Topic: I wanna learn an instrument. Li'l help? (Read 7414 times)

Grawsith · « **on:** 07 Mar 2007, 00:51 »

I got bored of WoW and coding, so I decided to pick up on something I've always wanted to do. Right now I'm torn between piano, banjo, and some variant of guitar. Any suggestions / advice for starting out?

Scytale · « **Reply #1 on:** 07 Mar 2007, 00:57 »

I'm a fan of the keyboard, it's like a piano only much more versatile, you can do an awful lot with it...

Guitar is ok as well but I think your a bit for constrained when it comes to what you can play.

CamusCanDo · « **Reply #2 on:** 07 Mar 2007, 01:01 »

I'm starting the 'ol mouth organ right now. I'm finidng it pretty easy, considering I have no musical talent what so ever.

MadassAlex · « **Reply #3 on:** 07 Mar 2007, 01:24 »

Quote from: Scytale on 07 Mar 2007, 00:57

Guitar is ok as well but I think your a bit for constrained when it comes to what you can play.

Actually, the reason guitar and piano are the main string-based instruments to be made electrics because of their versatility. Piano and guitar are easily a couple of the most versatile instruments there are, both are great choices.

We don't know what kind of music you want to play, though.

Grawsith · « **Reply #4 on:** 07 Mar 2007, 01:28 »

Piano would be for techno (keyboard), whereas guitar/banjo would be for bluegrass. I love Foggy Mountain Breakdown (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icMTVV5Lwaw) though.

Gryff · « **Reply #5 on:** 07 Mar 2007, 02:50 »

You should learn that weird bluegrass instrument that goes "BOING".

Thrillho · « **Reply #6 on:** 07 Mar 2007, 13:26 »

Mouth harp, innit?

ampersandwitch · « **Reply #7 on:** 07 Mar 2007, 15:02 »

Jaw harp. The mouth harp continues to be the harmonica.
I think you should learn the mandolin. It's very cute.

Kai · « **Reply #8 on:** 07 Mar 2007, 15:15 »

I have a mandolin. it is the shit

jeph · « **Reply #9 on:** 07 Mar 2007, 18:38 »

Pick one and find someone to give you lessons, at least while you're getting started.

I don't buy into the whole "you must know every scale and chord and mode to be able to REALLY play an instrument" school of thought, being almost entirely self-taught, but there are some basic things that you will learn quickest and easiest when you have someone to show you how they're done.

For guitar it would be how to hold the instrument, how/if to use a pick, exercises to strengthen your hands and build calluses, how to tune the damn thing...all stuff that you could figure out on your own, but stuff that's WAY easier if someone who knows what they're doing shows you how.

Beyond that, it's just a matter of practicing, learning how to play songs in the genre(s) you're interested in, and more practicing.

Gryff · « **Reply #10 on:** 07 Mar 2007, 19:35 »

I bet the jaw harp is pretty easy to play though. "BOING".

Lines · « **Reply #11 on:** 07 Mar 2007, 19:41 »

Mandolin. They don't go "BOING", but is much more fun than guitar, for me anyways.

Unosuke · « **Reply #12 on:** 07 Mar 2007, 20:35 »

the boing thing is also called a juice harp. I've got one and its quite annoying

Gridgm · « **Reply #13 on:** 08 Mar 2007, 00:19 »

Quote from: jeph on 07 Mar 2007, 18:38

Pick one and find someone to give you lessons, at least while you're getting started.

shit is that what i did wrong...

casull · « **Reply #14 on:** 08 Mar 2007, 00:25 »

I would add that in order to play the jew harp correctly, you very much endanger your teeth, so self-instruction on that particular instrument should be undertaken with some caution.

Grawsith · « **Reply #15 on:** 08 Mar 2007, 00:37 »

Cool, thanks for the advice. I'll go for piano i think, I could probably grab an old-school (read: 1980's) electric one for free.

