Play any musical instruments?

[Violinist]

Originally Posted by Bandwagonesque

I'd honestly love to learn a "real" instrument... like clarinetplayer. I guess using guitar tabs makes me feel like I'm "cheating".

What's funny about GS's gear is that almost everybody I know who plays a Ric has a Tele as a back-up. Both are really good at getting that twangy, jangly sound. I think Rics can be very tempermental sometimes, and supposedly a pain *********** when they need restringing thanks to the R tail piece... Teles make a solid backup.

Rics are cool but they can be very limited. I love their sound, and if you want, you can take the attenuators off the pickups and they'll really, really scream. One of the Rics I want most is a 650F, with that beautiful wood and maple neck. They also have mini humbuckers, so it's a different ball game altogether.

 

[gamelan]

Originally Posted by Bandwagonesque

I guess using guitar tabs makes me feel like I'm "cheating".


ha, that IS cheating!!!

seriously though, a year of music theory did nothing for my guitar playing. i don't think you're missing much unless you want to be the next Andres Segovia or Grant Green.

-Jeff

 

[clarinetplayer]

Originally Posted by Violinist

That either makes you the most talented musician in history, or a highschool band teacher.
I am a music teacher, and I have to know how to play everything. That's my job! It has been a life-long adventure. I was fortunate to have gone to a music school where music education majors had to be proficient on every instrument and received private instruction on all the instruments. You can't teach it unless you can play it.

 

[clarinetplayer]

Originally Posted by gamelan

wow! the professor in my music appreciation class in college said that of all the instruments in the orchestra, the two hardest to play were the oboe and the violin.

very impressive.

-Jeff

There is no such thing as one instrument being easier or more difficult to play. It all depends on the person. We are all different. Every instrument has its own unique challenges, character, and personality. I've seen students in elementary school master the oboe. And, I've seen students at university level, even with years of study, never quite master that instrument. We all have different gifts and talents.

 

[Vintage Gent]

Originally Posted by Bandwagonesque

I think Rics can be very tempermental sometimes, and supposedly a pain *********** when they need restringing thanks to the R tail piece...

The tail piece hasn't given me much trouble; it's the headstock on the 12-string that's the real booger.

 

[Violinist]

Originally Posted by clarinetplayer

There is no such thing as one instrument being easier or more difficult to play. It all depends on the person. We are all different. Every instrument has its own unique challenges, character, and personality. I've seen students in elementary school master the oboe. And, I've seen students at university level, even with years of study, never quite master that instrument. We all have different gifts and talents.

I disagree. A stringed instrument is harder than the other instruments of the orchestra, period. That university level student was a bad player. It's a matter of talent and hard work, but it's a fact that some instruments present bigger challenges than others.

 

[Violinist]

Originally Posted by Vintage Gent

The tail piece hasn't given me much trouble; it's the headstock on the 12-string that's the real booger.

every 12 string is always top heavy. I don't know how they could get rid of that.

 

[Nantucket Red]

Originally Posted by clarinetplayer

There is no such thing as one instrument being easier or more difficult to play. It all depends on the person. We are all different. Every instrument has its own unique challenges, character, and personality. I've seen students in elementary school master the oboe. And, I've seen students at university level, even with years of study, never quite master that instrument. We all have different gifts and talents.

The sitar is pretty damned difficult and physically painful to boot.

 

[clarinetplayer]

Originally Posted by Violinist

I disagree. A stringed instrument is harder than the other instruments of the orchestra, period. That university level student was a bad player. It's a matter of talent and hard work, but it's a fact that some instruments present bigger challenges than others.

That university student was not a bad musician. He tried. But the oboe wasn't really meant for him. He was a good pianist and went on to become a successful conservatory teacher of piano. He is now a very successful dean of a school of music at a large university in the midwest and an important spokesperson for the musical arts.

No instrument is easier than another. The factors of physical build, muscle coordination, finger coordination, what we really hear, natural instinct, etc... all factor in. I respect and admire and appreciate the skills of all musicians.

 

[clarinetplayer]

Originally Posted by Bandwagonesque

I'd honestly love to learn a "real" instrument... like clarinetplayer. I guess using guitar tabs makes me feel like I'm "cheating".


I think it is great that you "make music". It matters not with what or how you do it. Of all people, Vladimir Horowitz said it best: "There is no such thing as good or bad mmusic. There are only good or bad performances."

 

[Violinist]

Originally Posted by clarinetplayer

I think it is great that you "make music". It matters not with what or how you do it. Of all people, Vladimir Horowitz said it best: "There is no such thing as good or bad mmusic. There are only good or bad performances."


Yes, I very much agree. I've just never seen a good performance by a bad musician.

 

[Fabienne]

My son just turned 4 and has a keen interest in music and musical instruments. I enrolled him in a "Music and movement" class for the Fall semester, but I am wondering if I shouldn't be doing something more or different. As of what age are children generally physically adept at learning how to play an instrument? He seems to favor string instruments and the piano.

 

[Violinist]

Originally Posted by Fabienne

My son just turned 4 and has a keen interest in music and musical instruments. I enrolled him in a "Music and movement" class for the Fall semester, but I am wondering if I shouldn't be doing something more or different. As of what age are children generally physically adept at learning how to play an instrument? He seems to favor string instruments and the piano.

4-6 is the age range from when most violinists start.

 

[Bandwagonesque]

Originally Posted by Violinist

Yes, I very much agree. I've just never seen a good performance by a bad musician.

Link Wray, Bo Diddley, The Kinks, and later on nearly every garage and punk band showed the world that all you need is power chords, and energy.

None of that overblown guitar virtuoso wankery...

Of course, not sure if this applies to classical, or jazz music

 

[Get Smart]

Originally Posted by Violinist

Yes, I very much agree. I've just never seen a good performance by a bad musician.

you've obviously never been to a homegrown punk rock show...it's all about good performances by bad musicians

*oops bandwagonesque said the same thing. but yea, nothing can kill a good garage band then the guitarist suddenly "learning how to play". God knows that killed many a great punk band in its day