Musicians and their instruments

[Tude]

I've been playing clarinet for almost four years now! I got randomly assigned to the section when I first joined band, and I ended up falling in love with it! I currently play a Backun Alpha student clarinet, which my mom bought me last summer.

Despite my best friend practically begging me not to, I really want to learn the bassoon as well. It's such a cool instrument and I feel ready to try something harder than the clarinet. I would also like to learn guitar, but my little brother snapped one of the strings on ours, so unless we get that fixed I'll have to put that dream on hold

Yeah, don't listen to haters. Learn the bassoon or whatever other instruments you want! Hope you get the guitar string replaced soon.

I feel your pain about little brothers lol. I had an accordion from the time I was two years old and used to mess around on it all the time. When I was ten, my little brother took the accordion outside for some reason and then left it out in the yard. Ofc it rained that afternoon and my accordion was ruined! I was so mad but my dad acted like my little brother did nothing wrong. He never got me another one.

 

[Autumn247]

I play the violin. Started in 3rd grade as a child then dropped off it around middle school. Picked it back up as an adult a few years ago and have been taking lessons with a private instructor since then. I'm 31 now, I regret all those years I stopped playing it but am glad to be back to it now

 

[Aquilla]

I started with the recorder in primary school and I play the piano and alto sax. I used to play the sax in a jazz/ big band and in an orchestra in high school, but haven't picked it back up since. Its just no fun to me to play it outside a big band. I love learning musical instruments though :3 I also own an ocarina.

My piano is a very old second hand one. I liked it because it has engravements and carvings in the wood. I prefer the look of old instruments over the sleek boxy look of modern/new ones.

My saxophone was bought new and paid off via lease. But I also prefer old saxophones over new ones.

Spoiler: saxophone story and what made me fall out of love with it all

My current saxophone is actually my second one. Its untouched. My original saxophone was lost unfortunately. When my family and I moved to a new house, I stored my saxophone in the basement temporarily (we were ensured by the previous owners that the basement is dry and safe).

Well, turned out that was a lie. That basement is damp as hell in summer and winter. My saxophone's (I had named her Hildegard, as all my band members named their instrument old fashioned German names) cork and leather portions and the velvet lining of its case were completely covered by black mould. It was beyond repair.

My insurance replaced it in full, and I now have a brand new saxophone. But I have not had any desire to play it once. Prior to this I had a very strained relationship to playing music already. I was unlucky with my sax and piano teachers, we never got on well. I also didn't like my band conductor. As a highly anxious, insecure and emotional teen, I never clicked with any of these very gruff and choleric old men who didn't have a spark of empathy in them. I started dreading every lesson. My sax teacher scolded me a lot and it made me want to shrink and be invisible.

My piano teacher told me "that's not real music" whenever I brought in my own sheet music of songs I wanted to learn so I could accompany myself and sing. He only liked classical music and didn't allow me to unfold.

My band conductor was really abrasive and improvising in front of the whole band was mandatory. I had difficulties remembering which scales I needed for which piece off the top of my head and improvisation therefore made me feel like a fish on land. I ended up terrified of our band concerts and practices, dreading the improv every time.

Bottom line: fear is NOT good for teaching, nor for learning anything.


Eventually I only kept up band and instruments because I was feeling guilty that my parents had paid classes and instruments for me. So when my original saxophone was gone, my last attachment to music vanished with it.

Its a great shame and something that makes me quite sad. I adore music. And I adore listening to saxophones. It always stings a little when I hear one, because in spite of it all, it was an important part of finding my identity growing up and it hurts that it ended in some sort of avoidant and strained relationship to music making.

I'm currently learning acoustic guitar on and off, because its useful in my profession being able to whip out a guitar AND being able to talk/sing as I play. It's taking a lot of mental effort though to not fall into the same hole that ended my saxophone and piano endeavors.

I'd like to own a kalimba some day, and a better ocarina and I've always adored flutes as well.

 

[ShawnFuzz]

I started with the recorder in primary school and I play the piano and alto sax. I used to play the sax in a jazz/ big band and in an orchestra in high school, but haven't picked it back up since. Its just no fun to me to play it outside a big band. I love learning musical instruments though :3 I also own an ocarina.

My piano is a very old second hand one. I liked it because it has engravements and carvings in the wood. I prefer the look of old instruments over the sleek boxy look of modern/new ones.

My saxophone was bought new and paid off via lease. But I also prefer old saxophones over new ones.

Spoiler: saxophone story and what made me fall out of love with it all

My current saxophone is actually my second one. Its untouched. My original saxophone was lost unfortunately. When my family and I moved to a new house, I stored my saxophone in the basement temporarily (we were ensured by the previous owners that the basement is dry and safe).

