105 replies to this topic

[Alexander]

In september, I'm going to start learning piano, because I like it's sound.

[Blumenkohl]

I played, play, and probably will continue to play violin as a hobby.

[BloodBoal]

I'm playing the flute right now, because I'm bored.

[Datameister]

When I was in first grade, I heard my parents telling a story about seeing another kid my age playing piano at some sort of party or something. Evidently, people at the party enjoyed it. I instantly decided that I wanted to be able to impress people like that, so I asked if I could take piano lessons. I took them until the end of middle school, when my teacher moved away, and during that entire time, I was never very good about practicing. It wasn't till after I stopped taking lessons that I began playing every day, but now it was all my own arrangements of the music I liked. I've kept playing ever since. I'm no virtuoso - and I certainly don't play at many parties - but I have a tremendous amount of fun exploring my favorite music by figuring out how to play it on piano.

I also have played various percussion instruments over the years (timpani and snare drum being my favorites), but I'm not currently involved in any groups.

I'd love to learn horn or one of the string instruments at some point, but I really don't like those early phases when you can't even produce a decent sound. =/ I'd constantly be wanting to feel as comfortable as I do at the piano.

[mrbellamy]

I started playing trumpet in 4th grade, and kept up with it daily through high school. Got pretty good, but haven't played much since then. I'd like to audition for a municipal band or something one of these days, though.

Other than that, I sometimes dick around on the guitar and piano.

[Wojo]

I'm playing the flute right now, because I'm bored.

I hope you're not being facetious.

I've been playing the flute for twenty years, thirteen of which I've also been playing the piccolo. I'm first chair in my local community band.

[BloodBoal]

I'm playing the flute right now, because I'm bored.

I hope you're not being facetious.

Have I ever given a reason to believe that I was facetious?

[Wojo]

Nope, never.

[BloodBoal]

Good.

[KK.]

I'm playing the flute right now, because I'm bored.

I hope you're not being facetious.

I've been playing the flute for twenty years, thirteen of which I've also been playing the piccolo. I'm first chair in my local community band.

Same. I'm a flautist too, although I haven't been playing for that long.

I'm also a trained percussionist and a pianist. But I'm the principal flautist of my concert band.

[Thor]

I don't play an instrument, unfortunately, but I've often fooled around on the piano. I've always been very musical and had my parents seen it and paid for piano lessons when I was a kid, I could have been a decent pianist/musician, I think. Oh well. No crying over spilt milk.

I also play percussion (non-drum kit-related) decently.

And I sing, if that counts (had lessons and sung in various performances, including a musical).

[Koray Savas]

I'd love to be able to play the guitar, so I could perform some of my favorite riffs if not use it to attract lots and lots of women.

[Chaac]

I used to play the clarinet.

[Henry Buck]

I played piano throughout middle school and high school, and majored in music composition while continuing to study piano. So I've done some pretty advanced study. Still, I'm awful about practicing, and I don't think I have what it takes to be a professional performer. A virtuoso. But the piano is an essential tool for my composing and improvising. I also play well enough to do some work as an accompanist in musical theater, church, etc.

I know harpsichord, synthesizers and a little organ, but I've never branched out to non-keyboard instruments. That's a regret. I do sing, though, at an untrained, choral level. Lots of fun. I think everybody should do some choral or theatrical singing at some point.

[Marian Schedenig]

Who's playing a musical instrument here, and why?

I am, because I like it.

[Alexander]

Well, that's probably the best answer in the thread yet.

Straight to the point.

[Marian Schedenig]

It's all you asked.

Anyway, instead of playing one instrument well, I play a few badly. I have a digital piano, but aside from a few years worth of lousy keyboard classes a long time ago, I'm "self-taught". Meaning mainly that I have no technique and keep making mistakes no matter how well I've practised a piece. I can make my way through the official non-easy piano arrangement of Across the Stars.

I also have a guitar and still know a few chords, but never figured out how to make something out of it. I've switched to the ukulele a few years ago, which I can handle better (less strings = easier).

More "seriously", I've been singing in a choir for the last 9 years. We're an amateur choir, but a rather good one for that, having made some real progress in the last few years. Some clips should finally be up on YouTube shortly, in time for the choir's 20th anniversary concert - we'll be performing at Vienna's Konzerthaus.

