How many of us are instrumentalists?

Posted by: Bart on 17 February 2013

George's double bass post got me thinking.  My love of music comes in part from having played music for many years.  I started with drum lessons (to get me from banging on the pots and pans my Mother tells is), then the cello, and then self-taught double bass, tuba, electric bass and guitar.  I still play tuba every once in a while, and my guitars are quite lonely as I have not been picking them up regularly. I should.

 

How about you -- did you, and do you still, play?

 

Posted on: 18 February 2013 by winkyincanada

Guitar, but I'm not much good.

 

But I love the instruments themselves, the workmanship  artistry, myth and science behind musical instruments.

Posted on: 19 February 2013 by Guido Fawkes
Originally Posted by Shivoham:

For a complete novice: What's the easiest instrument to pick up?

The triangle ... I dropped mine the other day and it was really easy to pick it up. 

 

I would like to learn Synclavier

Posted on: 19 February 2013 by popeye34

Tonym: Voltarol might work for you. If you'd tried and it doesnt let me know. I'm told by pharma folks it should. 

PopI

Posted on: 25 February 2013 by Bert Schurink

Did play Drums & Trumpet......years ago...

Posted on: 26 February 2013 by Felix H

In my late teens I took jazz piano quite seriously, even considered making a living out of music. But since then it's been just a hobby. I still have a 2 meter grand piano and a Korg synthesizer at home.

 

Other instruments that I've played in bands, for fun not money, are tenor sax and electric bass. Had to take a break from that as the kids came. But now I'm starting to play a bit with them...

 

Playing and hearing real instruments and singers is by the way a fantastic reference point for what to look for in audio systems.

Posted on: 26 February 2013 by fred simon

I started with cello at age 8, piano at 9, tried to keep both going, but piano won ... largely due to having started composing, the better to hear harmony, counterpoint, etc. This was all in the second half of the 20th century.

 

Still at it full time today: composing, performing, recording, teaching ... if it has something to do with music, almost any kind of music, chances are good that I've done it. In fact, as some of you here already know, my three most recent albums of my original compositions were recorded for the Naim label ... please check them out and, hopefully, enjoy!

 

 

 

Posted on: 27 February 2013 by Ron Toolsie

Years ago, I started a thread that was something like 'Show us what Shite Musicians You are' where I and others posted very amateurish attempts at playing music. Which really accentuated why we mostly prefer to *listen* to music rather than to make it. I have never laid fingers on a cello, yet Yoyo Ma can almost bring me to tears. Yes, being musically adept does give a bit more insight, but there is a part of the brain that listening to music connects with that is entirely different to the part of the brain that lets you play it. 

Posted on: 02 March 2013 by Onthlam
Originally Posted by Ron Toolsie:

       

Years ago, I started a thread that was something like 'Show us what Shite Musicians You are' where I and others posted very amateurish attempts at playing music. Which really accentuated why we mostly prefer to *listen* to music rather than to make it. I have never laid fingers on a cello, yet Yoyo Ma can almost bring me to tears. Yes, being musically adept does give a bit more insight, but there is a part of the brain that listening to music connects with that is entirely different to the part of the brain that lets you play it. 


       


Ron
You're fine on the geetar.   
Marx
Posted on: 03 March 2013 by George Fredrik

Well, I am coming out of double bass retirement!

 

I am booked for a Hereford Cathedral Concert by the Chamber Choir. A very small orchestra with me playing continuo [with a harpsichord] and orchestral bass in accompaniment. I'll have to borrow a bass and do some practice!

 

Fortunately I am still in contact with one of my pupils and he will be happy to loan me one of his three bases! I borrowed one for a concert in 2009, so I'll be a bit rusty till I practice a bit again. Fortunately this pupil also bought my Conrad Gotz bow, so I can use an old friend again ... 3/5/2013, here we come!

 

Very exciting. I don't know what is on the programme. I hope we don't have to wear DJs as I threw mine away as it was totally impregnated with Rosin from playing. Dry cleaning does not quite shift it.

 

I can run to a very dark grey [black to all intents and purposes] funeral and wedding suit!

 

ATB from George

 

Posted on: 18 March 2013 by George Fredrik

Well, I now have a superb double bass organised. I used to teach a player who wanted to correct his technique, and after he played on my then newly commissioned bass, he went straight ahead and commissioned the twin!

 

That is the instrument I am borrowing for the 3rd May in Hereford Cathedral. 

 

The trouble is that cost £9K in 2006! So worth a bob or two now!

 

And I sold my best bow to him as well, so that old friend will be mine to play with again!

 

It is going to be quite a show, with music from Monteverdi, Schubert, Mozart, and even a planned encore by Abba! If it goes well that is!

 

ATB from George

Posted on: 18 March 2013 by winkyincanada

Good luck with it!

Posted on: 18 March 2013 by George Fredrik

Here is a youtube of the main work, Schubert's Mass in G.

 

We shall have a String Quartet with double bass and chamber organ. and a similar sized choir.

 

This music goes perfectly on the small scale as originally intended, for Liturgical use.

 

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

 

I love this music, and strangely it was the first big piece I ever played as the only bass with a string orchestra, and a choir made of the boys and staff at Rendombe college [near Cirencester] in about 1990.

 

It will be  musical home-coming for me after all these years. I may even take up playing again, but strictly as an amateur now!

 

ATB from George

 

PS: It may well be the highlight of 2013 for me. I have been in denial about playing for nearly a decade. I want to do it again!