What other instruments do you play besides piano?

[robert35i]

I also play bass guitar/electric guitar and keyboards. What about you guys??

[ThEmUsIcMaNBJ]

Clarinet...Sax....and marching snare, bass, and tenor drums.....

[amee]

Nothing...

[Stral]

Cool topic.  

I play keyboards exclusively now.  Would I rather play a piano?  Well, at first I would have.  After six years of childhood training (mostly classical) I bought the keyboard as a compromise wanting to get back into music.  Better something than nothing I thought (living arrangements plus the odd hours I keep don't facilitate a piano).  Now I'm in love with the synthesizer, and am turning into quite the synthesis geek.  Music is completely different to me now.  Instead of playing to further my abilities as a pianist, I'm playing to further my ability to control my new instrument (the synth).  This change in outlook has been one of the most rewarding aspects of picking up a keyed instrument again.

I'm also a closet drummer.  Meaning, I don't play but I'm fascinated to the point of obsession with mathematical music, syncopation and polyrhythms.  

[88keys]

I play a synth, in addition to piano. And I also "play" a digital orchestra, made out of my synth and my computer.

Before all those who hate MIDI come to tear my studio apart:

A digital orchestra can sound wonderful, with the correct hardware, a bit of technical knowledge, and lots of hard work.

[Stral]

I second that 88keys.  What kind of gear do you play on?  

[88keys]

My keyboard is a Casio CTK-711EX - Not a bad instrument, but for good orchestral sounds it is hardly sufficient. For quality playback, I use the soundblaster live card on my computer, together with the best orchestral soundfonts I could find installed.

Among these soundfonts, I have an incredible 25MB sample of a Steinway 7'6'' (I think) Grand Piano! - the guy who made this file actually went through the trouble of recording every single key of a real Steinway, in several attack velocities. So when I connect my CTK711 to the computer...you gotta hear this thing to believe it, but it really sounds like a real 7'6'' Grand!

For editing MIDI, I use my music notation program, FINALE. Hardly the ideal choice, as far as sequencing MIDI is concerned, but it gets the job done. And as a bonus, you get all the music neatly notated and ready to print after you finish editing.

[Stral]

Cool man.  I think I may have that sample (or a similar one) on a cd somewhere.  Is it the KeySolutions Steinway?  

Anyways, my board has an onboard sequencer and arranger, but finale is useful in order to pump out sheet music.  One problem I've had with it is that it tends to have problems annotating 32nd notes, but it's livable.  

As far as sound card is concerned I'm using an Audiophile 24/96.  It sounds amazing, especially when you record through GigaStudio or ProTools.  There are so many options with this technology, it's amazing how closeminded some people can be towards it though!  

[88keys]

This close-mindedness has a very simple reason:

Only 10 years ago, a good MIDI orchestra was simply a technical impossibility. MIDI was certainly good enough to create your own rock sequences, or to back up a country singer, but realistic orchestral sounds was pure science fiction at the time.

What's worse, many MIDI users did not have the courage (or the ears) required to admit these limitations, and tried too often to "impress" classical musicians with cheesy MIDI performences of orchestral works.

It takes only one listening to Beethoven's 5th on an old soundblaster card, to make a MIDI non-professional hate this thing... And when the tech geeks boast at how "good" the sample sounds, it doesn't help either.

Of-course, times has changed. Today all one needs is an average sound card (the Audiophile really is an overkill for this purpose), and high quality samples which are freely available on the internet. But most people who heard the horrible MIDI of 10 years ago is not likely to give this medium a second chance.

Another problem is, that even today many MIDI amateurs (and some pros as well) don't realize the kind and amount of work needed to create a good classical music sequence: Many don't appreciate the need of very high quality samples (the ones coming with the average soundcard are roughly 100 times too small). Niether do they understand that it is their job, rather than their computer's, to supply the human "feel" for the music - either by recording it live from a musical keyboard, or manually changing the tempo and dynamics in the MIDI file itself.

The result of this ignorance is, quite often, monotonic cheesy MIDI sequences which are only a trifle better than the ones existing 10 years ago. And sadly, most MIDI music found on the web today is of this low quality, thus perpetuating the myth of "MIDI orchestras always stink"

[Stral]

I agree with pretty much everyone you've said 88keys about midi, a very sensible explanation.  As far as the Audiophile being overkill, I think it depends on what you want to do.  If you ever plan on using your computer to produce music that will be available to the general public (i.e. as a low-budget alternative to studio time) a Creative Labs product is just not going to cut it.  Besides, if you've got the money to spend you may as well get the best    

I wouldn't suggest that someone who just wants to record their own playing for the enjoyment of their friends and family get an Audiophile, however if you plan on doing anything even semi-serious the investment is well worth it (without the bloated software bundle that Creative is known for).

