Subject: What instruments do catters play? From: Sam Pirt Date: 11 Jun 99 - 05:53 PM I don't think that this tread has been done before but if it has sorry. I thought it would be a good idea to find out what catters play so you can find a catter who plays the same instrument as you!! The more people enter this thread the more usful it will be!!! I play Piano accordion, and have played that for seven years. Its my main instrument. Although I also play Bodhran, flute, whistle and of course spoons!!! Bye, Sam |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Fadac Date: 11 Jun 99 - 06:10 PM Hi Sam. I'm learning the piano accordion. I also play concertina, some penny wistle, some bones.
I've played the anglo for about 4-5 years now. The piano accordion sence last Oct. (just got out of Palmer Hughes Book #1.
On the concertina, sea chanties, and some Irish and English folk songs. (some Scottish & American too)
However, I think this thread ran once before, several months ago.
Fadac, da squeezer man. |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: emily rain Date: 11 Jun 99 - 07:14 PM harp, piano, guitar, recorder, voice just learning hammered dulcimer and considering purchasing a tin whistle. |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Herge Date: 11 Jun 99 - 07:49 PM Guitar both standard tunning and DADGAD, 'G' Banjo, Fiddle, Tenor banjo, mandolin, bouzouki, bodhran and a little whistle. Herge |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Bert Date: 11 Jun 99 - 07:53 PM I PRETEND to play guitar. 3 chords at least. Bert (whose really a singer) |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Jo Taylor Date: 11 Jun 99 - 08:00 PM 1. Flute (silvery type) 2. Sax 3. Other whistly things - d & g pennywhistles, tenor, descant & sopranino recorders 4. Guitar 5. Fiddle, & a little bit cello... And I sing after enough alcoholic lubrication... Not necessarily in order of importance or competance. Jo x |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: SueH Date: 11 Jun 99 - 08:04 PM I've played the penny whistle & flute on & off for years, learnt the piano as a child (that takes care of that then!) & am now learning the violin. In another 2 or 3 years perhaps I'll be able to call myself a violinist. My husband sings & plays the bodhran (no jokes please) & washboard. You can see a picture of him on his band's web site - ah, I've forgotten how to do a clicky thing. Back soon Sue |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: SueH Date: 11 Jun 99 - 08:11 PM Right, I think I've got it. To see the Tam Lin site, Click Here.
Sue |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: SueH Date: 11 Jun 99 - 08:15 PM Sorry if anyone tried - try this instead Click Here.
I'll get it right eventually! Sue |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Susan A-R Date: 11 Jun 99 - 09:08 PM I sing and play fiddle, mandolin, mountain dulcimer, viola, (really nice instrument in a folk context) and spoons (Who doesn't?) I have an electric base which I should learn to play, and I covet any mandola, bouzouki/octove mandolin that I meet. Susan |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Helen Date: 11 Jun 99 - 10:45 PM Emily, Do you mean a harp-with-strings-type harp or a blues harp. You have to be specific at Mudcat because it *is* a folk and blues site. I play Celtic lever harp, and flute, and I have also played around a bit with a doumbek (Egyptian drum) and a bodhran - but I don't inflict these instruments on other people - well, not very often anyway, not until I get better at it. Social responsibility, what a wonderful thing! Helen |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: sharon Date: 11 Jun 99 - 11:14 PM My main instrument (the one I occasionally allow myself to play in public) is the hammered dulcimer. I'm learning folk harp....wow, it's not as easy as I might have thought! I also play around with the pennywhistly and concertina. Oh, mustn't forget the mountain dulcimer. And occasionally I manage a few tunes on the assorted antique instruments I've found at auctions, antique shoppes, etc. |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: campfire Date: 12 Jun 99 - 12:16 AM Lately, the computer and the CD player. When I'm sufficiently motivated I've been known to play 6 and 12 string guitar and dulcimer, and sing. I used to have a mandolin, but didn't ever learn to play so found it a home where it is very much loved. Instruments don't deserve to be ignored. campfire |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: alison Date: 12 Jun 99 - 12:20 AM Hi, I know we had a thread on this before.... but I can't find it..... flute, whistles, bodhran, keyboards, accordion, ....still trying to master uilleann pipes, concertina, sax, guitar and mandolin....... oh ...and I play a mean shakey banana!!!! slainte alison |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Lonesome EJ Date: 12 Jun 99 - 12:29 AM I play the piano, sax, drums ,and guitar!!:) Giz |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: MissMac Date: 12 Jun 99 - 12:35 AM I play the bodhran and am learning the piano and just mastered the scales on the tin whistle. |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Jory Nash Date: 