What Musical Instrument Can You Play?

1. 60

   Eric Graudinsposted 14 years ago

   I'm just wondering how many hubbers can play musical instruments?
   What instruments do you have?
   How many instruments can you play?
   Have you have formal lessons, or are you self taught?
   
   OK, I'll start of by saying that I've been playing guitar for about 30 years.
   I've had one years experience 30 times
   
   And I started playing banjo a couple of years ago.
   
   I have a Takamine guitar, and a Fender Banjo.
   What about you?

   replyreport
   1. 0

      cosetteposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      hmm
      
      I LOVE banjo music! I have a mountain dulcimer, although I haven't dusted it off in a while. Hmm, maybe I will hub about it...

      replyreport
2. 0

   ralwusposted 14 years ago

   I only play mouth harp anymore. Got rid of the piano and gave my guitar to a friend. self taught except for the piano, had four years from excellent teacher many years ago.

   replyreport
3. 78

   frogdroppingposted 14 years ago

   I used to play the trumpet. Possible that I'd pick up the techinque again pretty quickly, I did play for many years.
   
   I can't play anthing else, though if left alone with an instrument I can find the correct notes - if given some sheet music anway.
   
   It's a pitch thing I guess. Though with singing I'm worse than useless
   
   Well done Eric by the way. My 'thing' for a while now has been about learning the spanish guitar. I really should make a start.

   replyreport
4. 60

   aoiffe379posted 14 years ago

   I began piano lessons at age 11 but it lasted for the summer.I tried again at 14. In my 20s I tried again; and lessons lasted for 17 months.Basically,I had to learn mostly on my own. My sisters and I bought the melodica and I did well.We tried the xylophone,maracas and cowbells.They learned the recorder but I stuck with the piano.Presently I own a Yamaha keyboard.A few days ago I began music lessons again and that resulted in the hub Fifty Years:To Have And To Hold. The music teacher was having an anniversary so I interviewed them and used the information to write a hub. She is helping me to break old habits so that I can be a better organist. Thus far,I am enthusiastic and simply need to practice more.

   replyreport
5. 84

   earnestshubposted 14 years ago

   mouth organ and guitar 35x 1 I have a set of Honhers and a 1977 D28 Martin 6 string acoustic guitar.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      Eric Graudinsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Nice guitar!
      My Takamine F 370S is similar vintage, and is a copy of the D28.
      It has a laminated spruce top and rosewood back and sides.
      
      I widened the neck to the same width as a classical, because my big fingers couldn't fret just one string. Probably made it worthless by doing that, but what the heck - at least I can play it now

      replyreport
      1. 84

         earnestshubposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I have owned a D28 copy Takamine I bought at Lewis's Music store in Russel St Melbourne in 1976. I liked it so much I bought the D28 in 1977 in Detroit. I also had a twelve string Echo, my daughter has a Maton "Overlander" and my youngest a new Maton dreadnought with decent inbuilt pickups, I can't remember the model, but was a bargain new last year at about AU$1800
         We have the drum kit in the lounge room.

         replyreport
6. 54

   wrenfrost56posted 14 years ago

   Piano a little and the triangle well, no formal lessons.

   replyreport
7. 73

   marcofratelliposted 14 years ago

   Self-taught guitar (acoustic mainly) and keyboard/piano. I'm rubbish at sight reading notes, but I can read them. I play by ear mainly and off tabs. Used to write/record my own songs but haven't done that in a couple of years now.

   replyreport
8. 78

   frogdroppingposted 14 years ago

   You guitar guys rock. Any guitar ability is better than none, in my book.
   
   Go earnest, go eric

   replyreport
9. 59

   B.T. Evilpantsposted 14 years ago

   I began as a trumpet player at the age of 9, and that's still my favorite instrument to play. I had roughly 10 years of lessons. I enjoyed a moderately successful (albeit short lived) career. I taught myself the rest of the brass instrumants over the course of a few years, then some keyboard and guitar. Of all the instruments I learned on my own, the drum kit was probably the hardest. Getting hands and feet to do 4 things at once took some time to learn!

   replyreport
10. 0

    SirDentposted 14 years ago

    I can p;lay guitar and keyboard some. I am self taught for the most part on those. My passion is playing a bass guitar. I must say I have tasught myself very well over 30 years of playing bass.
    