[chelsey]

Replying to the original topic, in addition to piano I play the alto saxophone and viola. I think these two instruments have helped me greatly in growing more musical.

Because you have to work hard to create a better tone, playing these instruments have made me more aware of the relationship between body and mind while playing music. For example, when playing a wind instrument you have to be aware of breathing while phrasing musical lines.

Playing a stringed instrument has greatly assisted my ear-training and sensitivity to tone.

I've learned so much about playing in ensembles; playing with other musicians - blending, tuning, etc. With the sax, I've had so many great experiences in concert band, playing in all star band and recently jazz band (where I'm learning improvisational techniques). I have a great music teacher who is really inspiring and motivational.


Chelsey

[88keys]

Stral, you are of-course right in the sense that a better quality sound card will result in better quality.

But the main point I'm trying to make is that even an average sound card can yield excellent midi results if used properly. If a person can't set up a convincing performence of Beethoven's 5th on the SB Live, a better sound card is not going to help him... Only if you can achieve near-perfection with an average sound card, will you benifit from something like the Audiophile.

At least, this is the situation with classical-style orchestral music. Perhaps there are other issues in rock/pop music which cause the SB Live to bomb... something which I'm totally unaware of due to my lack of experience in this particular field.

[Franz_Liszt]

I play the piano, nothing else.

[BoliverAllmon]

I play, played, or will be playing next semester in college....violin, bass guitar, classical guitar, keyboard, and piano.

boliver Allmon

[Johnnylightning]

E-phlat Alto Sax!  

      <thread-jakk question> Does anyone know if the fingering for the clarinet is the same as the sax (alto)?

[dinosaurtales]

Um.... Yes, I do.  No, they're not.  I play the clarinet, and I've mucked about (badly) on the sax.  There are many notes in the basic scales and registers that are the same, but lots of differences in accidentals, and in extreme registers.  If you know sax well, you could learn clarinet pretty easily.  

[Johnnylightning]

Thanks D-Tales!  Know of any other woods that may be sax related, keywise?

[dinosaurtales]

Actually, I think all the woodwind have some core fingering similarities, but the sax(es) and clarinet(s) are most similar to each other.  They also have closer emberchures (sp?) - flutes and oboes require learning how to blow the darned things, which I don't know how to do.  But I can goof around on a sax without much fuss.  Give the clarinet a whirl - although I'll warn you - their squeaks are way worse!

[xenon]

i play piano, predominantly.  i fill in for glock/xylophone/vibes if there is a need in band.  i play tenor trombone in concert band, and bass trombone in jazz band.  i can also play the organ (im learning), the harmonica, and soprano, alto, and bass recorder.  i can work my way around most brass instruments too...tho not great.  i play piano, and i stick to it

[R.Q.]

I play guitar, violin, flute, recorder, ocarina, accordian, and 88keys midi orchestra  

But I'm a virtuoso on the piano and only seni-proficient with the other stuff.

~ Young Virtuoso

[eddie92099]

I have played the clarinet, 'cello and organ but found them very frustrating. Now I only play the piano but I am about to start jazz which should be fun,
Ed

[dj]

i play the drums and synth pretty regularly at church but i've never studied either and i pretty much stick 2 piano

[la_carrenio2003]

I sing and play the "cuatro" -in spanish, "four"-, a folk venezuelan instrument with four strings, like a little guitar. Of course, it's as hard as any string instrument but I play only in an elementary level to accompany myself singing folk venezuelan music.

[TwinkleFingers]

i had a dream that I was playing a pipe organ. Does that count?

[TwinkleFingers]

Call me old fashioned. But synths just dont have the same "feel" as a piano does.  They are getting better and better but still not there.  Does anyone know about the Epianos that use actual actions and small strings to simulate the feel of a real piano?

[ahmedito]

I play the piano, and am a closet organist and harpsichordist...

Ive played classical trumpet since I was 8 years old, but when I was 16 I quit it in favor of the piano.

[tatiana]

I played piano since I turned 7 y.o., (not also teaching). All the way through college (4 y.) I played accordion, that heavy thing, and can you imagine - they forgot to put it in my records or passed subjects! It doesn't mean I can't play it (if I found one somewhere). Ha-ha! Piano is the best though!

[thetiniestspark]

I am very serious about the marimba.  

[Laurationg]

I have played violin, guitar, recorder, and electronic organ before, but still find piano "speaks" more naturally for me.  I guess you can call it my "soul mate"!
;op

[88_keys]

Call me old fashioned. But synths just dont have the same "feel" as a piano does.

You are absolutely right.