12 Jun 99 - 01:00 AM 6 & 12 string acoustic guitar, piano, little bit o banjo and many a layered vocal harmony. Cheers, Jory Nash |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: catspaw49 Date: 12 Jun 99 - 01:04 AM The usual folky group.....guitar, banjo, mandolin, autoharp, harmonica, Appalachian and Hammered Dulcimer (of which I'm also a builder). Working on blowing up the possum's ass (Hey Barb, the notes are improving). Learned piano at a young age but only use it to figure structures and progressions. Played bassoon, sax, clarinet, and flute in high school and a bit later, but got hooked on folk. catspaw |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Jeri Date: 12 Jun 99 - 11:11 AM I mostly play fiddle. I can play tinwhistle (D) well enough to play along with others. I used to play dulcimer, and can, somewhat. I'm trying to learn hammered dulcimer. I fool around on banjo, mandolin, bones, and spoons. I like to sing more than I like to play. I've always had a wimpy voice, and I've been extremely frustrated. Two weeks ago I asked a friend who sings very well and very loudly, for help. She pointed at someone else. I talked to him for about an hour, and he helped me immensely. Last night in a session, the subject of songs with dates in the first line came up, and I sang the first line of "Diesel and Shale." People looked at me like "yeah, and the rest is...?" I kept going and finished the song. I surprised people - one friend turned around and gave me a "what the hell" look. (He said later he couldn't believe that voice was coming out of me.) People sang along with the chorus. (On the 2 or 3 other occasions I attempted to sing, they didn't.) They applauded for what seemed like a long time when I finished. (They're regulars - I think they were acknowledging my accomplishment of actually being heard.) Please forgive me if this little "happy dance" is out of place, but after years of being virtually mute, finding my voice feels like a miracle. Yeah - I like to sing. |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: PJ Date: 12 Jun 99 - 11:46 AM Good for you Jeri! I can relate to your "happy dance"... I was a classical pianist for many years, just discovered traditional Irish & folk music recently. The sense of community and support for newcomers is unlike anything I've experienced in music before. Love the bodhran, I've studied several different styles in the last year, with some amazing bodhran players in San Francisco area. The whistle and recorder have been fun for me too. But every week in sessions I hear someone stand up and belt out a tune, with a voice so clear and strong my own bones vibrate, and I think to myself "that's one instrument I'll never be able to play". My husband (a professional singer for many years) was sweet and encouraging, and finally convinced me to give it a try. I had my first voice lesson yesterday, and I was scared to death. I'm a good enough musician to know I'm a lousy singer. I figured I've been given an old upright honky-tonk piano, and no matter how well I learn to play it, it will never have a Stienway tone. My teacher was precise and insightful. She made me feel comfortable, took me through a variety of exercises I could understand, then said "now make this sound..." What came out of my mouth surprised and amazed me. I looked around to see if there was a ventriloquist in the room. Did that come outta ME? "THAT'S your voice," she says. "We just have to teach you to use it when you sing." I felt foolish for getting teary-eyed, but it's so amazing to think that a sound like that is available to me! So good luck with your singing, sounds like you've got a lot of support-- and congratulations on finding the courage to belt one out in a room full of people! Does anybody else out there remember the first time you found your voice? PJ |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Rick Fielding Date: 12 Jun 99 - 12:31 PM Things with strings...pretty well. Things you blow into...adequately. Things you squeeze....abominably. Things you pound.....annoyingly. |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Night Owl Date: 12 Jun 99 - 12:44 PM Guitar, Autoharp and Mountain Dulcimer....(and "Taps" on the Fife. Jeri...Congratulations!!!!I'm feeling the same way you did. We had a great thread recently on how to sing, which included some valuable,useful, simple information and exercises. I can't find it and don't remember what the title was....anyone?? |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Jeri Date: 12 Jun 99 - 12:47 PM I started a new thread about singing at The Mouse that Roared (Finding Your Voice)
