I play several different things although I am not a professional musician on any of them by any means. I can play drums, piano, organ, harmonica, acoustic guitar and bass guitar. I am probably best on the harmonica or piano and serviceable on the others. I would like to learn the fiddle but have just never gotten around to trying it.
What musical instruments can you play?
- Thread starter Ryan Lemonds Hair
- Start date
I have a guitar and can play a handful of songs. And if you put tabs (can't read music) in front of me there are a few more songs I can play. But I didn't start playing until I was an adult and my only real goal was to learn to play "Day Tripper" so mission accomplished.
also in 5th grade I could play a mean rendition of "Hot Cross Buns" on a flutophone
Yeah I don't read sheet music either. I can do chord sheets or just play by ear.
My primary instrument is the trumpet but I can play most any brass instrument. Baritone, trombone, tuba, etc.
I played in the UK Marching Band unfortunately when I played it was all male. No girls allowed. Dang it
I played in the UK Marching Band unfortunately when I played it was all male. No girls allowed. Dang it
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, and I manage to not completely embarrass myself on various percussion stuff. Cant play a set though.
I can do chords and scales on piano, but whatever part of the brain that makes the right AND left hands work at the same time must have been damaged at sone point. Same goes for guitar.
If I were to pick another instrument to learn, assuming you can teach an old dog new tricks, they would be:
1. Electric Bass
2. Cello
3. Bari sax
I have the voice of an angel, by the way.
I can do chords and scales on piano, but whatever part of the brain that makes the right AND left hands work at the same time must have been damaged at sone point. Same goes for guitar.
If I were to pick another instrument to learn, assuming you can teach an old dog new tricks, they would be:
1. Electric Bass
2. Cello
3. Bari sax
I have the voice of an angel, by the way.
I have listened to more music than is good for my ears, but I have a really dumb, basic question:
How do you learn to play drums and by that, how do you "write" the drum section for a song like Won't Get Fooled Again, or maybe Better Man (Pearl Jam)? Do you work with the guitarist and bass player who tell you what they want to hear? Honestly, have no freaking clue how the drum part is written.
I learned to read music decades ago, and know a smidgeon about keys, 4/4 time, etc., and I even saw the drummer for Wilco (a UK alum) give a demonstration at a drum seminar years ago, and beyond being amazed how you can be doing something different with both hands and both feet at the same time, I just did not understand what he was saying.
How do you learn to play drums and by that, how do you "write" the drum section for a song like Won't Get Fooled Again, or maybe Better Man (Pearl Jam)? Do you work with the guitarist and bass player who tell you what they want to hear? Honestly, have no freaking clue how the drum part is written.
I learned to read music decades ago, and know a smidgeon about keys, 4/4 time, etc., and I even saw the drummer for Wilco (a UK alum) give a demonstration at a drum seminar years ago, and beyond being amazed how you can be doing something different with both hands and both feet at the same time, I just did not understand what he was saying.
I gig 2-3x/month on guitar, harp and keys.
I can also play drums and bass... if needed... but not necessarily well.
I can also play drums and bass... if needed... but not necessarily well.
My grandmother(father's side) played played piano in theatres during the silent picture era. She also played organ at church during her prime.
When beginning band started in 6th grade, she insisted to my father that he was going to have to buy me an instrument.
At 11 and knowing my father had no choice in the matter, I picked what I thought was the most expensive instrument.
In 1980 I picked a $600 alto sax, while I ignored the $300 trumpet. You could only rent for the first 30 days, then pay up.
I play sax and trumpet as well as do my boys.
When beginning band started in 6th grade, she insisted to my father that he was going to have to buy me an instrument.
At 11 and knowing my father had no choice in the matter, I picked what I thought was the most expensive instrument.
In 1980 I picked a $600 alto sax, while I ignored the $300 trumpet. You could only rent for the first 30 days, then pay up.
I play sax and trumpet as well as do my boys.
I can’t carry a tune in a bucket, however I do play a mean Skin Flute.
Played the guitar sporadically for 20 years. Never good enough to just jump in and play with anyone, anytime unless it's a song I know really well.
I had some really nice equipment for a while and needed the money so I sold it and kinda lost the fire. Since I was never really as great as I wanted and couldn't dedicate the time to be, I relied on tone to sound good. Once the Les Paul and vintage Fender amp are gone, it just ain't the same.
I could probably dedicate that time now but I'd rather blow that money on my truck these days.
