Re: Instruments you wish you could play

I'd just really love to have an understanding of music theory. I've comtemplated taking up piano again to learn it, I feel like it applies to anything. I've always loved the sound of a violin/cello, but thats a pipe dream for sure! After you memorize guitar patterns its a pain to relearn a fretboard.

All You Need is Love smile

Re: Instruments you wish you could play

I think of you learn a piano keyboard in the context of theory, that all instruments thereafter will be easier to learn.  My daughter wants to play drums, but we are having her learn piano in a course that emphasizes theory and rhythm first.  Our thinking is that a formal understanding of rhythm will apply to percussion very well, and early exposure to theory will allow her to understand the role played by percussion in the overall music of whatever band she eventually plays in.  She was highly resistant to the piano, but now a month into it is enthralled.  She practices every day, many times more than once, and she is already reading music and understanding how major chords go together.  I've got her practicing with a metronome and she's learning about steady timing right from the start.

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude

Re: Instruments you wish you could play

Zurf wrote:

I think of you learn a piano keyboard in the context of theory, that all instruments thereafter will be easier to learn.  My daughter wants to play drums, but we are having her learn piano in a course that emphasizes theory and rhythm first.  Our thinking is that a formal understanding of rhythm will apply to percussion very well, and early exposure to theory will allow her to understand the role played by percussion in the overall music of whatever band she eventually plays in.  She was highly resistant to the piano, but now a month into it is enthralled.  She practices every day, many times more than once, and she is already reading music and understanding how major chords go together.  I've got her practicing with a metronome and she's learning about steady timing right from the start.

Gotta give you an "attaboy" for that choice, Zurf.
Piano may not be a students first choice of an instrument but it has it all - Percussion, rhythm, melody and 10 tone chords - yea, baby.
toots

We pronounce it "Guf Coast".
Ya'll wanna go down to the Guf?

Re: Instruments you wish you could play

Zurf, my parents "made" me take piano, but I dropped it around middle school. Worst decision ever. They should have forced me to finish because now even though I love guitar, I'd chop my left arm off for the chance to have 8 years of music theory back. I always try to encouragw kids when their parents want them to take, it really does apply to everything.

All You Need is Love smile

Re: Instruments you wish you could play

It's never too late HannahBeth.  You can't get the lost time back, but as the old-timers say "should the Lord tarry", there's nothing stopping you from learning theory now.  I just want to be able to throw out licks by ear the way Detman101 does, and then I'll feel like I've done something.

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude

Re: Instruments you wish you could play

Can't believe I forgot this one, a Japanese Shamisen. It's sorta like a guitar.


http://festival-nancy-matsuri2011.fr/img/evt/shamisen.png

Keep Rockin!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Instruments you wish you could play

HannahBeth wrote:

I'd just really love to have an understanding of music theory.

Hi Hannah,

Get yourself along to the 'Theory' section, read the 'Stickys', and anything you do not understand just ask. Both Jerome and Russ both have a better understanding of theory than I and will be only too pleased to help you learn.

Roger

"Do, or do not; there is no try"

Re: Instruments you wish you could play

Hi guys, long time no see!

I've had guitars for about 3 years now and can play the major/minor chords in a couple of positions, can mostly remember the 7ths (B7 is always the one I have to look for!) and can usually wail along.  I really would like to play guitar properly tho - notes, riffs etc and would also like to develop the voice.  Apart from that I'd have to go with drums but I strongly suspect I don't have the gift, the discipline or the rhythm!

cool

I'm the son of rage and love

Re: Instruments you wish you could play

Hi Robin,

Nice to see you back with us.

I gave up learning the piano to concentrate on guitar when I was in my teens, a decision still I regret.

Roger

"Do, or do not; there is no try"

Re: Instruments you wish you could play

Went to Siberia and saw people playing balilikas - a three string guitar. Heard a super fine band playing two standard balilikas and a balilika bass. They made good music on those.

