Question of the Day - Tuesday, August 19

Hello to all



What instrument(s) can you play?



Or, what instrument would you like to learn how to play?



I used to play the violin many years ago - mainly fiddle style. But the poor thing broke many times! And just couldn't afford a proper one. I also had a short stint playing the French Horn in middle school. And I can play one song on the guitar, haw haw. It is a good though, I would rather listen/dance to beautiful music by truly talented people then have myself play.

If I were to choose an instrument to try out nowadays, it would probably be the harp.

I also played violin, back in elementary school.  I probably would have continued but when we moved from NY to NJ, they didn't have in-school music classes as part of the curriculum.  You'd have to pay for it on the side and well, there was no money in my family for music lessons.  Played the recorder which I don't even consider an instrument now lol.  Also was able to play organ/piano by ear (poorly).

Now, I'd love to learn the guitar, acoustic.  Maybe one day.  I still have a love for the violin but wouldn't want to try that again.

I played trombone from 5th grade through 12th grade, and played for a few semesters when I attended community college.

Because I received my instrument later than everyone else in the class, I kinda cheated and learned to play by slide position. I'd number my music so that I'd know how to play each note. The notes' positions on the staff told me what embouchure to use. By the time I was in HS, I no longer had to number the music, but I still read music in that way, seeing numbers on the staff instead of notes. If someone asked me to play a G, for example, I'd have no idea, but show me a G on the staff, and I could play it. This came in handy when my director had me learn the valve trombone. He simply told me the conversion of valve position to slide position, and I went to town. That was when he discovered that I didn't read music like a normal musician. I can also play the Baritone.

In college I played in the Day Jazz Band. We got to perform at the Meyerson Symphony Center twice. 

I was never good at jazz improv (soloing), but I could play any piece you put in front of me. 

A few years ago, I decided that I wasn't going to play my horn again, so I donated it to the music department of the local Arts Magnet school.

I never played an instrument growing up, I was in sports instead. My cousins played violin, guitar, piano... I really just had no interest. I wouldn't object vocal lessons though. Your voice is an instrument, right? 

I played trumpet for 12 years, French horn for 2 years. I love the sound of both horns. The French horn is so eerie and other-worldly, but the trumpet gets the melodies - much more fun!

I also played bass guitar in a band for a year - I learned to play for the band, I wasn't great but it wasn't very difficult (since it's just one note at a time). With trumpet I received some recognition, I was a pretty decent musician. I can't play any more, I tried, my asthma is too advanced now. 

I've always wanted to learn piano - that's on my bucket list. I can already read treble and bass clefs and my hands have a good finger spread, so I think it would be really doable. Just need a piano!

Piano lessons for 14 years. I hated them. Now? I wish I would have continued.

I can only play the piano very casually - had lessons for maybe four years, only did one formal exam for Royal Conservatory for either second or third grade. I don't compose and I can't sight read to save my life, but if I'm really invested in a pre-existing composition I can learn it if I have the song to listen to and the sheet music. It expedites the process if I can see the fingering other people use too.

I would lovelovelove to get better at piano (just a time investment and commitment thing), learn cello and guitar, and my pipe dream instruments are the guzheng and erhu. Super expensive and hard to get in North America, and next to no one to teach it.

I started playing violin at the beginning of this year and absolutely love it. I find that I have an easier time learning since starting the violin. I wasn't able to read music when I started either, and now i'm grasping it as I go along!

I would love to know how to play the guitar and piano.  I don't know how to play any instrument.

I always wanted to learn the piano. I played around with it in school but didn't get anywhere with it.

Flute! I like the harp a lot, too, but have never even seen a real one up close... I know a tiny bit of piano, but not much. 

I would love to be able to play guitar like Emily Saliers - wouldn't that be marvelous? My fingers, however, don't bend that way!