Well, turned out that was a lie. That basement is damp as hell in summer and winter. My saxophone's (I had named her Hildegard, as all my band members named their instrument old fashioned German names) cork and leather portions and the velvet lining of its case were completely covered by black mould. It was beyond repair.

My insurance replaced it in full, and I now have a brand new saxophone. But I have not had any desire to play it once. Prior to this I had a very strained relationship to playing music already. I was unlucky with my sax and piano teachers, we never got on well. I also didn't like my band conductor. As a highly anxious, insecure and emotional teen, I never clicked with any of these very gruff and choleric old men who didn't have a spark of empathy in them. I started dreading every lesson. My sax teacher scolded me a lot and it made me want to shrink and be invisible.

My piano teacher told me "that's not real music" whenever I brought in my own sheet music of songs I wanted to learn so I could accompany myself and sing. He only liked classical music and didn't allow me to unfold.

My band conductor was really abrasive and improvising in front of the whole band was mandatory. I had difficulties remembering which scales I needed for which piece off the top of my head and improvisation therefore made me feel like a fish on land. I ended up terrified of our band concerts and practices, dreading the improv every time.

Bottom line: fear is NOT good for teaching, nor for learning anything.


Eventually I only kept up band and instruments because I was feeling guilty that my parents had paid classes and instruments for me. So when my original saxophone was gone, my last attachment to music vanished with it.

Its a great shame and something that makes me quite sad. I adore music. And I adore listening to saxophones. It always stings a little when I hear one, because in spite of it all, it was an important part of finding my identity growing up and it hurts that it ended in some sort of avoidant and strained relationship to music making.

I'm currently learning acoustic guitar on and off, because its useful in my profession being able to whip out a guitar AND being able to talk/sing as I play. It's taking a lot of mental effort though to not fall into the same hole that ended my saxophone and piano endeavors.

I'd like to own a kalimba some day, and a better ocarina and I've always adored flutes as well.

Oh my gosh... I hate to hear that you gave up saxophone for that reason but I get it!! Its actually really common and something I learned quickly...

Obviously your basement black mold situation is unusual, and I would be devastated to lose an instrument that I had a connection with like that!

But it's very common for students to be turned off of music because of their teachers. I quit lessons on my guitar after 4 or 5 lessons as an older teen. The only reason I kept going that long was because it was the only time my parents allowed me to drive my own car. I was punished for bad grades and not allowed to drive the car I bought with my own money, and since they didnt want to drive me to the lessons themselves it was the only time I could drive. Lessons were 10 minutes away, and it took an hour to come back as I drove all over the place

I also took electric bass lessons a couple of times, and my bassist "rock star" teacher tried to make me sing/hum the scale I was learning. I am not a vocalist!

I guess my long point is that people should learn instruments at their own pace so that they enjoy the experience! It turns out that lessons were bad for me personally and I enjoyed learning on my own and improvising. I had a lot of fun playing with some talented musicians on my own time, and they understood my shortcomings but taught me so much more than any instructor!

I encourage you to pick up your sax, or any other instrument that calls to you and learn it at your own pace, the way you want to!

Music is a joy, not a chore!

 

[Aquilla]

Oh my gosh... I hate to hear that you gave up saxophone for that reason but I get it!! Its actually really common and something I learned quickly...

Obviously your basement black mold situation is unusual, and I would be devastated to lose an instrument that I had a connection with like that!

But it's very common for students to be turned off of music because of their teachers. I quit lessons on my guitar after 4 or 5 lessons as an older teen. The only reason I kept going that long was because it was the only time my parents allowed me to drive my own car. I was punished for bad grades and not allowed to drive the car I bought with my own money, and since they didnt want to drive me to the lessons themselves it was the only time I could drive. Lessons were 10 minutes away, and it took an hour to come back as I drove all over the place

I also took electric bass lessons a couple of times, and my bassist "rock star" teacher tried to make me sing/hum the scale I was learning. I am not a vocalist!

I guess my long point is that people should learn instruments at their own pace so that they enjoy the experience! It turns out that lessons were bad for me personally and I enjoyed learning on my own and improvising. I had a lot of fun playing with some talented musicians on my own time, and they understood my shortcomings but taught me so much more than any instructor!

I encourage you to pick up your sax, or any other instrument that calls to you and learn it at your own pace, the way you want to!

Music is a joy, not a chore!

Thank you for your thoughtful and understanding reply I loved reading your story about music as well. I'm sorry your parents chose to do this. I can imagine the freedom when driving for an hour after practice felt amazing!

