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Topic: I want to play another instrument. Help please!  (Read 1895 times)

Offline xCK06x

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I want to play another instrument. Help please!
on: May 26, 2005, 10:15:52 PM
Hello everybody! I have been playing the piano for a while now (rufly 5 years on and off), the only problem is I don't have any place to practice since I don't own a piano myself and I hate keyboards so I won't play them. I really want to start a new instrument, I was thinking something along the lines of: violin, viola, string bass, or cello. I would also be eager to play an unusual and unique instrument. I don't have a steady flow of income, so getting professional lessons would be hard for me to do. I would really enjoy something that I could teach myself how to play (I have some friends who are good with instruments too so they could help). Any suggestions? Please also tell me what are some of the pros and cons to the instrument. I am willing to work extremely hard and practice a lot; music, like it is the same for you fine folks, is my life. thank you very much!

Offline c18cont

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Re: I want to play another instrument. Help please!
Reply #1 on: May 26, 2005, 10:40:17 PM
You will like cello...

However, you might consider the Irish Flute or even the Uillean Pipes, (a kind of beautiful, mournful bagpipe...) With the increasing interest in Gaelic and other Irish historical music it is an interesting field...I have both, but do not play very well..

John Cont

Offline xCK06x

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Re: I want to play another instrument. Help please!
Reply #2 on: May 26, 2005, 10:56:29 PM
Thanks! Are these instruments self-teachable? I heard people say that you shouldn't really try teaching instruments to yourself :'( especially the cello.

Offline c18cont

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Re: I want to play another instrument. Help please!
Reply #3 on: May 27, 2005, 01:06:18 AM
As a brief statement,

The cello needs a teacher...but...you can learn basics from the web...I know a few who have done so.

The so called "end blown" flutes, (as compared to the familiar "cross" flute, blown frome the side, and called transverse in modern usage), are not difficult, but are troublesome to become a really fine performer. They, in the metal form, are often called "tin whistle" in local parlance...The wood flute is most desirable and sells for some $75 to several hundred according to the wood...

The "pipes", which are double reed, may be learned by buying the chanteur first, and learning to control the sound, and later adding the drones...There are sites and teachers on the web...They do require much thought and time, but are very much sought in todays music, as they have a flavor and poignancy quite unlike anything else normally heard...

Best,  John Cont

Offline jamie0168

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Re: I want to play another instrument. Help please!
Reply #4 on: May 29, 2005, 03:22:59 AM
I'll tell you about the only other instrument I play...the clarinet. Pros: doesn't require alot of energy (holding it up, or alot of air), don't have to learn vibrato or double-tongueing(sounds terrible), reasonable amount of music written for it. Cons: embeschure (I know I didn't spell that right) is tough to master in some cases, high notes take a little while to master, low notes are easy, if you get a wooden one, you have to take VERY good care of it to keep it from getting cracks, i.e clean it every time you play, keep it at room temperature, keep reeds in a reed case. To get a good tone, it depends alot on the mouthpiece you choose.....99 out of 100, the right mouthpiece will be expensive (mine was $350).

Offline tenn

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Re: I want to play another instrument. Help please!
Reply #5 on: May 30, 2005, 07:32:43 PM
If you're going to try traditional music on the whistle I strongly recommend Susato.
It's plastic and reasonably cheap but it has a very nice tone and is perfectly in tune, even when you change key.

Offline andyaeola

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Re: I want to play another instrument. Help please!
Reply #6 on: May 31, 2005, 12:33:54 PM
An accordian (piano accordian or continental chromatic) or a concertina (duet) are effectively piano-style instruments and are great fun to play. 
Being reed instruments they produce a different sound, but like the piano they are part of a select group of instruments that can effectively be played solo or in accompaniment.  They lack independence of attack, ie each note gets the same volume which means the louder bass notes must be limited or they drown out the treble - not good for classical music in my opinion.

The great thing is, unlike any piano, you can take one with you wherever...the duet concertina was originally advertised as 'a piano you can carry' back in Victorian times.



Andy


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