As far as "feel" in concerned, there really is no substitute for a good acoustic piano.

However, if you are only concerned with the SOUND of the instrument, the high-end digital pianos are just as good as the real thing.

The reason for this is simple:

The sound of a good digital piano is, quite simply, a recording of the real thing. When you press a certain key at a certain velocity, the digital piano fetches a recording of the exact same key pressed with the approximate same velocity on a real grand piano...

Even a low-end digital piano usually sounds better then a typical upright piano. It might not FEEL as a piano, but it certainly does SOUND like one.

[eddie92099]

The "recording" of every different dynamic of all notes corresponding to different velocities downwards is of course an impossible task. It reminds me of a small anecdote: Rachmaninov was asked to record on the latest player-piano, which he was told could record 50 gradations of tone. He replied "But I have 51!",
Ed

[cold_static544]

yeah i play guitar more of lead electric guitar, i'm a newbie at piano lol, anybody else plays electric guitar around here? maybe we can talk abit about gear lol...

[inkiepoo]

I play the piano, organ and recorder. But my favorite will always be the piano!

[bernhard]

I play the recorder. A nice thing about it is that it pushed me into ensemble playing (sometimes I solo, sometimes I accompany other recorder players, and sometimes I play in recorder consorts). I started the recorder about ten years ago, and before that it was a solitary piano life... It had not occurred to me then to accompany other instruments.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[liszmaninopin]

I used to play the cello, and enjoyed it quite a bit.  However, I eventually stopped after I started practicing the piano and found I liked it even more.  Now all I play is piano, but I still greatly enjoy cello music.

[starpianist]

I play the violin in my school's orchestra, besides the piano. It is getting busier now, but I'm somehow still keeping up with piano and violin. I have private lessons for each instrument which makes it even busier including my auditions and recitals.

[pies]

Skin flute

[letters]

ive played the piano since i was 5 n the flute since i was 7... i have grade 8 in both i play the flute in the county youth orchestra and school orchestra... cant say which one i like best tho!! i play the piano a lot more because i have a lot more music for it and i cant be arsed to get my flute out. I also sing in the school choir but im not very good.

[pianowolfi]

I used to play the cello. Bach suites no. 1 and 3  were the most advanced pieces I've played.. But i have no more time now since years and also too less energy.

[mycrabface]

Um.... Yes, I do.  No, they're not.  I play the clarinet, and I've mucked about (badly) on the sax.  There are many notes in the basic scales and registers that are the same, but lots of differences in accidentals, and in extreme registers.  If you know sax well, you could learn clarinet pretty easily.  

Are you serious??? I thought if you play the clarinet, you should be able to learn the sax easily cuz cl needs more breath support and sax fingerings are easier to learn, though really MASTERING the sax requires alot more out of you.
i play e flat, alto and b flat clarinet, piano, violin and er hu(chinese flute)

[quantum]

Are you serious??? I thought if you play the clarinet, you should be able to learn the sax easily cuz cl needs more breath support and sax fingerings are easier to learn, though really MASTERING the sax requires alot more out of you.
i play e flat, alto and b flat clarinet, piano, violin and er hu(chinese flute)

I thought the erhu was the Chinese violin and the dizi was the flute?

I play Clarinet, some T Sax, and some accordion.  I attempt to play the organ.  I dabbed into the zhonghu for a year. 

[mycrabface]

I thought the erhu was the Chinese violin and the dizi was the flute?

I play Clarinet, some T Sax, and some accordion.  I attempt to play the organ.  I dabbed into the zhonghu for a year. 

its not a violin, dammit! i'm so sorry  it was late at night and i was tired.. yes i play erhu and its not a flute LOL

[ganymed]

i play flute since im little but i kind of regret that i didnt start playing piano instead >_>

[thalbergmad]

Me plays the Banjolele as well as the 4 string and 5 string Banjo's

Thal

[pianistimo]

i never heard of a 'closet organist.'  hmm.  i guess i might be one of those, too.

[ilikepie]

Nothing. I want to learn the violin, and I want my sister to take lessons, so I could borrow her violin when she isn't using it, and play it   

[annoying_airhead]

Guitar & violin.

[mycrabface]

Nothing. I want to learn the violin, and I want my sister to take lessons, so I could borrow her violin when she isn't using it, and play it   

lol.. my friend plays eupho and he has a sister who's in 1st clarinet, so he's tried out her instrument as well

[kelly_kelly]

Viola. Honestly I'm equally advanced in both instruments (which isn't saying much; only about Grade 8 in each;D). But I'm more "recognized", if you will, for my viola playing- I can get into pretty much any youth orchestra around here. But there are several pianists far better than I am in my class alone. There's one advantage to playing a less popular instrument.