I definitely agree with you and that's what I do now with my piano - just practicing on my own terms what I want to learn. I'll do the same for guitar. Makes me wonder why people like those teachers choose a profession like that when they clearly dislike kids and are narrow minded. "That's not real music" have you ever heard such bull?

I have very limited free time and a load of creative hobbies I usually prioritize over music, but I'll definitely keep playing with instruments. That's why I like small ones like ocarina and kalimba - it feels less daunting and low commitment compared to putting together my saxophone.

 

[Captain Jigglypuff]

I only have a basic electronic keyboard but I want a larger keyboard with a stand. Something that is close to full size but not professional size. I just want to be able to play different types of music on it, not play in a band.

 

[ShawnFuzz]

I just bought these as a birthday gift for myself! I figured I would need both a guitar and a bass along the line, plus I love both instruments. I have yet to play because I'm a little intimidated, so hopefully I got this... ;w;

Not sure what I want to learn first - Master Of Puppets? Smells Like Teen Spirit?
View attachment 633081View attachment 633082

I am super late to reply! I would suggest Smells Like Teen Spirit to start with! Master of Puppets is it a lot more technical and fast paced! Have you learned any songs so far? Or maybe some basic chords and rhythm practice?

 

[ZeldaCrossing64]

I am super late to reply! I would suggest Smells Like Teen Spirit to start with! Master of Puppets is it a lot more technical and fast paced! Have you learned any songs so far? Or maybe some basic chords and rhythm practice?

Aha not yet, a lot of stuff going on in my life at the moment. ;w; But my dad and I are gonna learn guitar alongside each other when we're both ready. It'd be nice to have someone hold me accountable because I'm not so great at motivating myself - And it would help us bond.

 

[Tude]

Aha not yet, a lot of stuff going on in my life at the moment. ;w; But my dad and I are gonna learn guitar alongside each other when we're both ready. It'd be nice to have someone hold me accountable because I'm not so great at motivating myself - And it would help us bond.

That's so cool. Wish my dad was like that.

 

[SandiMacD]

Music to my ear! I played clarinet in school back in the mid 60's. I am pretty sure it was made of wood. My family wasn't rich so I am not sure if a neighbor gave it to my mom for me or sold it to her inexpensively. I suspect it was a gift. The pads had dried out and needed to be replaced. Routine care included rubbing the outside of the clarinet with oil and it had a small chip that exposed what look like wood grain. Maybe someone knows what old clarinets were made of?

After I left home, they gave it to another family whose child was in band. By then I wasn't playing it anymore as I had started guitar lessons in HS. My parents gave me a Yamaha guitar for my 16th birthday so of course I took that with me. I was very much into folk music then and played it in the youth choir at church.

My one regret was we never had a piano. My grandparents and all of their brothers and sisters and all of my mom's brothers and sisters had one but since my dad joined the navy just after I was born, we didn't live near to any relatives so I never had the opportunity to play on a piano growing up.
Everytime we visited any family we had so much fun singing and dancing while someone played the piano.

One great aunt had one child (my cousin) and when he grew up he had a piano in his house. By the time my great aunt became feeble, my dad had retired and she came to live near them. When she died, my great aunt gifted Mom her player piano along with boxes and boxes of scrolls (1910's to 1950's).
Mom continued to add piano scrolls to that collection (1970's to 1980's). My brother's and sister's families of course gathered at reunions and continued to enjoy sing alongs.

When mom died, I was the only sibling who had room and expressed a desire for that piano. So I had it shipped to me in 2005. I was back living in MT around then (I am retired Air Force) and MT has many old west towns with player piano collections in small museums. I found someone skilled in restoration and had it restored and tuned. So my house there was filled with piano music!! And the scroll collection grew with the 1990's Broadway hit songs.

I took piano lessons along with my adult daughter. In 2012 my husband and I decided to retire in FL and I gave our daughter the player piano because we downsized.

Although I am not a musician, nor very talented as a player, music played on instruments fills my soul. Growing up, my brother played drums and my sister the flute so we had our own band of sorts. I raised my child with songs and recorded music from any and every genre. We still sing childhood songs on road trips when visiting each other.

Thanks for this thread and for letting me share my musical memories.

Edited: I forget to mention the harmonica which my grandfather played expertly (he also could whistle any tune!). All us kids had harmonicas. I can still knock a tune out of mine!

