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Anyone play an instrument, or fail to?

Tardful Slakerly II

I have a guitar gathering dust, I can play whatever chords and I remember learning the pentatonic scale but I never got proficient enough to hold my own. I can strum this or that. 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.

I'd love to be able to sing but I have little range and sound pretty bad anyway.

How about y'all?

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Knex*

Savage Tyrant wrote: »

I bought a guitar about a month ago.
I've learned 6 or 7 chords... But I just can't for the life of me make an song out of them as moving between them takes too long for me to keep my strum pattern.
It's getting a bit disheartening now as I hoped to be able to play a few bits within a month or so.

Anyone any idea how long it usually takes to learn to move between chords at a decent enough speed?... I don't expect to be Hendrix or Slash, but I wanna at least sound "musical"

Its quite tough at first. Been so long since I was at that stage, that I barely remember it now though, being honest.

However, I do remember just sitting for hours, going between say three chords at first, Em, D, G, or something similar, until my fingers were close to bleeding.

I found that continuing to strum even while I was changing the chords, helped get me over the hump. All it is, is practice. Finger numbing practice.

A month isn't that long at all, and being on 6 chords already would probably be decent progress (Anyone else able to chime in here?).

Stick with it. I certainly wouldn't be disheartened at being where you are now.

danniemcq

Got to grade 8 on Piano but lost all interest in it
Played drums and was decent enough but they are kinda loud to practice and college kinda got in the way. Some day i'll het an electric set... someday....
Tried guitar and can play bits of songs but meh, I can't sing (was told to mime in the school choir) so playing without singing is a downer

Savage Tyrant

I bought a guitar about a month ago.
I've learned 6 or 7 chords... But I just can't for the life of me make an song out of them as moving between them takes too long for me to keep my strum pattern.
It's getting a bit disheartening now as I hoped to be able to play a few bits within a month or so.

Anyone any idea how long it usually takes to learn to move between chords at a decent enough speed?... I don't expect to be Hendrix or Slash, but I wanna at least sound "musical"

Knex*

kippy wrote: »

That's a great statement, "there are only some many notes/chords etc but the rhythmic possibilities are endless".
That's my main issue at this point. I know lots of chords, bits and pieces and can play them, but when it comes to making it sound like the piece you are trying to cover I fall down - even trying to remember how basic three chord songs go I fall down on. I just dont think I have an ear for it.
So that is my question I suppose - do you think this can be "learned" or do you think its something you just naturally have - but you might need some time to hone it?

It can certainly be learned. Perhaps you do need, or rather it helps, to have a certain ear for it from the off, but the difference between my ability to pick up and play along to a song now, and say 5 years ago, is remarkable.

I always did my own interpretations of songs, and I do think that helps when it comes to varying things up, and that came naturally to me. But outside of that, I definitely think that the more you immerse yourself into it, by playing more music, transposing songs up and down to suit your voice, etc, then the better you invariably get. Or rather, the more honed your "'ear for it" becomes.

Also, if you asked me to play a simple arrangement of say, Am, C, G, and D, or something similar, the difference between how I can make that sound now, and what I could do before, is staggeringly apparent.

Temptamperu

I'm trying guitar but studying takes up to much time.

kippy

Herb Powell wrote: »

Playing guitar since I was about 11, electric of course, and I've played bass since I was 16. Bass is absolutely incredible craic to play at a gig.

I've been told I'm class altogether, but IDK, I jam with some incredible musicians. I think I have a long way to go. What I am proud of is my ear, I can tune from my head and it's almost always perfect, I can learn a song just from memory, and if I'm listening to something new trying to figure it out it usually only takes a few seconds. I remember being absolutely amazed at my guitar teacher's ability to do this so effortlessly when I started off! I have absolutely no bother mimicing the exact rhythm of a piece either, and it really annoys me when people play something with the rhythm way off, haha :o There's only so many notes, but the rythmic possibilities are endless!

Despite this, I can't sing for ****, or play drums to save my life. I'd absolutely love to be able to drum, but I can't seem to.

That's a great statement, "there are only some many notes/chords etc but the rhythmic possibilities are endless".
That's my main issue at this point. I know lots of chords, bits and pieces and can play them, but when it comes to making it sound like the piece you are trying to cover I fall down - even trying to remember how basic three chord songs go I fall down on. I just dont think I have an ear for it.
So that is my question I suppose - do you think this can be "learned" or do you think its something you just naturally have - but you might need some time to hone it?

Herb Powell

Playing guitar since I was about 11, electric of course, and I've played bass since I was 16. Bass is absolutely incredible craic to play at a gig.

I've been told I'm class altogether, but IDK, I jam with some incredible musicians. I think I have a long way to go. What I am proud of is my ear, I can tune from my head and it's almost always perfect, I can learn a song just from memory, and if I'm listening to something new trying to figure it out it usually only takes a few seconds. I remember being absolutely amazed at my guitar teacher's ability to do this so effortlessly when I started off! I have absolutely no bother mimicing the exact rhythm of a piece either, and it really annoys me when people play something with the rhythm way off, haha

:o There's only so many notes, but the rythmic possibilities are endless!

Despite this, I can't sing for ****, or play drums to save my life. I'd absolutely love to be able to drum, but I can't seem to.

kippy

Kaycee2 wrote: »

Have a guitar gathering dust in the attic, i had a few lessons b.c (before children) and then had another stab at it a few years ago trying to teach myself and as soon as I'd get it tuned and left it down for a minute the kids would turn the keys.

I'm gonna hold onto it though i really wanna be able to play just need to make the time for it.

Am hoping to give the option of playing it to my two young lads - with the aim that one or both of them become the next Bruce Springsteen or something = retirement plan for me.

I was sorry I hadn't had a chance to pick one up when I was younger to be honest.

Kaycee2

Have a guitar gathering dust in the attic, i had a few lessons b.c (before children) and then had another stab at it a few years ago trying to teach myself and as soon as I'd get it tuned and left it down for a minute the kids would turn the keys.

I'm gonna hold onto it though i really wanna be able to play just need to make the time for it.

Dave!

kippy wrote: »

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.

Learned loads from justinguitar.com too – spent one summer years ago learning a load of theory from that website. I plateaued after that, but that was a productive summer!!

Wordless

Bass guitar I have been playing it for about 22 years now!

[Deleted User]

piano cello singing
Would love classical guitar too if I had time

o1s1n

Bought an acoustic and an electric guitar 17 years ago - still can't play them!

I found that I could imitate and learn other people's stuff but seem to lack the creativity to make anything of my own.

Know a few scales and a load of chords but can't really do very much with any of it.

I do pick it up now and again and play about with some scales, but end up getting frustrated.

We also have an Alesis electronic drumkit in the house, the girlfriend is great with it but I haven't a notion.

I also have a really nice modded Gameboy for creating chiptune music but am fairly rubbish with that too.

GhostInTheRuins

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:

Mr_Red

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

Sephiroth_dude

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

kippy

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.

feckin priests

I play the clarinet, great for pulling the bitches

Mackman

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:

Badly Drunk Boy

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...

BeerWolf

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

BizzyC

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.

Penny Tration

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.

bnagrrl

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:

--LOS--

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

Clandestine

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

Adamantium

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

brummytom

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.

Skeleton XIII

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.

SoulTrader

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.