What instruments do catters play?

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Jeri
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 09:11 AM

Barry - getcher butt up here!

Actually, now the task is to learn some songs instead of just the choruses.

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 09:47 AM

I only play the kazoo (in private in front of consenting adults only). I can pedal the player-piano and sing along but fail to play it. Other instruments I fail to play are a couple of harmonicas and a five-string banjo: my attempts at self teaching convinced me I have a tin ear (I already knew about the lack of hand-eye coordination!)no doubt why my spouse won't let me whistle (more off-key than my singing).
I should have stuck to playing on the linoleum.:)
When I retire in about 5 years time I WILL learn to play something, I WILL, I WILL.(Otherwise she'll get me doing the garden).

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Sophie
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 03:05 PM

Play the harp (I am not, and I repeat NOT, in any way angelic, nor is the music I try to make). Melodeon will be bought and murdered as soon as I have funds. Sing when drunk. Sophie

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Sophie
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 03:05 PM

Play the harp (I am not, and I repeat NOT, in any way angelic, nor is the music I try to make). Melodeon will be bought and murdered as soon as I have funds. Sing when drunk. Sophie

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Sam Pirt
Date: 16 Jun 99 - 10:04 AM

Hi

I also now play the 'free-bass' accordion!!

Bye, Sam

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 16 Jun 99 - 11:14 AM

Voice - sometimes a capella, although my friends claim that's a sure sign that my medication needs adjustment. Talk about working without a net! "A capella", BTW, comes from a Latin phrase meaning "I couldn't afford a guitarist"!

Bass guitar, got 4 (I'm becoming a collector in spite of financial realities):

Pan bass from the 60's - not a great bass, but it looks so funky I had to have it. Semi-acoustic, symetrical venetian cutaways, sunburst finish, floating bridge & tailpiece design (bridge even has a string mute - this is from the days when electric basses were just supposed to go thud, thud, thud).

Gibson Les Paul Triumph (sometimes referred to as the "Recording" model) - 'bout 1973, if we've got it dated accurately. Short-scale neck, like all my basses. I was given it in two pieces, the headstock broken right off. My friend thought I might be able to cannibalize the pickups to improve the Pan's sound. Instead I was fortunate in finding a repair shop ("Don't Fret" in Waterdown, Ontario) who thought they could restore it. As a result, I've got a fine solid body electric.

Fender BG-29 acoustic bass guitar - a very recent aquisition. Has a surprisingly deep acoustic tone for its body size, and Fishman electronics on board make things much easier for the sound people at the folk clubs where I hang out.

And my pride & joy - an acoustic bass guitar that was built for me by Glen Reid (Burk's Falls, Ontario). I don't care that my playing doesn't merit such an instrument; it's mine and I love it! It has a large sorta lute-shaped body that joins the neck about the 9th fret, miles of bottom end and enough volume to allow me to participate in acoustic singarounds without upsetting the traditionalists by lugging in an amp. For sound systems, I had Ralph Pickersgill of Port Dover, Ontario install pickups in it. I make no claims for my bass playing - I'm an amateur plunker and that's it - but this bass gets me INVITED places! Love it. Check out http://www.interlog.com/~dcntexp/Grgall.htm for actual photos of one of my bass's brothers. Glen just converted mine to a fretless neck, and it no longer plays - it SINGS! Lord, I can't believe how lovely it sounds.

Oops! Guess i got a little verbose there. Sorry.

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Easy Rider
Date: 16 Jun 99 - 11:55 AM

What a variety of instruments!

I feel so ordinary, just playing flattop acoustic guitar, mostly fingerstyle blues and some folk.

EZR

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Bert
Date: 16 Jun 99 - 12:39 PM

and I always thought that "A capella" meant "I haven't worked out the chords yet"

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: skarpi
Date: 16 Jun 99 - 07:42 PM

Halló All, I play Bodhrán, Guitar and tin whistle. I started to play the bodhrán in january this year and I had some problems at first. If someone can or will help me to learn more please let me know on this thread. slán go foil. bless skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: alison
Date: 17 Jun 99 - 03:01 AM

skarpi,

See if you can get hold of Stefan Hannigan's bodhran book + audio or video tape, it's a great, easy to follow way to learn.

Or send me your email and I'll send you the handout I give out at my workshops. but it really is just the basics... and you may be well beyond that now.