 

[ShawnFuzz]

Music to my ear! I played clarinet in school back in the mid 60's. I am pretty sure it was made of wood. My family wasn't rich so I am not sure if a neighbor gave it to my mom for me or sold it to her inexpensively. I suspect it was a gift. The pads had dried out and needed to be replaced. Routine care included rubbing the outside of the clarinet with oil and it had a small chip that exposed what look like wood grain. Maybe someone knows what old clarinets were made of?

After I left home, they gave it to another family whose child was in band. By then I wasn't playing it anymore as I had started guitar lessons in HS. My parents gave me a Yamaha guitar for my 16th birthday so of course I took that with me. I was very much into folk music then and played it in the youth choir at church.

My one regret was we never had a piano. My grandparents and all of their brothers and sisters and all of my mom's brothers and sisters had one but since my dad joined the navy just after I was born, we didn't live near to any relatives so I never had the opportunity to play on a piano growing up.
Everytime we visited any family we had so much fun singing and dancing while someone played the piano.

One great aunt had one child (my cousin) and when he grew up he had a piano in his house. By the time my great aunt became feeble, my dad had retired and she came to live near them. When she died, my great aunt gifted Mom her player piano along with boxes and boxes of scrolls (1910's to 1950's).
Mom continued to add piano scrolls to that collection (1970's to 1980's). My brother's and sister's families of course gathered at reunions and continued to enjoy sing alongs.

When mom died, I was the only sibling who had room and expressed a desire for that piano. So I had it shipped to me in 2005. I was back living in MT around then (I am retired Air Force) and MT has many old west towns with player piano collections in small museums. I found someone skilled in restoration and had it restored and tuned. So my house there was filled with piano music!! And the scroll collection grew with the 1990's Broadway hit songs.

I took piano lessons along with my adult daughter. In 2012 my husband and I decided to retire in FL and I gave our daughter the player piano because we downsized.

Although I am not a musician, nor very talented as a player, music played on instruments fills my soul. Growing up, my brother played drums and my sister the flute so we had our own band of sorts. I raised my child with songs and recorded music from any and every genre. We still sing childhood songs on road trips when visiting each other.

Thanks for this thread and for letting me share my musical memories.

Edited: I forget to mention the harmonica which my grandfather played expertly (he also could whistle any tune!). All us kids had harmonicas. I can still knock a tune out of mine!

Thank you for the wonderful history! I loved all of this!

My Grandmother had a player piano, and I would beg and beg for her to put one of those scrolls in. She was annoyed with me for always asking, but I admit I wouldn't let up on the piano. If she didnt put on a scroll I would play nonsense on it until she gave in . I was more interested by the holes in the paper scrolling by and wondering how paper could play the piano keys! It was like magic to me!

I will have to ask what happened to that piano after my grandparents passed. It also has some fun history!

While my Mom and Dad were dating, he was deployed during the Vietnam war in the navy, and she mentioned in a letter that she was learning the piano. When he came home at some point she gave a "demonstration" and he was blown away by how good she was at piano! Then she revealed it was a player piano. I guess it worked, because they are still together to this day

I wonder how many among the younger generation know what a player piano is? I am truly curious how many of those pianos are still around.

I dont know if I would call it a skill in the musical world, but the player piano was definitely inspirational for me, since it was my first experience hearing a piano played beautifully. I have since played my guitar and bass alongside some extremely talented piano players, and it was like living my dream while listening to that scroll of paper play beautifully!

 

[junebuggy.99]

I am a musician and have been pretty much my entire life, and I have sooooo many different instruments that I've collected over the years. it would take forever for me to talk about all of them. but since I'm a pianist, I'll mention that I have a Nord Stage 2 professional keyboard that my dad bought many years ago, when I was still in undergrad. I've never had the luxury of having a nice accoustic piano to practice on (except when I was in college of course), but the Nord Stage 2 is a very nice quality keyboard. it feels very natural to play. I've played many keyboards over the years but this one has been my favourite.

I also own an accoustic guitar made by Suzuki I believe? and it was originally my paternal grandfather's guitar. he gave it to my dad at some point, and my dad gave it to me. it's from the 70s, so it's probably over 50 years old now. plays similarly to a Martin guitar, it sounds pretty nice!

 

[SandiMacD]

...If she didnt put on a scroll I would play nonsense on it until she gave in . I was more interested by the holes in the paper scrolling by and wondering how paper could play the piano keys! It was like magic to me!..

Me too! Watching the keys dip down on their own as the paper holes went by was absolutely fascinating. Many of the words on our older scrolls have faded out now.
A player piano definitely brings people together. We were hosts to a Japanese family in MT and their kids were amazing piano players! They would play a "recital" for us when visiting. In turn, we would put in a scroll and the piano would play for them as we sang along.
One scroll I bought was "home on the range". Our basset hound would join in howling whenever we played and sang it!
My AC:NH character, Nugget, is using her basement as her music room. One of my first balloons dropped a xylophone and since then I've added a trumpet, sax and 2 tambourines. Still waiting for a piano to show up!

