Musicians?

[riverfever]

As a kid I was forced to play an instrument (piano) and HATED it. Probably b/c I was forced to do it for whatever reason. Since 21, I love to go to clubs where I can take in a show. For me listening is important but actually watching the fingers when the guitar is played is just as important. I have been thinking of taking up an instrument. I would love to play acoustic guitar or banjo but I bet it's a beatch. I have thought about harmonica only b/c I could take it with me when I hike or fish and play it while I was taking 5. Any musicians that can chime in? Not sure if it's a prerequisite but I can't pat my head and rub my belly. I CAN chew gum and walk though. When I'm singing along to a favorite tune, I struggle with tapping my foot while I sing. Is any of this indicative of whether I will sell out venues or not? Seriously...I would just be stoked to be able to go camping and sit around and play a little something. Any thoughts?

-river

 

[Menzenski]

As a kid, I was forced to play the piano too. I didn't like it much then, but now I'm hoping I can find a keytar and put those piano lessons to good use.

Acoustic guitar is easy. You only need to know a few chords to make it look like you really know what you're doing. I'm just getting back into playing guitar after a two-year hiatus. I was practicing all the time, and playing in a band, and just burned out. I'm finding that I enjoy it much more now when I can play music that I really enjoy, like "Dust in the Wind", "House of the Rising Sun", and "My My, Hey Hey".

Harmonica is super easy. It'll probably take about ten minutes to learn the first song.

My advice? Just pick up an instrument and learn some chords. It will take a long time before other people think you can play well, but it doesn't take long to please yourself.

 

[Dvipercop]

I started playing guitar when I was in 7th grade and was immeadietly frowned upon for my lack of foot tapping. No matter how hard I tried, I could not tap my foot while playing or I would lose the beat of the song. While others had to tap their foot to stay in rythym, I just followed the beat in my head and my hands just seemed to follow along. Basically what I'm saying is, don't get frustrated that you can't physically keep the beat of a song. I couldn't either. It didn't stop me from playing guitar all the way through high school. I gave it up a few years ago due to other interests. I'm sure some others will disagree, but to me playing guitar was both easy, and extremely fun. And, for what it's worth, it'll get the girls everytime. Just give it a shot and see what happens, you'll regret it if you don't.

 

[Gnat5680]

I started playing guitar when I was in 7th grade and was immeadietly frowned upon for my lack of foot tapping. No matter how hard I tried, I could not tap my foot while playing or I would lose the beat of the song. While others had to tap their foot to stay in rythym, I just followed the beat in my head and my hands just seemed to follow along. Basically what I'm saying is, don't get frustrated that you can't physically keep the beat of a song. I couldn't either. It didn't stop me from playing guitar all the way through high school. I gave it up a few years ago due to other interests. I'm sure some others will disagree, but to me playing guitar was both easy, and extremely fun. And, for what it's worth, it'll get the girls everytime. Just give it a shot and see what happens, you'll regret it if you don't.

same here i can't keep a foot rythem at all but i play in a band and keep up just fine. i play the bass and guitar and have to say that both are easy. i think that the bass is easier but it can be frustrating at times when you can't hear a good melody. but i say go to your local guitar store and try it all. pick up a guitar and strum it or pick up a bass and feel the warmth of the low vibrations. just see what feels right. but i like them both. its a way to express yourself. through creativity. i have been playing bass for over a year and guitar for about six months and i can play a lot of fast solos(by the way i have ADD. and if i can learn that fast i think you will do just fine).

i hope i helped you in some way and will see you playing something on TV in a few years when you get famous.

 

[Fergie]

Try violin/fiddle.

Difficult to learn as a classic player, but not hard as a blue-grass, country saw-er.

I have played for over 15 years, and have played all different genres, but absolutely love Celtic and Appalachian music.

 

[Kittrell]

Try violin/fiddle.

Difficult to learn as a classic player, but not hard as a blue-grass, country saw-er.

I have played for over 15 years, and have played all different genres, but absolutely love Celtic and Appalachian music.

Holy hell, I didn't know you played the Violin! You better bring that with you next time you are in CO, cause you are gonna be playin'. Classical Violin rocks my socks off.

 

[mdl]

I've been playing bass guitar for about 10 years now. Started off with an el cheapo guitar center special and have graduated to an excelent fender pbass. Been taking lessons for about 8 of those years. Even now I still go, there is never a limit to how much you can learn in music. Once you have mastered the mecanics, that doesn't make you a musician. You need musical theory as well. I do reccomend the bass, it's not very popular however because everyone wants to wail out on their electric and pretend their jimmy page.

 

[Fergie]

I've been playing bass guitar for about 10 years now. Started off with an el cheapo guitar center special and have graduated to an excelent fender pbass. Been taking lessons for about 8 of those years. Even now I still go, there is never a limit to how much you can learn in music. Once you have mastered the mecanics, that doesn't make you a musician. You need musical theory as well. I do reccomend the bass, it's not very popular however because everyone wants to wail out on their electric and pretend their jimmy page.