[Wojo]

Wait, you want to know "why?" I started band in fifth grade because I wanted to learn a musical instrument, and I never quit. That's the short story. Both concert and marching band provided some of the best memories and friendships I ever had, and it's still a lot of fun to practice and perform concerts for the community, and be good at something that's challenging for many people. It's a lifelong hobby that people can do long after their athletic skills wane.

[Joe Brausam]

I play horn, obviously. We actually have an unusually large number of horn players on this forum, perhaps Williams naturally attracts us. I also "play" all the other brass instruments up to about an early high school level, plus oboe and clarinet. Such is the life of music ed.

Why horn? I was originally a clarinet player. But when I was in 8th grade Fellowship of the Ring was out, and I had the soundtrack, and there was that wonderful horn soli in "The Ring Goes South" and I fell in love.

[avalanche]

I played tuba for about six years during middle/high school, but haven't in some time. I'd love to learn to play piano and bass guitar sometime.

[Datameister]

We actually have an unusually large number of horn players on this forum, perhaps Williams naturally attracts us.

I suppose good taste in music and good taste in instruments go hand in hand!

[Joe Brausam]

We actually have an unusually large number of horn players on this forum, perhaps Williams naturally attracts us.

I suppose good taste in music and good taste in instruments go hand in hand!

Amen!

[Chaac]

I play horn, obviously. We actually have an unusually large number of horn players on this forum, perhaps Williams naturally attracts us. I also "play" all the other brass instruments up to about an early high school level, plus oboe and clarinet. Such is the life of music ed.

Why horn? I was originally a clarinet player. But when I was in 8th grade Fellowship of the Ring was out, and I had the soundtrack, and there was that wonderful horn soli in "The Ring Goes South" and I fell in love.

The horn is my favourite brass instrument. And clarinet for the woodwinds.

[Blumenkohl]

It's all you asked.

You're a fellow computer scientist/mathematician, aren't you?

[Greg1138]

Was born into quite a musical family, and have been playing trumpets and cornets now for over 30 years. In fact, I can't remember ever NOT playing trumpets. I tend to stick to Brass Band work, but often whore out my skills to orchestras, pit bands, brass groups, ceremonial work...whoever pays the cheque, really! I'm also a reasonable percussionist (untuned), and am currently kit player for my regular band - http://www.glospoliceband.org/

[indy4]

I play trombone, the greatest instrument in the world. I have also dabbled in the piano and baritone in the past.

[Greg1138]

Trombone, the greatest instrument in the world.

Agreed!!! On several occasions I have broken down on the way home from a gig, to find that no other instrument is as adept at being adapted into engine parts as a trombone!

[Wojo]

[Marian Schedenig]

You're a fellow computer scientist/mathematician, aren't you?

Not mathematician (maths at university caught me rather off guard after everything had been so simple in school, and unfortunately I never bothered to really get the hang of the advanced stuff), but computer scientist/programmer, yes. Always planning on writing computer games and having great music written for them, but I rarely get around to it...

[indy4]

Trombone, the greatest instrument in the world.

Agreed!!! On several occasions I have broken down on the way home from a gig, to find that no other instrument is as adept at being adapted into engine parts as a trombone!

[Red Rabbit]

I played viola for about eight years throughout middle and high school. I took private lessons after I graduated for about a semester but I didn't really practice and my instructor said that I wasn't advancing at the right rate so I kind of ditched the whole thing. I haven't picked it up in years. I think about it every once in a while but I don't think my heart was ever fully in it, otherwise I'd still be playing. I did enjoy it but a lot of that had to do with the people I did it with.

[Joey]

Accordian.

what can I say, my dad liked Polka music so he wanted/forced me to learn to play.

[Quint]

I bet you sit there playing Thomson and Thompson's theme!

[Ren]

Piano and voice. But I had to learn all the main instruments for school

[Wojo]

Accordian.

I passed on the chance to buy one for $40. I'm not sure that was wise.

[Joey]

the accordian, like pot, is a gateway to other thing. lol

[Wojo]

Yes, but you can buy a used accordion.

If you buy used pot, someone's just blown smoke up your ass.

[Ren]

Actually I'm looking to purchase a theremin.

[Joey]

are you going to make a 50's style scifi film score.

[Ren]

I'm actually hoping to teach it to my grade 8 classes next year. Experiences are worth it in middle school and they already get the experience scratching with me.