 

[Envy]

It's probably pretty obvious from my signature, but I play the oboe. I've been playing it for over a decade now (I can't believe that!). I also play the bassoon, which I have been playing for two decades now (also can't believe that! Where is the time going?).

My oboe is a Howarth and the image used in my signature is actually a picture of my oboe. lol. So there you go. My bassoon is a Fox Renard.

I also own many other instruments, because I'm a nerd. That's actually the explanation behind my user title, because instead of cats I surrounded myself by instruments in my loneliness. I own a large number of woodwind and brass instruments. I wish I could play them all, but that's not feasible unless you're some crazy talented person (of which I know a couple of those people...) but that's not me.

 

[Squidward]

I've been playing piano for a really long time. I also play the guitar but I'm not that good!

 

[Mokuren]

I am playing the harp. I started taking lessons a year ago. When I was a kid I always wanted to learn an instrument but my mom always said I have to learn tin flute first and I didn't want to so I never actually learned an instrument. Growing up I always had some kind of regret for not learning one and decided to finally fulfill my wish. Now I take weekly harp lessons, learning music theory along the way and just having a blast. I also found a lovely harp community along the way! Harp is just a really magical instrument and I love everything about it. I was super intimidated at the size of a harp at first - especially concert harps are so massive but also beautiful.

A harp builder is now working at my own harp. Right now I rent an instrument because they are not that cheap. In december it should be finished and I am super excited about it!

 

[Tude]

I am playing the harp. I started taking lessons a year ago. When I was a kid I always wanted to learn an instrument but my mom always said I have to learn tin flute first and I didn't want to so I never actually learned an instrument. Growing up I always had some kind of regret for not learning one and decided to finally fulfill my wish. Now I take weekly harp lessons, learning music theory along the way and just having a blast. I also found a lovely harp community along the way! Harp is just a really magical instrument and I love everything about it. I was super intimidated at the size of a harp at first - especially concert harps are so massive but also beautiful.

A harp builder is now working at my own harp. Right now I rent an instrument because they are not that cheap. In december it should be finished and I am super excited about it!

Did your mom say why she wanted you to learn that specific instrument?

 

[ShawnFuzz]

A harp builder is now working at my own harp. Right now I rent an instrument because they are not that cheap. In december it should be finished and I am super excited about it!

Is that how acquiring a harp is done? Commissioning a harp builder? If so it makes sense, since they are so large! I am interested in knowing more about that process... to begin with, where do you even find a harp builder?

 

[Mokuren]

Did your mom say why she wanted you to learn that specific instrument?

I just looked it up - it is not tin flute but recorder! Sorry I am not a native english speaker and didn't know the instrument I mean is called recorder. But to answer your question: It is pretty common to learn recorder as a kid before you get your hands on another instrument. My mom said it's because I always wanted to learn new things and never sticked with it. Recorder is fairly cheap and you could get lessons for free at my school - so it was to show commitment. I had exactly one lesson after I stopped. I don't think that is a good practice either. Maybe I would have sticked with lessons if I actually were allowed to play an instrument I enjoy.

Is that how acquiring a harp is done? Commissioning a harp builder? If so it makes sense, since they are so large! I am interested in knowing more about that process... to begin with, where do you even find a harp builder?

It depends. You can, ofc, also get a used harp but they are also not cheap and for example in my area there are not a lot of people selling harps and shippng is impossible. You also want to test the instrument first because the size of the harp is important. I am short, have short arms and small hands so I need something entirly different than for example a person that is tall and have big hands.
There are few mass produced harps like harpsicles. They are also not really good when it comes to sound quality but fairly cheap. Concert harps are basically all made by harp builders! So it's either buying a used harp or comission a harp builder.

You usually rent a harp from a harp builder (or your teacher). In my case it was a harp builder recommended by my teacher. It's also not really that uncommen to find one near you. For me it was harder to find a harp teacher than a harp builder.
I visited the workshop of my harp builder multiple times and he showed me the process of making one - it was super interesting! I was also able to try different variations and strings. Ordering one was also super fun - it was like build a bear but for a harp. Wood, shape, size, strings, carvings etc.

 

[Tude]

@Mokuren I agree! I think you would've stuck with lessons had you been allowed to play the harp from the beginning. They're completely different instruments. At least you're able to play the harp now!