Aside from the other classical string instruments, e-bass is all I ever played. Lost interest in college though, and havent played for 5 or 6 years now.

 

[imma honky]

Try violin/fiddle.

Difficult to learn as a classic player, but not hard as a blue-grass, country saw-er.

I have played for over 15 years, and have played all different genres, but absolutely love Celtic and Appalachian music.

Right AWN! I love listenin to locals up in the GA mountains during the spring festivals.

 

[riverfever]

Fergie...I'm kind of ignorant when it comes to different styles and knowing what they are. I loves me some Bluegrass though. That's kind of what I was thinking when I considered the banjo. I have no interest in electric guitar...only acoustic.

I've got a really busy weekend ahead of me and I'll be on the water probably 10 hours Saturday and Sunday but I intend to run down to Manitou Springs on Monday and browse through a music store and see if anything seems interesting.

Here's another I'm considering...the dulcimer. Not sure if I spelled it correctly but it's an instrument played across the thighs. Reminds me of a slide guitar that Uncle Tupelo used a lot. I heard them played when I was young and visiting Silver Dollar City. Really neat sound. Anyone have experience with those things?

 

[WVXJ]

Dad always had instruments around so i picked em' up early. I love instruments of all sorts. In WV especially, there is a big number of folks into the dulcimers and banjos. I grew up with a kid whose dad was the national hammer dulcimer champ, Mr. Herr. Very simple instrument but with practice, it can produce some very different sounds.
Pick up a guitar, anything, and just start playing. Some "get it" faster than others but that's not what matters. Playing with folks and having fun is what counts!

 

[xjgrn]

Picking up a guitar, learning a few chords to sit around the campfire, and sing some songs is fine. Like anything else, you get to a point where either you settle for what you can do, or relize its time to move on, and get somewhat more serious, shed the capo, and chop some wood. Basicly theres, people that play an instrument, lets call them a guitatist, and then there are musicians that play guitar.I hope that makes sense to you folks.All in all, play and enjoy(please learn to play in tune)! Take care

 

[riverfever]

I'm guessing that I would not only experience more success but also learn better if I took lessons? Is that what most people do? I realize there are some that can pick up something and learn it. While I can do that with a lot of things I really doubt my musical ability. I might surprise myself though. Doubt it.

 

[xjgrn]

Look at it this way, there are many Xj owners that never held a wrench with any seriousness. With some desire, and maybe some prodding, they began to get involved in projects they never dreamed of doing and it actually worked out for them.In a way music is the same. Learn how to do it right the first time, and everything comes together.In a sense not everyone becomes a mechanic, and you may never go on tour, but its `the sense of acomplishment along the way that counts!

 

[mdl]

I'm guessing that I would not only experience more success but also learn better if I took lessons? Is that what most people do? I realize there are some that can pick up something and learn it. While I can do that with a lot of things I really doubt my musical ability. I might surprise myself though. Doubt it.

Yes, take lessons. Don't be like all the others who only learn tab and don't know anything about how music actually works. Get some theory into that brain. No, most don't take lessons.... Though they should.

 

[goodburbon]

Lessons pissed me off, I could never feel the rythm of a song I did not like, and in lessons I was always at the mercy of the instructor. I hated piano as a child as a result. As an adult I picked up a guitar to show a friend how to read tabs in 1996. Since then I have sporatically played and acquired my own equipment. I learned early on that the strumming hand is way more important than the "chord" hand. I am ADD too and the instant rewards of hitting a chord right kept my attention, and I can play almost anything I hear now. Tapping the foot doesn't matter as long as you can FEEL the music.

 

[riverfever]

I know this will sound gay but....

I saw Big Head Todd and the Monsters recently and they've all I've been listening to. That guy can play. My gal kind of makes fun of me b/c I never went to shows when I was younger and she saw a ton of big name bands. I had such an amazing time at that show that I am somewhat inspired to give it a try. I'll let ya know what happens Monday when I go to a store.

 

[rock rash]

I have played a wide variety of instruments. I started out playing piano and it was fun but too easy for me, then i started playing treumpet and baritone in school. I now still play the trumpet, play electric bass and have been playing for about 5 years, and have been starting bagpipes. Really difficult but alot of fun...

 

[xjgrn]

Most do that dont start in r&r, c&w, folk, basic blues, and any offshoot thereof.If you learn to read a bit, and get really good with chords, you'll be lightyears ahead of many including some that actually get paid for what they do!

 

[olivedrabcj7]

Tapping your foot and stumming some strings aint got SHAT on keeping in step (single and double time) while playing a drum focusing on stick heights, accents, visuals, and keeping in a straight line with other people.

That said....i never could play guitar...as badly as id like to, its not for me.