J_Saunders · « **Reply #16 on:** 08 Mar 2007, 00:42 »

Have you ever considered playing a brass instrument? I was once known for having a tremendous range when playing the trumpet ( I was actually paid for playing gigs at the age of 12 along side a local legend named Johnny Johnson). Through pure coincidence, the girls I dated in high school thought I was a great kisser! There is not a muscle in your face that brass instruments do not strengthen. The again, if you are simply looking for an outlet for self expression, my post is worthless...

Grawsith · « **Reply #17 on:** 08 Mar 2007, 18:11 »

I have the lung power of a dead fish, so I've kind of shied away from wind-based instruments. Although I must admit, a trumpet is portable, expressive, and just looks cool to boot. Is it easy to learn/use?

J_Saunders · « **Reply #18 on:** 08 Mar 2007, 19:15 »

It is fairly easy to learn, but like all instruments how easy to use it is depends on what you want to play. It is impossible to truly master an instrument. You can always improve. The trumpet does require constant practice so that your facial muscles remain strong enough to hit the highest notes, and it does put tremendous pressure on your head. I have seen people pass out while playing particularly high pitched solos, and I personally had my lip split open in the middle of a concert once. Lung capacity is not an issue if you want to stick to calmer slower music, but to play fast and loud, you need to put all the air through the horn that you can.

lb969 · « **Reply #19 on:** 08 Mar 2007, 19:32 »

Well I personally play the saxaphones. Its a versatile instrument.

Trumpet can take some lung power. I know this one guy, he's a uber-musician on the trumpet.

He one played so hard, he actually blew the tuning slide out of the horn. Big solo on the field.

Now, Baritone sax, that takes lungs. Specially marching.

PS. I too play the mandolin. Wierd. Is there some Mandolin-QC comic connection?

Maybe learn the bagpipes? Its fun. And annoying.

Grawsith · « **Reply #20 on:** 08 Mar 2007, 20:05 »

Synthesiser program + laptop + bagpipes plugin = homicidal relatives.

ampersandwitch · « **Reply #21 on:** 08 Mar 2007, 20:15 »

Gosh if I were you I would definitely learn a string instrument.
It's easy to switch from one to another, or so it seams.

ichspeilemitmich · « **Reply #22 on:** 08 Mar 2007, 21:19 »

i play trumpet and guitar. Trumpet is okay, but guitar is wayyyy more fun. Once u start to learn music and reading it and stuff, playing the piano is easy. I can play a piano and have never taken lessons or anything. I would go with the guitar or banjo.

CamusCanDo · « **Reply #23 on:** 09 Mar 2007, 00:36 »

Dude, seriously, harmonica.

Only cowboys play the harmonica.

And cowboys fucking rock.

MadassAlex · « **Reply #24 on:** 09 Mar 2007, 00:46 »

Quote from: CamusCanDo on 09 Mar 2007, 00:36

Dude, seriously, harmonica.

Only cowboys play the harmonica.

And cowboys fucking rock.

Only the ones from hell.

godinpants · « **Reply #25 on:** 09 Mar 2007, 04:30 »

Banjo. Do it.

Then i will duel you.

lb969 · « **Reply #26 on:** 09 Mar 2007, 20:11 »

Quote

Only the ones from hell.

And only if you Shattered the Cemetery Gates with your Primal Concrete Sledge while on a Psycho Holiday...

MadassAlex · « **Reply #27 on:** 10 Mar 2007, 01:53 »

Quote from: lb969 on 09 Mar 2007, 20:11

And only if you Shattered the Cemetery Gates with your Primal Concrete Sledge while on a Psycho Holiday...

Everyone call me Mario from now on because I just got ONE-UP'D.

Ã¶de · « **Reply #28 on:** 10 Mar 2007, 03:39 »

Quote from: Grawsith on 08 Mar 2007, 20:05

Synthesiser program + laptop + bagpipes plugin = homicidal relatives.

Accordians are fun too! (see: The Decemberists)

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Author Topic: I wanna learn an instrument. Li'l help? (Read 7414 times)

Grawsith

Scytale

Grawsith

Grawsith

J_Saunders

Grawsith

J_Saunders

lb969

Grawsith

ichspeilemitmich

lb969