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: skarpi
Date: 17 Jun 99 - 01:20 PM

Halló Alison, here is my E- mail address;

[e-mail]

I have not seen this book by stefan Hanningan here in Iceland, but if you can send something it is great. I have much more to learn on bodhrán. many thanks skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 17 Jun 99 - 01:45 PM

Alison, could you send me that bodhran handout too please? I have the Hannigan video but my wife won't let me play it!

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Jon W.
Date: 17 Jun 99 - 01:53 PM

I started on electric bass a long time ago, no longer play it though I still own my first one. I moved to acoustic guitar for several years, have learned the basics of tin whistle, and these days I am concentrating on 5-string banjo, which I have found to be the easiest way for me to make a melody that sounds like more than one finger playing on a piano. Also I've picked up a few great tips on singing since I've been frequenting Mudcat - thanks all especially Alice in Montana.

Jeremiah McCaw, thanks for posting the link to the acoustic bass pictures. I've built a couple of instruments as a hobby - which is a great kick - and have contemplated building a bass very similar to that. I have always wondered why the big instrument companies insist on sacrificing body volume for neck length on AB's - it was great to see that someone shares my vision of short neck, big body. Please tell me more about the sound and shape of your instrument.

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Easy Rider
Date: 17 Jun 99 - 03:09 PM

> I have the Hannigan video but my wife
> won't let me play it!

Should we start a thread on bodhran jokes? Are they like banjo Jokes?

EZR

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Fadac
Date: 17 Jun 99 - 03:41 PM

ER, A bodhran is very similar to a banjo. More like a naked banjo. A banjo without a handle.

Q:What'a a banjo with no strings attached?

A: bodhran

-Fadac

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Alice
Date: 17 Jun 99 - 05:47 PM

Jeremiah, very funny...
a cappella from the Italian (from the latin) "in the Chapel style", meaning without accompaniment. Guess it could mean not only 'can't afford a guitarist' but also 'no guitarists allowed'.
-Alice

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Allan C.
Date: 08 Jul 99 - 04:54 PM

I just realized, as I began to post here, that I have been playing guitar for nearly forty years! I suppose I should be able to claim proficiency on some other instrument by now, as there are many which interest me. However, such is not the case. (Unless you count singing, which, for me, is practically one and the same as playing the guitar.) I have a small collection of instruments which sit and wait for me to finally decide to learn to play them. Meanwhile, they bide their time by occasionally gracing the hands of visitors and guests. My current desire is to acquire a stand-up bass. I played one briefly many years ago and would love to do so again.

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 08 Jul 99 - 05:14 PM

I inherited a Mansfield 5 String Banjo that my sister lost interest in when the fifth string peg began to slip. She had a guitar by then and ignored the Banjo for years. I got tired of being the only non playing member in the family and fixed the peg and started to play about twelve years ago. I got so that I could play a number of Bluegrass tunes fairly well and then my Daughter was born nine years ago followed 15 months later by my son. Chasing the two of them around gave me little time to play, so I have ignored it for a long time, but I am going to visit relatives at the end of the month, all of whom are players. So, with the children becoming more independant, I'm going to get the old fiver out and get practising so that I can play music as opposed to just listening. I also want to get a bass.

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Vixen
Date: 09 Jul 99 - 10:32 AM

After close to a year of training/lessons, I can say with small confidence that I now *play* my voice. (I've been *noodling* with it since I learned to sing nursery rhymes!) I've been playing the guitar for around 30 years, the recorder for around 20, the pennywhistle for six months, and the orchestral flute for three weeks. I took piano lessons for 6 weeks when I was 17, but then my house burned down, and I couldn't afford another piano. I loved playing it. I'd like to get another one, but I've been renting since then, and I seem to move too often...I should probably buy an electric.

V

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Neil Lowe
Date: 09 Jul 99 - 10:57 AM

Accoustic and electric guitar. Ability: in the poor to fair range, "strictly (mostly) rhythm, he doesn't want to make it cry or sing," (acknowledgement to Dire Straits for that last line)- inclined mostly to the "blues," in all varieties, shapes and sizes, although I am in complete awe of people like emily rain above who can wield the angelic harp with some expertise (for such an imposing instrument it has such a sweet and tender sound)....really liked that melancholy Celtic tune titled "The Lone Harper" and adapted it to guitar and play it on a regular basis when I have the accoustic out.