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Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: bseed(charleskratz) Date: 12 Jun 99 - 01:26 PM PJ--Welcome. I take it you're another Bay Area person. It seems there are quite a few of us, and some of us have managed to get together: Fadac, Dave Swan, my young friend Sonja, and I met at Quinn's Lighthouse in Oakland. Mike Billo is another--we've talked about meeting at the East Bay Fiddlin' and Pickin' potlucks, but haven't yet managed to make the connection. The next one is July 11 at the home of Alice Green, 2220 Sacramento, Berkeley (University Avenue exit, up University a half mile past San Pablo, right on Sacramento a couple of blocks). This one is coordinated by Jean and Jeff Crossley, (530) 795-2906. BTW, who is this voice teacher you mentioned? It sounds like a really exciting experience. --seed |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Ferrara Date: 12 Jun 99 - 04:47 PM Instrument-wise, I play zither, MacArthur harp (Pictures of both on the Mudcat photo album site) and guitar. Also misc stuff, eg piano and used to play violin, can play a dozen tunes on concertina but I don't own one. Can play rowdy stuff on a full-bass piano accordion. The zither is great for Civil War stuff and parlor songs. The little harp is good for anything that I can sing in C that has no sharps or flats. It has a bouncy old-timey sound. The guitar, a very nice Martin D-28, is much too good for me but I refuse to part with it. (I do have a Gurian which I may have to part with, though.) - Rita F |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: PJ Date: 12 Jun 99 - 07:36 PM Seed-- Thanks for the welcome. I am local and would love to meet the other EBMUDcatters. Don't know if I can get the time off work on the 11th, but I'll try- thanks for the invite. I also know the Lighthouse, when is the gang there next? I'll look for you among the peanut shells... My voice teacher is Juanita Ulloa. She has a studio in Oakland and another in Walnut Creek, which is where I study with her. I've been a teacher for a long time, and I love to watch someone with great teaching skills. Juanita has that in spades. Meanwhile, did I miss your posting about what instruments you play? Does you sing? PJ |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: emily rain Date: 12 Jun 99 - 08:18 PM helen, sorry! i meant the harp with strings that angels tend to favor. :-) |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: LEJ Date: 12 Jun 99 - 08:21 PM Diatonic harp, Conga Drum, some guitar(give me a few seconds to re-position my fingers between chords), and a virtuoso on tambourine. I can sing. LEJ |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Mark Roffe Date: 12 Jun 99 - 09:44 PM Guitar, dobro, clarinet, marimba & vibes when I can get my hands on some, and I enjoy making sounds on almost anything else. Bark WOof |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Banjoman_CO Date: 13 Jun 99 - 12:41 AM I grew up as a jazz player. I played sax in several jazz bands. I was trained in woodwinds and taught woodwinds for 25 years. Took up 5 string banjo, guitar, bass both stand up and electric, and mountain dulcimer. My wife, banjo-momma plays mountain dulcimer and flute. My favorite though is 5 string banjo. I have wanted to learn hammered dulcimer but haven't been able to afford one. Oh, by the way, am I just stupid or ill-informed, but what is a bodhran? Fred |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Indy Lass Date: 13 Jun 99 - 12:43 AM I have a Washburn Cumberland guitar and a Martin A model mandolin. The Washburn I bought the day my Guild was stolen out of a music store parking lot. The reason it was there was my own stupid fault. In the excitement of buying my first amp (stupid, stupid...)I left my dear old friend behind. Two hours later I went back after I discovered it wasn't in the car trunk, and of course, it was gone. I had a gig that night so I needed a guitar. I'm still trying to learn the mandolin. I sing mostly celtic songs and I especially love the ballads, the longer the better, although my age is making it difficult to get through them without blanking out on the words at times--at least that's what I blame it on. |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: catspaw49 Date: 13 Jun 99 - 01:59 AM annieglenn...........Don't feel bad, Guild is the instrument of choice among discerning thieves. We found this out awhile back when we were running opinion threads on various makes. You can check this out by going back to the opinion thread on GUILD GUITARS, just click. catspaw |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Frank of Toledo Date: 13 Jun 99 - 02:15 AM Just a battered old folkie, guitars 6 & 12, wee bit o banjo, mandolin, autoharp and mountain dulcimer, and do a San Francisco Bay Blues on my trusty kazoo....... |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Indy Lass Date: 13 Jun 99 - 02:44 AM Thanks, Catspaw, for pointing out that Guild thread. I wonder how I missed that one--was that one of those "backroom of the Mudcat" threads? Twas a bit painful to read some of those descriptions. Mine too was a D-25, mahogany-colored top. And compared to my Washburn it did have a quieter voice, much like my own. I have to crank myself up to sing with the Cumberland. It's jumbo-sized with a cutout at the base of the neck. It has mother-of-pearl accents around the hole and fancy designs on the neck. You know we ladies like that kind of stuff. It has a full rich sound. I hope whoever took my Guild will treat her kindly (or may he be cursed!). I've been checking around the music resale businesses in the area though, in case just maybe I find my old friend. She's got some dings in certain places and I would know her the second I saw her. Sorry--I'm still grieving