followed by a sarcastic "bravo".

SoulTrader · 16-06-2014 01:22AM

Nimrod 7 wrote: »

I gave up guitar and piano I was pretty good at them too. Probably my greatest regret. I want to pick up at least one of them again.

Make sure it's the guitar, it's way lighter.

Skeleton XIII · 16-06-2014 01:30AM

Playing guitar now around 14/15 years, but didn't really take it seriously for the first 4 or 5. I'm nothing special and I've never had any formal lessons.

But practicing up to 4 or 5 hours a day and jamming with other musicians made me improve a lot and learn to develop my own style. I'm quite good at making it look like I have a clue what I'm at when in reality I'm mainly winging it and just guessing. I could show you something but I couldn't for the life of me explain how I did it or what notes or chords I used.

I can play the vast majority of my favourite songs. Not really a tech head, wouldn't be too clued in as far as amps and pedals etc. are concerned.
I just plug into my laptop and I'm happy enough. I use Cubase and a couple of guitar plug ins and they're deadly.

Used to be handy enough on the old drums but I haven't touched them in a few years, so I'd be rubbish now.

I'd recommend anyone have a go though. Being able to bash out one of your favourite songs and get it right is a great feeling.

brummytom · 16-06-2014 02:05AM

Started on the piano when I was about 6, then gradually picked up guitar, mandolin and banjo. I'll have a go at anything with strings.

Adamantium · 16-06-2014 02:12AM

Tardful Slakerly II wrote: »

I haven't picked the thing up in years except maybe to see if I remember the fingering. Fingering is very important, as everyone knows.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuN7kOW7iwo

Clandestine · 16-06-2014 03:31AM

Been playing acoustic guitar for about three years now on and off. Would love an electric guitar but no money atm. Its a hindrance when I mostly want to play fingerstyle stuff that is hard as hell to get down (michael hedges etc.) This is the best tune I can play

Not too complex but sounds so good

--LOS-- · 16-06-2014 05:37AM

Used to play piano but always found it quite boring, mostly because it was exam focused.

bnagrrl · 16-06-2014 05:43AM

I play bass and am quite good.

I took piano and violin lessons as a child but have forgotten a lot of it now. An ex bought me a beautiful Epiphone guitar many years ago and I promised myself I'd learn to play it. I didn't. :rolleyes:

Penny Tration · 16-06-2014 07:37AM

I play piano pretty well.

I play enough guitar that I could muddle my way through an acoustic gig.

I play a tiny bit of bass, sas and mandolin. But I'm really terrible at all three. :pac:

I sing a lot. Prefer singing to playing tbh.

BizzyC · 16-06-2014 07:54AM

Drummer, but don't get to practice that as much as I'd like anymore (stupid neighbors) so I picked up the guitar as well.

BeerWolf · 16-06-2014 08:19AM

I'm a class A pianist, who can play Chopstick like a pro.

Badly Drunk Boy · 16-06-2014 08:20AM

For anyone interested in the ukelele, I saw this offer last night (1 day left):

http://www.grabonestore.ie/martin-smith-ukulele-9

I was thinking of adding it to my collection of Instruments Of The Damned but I probably shouldn't...

Mackman · 16-06-2014 08:44AM

I've played guitar for years, started when I was 14. The best thing I've ever done. I played in a band for a good while, recorded a couple of albums, never went anywhere with it though. It was always just a hobby.

I can pass for a drummer, messed around with bass too. I've never had any lessons though so I don't have a clue about any of the technical side of things. Like the joke, how do you confuse a guitarist? Show him sheet music :pac:

feckin priests · 16-06-2014 08:48AM

I play the clarinet, great for pulling the bitches

kippy · 16-06-2014 09:00AM

I can play guitar but I have awful trouble remembering chords to songs and apparently have absolutely no ear for figuring out chords and how they form a song. I doesnt help that I am a crap singer.

Learned the basics from a few mates I lived with in college and everything else from either Justin Sandercoe (http://www.justinguitar.com/) or Marty Schwartz ( http://www.guitarjamz.com/) via their youtube channels. They have tonnes of really really good resources on their sites/channel so would recommend them highly to anyone starting out.
I generally pick up the guitar once a day and throw a few chords together, to try and make something sound "nice" as the amount of songs I can remember is limited.
I've an electric and fancy pedalboard thingy as well but haven't used that in a while.

It's defo something I wish I was more accomplished at but at the same time I know enough to be happy to strum away.

Sephiroth_dude · 16-06-2014 09:06AM

I played drums for a good few years,was in two bands but I lost interest because I was working 60 hrs a wk In a high pressured job and was always just too tired to practice when I got home,my kit is in the attic rotting away

I've been thinking of starting over again and getting lessons

.

Mr_Red · 16-06-2014 09:08AM

Bought a Violin -> took it out of the case -> Think it looks awesome -> Put it back in case -> Never picked it up again.

Anyone wanna buy it lol

GhostInTheRuins · 16-06-2014 09:09AM

About two weeks ago I convinced myself that I want to play piano, so I went out and bought one of those electric keyboard/piano yokes and a 'teach yourself piano' books. Come back to me in six months time and I'll let ye know how she's going :pac:

Anyone play an instrument, or fail to?

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