We pronounce it "Guf Coast".
Ya'll wanna go down to the Guf?

Re: Instruments you wish you could play

Zurf wrote:

I think of you learn a piano keyboard in the context of theory, that all instruments thereafter will be easier to learn.  My daughter wants to play drums, but we are having her learn piano in a course that emphasizes theory and rhythm first.  Our thinking is that a formal understanding of rhythm will apply to percussion very well, and early exposure to theory will allow her to understand the role played by percussion in the overall music of whatever band she eventually plays in.  She was highly resistant to the piano, but now a month into it is enthralled.  She practices every day, many times more than once, and she is already reading music and understanding how major chords go together.  I've got her practicing with a metronome and she's learning about steady timing right from the start.

This is a fundamental truth.  Theory is applicable to any instrument you pick up.

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

Re: Instruments you wish you could play

Nyckeharpa, just because it's impossible to pronounce.  And probably equally as impossible to tune.  big_smile

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Nyckelharpa_built_by_fredrik_soderstrom.jpg

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

Re: Instruments you wish you could play

That thing looks like it was made too drive you mad when you tune or play it!

my papy said son your going too drive me too drinking if you dont stop driving that   Hot  Rod  Lincoln!! Cmdr cody and his lost planet airman

Re: Instruments you wish you could play

I wanna learn bass and drums. Can't afford to at the moment. sad

"Where you begin doesn't matter. Your willingness to start is what counts."
Without music life would be a mistake.
Country music is three chords and the truth.
cool cool cool cool cool cool

Re: Instruments you wish you could play

jerome.oneil wrote:

Nyckeharpa, just because it's impossible to pronounce.  And probably equally as impossible to tune.  big_smile

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c … rstrom.jpg

It looks like a stringed instrument designed to fill a vacuum after bagpipes were outlawed.

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude

Re: Instruments you wish you could play

Zurf wrote:
jerome.oneil wrote:

Nyckeharpa, just because it's impossible to pronounce.  And probably equally as impossible to tune.  big_smile

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c … rstrom.jpg

It looks like a stringed instrument designed to fill a vacuum after bagpipes were outlawed.

Bagpipes outlawed? Did not know that. Soooo cool!
Can we pass another law against violas and accordians?

We pronounce it "Guf Coast".
Ya'll wanna go down to the Guf?

Re: Instruments you wish you could play

Accordians, what an instrument.  In the right hands they sounded good.  When I was about 12, I had a friend that played one.  I didn't get it then and I don't get it now. I guess during the Lawrence Welk days they were all the rage.

You can see all my video covers on [url]http://www.youtube.com/bensonp1000[/url]
I have finally found happiness in my life.  Guitars, singing, beer and camping.  And they all intertwine wonderfully.

Re: Instruments you wish you could play

Perhaps this will change your mind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5qx-wlAXWg

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude

Re: Instruments you wish you could play

bensonp wrote:

Accordians, what an instrument.  In the right hands they sounded good.  When I was about 12, I had a friend that played one.  I didn't get it then and I don't get it now. I guess during the Lawrence Welk days they were all the rage.

A gentleman is a man that can play the accordion, but doesn't.

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

Re: Instruments you wish you could play

Zurf wrote:
jerome.oneil wrote:

Nyckeharpa, just because it's impossible to pronounce.  And probably equally as impossible to tune.  big_smile

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c … rstrom.jpg

It looks like a stringed instrument designed to fill a vacuum after bagpipes were outlawed.

There is a Swedish band called Vasen that plays it. I caught them at Wintergrass last year with Daryl Anger.  It's actually got that "old timey" fiddle sound.  If you like that, you'll probably like this.

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

Re: Instruments you wish you could play

steelstrings wrote:

I wanna learn bass and drums. Can't afford to at the moment. sad

Take the two highest strings off your guitar, and you've got a bass layout to practice with.

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]