which instrument would you love to play?

Subject: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Andy7
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 07:32 PM

For me, it would definitely be the piano.

I have such an admiration for pianists, who can read treble clef and bass clef at the same time! I did try to learn piano while at college, many years ago, but never progressed beyond very basic tunes.

Which instrument would you love to be able to play?

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 08:04 PM

I can give either the long answer or the short one. I'll opt for the short one:

The banjo.

From my earliest memories, I recall being in love with the sound. I grew up listening to Pete Seeger, Erik Darling, Alex Hassilev, Roger (Jim) McGuinn... anyway, first and foremost for me, it was the banjo.

Unfortunately, my dad was dead set against it, so it never happened. He did surprise me (at age 6) with my first guitar, but at the time it proved to be more of a problem than anything else. Long story, but it is relevant to this thread. Perhaps I'll relate it later.

But, anyway, for me it was the banjo.


Jay

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 08:38 PM

I play the diatonic harmonica, both blues harpery and tremolo, and have tried to make a good fist of playing traditional Irish music on it, though it's hardly regarded as mainstream. I've done me bit in trying to put that unjust situation right, but, if I had me time again, it would be the fiddle. Unless the good Lord equipped me with the requisite digital capability, combined with a supremely multitasking brain, attributes that would equip me for being the true heir of Liam O'Flynn, yes it would be the fiddle.

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 10:59 PM

irish pipes

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 02:56 AM

5 string banjo.

Dave H

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: BobL
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 03:18 AM

Bagpipes (any sort except highland war pipes). However my experiences with a tin whistle showed that I am not a woodwind man. Pipes do not come cheap, and I have more enjoyable ways of wasting money.

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 03:56 AM

I know so many good guitarists. Why can't I be like them?

I can't help thinking that it's because I'm basically lazy...

But hey, I can sing (I think).

Joe

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 04:32 AM

Anything!
RtS

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Johnny J
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 04:33 AM

Any of those I have got now would be a start. ;-))))))

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 04:47 AM

Duet concertina.

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Will Fly
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 04:53 AM

Whoops - last post from me without cookie...

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 05:04 AM

Pedal steel guitar - Trouble with the Truth - Patty Loveless!

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: GUEST,Henry Piper of Ottery
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 05:17 AM

The Trombone !!   I love Jazz and always had a Hankering to play the trombone and emulate my heroes Jack Teagarden or "Cutty" Cutshall I even bought one about ten years ago with the intention of learning on my retirement, but sadly an accident resulting in a broken jaw and the loss of quite a few teeth made the whole process uncomfortable and put paid to my dream !!.

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Raedwulf
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 05:29 AM

The harp, and I don't care what size. I've had a clarsach (or however you spell it) for 25+ years - 23 wire strings - but in my intermittent attempts to learn to play, I can never get past the fumble-fingered bit. And there's the rub, with any instrument - the first 10% and the last 10%. Getting out of "can't play anything" and getting to... professional standard, I suppose. The 80% in between is the easy bit. I maybe made 91% on guitar once upon a time, I've never made 9.1% on the harp!

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: gillymor
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 06:06 AM

To be able to fiddle like maybe Aly Bain or Jay Ungar. I had access to one for a short while about 20 years ago and learned to scratch out a few simple tunes, it having the same tuning as a mandolin, but it was murder on my wrist and shoulder to contort them into playing position and I realized I started several decades too late

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 06:28 AM

I have never shown any musical aptitude. We had a piano at home yet although now I fantasize about being Fats or Errol or Pinetop, I never showed any interest as a child. I never made sense of music notation when they tried to teach me. I wanted to be Louis Armstrong but could never afford even a second hand trumpet to get free lessons at school and as I grew to adolescence, adulthood and now declining into old age, I just settled for the fact that I'd just sing badly (and too loudly) fumble on washboard and toot away on kazoo, whenever I found a tolerant audience. Maybe if I get reincarnated I could play slide like Mississippi Fred.
RtS

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: GUEST,DTM
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 07:12 AM

Though I can bash out a few chords on it, I'd love to be able to play the piano like Valentina Lisitsa ;-)

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 10:38 AM

Fiddle. It's so versatile and blends well. I've long given up thoughts of playing one.

The instrument I've most toyed with trying to play in more recent times is the button accordion, B/C or possibly C#/D (I did once upon a time dabble with D/G melodeon). I'd probably want to start off with something like the Irish Boube and wouldn't want anything hard work for Irish reels so cost is one stopping point for me at the moment. Also there is the recurring question as to whether these days I'd remain dedicated enough to learning.