I had some really nice equipment for a while and needed the money so I sold it and kinda lost the fire. Since I was never really as great as I wanted and couldn't dedicate the time to be, I relied on tone to sound good. Once the Les Paul and vintage Fender amp are gone, it just ain't the same.
I could probably dedicate that time now but I'd rather blow that money on my truck these days.
Sort of like Elton John. He's great on the piano, but sucks on an organ.
Cannot believe it took more than 20 posts for this type of reference to appear, very disappointed in the Paddock
Sort of, but not really.
Along those notes....what is the the only thing better than roses on a piano?
Tulips on an organ.
Just learn how to play basic signatures, using your right foot on the kick, left hand on the snare, and right hand on the hat (using your left foot to open or close the hat, if you want or need to, although I wouldn't worry about that at first)
Then throw in "fills" on the last 2 beats of every fourth measure etc.
And just go from there.
There are a ton of basic drumming lessons on youtube that will keep you busy for quite a while.
Playing drums is a blast. I got a set of electronic drums, so that I don't disturb everyone, plus I can pipe music through the headphones, and play to it.
You can play 4/4 in 10 minutes on a drum set
1 (right foot kick drum)
2 (left hand snare)
3 (right foot kick drum)
4 (left hand snare)
While you're doing that, hit the closed hi-hat at twice the tempo (eighth notes) (with you're right hand)
Boom! You're drumming!
Playing drums is a blast. I got a set of electronic drums, so that I don't disturb everyone, plus I can pipe music through the headphones, and play to it.
You can play 4/4 in 10 minutes on a drum set
1 (right foot kick drum)
2 (left hand snare)
3 (right foot kick drum)
4 (left hand snare)
While you're doing that, hit the closed hi-hat at twice the tempo (eighth notes) (with you're right hand)
Boom! You're drumming!
Last edited:
You people playing the drums just remember someday there may be a little green globule where you were sitting.
Sounds easy. Like playing golf! Just hit the ball long and high and far and then make all your putts. You'll be famous in no time!!
I really do admire the great drummers, really make a band much much better
Learning to drum is a LOT easier than learning to golf (at a basic level), but I get your point.
I was just saying that what appears to be mystifying isn't as much so as you might think. It helps a LOT if you have some sort of musical background, and it sounds like you do.
I was just saying that what appears to be mystifying isn't as much so as you might think. It helps a LOT if you have some sort of musical background, and it sounds like you do.
I've played bass and drums both for 23+ yrs. Fooled with guitar for about 20.
Been teaching myself banjo, piano, mandolin and ukulele for the past 2 or 3 yrs. I bought a full 12 key harmonica set that I've touched twice.
Some instruments speak to you and some don't. Bass is absolutely my passion. Stanley Clarke, Les Claypool, Larry Graham, John Paul Jones....yall can have guitar.
Been teaching myself banjo, piano, mandolin and ukulele for the past 2 or 3 yrs. I bought a full 12 key harmonica set that I've touched twice.
Some instruments speak to you and some don't. Bass is absolutely my passion. Stanley Clarke, Les Claypool, Larry Graham, John Paul Jones....yall can have guitar.
I'm going to get an electric set for my living room with this stimulus check. I hate playing my set with the muffler pads on it, you don't get the same recoil on the drums, and I don't like being the jackass neighbor practicing and driving the street crazy even from the basement. Never been fond of electric sets but I think it's time tonjust bite the bullet and do it, for the same reasons you've outlined.
I started on a guitar in 3rd grade.........I can read music but not good enough to play up to speed without practice....most of my playing is by ear....I now play most anything that has strings..........I currently have a Gibson banjo, a Martin D-18 guitar, fiddle, Gibson mandolin, electric keyboard, Fender Stratocaster guitar................I have wasted enough time playing music to make most people successful.........obsessed is what they said about me and music........if'n I don't get the feeling back in my ring finger........that I performed plastic surgery on with the table saw.............I won't be playing anything but a radio........hope springs eternal.............otherwise I have a bunch of musical instruments that are dust catchers.........
I have played several sets of electric drums and I would recommend purchasing a set with mesh heads. They have more of a natural drum head feel than the rubber ones. The cymbals will still feel different than regular cymbals but at least the heads are somewhat more natural. Our church just purchased a set of Roland's that play great and sound great too. Here is the link. Drums
I think if you have any ability to keep time the drums are the easiest instrument to learn because there are no notes or chord changes to learn. However if you don't have any rhythm then they are possibly the hardest. I have tried to teach some folks who can't clap on beat to play and they never seem to get it.