    I play a Fender Jazz Bass. I love the fender sound and the single coil pickups. We will be making our first CD soon so be looking for it. I am sure I will write a hub about it when it is time.

    replyreport
    1. 60

       beautyroseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I'm starting to learn guitar now. Though I play bamboo flute b4.

       replyreport
       1. 0

          SirDentposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Is someone teaching you or are teaching yoruself?

          replyreport
          1. 60

             beautyroseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Actually nobody teaches me. But I learned by listening and watching others. I also have my notes. I think talent just comes out naturally. And guitar is painful at fingers and having back aches at times in the beginning.  But flute is so relaxing you make music while just sitting.

             replyreport
             1. 0

                SirDentposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                Tha aching fingers will be with you for a while but eventually you will get used to it. Do you sit while playing? I can't figure out why your back hurts when playing unless you have to actually hold the guitar up while playing.

                replyreport
                1. 60

                   beautyroseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                   yes i sit while I play. I got back ache when guitar is too big so I had the size that allows me to play it without body strain.

                   replyreport
                   1. 84

                      earnestshubposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                      That's why Maton made the "overlander" nice big sound, small guitar.

                      replyreport
11. 75

    livewithrichardposted 14 years ago

    I can play the kazoo pretty well

    replyreport
    1. 60

       Luciendaskyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       WOOT

       replyreport
12. 60

    Luciendaskyposted 14 years ago

    I was taught piano but unfortunately I cannot afford one now. I taught myself how to play a guitar a little - but then I gave the guitar back to my dad... so now I guess I don't play - but I do teach piano... go figure...

    replyreport
13. 62

    Lisa HWposted 14 years ago

    It's been a long time, but piano (lessons at first, later self)

    replyreport
14. 0

    Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

    I did try taking piano lessons BUT I got bored with it so sadly I play no instrument. Wanted to play the flute but I have sensitive hearing and it hurts my ears...

    replyreport
15. 60

    goodfriendiamposted 14 years ago

    I can play a mean, blade of thick grass, placed between my to thumbs and just whistling away. Does this count....lol   But on a serious note I enjoy all instruments and I started taking self taught piano lessons, but don't got no piano no more.

    replyreport
    1. 0

       Crazdwriterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Sorry you don't have a piano bu they when will you have a concert for the blade of grass? lmao I would so pay to go see a concert like that!

       replyreport
       1. 60

          goodfriendiamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Wow, I'm printing the tickets as I type............ .....lmao

          replyreport
16. 74

    AEvansposted 14 years ago

    I have played Piano since I was 5 years old and I have played it consistently, playing it is relaxing and I sit down at the Ivory keys and play it everyday.

    replyreport
17. 59

    Deb Smithposted 14 years ago

    I've played the piano since I was 4 years old and the guitar since I was 10 years old. I did have some piano lessons, but I'm self-taught on the guitar. I'm better at the guitar, but I like playing the piano more, so those around me just have to suffer through the mistakes.

    replyreport
18. 68

    lrohnerposted 14 years ago

    Pretty much piano and guitar. But my Mom bought us a glockenspiel when we were little kids and I'm pretty darn nimble on that thing too!

    replyreport
19. 90

    Marisa Wrightposted 14 years ago

    I played the piano as a child - I did have a few lessons but mainly played just for fun, until I left home at eighteen and no longer had access to a piano.
    
    Other than that - do castanets count?  Or zills?  Actually I reckon my feet should count as an instrument, I can beat out a rhythm as well as a lot of drummers...

    replyreport
20. 0

    Ghost32posted 14 years ago

    Clarinet from 5th grade through 9th--dropped it to play basketball.  Guitar since age 18, self taught, have owned various acoustics, nothing fancy:  Wabash, Hohner (yeah, they actually had a guitar at one time), Yamaha, Takamine, one weird hybrid Gibson, now an Ibanez (currently in Guitar Prison, othewise known as the pawn shop).
    
    Had a Gibson banjo for a while--heavy sucker but great sound.
    
    Couple of harmonicas, but not exactly skilled on 'em.

    replyreport
21. 60

    Valerie Fposted 14 years ago

    I got into college on a marching band scholarship, playing the tuba. Not one of those nice lightweight fiberglass sousaphones, either. We had to hoist around the brass convertible uprights.
    
    I've played piano since I was 4, sang as long as I can remember, took up brass and percussion in high school, and along the way I've tried pretty much every other thing that makes noise, barring anything with a reed that requires an actual embouchure. (I'd say I haven't tried any reed instrument, but as I can strangle a tune out of the Uilleann pipes, that wouldn't be true). I actually became proficient in the guitar, bass guitar, Celtic harp and tinwhistle.
    
