What Instrument(s) Are You Playing?

[Florestan]

Our love for, and addiction to, music played by other people is well-documented, but how about the music-making of our own? What matters is not the level of proficiency but the frequency of, and the commitment to, playing.

So, what instrument(s) are you playing?

My answer: for the time being, none (and this is a source of constant and great frustration).

[bwv 1080]

Just put new strings on

[Florestan]

Just put new strings on

Is this a banjo?

[aligreto]

I also notice that it is fretless.

[bwv 1080]

Yes its a fretless, gut-string gourd banjo, like was made in the early 1800s.  There is a guy making these and selling them on eBay

https://www.youtube.com/v/9c2IsbIi9Hg  https://www.youtube.com/v/5ss9tOxZ1bw

[aligreto]

Yes its a fretless, gut-string gourd banjo, like was made in the early 1800s.  There is a guy making these and selling them on eBay

https://www.youtube.com/v/9c2IsbIi9Hg  https://www.youtube.com/v/5ss9tOxZ1bw

How is your intonation? I have never played a fretless stringed instrument.

[bwv 1080]

How is your intonation? I have never played a fretless stringed instrument.

Well, if you listen to the video, you can hear it it is somewhat passable

the music tends to be simple pentatonic / diatonic stuff, so its not like playing Bach on a violin

I am also cheating by using classical guitar technique rather than clawhammer

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

So, what instrument(s) are you playing?

My answer: for the time being, none (and this is a source of constant and great frustration).

Sadly, me too. I used to post here about my piano playing, as an adult learner. I was not very good but I was dedicated. Unfortunately, work and other things have gotten in the way, and I have hardly any time to tickle the ivories anymore - haven't learned a new piece since about 2014.

[aligreto]

Well, if you listen to the video, you can hear it it is somewhat passable

the music tends to be simple pentatonic / diatonic stuff, so its not like playing Bach on a violin

I am also cheating by using classical guitar technique rather than clawhammer

Forgive me for I did not realise that it was you playing and I did not view the videos. Well done you. Norwegian Wood was one of the first tunes that I learned to play on the guitar. In your video it sounds quite like a gourd. I see that you are picking quite close to the neck. This would help to account for that particular sound.

[aligreto]

Sadly, me too. I used to post here about my piano playing, as an adult learner. I was not very good but I was dedicated. Unfortunately, work and other things have gotten in the way, and I have hardly any time to tickle the ivories anymore - haven't learned a new piece since about 2014.

That is a shame. Playing an instrument, irrespective of the standard, is a wonderful thing to carry through life.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Ain't it the truth. However, it was of inestimable value in giving me a better knowledge and appreciation of how music is put together.

I figure I'll get back to it soon. On my plate is to re-learn my 3 "star" pieces (i.e. the ones I memorized and played for people): Beethoven Bagatelle in G Minor Op. 119/1, Bach Sinfonia in F Minor, and Mozart Adagio in B Minor K. 540 (yeah, I like minor).

[aligreto]

Ain't it the truth. However, it was of inestimable value in giving me a better knowledge and appreciation of how music is put together.

I figure I'll get back to it soon. On my plate is to re-learn my 3 "star" pieces (i.e. the ones I memorized and played for people): Beethoven Bagatelle in G Minor Op. 119/1, Bach Sinfonia in F Minor, and Mozart Adagio in B Minor K. 540 (yeah, I like minor).

Good for you and best of luck with it.

[ChopinBroccoli]

The guitar and the bass for 32 years

I'm also a gloriously incompetent piano noodler incapable of making my hands operate independently of one another 

[vers la flamme]

For the past year, mostly piano. My girlfriend is an excellent pianist and a teacher so I've been taking full advantage of that.

I've played the guitar for about 13 years. Bass a little fewer than that (upright and electric bass guitar). I sing, but I'm not classically trained whatsoever—just rock & roll. Finally, I create electronic music using samplers and controllers and Ableton.

I'm also a killer tambourinist, but I don't think anyone is going to give me props for that.

[Mirror Image]

I've been playing the guitar for 22 years (maybe a bit longer --- I can't quite remember). I wouldn't know how to classify my own personal style, but let me just say I'm really into harmony and melody. While I was becoming interested in the guitar, I played percussion in the junior high school band. I wasn't anything to brag about and I was pretty much the bane of my director's existence for three years as I used to play pranks on her all the time. By the time I got to high school, I quit the band altogether as I didn't have any interest in marching nor did I want to take part in the concert band. This is when my interest in the guitar finally took full swing.

[Mirror Image]

For the past year, mostly piano. My girlfriend is an excellent pianist and a teacher so I've been taking full advantage of that.

I've played the guitar for about 13 years. Bass a little fewer than that (upright and electric bass guitar). I sing, but I'm not classically trained whatsoever—just rock & roll. Finally, I create electronic music using samplers and controllers and Ableton.

I'm also a killer tambourinist, but I don't think anyone is going to give me props for that.

Excellent to read, vers la flamme. I wouldn't mind getting into electronic music, but I know this requires a lot of time, which I don't always have.

[VonStupp]

My oldest daughter will begin her first French Horn lessons next week. Her mother and grandmother both went to university on full horn scholarships, so she might feel the pressure as a 3rd generation hornist.

The horn case came today, so mouthpiece buzzing will become a regular musical event in our household.

[aligreto]

My oldest daughter will begin her first French Horn lessons next week. Her mother and grandmother both went to university on full horn scholarships, so she might feel the pressure as a 3rd generation hornist.

The horn case came today, so mouthpiece buzzing will become a regular musical event in our household.

It is in her genes 

[Szykneij]

My oldest daughter will begin her first French Horn lessons next week. Her mother and grandmother both went to university on full horn scholarships, so she might feel the pressure as a 3rd generation hornist.

The horn case came today, so mouthpiece buzzing will become a regular musical event in our household.

That's awesome! The French Horn is an instrument that's difficult to learn. but extremely rewarding to master. My background is in strings, but I have in the past taught middle school band. I once had a flutist/harpist student who wanted to play French Horn, so I met with her after school for lessons. The experience gave me a greater appreciation for the instrument and for those who can play it well. Congratulations to your daughter, as well as to Mom and Grandma.

[VonStupp]

That's awesome! The French Horn is an instrument that's difficult to learn. but extremely rewarding to master. My background is in strings, but I have in the past taught middle school band. I once had a flutist/harpist student who wanted to play French Horn, so I met with her after school for lessons. The experience gave me a greater appreciation for the instrument and for those who can play it well. Congratulations to your daughter, as well as to Mom and Grandma.

Thank you. My one regret is I never picked up a classical string instrument myself. Making time to start an instrument in adult life is a tricky affair, so I am happy to at least guide my girls into playing music while they are young.

VS