Share your musical talents~
I'm taking a 2 month break from school (I am too old for school and it's really getting to me) and I'd like to spend some time learning to play a new instrument. I play the piano and the flute and wanted to try something unconventional I've narrowed it down to: 1) Ukulele 2) Mountain Dulcimer (Has this harp-like ring that I like) 3) Djimbe |
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| I only play traditional instruments. I too grew up playing flute, and piccolo. As an adult I learned sax - and play bari, alto and tenor. I was in a band that switched it's focus to swing/big band music, and flutes didn't really fit in! I primarily play(ed) the bari - a HUGE transition from my piccolo!!  Now my work and dog sports take up all my spare time...I do miss it  I like any of your choices - are you limited in lessons or learning opportunities with any of these? |
| Like Dawn my instrument was a flute. However I quickly realized my eyes and brain did not process notes written so high above the standard staff. "excuse me is that 5 or 6 lines above the staff?" As a kid I enjoyed bongo drums and my body surely moved faster and had rhythm, something that seems to have been lost through nonuse. You can play around with cans to see if you have any rhythm and should persue the instrument. I have played and made the mountain dulcimers. It's an easy instrument to get started with as initinally you are sliding a dowel over all the strings and strumming. Eventually you learn to play by fingering notes and plucking...like with a guitar. Just the angle is awkward for the left hand...if you've played guitar or uke. Hammered dulcimer always looked beyond me. My guitar playing never got all that great. It wasn't until I was taking lessons in Spain to learn flamenco that the teacher pointed out my little fingers on each hand were way too short, they just pass the first finger joint past the knuckle.......so to be able to use all the fingers I had to unusually cramp my hand. Fine when you are young, but would lead to major hand problems later. Eventually I learned my best musical talent is as a listener. My ears work fine. Enjoy your new adventure. |
| I can play the guitar well enough to know when it's set up correctly. I used to build guitars. I worked for a while at a local music shop as the in house repairman too. The last one I built I recently sold to an instructor at the college that I worked at. My wife says I play the fool rather well... Vance |
| After moving to cincinnati 2 years ago, I'm now starting to really appreciate all the wonderful and unique things to explore. Dawn- There are so many groups and individuals that introduce you to the ins and outs of playing some cool folk instruments! Sometimes, I even see local ads for free introductory lessons. My sheepie Pita used to get really excited when I played the flute! Maybe something about the sound of the wind instrument that made her happy. If I stood up and played something fun and fast paced, she would circle around me and spin like she was dancing!!! I did wonder how it would be to play the piccolo.  After some thought, I decided to try the Ukulele. I ordered an Ukulele today: Nothing fancy but definitely cute enough to make me want to play all day!!!!!!! I ordered the U900 round (pineapple) model by aNueNue. They modeled it after a cute japanese band U900. I hope our future sheepie can appreciate the ukulele~ |
SheepieBoss wrote: I have played and made the mountain dulcimers. It's an easy instrument to get started with as initinally you are sliding a dowel over all the strings and strumming. Eventually you learn to play by fingering notes and plucking...like with a guitar. Just the angle is awkward for the left hand...if you've played guitar or uke. Hammered dulcimer always looked beyond me. My guitar playing never got all that great. It wasn't until I was taking lessons in Spain to learn flamenco that the teacher pointed out my little fingers on each hand were way too short, they just pass the first finger joint past the knuckle.......so to be able to use all the fingers I had to unusually cramp my hand. Fine when you are young, but would lead to major hand problems later. Oh I got plenty of Rhythm!!! Sometimes, it's just my own unique rhythm that others may not appreciate...  I think the mountain dulcimers are so unique and captivating. I can't believe you made them yourself!!! Now that's a whole new different kind of talent... !!! |
Vance wrote: My wife says I play the fool rather well... Vance  When you say you build guitars, does this mean you cut the wood, make all the holes, assemble them all together, neck, bridge... etc? That's so cool!!!!!!!!!!! |
Many many many years ago in my youth, I played the accordian. (I know several of you are laughing)  Anyway, we traveled around the country during the summers for competitions. The accordian bands were awesome! If you closed your eyes, you would have thought you were hearing a full blown orchestra with all the instruments. These were not 'tinny' sounding. We had amplifiers and mine had stereo. Very expensive instrument even by today's standards. I played for 10 years and finally quit. You can't really sit gracefully with one and I was tired of all the classical music and I played EVERY Sousa march written. Now I like a kazoo and shoehorn I never chose the accordian and was kinda forced into it. Maybe if I was able to choose what instrument I wanted, things might have been different. What ever you choose, enjoy it!!  Nancy |
| I admire anyone who has a good voice and/or plays an instrument well!!! The only music that can come from me is burping the alphabet. Not something I ever plan on sharing with my children. Hopefully we can get all our kids to learn at least 1 instrument. That's the plan at least. |
dogmom wrote: Now I like a kazoo and shoehorn I never chose the accordian and was kinda forced into it. Maybe if I was able to choose what instrument I wanted, things might have been different. What ever you choose, enjoy it!! Nancy Nancy, I love kazoo~ I tried doing Billy Jean waaaaay before this guy recorded on youtube. But he has perfected it..... |
joanna21 wrote: When you say you build guitars, does this mean you cut the wood, make all the holes, assemble them all together, neck, bridge... etc? That's so cool!!!!!!!!!!! Actually, yes but I made electric guitars. Not quite as much woodworking skills, but electronics skills needed. You're close enough, I could guide you through your first axe! I'm 60+ miles north of you...Think of it as puppy play date with odd noises. Vance |
| I started out at 5 years of age on the piano. Added the saxaphone at the age of 10 (when "band" was inrtoduced in grade school). And then added the oboe when I was 13. I still haven't figured out how my parents afforded music lessons in all 3 of them for all those years Yeah, that's right 1 hour of practice on each EACH one EVERY day (not including band practices!). I still play the piano & have thought of looking into buying an oboe at some point. Sadly, only 1 of my grandchildren has inherited any musical talent & that was for the clarinet. So I have no idea who will get my baby grand piano |
| I play the accustic guitar and sing< used to play in the Mexican restaurants and the Illinois State Fair. In mexco I used to have my own band/show and play in a lot of places. Then I move here and play in differents events but I always sing in Spanish so is not a lot of places were people wanted to hear you.  But I still play a little for me and my dogs |
| I played the trumpet from 4th grade to 10th grade. I also play a little bass. |
| Friend with minimal musical talent plays the spoons in local Irish pub bands. She has a ball! You can buy kits to make mountain dulcimers: http://craggymtnmusic.com/dulcimer_kits.php Basic woodworking skills....scroll saw helps. |
| I don't like to brag, but I've been told that my singing could make paint peel from the walls. Aside from that, I have zero musical talent. |
Joahaeyo wrote: The only music that can come from me is burping the alphabet. Not something I ever plan on sharing with my children. Share with us! Share with us! |
| If you want to burp the alphabet, I'll play the kazoo Nancy |
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