The Instrument thread

[12tone.]

This thread is based on a neat picture I found of an odd little, tiny piano.

Not so much music as just discussion on instruments: new, old, modern, HIP, odd...whatever.  For discussion and questions regarding instruments.


Check this thing out!   

[Brian]

[Que]

Looks funny, but Bach owned one of these...

Q

[MN Dave]

I wonder if Bach owned one of these.

[Chrone]

Duet for Umbrella Handle and Bong.

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

I play the piano but I'm tempted to take up a second instrument--something small, cheap, and portable I can take with me anywhere--while traveling or sitting on the beach. I'd love to play the shakuhachi, and nearly took lessons while I was in Davis. I'm also tempted by the recorder and the ukelele.

[jochanaan]

Brian: Ah, the tromboon.  Combining trombone and bassoon, with all the disadvantages of both.

Chrone: Gives me an idea for a bumper sticker: "If you love early musick, honk!  If you can't honk, make a rackett." (I saw a similar one about tennis many years ago.)

Valkyrie: Definitely the recorder, the most portable instrument out there.  I have been known to carry my soprano in a pocket.

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

Valkyrie: Definitely the recorder, the most portable instrument out there.  I have been known to carry my soprano in a pocket.

I think I'd like to try the alto, actually. A Yamaha plastic alto costs around $45 last I checked, and I heard that the more expensive wooden ones are actually harder to keep in tune. In any case, since I'm already spending money on piano lessons, another of my criteria is that the instrument should be feasible for me to learn on my own. I might spring for a couple lessons just to make sure I've got the basics down, but I want to be mostly self taught.

[jochanaan]

...I heard that the more expensive wooden ones are actually harder to keep in tune.

Depends on who makes them.  I've got a Küng soprano and alto in pearwood that play perfectly in tune with minimal adjustment; but I've played on some others that were way off.   Moeck is a very fine brand also, but they don't come cheap.

In any case, since I'm already spending money on piano lessons, another of my criteria is that the instrument should be feasible for me to learn on my own. I might spring for a couple lessons just to make sure I've got the basics down, but I want to be mostly self taught.

Be sure to find a teacher that emphasizes proper breathing.

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

Thanks for the advice. I used to play clarinet and alto sax in high school, but no one ever taught me anything about proper breathing. I just don't have a whole lot of motivation to get back into either instrument.

Also, I've been wondering whether the recorder is limited to a small set of keys--ie., can it play the full chromatic scale?

[jochanaan]

Also, I've been wondering whether the recorder is limited to a small set of keys--ie., can it play the full chromatic scale?

It can.  Keys with a lot of sharps or flats are difficult but playable.  You just have to know the right fingerings.