the loss. It's only been a little over a year. |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: PJ Date: 13 Jun 99 - 07:42 AM Banjoman Fred-- Many musicians yearn for the good ol' days before they knew what a bodhran was. It's an Irish drum and the subject of endless jokes. Played well it can produce an amazing range of sounds and styles, which are a great backbone for reels, jigs, polkas, etc. Played badly (which is often the case) it can make you want to take a hostage. PJ |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Alice Date: 13 Jun 99 - 10:15 AM Bravo to those learning to use the voice to its potential. Singing in English is a disadvantage because the language has so many consonant stops (s, t, sh, m, ng, etc). It is a more difficult language to get the greatest potential developed in your voice. For that reason, a good teacher of vocal technique will have you learn songs in Italian just for practice, and for technical muscle and placement development. You may never sing them in public, but using the Italian to practice opens the voice up when you use the techniques that a good teacher can show you. Learning something in French can help you develop the 'lift' of the soft palate as well as singing from the 'mask' of the face. We have had several threads on the topic of singing technique and development. This one has links to warming up and vocal health, etc. singing voice Here is a thread from 1997 about catter's favorite instruments (my favorite is my voice).Favorite Instruments alice in montana
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Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: catspaw49 Date: 13 Jun 99 - 10:28 AM annieglenn.......BTW, there are threads on major brands in lots of price ranges and you can always add your opinion to the threads for future reference. The whole idea was to give some Mudcat opinions to those looking for a guitar and have them all in one group of threads. Type --Opinion--in the filter box and refresh fo 90 days and you should get all of them. And you can add your thoughts on your old friend to the guild thread AND add in on the Washburn thread your opinion on your Washburn. catspaw |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Jeri Date: 13 Jun 99 - 10:45 AM I've got a "Bruno and Son" banjo that I just got out of its case for the first time in years. (The foam rubber in there had turned into tarry gunk which is now all over the place.) Anyone ever heard of Bruno before? The mandolin's a Harmony, and someone gave it to me. I've seen the thread on guitars and there's been mention of Harmony banjos, but I haven't run into another Harmony mando owner yet. |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: bseed(charleskratz) Date: 13 Jun 99 - 08:03 PM PJ, the next time I will try to get the gang together in Quinn's is Thursday, June 24 (every other week 'cause Sonja plays waterpolo in between). I'll send messages to all the Bay Mudders I know and see if we can take over the place. I play mostly banjo and harmonica--frailing/clawhammer is my favorite banjo style, but I also up-pick and do some slow three-finger picking. On harmonica I've been working the last few years on playing everything crossharp style (C harp for G, G for D, etc.) and use for all but the blues and some railroad songs Lee Oskar Melody Maker harmonicas, made with complete scales in the draw harp key--great for ballads and even for some bluesy types of things: I play a pretty hot "Columbus Stockade Blues" on a G Melody Maker (I have them also in C, D, E, and A, and blues harps in those keys--except E--and Bb, F, low F, and Lee Oskar natural minor harps in Am, Dm, Em). I play straight harp on a lot of fiddle tunes. I also play a bit of guitar and pretty good autoharp. I play with a group (I'm the only Mudder in the bunch) which consists of two banjos--one of which turns into a harmonica on half our songs, three guitars, a fiddle, a mandolin, an autoharp, a keyboard, and a bass player and a couple more vocalists--all of us do some vocals: the autoharp player, all three guitarists, and I do lead vocals on different songs. We're strictly a social band, although we have played a few parties--for food and drinks. I'm looking forward to meeting you, and hearing what Juanita did for your voice. --seed
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Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: PJ (the bodhran identity) Date: 13 Jun 99 - 09:56 PM Seed-- I have a meeting on the 24th in Alameda, I should be able to stop by Quinn's afterward, circa 9:30. Is that too late? We may meet even sooner... check my reply to you on the bodhran thread. seed ya later-- PJ |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: bseed(charleskratz) Date: 14 Jun 99 - 01:51 AM I saw it, PJ--and I'll drop by the Plough for a pint and a listen. And the Sons of the Buccaneers play until 10 p.m., so we should all still be there. --seed |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Mark Roffe Date: 14 Jun 99 - 02:30 AM Bseed, very interesting about the Lee Oskar Melody Makers. I play mostly regular cross harp, but I'm gonna try one of these out. Mark |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: danl Date: 14 