    I've had formal training in piano, percussion, tuba, vocal performance, and harp.
    
    So, yes, I play a few musical instruments.

    replyreport
22. 61

    wsp2469posted 14 years ago

    Anyone who has read all my hubs knows that I can play one song on a guitar.  I have "Sparkling Stella" memorized.  When I was in college a buddy and I used to sing and entertain.  He played the guitar.  When I thought I was too stoned or drinking too much I would borrow his guitar and attempt to play the song.  If I got through the song I knew I wasn't too stoned or too drunk and could continue to party.  If i didn't get through the song then I knew I had to stop smoking and drinking or risk being the guy dancing and stripping on the couch.
    I used to be able to play "Beth" by Kiss on the piano, too.  I can't remember how to do that one.  That one goes back to high school.  I am a fan of Peter Criss.
    
    I can do some interesting stuff on the bongos, too, if that counts. I can sing, too, if that counts.  I was actually handed cash to sing in my younger days.

    replyreport
23. 77

    NaomiRposted 14 years ago

    I've played piano since I was 3, but my main instrument is flute, which I've been playing since I was 9. I also play sax and clarinet. I took private lessons for years and was in all different types of ensembles. I still play with t band in NYC. Last year, I released an album of jazz flute music, which I composed. It was a lot of work, but well worth the effort!

    replyreport
    1. 80

       RooBeeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Wow! I'd love to hear - can we listen to a sample somewhere?

       replyreport
       1. 60

          Eric Graudinsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Great idea!
          Why not take this up a nothch:
          Has anyone got some video of themselves playing on youtube or similar ??

          replyreport
24. 80

    RooBeeposted 14 years ago

    Self taught "player" of the guitar - as in: I'm good for a nice faked version of most of your classic rock songs and campfire jams, but I'm no Satriani! Been doing it since age 16, when I picked up a Stratocaster, an old tube amp, and some cords for a hundred bucks at a pawn shop.
    Currently, for an electric, I have some monstrous Jackson heavy metal thing that is too thick-necked for me (I preferred the Strat). I do. though, have a beautiful 12 string Washburn acoustic that sounds quite lovely.
    
    lrohner, a glockenspiel?! That is truly awesome!!

    replyreport
25. 77

    NaomiRposted 14 years ago

    I'm not sure what links I'm allowed to post, but if you do a google search on "Naomi Rabinowitz" and "Flute Path," you'll easily find my work.

    replyreport
    1. 60

       Eric Graudinsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks Naomi.
       You play very well! http://www.myspace.com/naomirabinowitz
       
       And according to my interpretation of the rules, it's fine to post links to sites that are relevant to the discussion in a thread - even if they are to your own hubs, sites, etc.
       
       What's NOT OK is to start a thread promoting your sites.
       
       (And if Misha the link sherrif tries to bully you, let me know )
       
       Cheers, Eric G.

       replyreport
26. 88

    Paragliderposted 14 years ago

    I wrote a hub recently called "a Musical Instrument is for Life", with pictures of my flute, alto sax, classic & flamenco guitars and renaissance lute. There's also a link to me playing my 40-year-old classic guitar here:
    http://hubpages.com/hub/Classic-Guitar
    From reading this thread, it's clear we have enough talent on the site to start a Hubbers Band.

    replyreport
27. 61

    wsp2469posted 14 years ago

    One time, at band camp, I stuck a flute in my. . .

    replyreport
    1. 60

       goodfriendiamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       pick me! pick me! I know the answer, in your ear. am I right......lmao
       
       good one.

       replyreport
28. 77

    NaomiRposted 14 years ago

    Ha, ha.... you know "flute in ---" is actually mentioned in the google keyword search tool for flutes.
    
    Thanks, Eric.

    replyreport
29. 0

    Useful Knowledgeposted 14 years ago

    Guitar, Keyboard, Piano, Drums
    
    I also write my own songs and sing very nicely:)

    replyreport
30. 80

    RooBeeposted 14 years ago

    Wow, Naomi! You are so talented! Excellent stuff, girl. Will be bookmarking your MySpace so I can keep up w/ your musical endeavors. Give her a listen, ya'all.

    replyreport
31. 77

    NaomiRposted 14 years ago

    Thanks, RooBee!!

    replyreport
32. 0

    ralwusposted 14 years ago

    Ooo, I forgot, I also play a homemade kazoo! It's called a comb and also the spoons. hehe

    replyreport
33. 67

    Lady_Eposted 14 years ago

    Keyboard - a little.
    
    Can only play it with the letters on the keys...

    replyreport