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: GUEST,Peter
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 11:20 AM

I have picked out tunes painfully on several instruments but have a block between my ears and my fingers.

I'd love to be able to play something, anything, but my problem with tunes doesn't extend to my feet so I'll just stick to being a reasonably competent dancer.

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 11:50 AM

I had six weeks (at age twelve) of clarinet lessons , then we moved
but when I was introduced to Trad Jazz at sixteen (I was in a in a Pipe and trumpet band learning Highland pipes)it had to be the clarinet I started on . By the time I discovered Folk in 1964 I had
clarinet , soprano , alto and tenor sax , so whistle was my first
folk instrument , and I have added guitar , banjo and mandoline now
IF I had the pennies , I would love to try Small pipes 1

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 11:57 AM

Hurdy Gurdy

Bagpipes

Cimbalom

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 11:59 AM

I'd love to play accordion but I have been trying and failing for the last 5 years!

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: StephenH
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 01:13 PM

Well, first I would have to agree with Johnny J's post at 04:33!
I am moderately competent on mandolin and fiddle but am unlikely to ever
get beyond the ability to play simple tunes, and chords to accompany
myself when I sing.
However - since we are indulging in wishful thinking here:
Like some others, it would be the pipes for me, with preference given
to the Northumbrian smallpipes

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 01:51 PM

French Horn was what I always fancied at school: never got the chance, and too old and short of puff to try now! I know that they are often just filling in harmonies in the symphony orchestra, but they do have their beautiful solo moments, e.g the Nocturne in Mendelsshohn's Midsummer Night's Dream, or the Mozart Horn Concertos.
Uilleann pipes too: went to a "come and try" session at Celtic connections once, but realised my hands are too small to stretch some of the distances required. Also tried Northumbrian pipes, and they were much more manageable!

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 03:21 PM

Uilleann pipes, harp and sheng all at the same time.

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: GUEST,Johnmc
Date: 29 Apr 18 - 05:42 AM

I second pedal steel. There would, of course, be the degree in mechanical engineering
required to maintain it. And then the music theory course to understand the tuning.
I guess, also, natural pitch would help. But what a sound, a Lay Lady Lay.
And it's to be found unexpectedly on lots of recordings you love.

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: banjoman
Date: 29 Apr 18 - 06:12 AM

Medical problems have seriously reduced my ability to play. I would love to play banjo the way I used to. Still knocking out a few tunes but no stamina.

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Mooh
Date: 29 Apr 18 - 07:36 AM

Pipe organ and keyboards generally. I play a bit of piano, grew up around church organs, and have even been a page turner for an organist.

Violin. I have a decent one and can hack out a melody poorly, but haven't had time to commit to it. I have a duo with a violinist so I know what's required, but at my age I might have timed out.

Pedal steel. Maybe a more realistic goal as I already play lap steel.

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Ernest
Date: 29 Apr 18 - 11:40 AM

Fiddle and 5-string banjo.

Being really good on those I do play (harmonica, uke) wouldn`t be that bad too.... ;0)

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: ST
Date: 29 Apr 18 - 11:54 AM

Quena. And since you're not asking to be realistic, the Irish flute as well.

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 29 Apr 18 - 12:42 PM

Fortunately the range of organ family of instruments are very well catered for
with superbly authentic affordable digital sample based software emulations...

I owned a late victorian pedal pump missionarie's portable reed organ
for a short while,
but the bellows and wood were too rotten with health hazardous mould for economic repair
and the wife eventually forced me to chuck it out on a skip a few streets away,
late at night under cover of darkness...

..to my eternal sadness and shame...

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 29 Apr 18 - 02:56 PM

I hope you salvaged the reeds first, pfr.

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 29 Apr 18 - 03:40 PM

Sadly no...

after a night out consuming very strong bottled lager the wife made it exceptionally clear
I needed to dispose of it IMMEDIATELY...!!!!!!

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: GUEST,Lin
Date: 29 Apr 18 - 06:49 PM

The Sitar

Live in Southern California and no one in my area teaches this instrument.
Sure, there are plenty of instrument stores that teach guitar, drums, banjo, etc but no one teaches the sitar.
I would have to probably play a smaller version then a regular size one as I have small hands.