Jun 99 - 06:46 AM once apon a time a played the violin but found it irratating in the extream (when i played it i hasen to add, not when others played it) so i took up the double bass instead. a brief flirtation with the mandolin followed which as far as i was concened was a small double bass the wrong way up but then i discovered these things called chords and got very stuck... ive decided to stick to the most practacle of all instruments now - my voice. (not so heavy to carry around if harded to tune) insidently, its great to be back after .. er.. 2 weeks away. two exams down, lots more to go. love ivy b* |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: WyoWoman Date: 14 Jun 99 - 08:55 AM I play my voice as well. It's a light, lovely thing, given to me by my mother. It's amazing to me how many musicians don't consider the voice an instrument. I competed last month in the High Plains Old-Time Country Music Show in Douglas, Wyoming, and I made the radical move of standing onstage singing a capella ("Fly Away, Little Pretty Bird" and "Bright Morning Stars are Rising"). One of the judges wrote on his/her remarks "You are so brave!" If a guitarist had stood out there playing alone, would s/he have been considered brave? (I won second place, by the way. Thirty bucks and a trophy that almost looks like it were made out of metal -- but not quite. It is one of my treasures now -- but not nearly so much as the "Miss Congeniality" trophy I won when I was 17....) KC |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: hank Date: 14 Jun 99 - 09:05 AM I enjoy my mandolin. Still more to learn, but I can make MUSIC on it! Can't take it as fast as it can go, but within the limits of my 7 months training I can make music. It is a great feeling when I get it, everything clicks, and it is a song I'm playing not just some disconnected notes. I need to find someone to play with though so I can get chord practice. chords don't make a song for me alone, but in lessions when I play them and my instructer does melody they do add to the song. Once in a while I pick up recorder, the old plastic alto one from second grade that I've not yet learned, and probably never will. An the old Saw blade, but I need more practice. Interesting interserments, but I need moreparctice. I'm among the select few that can play the spoons. If more people were willing to even try, more people would play them. Next time your at a party of non-folkies pick up the sppons and start playing them, you will see what I mean. |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Rex Date: 14 Jun 99 - 03:03 PM I like to play anything you can bow or strum, blow into or across. I have no focus. I also enjoy finding instruments from around the world. One friend has a set line whenever I come up with something new. "Here's another instrument _REX CAN'T PLAY_. If I played just one thing maybe I would get good at it but that's no fun. I have given up on brass instruments and reeds mostly but I keep trying the clarinet. It sounds so neat. Keyboards of any kind confound me. I can't do a thing with a celtic harp. And I won't touch the bagpipes or any of it's cousins as I know where that would lead. I would end up playing nothing else. Rex |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Jen Date: 14 Jun 99 - 10:12 PM Well, I can now update my list from last year, but no additions. I, too, play my voice. I like that phrase! I love ballads. I sang "I Wonder As I Wander" at the Midnight Mass at Church on Christmas Eve. A Capella(sp?)I love singing. :) I had two Pakistani harps, and now have an old unknown maker wire strung, which has the nicest tone I've ever heard. I see these instruments at fleamarkets and antique shows, and feel sorry for them and have to buy them. I have to quit doing that. My goal with cleaning out the collection is if I'm not going to play it, sell it to someone who will. Getting married isn't cheap!*grin* Jen |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Alice Date: 14 Jun 99 - 10:42 PM Jen, I have a Pakistani harp, also. Where did you get yours? Do you know any other owners/players of Pakistani harps? I tried to find others through the internet about a year ago, (including a thread at the 'Cat), but could find no other information on the harp. I got mine from Ethnic Musical Instruments Co. Here's a page and photo from my website=Alice's Pakistani harp |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Barry Finn Date: 14 Jun 99 - 11:13 PM My main instrument is my voice after that it's been bodhran for around 20 yrs. which I also use, from time to time, as a solo accompanying instrument to back up my singing. Also mess a bit with bones & spoons. Jeri. Sounds great, they're not an easy crowd to sing with/for so not only good for but great for you, wish I'd been there but I was forced to drag myself to a festival. Next time (?) I'll be asking for you now that I know. See Ya, Barry |
Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play? From: Graham Pirt Date: 15 Jun 99 - 05:53 AM Sam should know my answer to this as he is my son! I play Northumbrian smallpipes and a guitar which is the most expensive pitchpipe around! |
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