I'm sure they are very expensive to buy and if I did find an instructor I guess you have to already have my own sitar unless they happened to have a second sitar to teach students on.
Pretty hard to take a sitar on buses to get to lessons unless they could come to your home to teach me how to play this instrument.

Anyone know a sitar teacher in Southern, California?   :-))

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: GUEST,ottery
Date: 29 Apr 18 - 07:11 PM

Would love to try and learn to play the English concertina, but will probably never be able to afford one.

If I ever have regular access to a sound proof room, I will take up my fiddle playing again with great enthusiasm and no ability. But I have missed playing my Niel Gow tunes.

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: sian, west wales
Date: 30 Apr 18 - 11:44 AM

Yes, I'm with you re: English concertina, ottery.

Raedwulf, I don't know where you are, but there is a very good
Beginners Folk Harp at Haliburton Summer School of the Arts in central Ontario - cottage country. It's for 5 days and I've known people go on it with very little knowledge of music, let alone harp. You don't even have to have a harp; there are rentals available.

And there's a Beginners II course as well, earlier on.

Lovely spot to spend a few days.

sian, west wales

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Senoufou
Date: 30 Apr 18 - 12:05 PM

I can play the piano by ear using both hands and doing chords etc. but can't read music. I have also played the big organ in church (but not the pedals)
I'd like to be able to play the violin (reels and jigs, not classical stuff)

When I was a little girl, I had a Hohner harmonica and a recorder, and could do quite a bit with them.

And a Fyffes banana!!! In the early sixties they gave away plastic hollow bananas made like a whistle, with eight holes. I could play several jolly tunes on that, but my father chucked it away as he said it was driving him mad. :(

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 30 Apr 18 - 01:31 PM

Taiko drums.

If I could also be 30 years younger and look like this in a loincloth.

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 Apr 18 - 01:43 PM

on the back of comics when i was a kid - they used to sell jokes - itching powder, floating sugar cubes, x ray specs,   a seebackroscope....

i always fancied a go on the nose flute. i could never afford one.

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Senoufou
Date: 30 Apr 18 - 01:49 PM

Good gracious Jack! That's very...er...revealing isn't it? hee hee

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 30 Apr 18 - 02:47 PM

I HAVE played Taiko drums wiith a group at one of the festivals I go to regularly. They did a workshop with their precious drums! Fantastic experience, but every muscle and tendon in both firearms was stiff for days after!
And no, I was not dressed like that!

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 30 Apr 18 - 04:35 PM

There is a regular Edinburgh group, the Edinburgh Taiko Dojo - our Middle Eastern group was on the same bill as them a couple of weeks ago. More women than men. Really good. But their uniform is unrevealing black outfits with big floppy orange jackets so you don't see this either.

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 30 Apr 18 - 05:50 PM

Oops - forearms, not firearms! Nice dress! Were I a bit slimmer and 50 years younger....!

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 30 Apr 18 - 07:10 PM

Here's inspiration to you all...

Well, I Should Have...

As for me? Banjo. 5-string. Took lessons close to 50 years ago, but my overly (and unnecessarily)jealous then-husband (long time before Tom) chased my banjo instructor out of the house, er, apartment. His actions backfired on him, but I never did learn to play the banjo.

My fantasy is to play English-system concertina. As noted above, it's not the easiest instrument to play, but one of its more difficult aspects is affording one.

I have one. Tom's metal-ended Lachenal. Now I just have to smooth my life out enough that I can start fooling around with it.

Linn

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Mooh
Date: 30 Apr 18 - 09:22 PM

Besides the aforementioned, I did always want to play drums but I have neither the space nor the confidence anymore.

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 01 May 18 - 08:48 AM

Hardangerfele, Norwegian fiddle with sympathetic strings

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 01 May 18 - 11:55 AM

One that I haven't got very far with yet (bought a few months ago): the Turkish tanbur - long-necked microtonally fretted baritone banjo, for a couple of centuries the standard lead instrument for Turkish classical music. Here's one of the best living players:

Murat Aydemir: Ussak taksim

The technique is like nothing I've ever played before - melodies pretty much stay on one course and you're up and down that immensely long neck.

According to Evliya Celebi, writing in the 17th century, it was the standard instrument of Sodom and Gomorrah. He played it himself and seems to have started the tradition of banjo jokes.

Subject: RE: which instrument would you love to play?
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 01 May 18 - 11:58 AM

I used to love visiting The Hornimans Museum....
one of the few things I miss about living in London...