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Rex
Date: 09 Jul 99 - 11:15 AM

Didn't we have a weird instruments thread? I have a bowed instrument with the label: "Fiddlette, one of the "Ette" instruments". It was made by the Gamble Hinged Music Co. in Chicago. I asked them about it but no one there recalls anything about the "Ette" instruments. This Fiddlette has a cheap violin neck and fingerboard attached to a hollowed out block of wood open to the back. This is then attached through a wood rod to a block shaped as a chin rest. The result is a real skinny fiddle kind of like the traveller's kit fiddle of old. But this one was made no earlier than the twenties from its appearance. The sound is dreadful and weak but there was no bridge for it. I modified a violin bridge for the flat surface with limited success. Perhaps there was something fancier that did the job? Does anyone recall this Fiddlette or any of the "Ette" instruments?

Rex

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: CarlZen
Date: 10 Jul 99 - 03:00 AM

My first real good guitar was a Gibson B-25 that I got in 1964. I still have it. It is a bit worn, but it has character and still is sweet plying. I have a Taylor 410 which has a nice, big and warm sound. I have a Washburn banjo. It is an Asian made banjo and I enjoy plunking around on it. I really love some of the old modal tunings, (g,C,G,C,E) is a lot of fun to hammer around with. About four years ago I kept finding myself in the compahy of some serious bluegrass people. Before any of us knew it we were performing. I had the only mandolin, a Flatiron flat top that was real loud and screaming and I knew my way around its fret board, but really was not very 'bluegrass literate'. I believe I was more obnoxious than the banjo! I soon moved up to a Flatiron A-5 Artist model, (it was brand new and I got a great deal on it.) I have fallen in love with the instrument. I was really forced to learn to play bluegrass. It has been wonderful musical discipline. My solos and licks aren't real heavy on the traditional side yet, and some died in the wool purists look askance at me when I don't pick 'em out like Monroe used to. I can only say that I wish I could! The most fun has been discovering the chunk, the variety of chord forms, and being the 'snare drum' of the band, working off of our bass player.

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 08:04 AM

I play tin whistle, I am learning to play mandolin and i have just bought myself a guitar (about half an hour ago!) it ia a Washburn D10.john

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Frank Maher (extra)
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 09:11 AM

I Play 4 Stop Button Accordion,Tin Whistle and Harmonica!

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: CarolC
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 09:34 AM

Piano accordion is my main instrument and my first love, musically speaking, but I can also play recorder, whistle, a little bit of piano, and I recently had the pleasure of trying out a melodeon of the variety that looks like a small piano rather than a button accordion. It was pretty cool.

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 10:58 AM

I play acoustic guitar, electric guitar with my gospel quartet, banjo and mandola. I played fiddle years ago with a very loud hammered dulcimer player until he found someone who could play better than me. It didn't take long.

Jerry

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: 53
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 11:12 AM

Piano, Bass, ukelele, guitar.

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: MudGuard
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 11:18 AM

I don't know whether it can be called playing yet
but I started to try to play tin whistle.
MudGuard

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 11:25 AM

Well, primarily, I am a singer. I have nearly a 3 octave range, and have been honing it (for better or worse) for 25 years (more or less) now, and am responsible for most of the harmonies I sing with my group.

However, if we are strictly speaking of "instruments" then, I dabble with the bodhran. Depending on who you ask, you will hear anything and everything from "Wow!" to "Eh" about my playing. But, all in all, when I compare myself to what I have seen onstage, I would rate myself as average. I'll take that...

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: C-flat
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 11:25 AM

I play guitars mainly. I also have a mandolin but haven't got round to learning more than the two-fingered chords yet. I'm also keeping an eye out for a banjo to add to my troubles.

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: CarolC
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 11:32 AM

Just in case anyone's interested in seeing the melodeon I was speaking of (and who wouldn't be, right?) a picture of it can be seen right here.

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: John P
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 11:39 AM

Cittern, acoustic guitar, Celtic harp, lap dulcimer, oud, piano accordion, keyboards, electric guitar, tenor guitar, mandolin, yuan, bass guitar, recorder (a bit), hurdy-gurdy (somewhat), lots of percussion (bodhran, doumbec, tar, riq, bendir, tupan, drum set).

It's a sickness.

JP

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Mooh
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 11:57 AM

Voice, piano (somewhat lost chops, as I don't play it much), guitars (6, 12, electric, baritone, classical), electric bass (fretted and otherwise), mandolin, banjo (5 string, not Scruggs style), some pennywhistle, and a variety of other instruments like upright bass (though not well), harmonica (you don't wanna be in the same county), hand drums, and whatever else I can get my hands on.

The main problem is getting the money to keep decent instruments on hand.

I need a corporate sponsor.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: InOBU
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 12:06 PM

Well... I play Uilleann pipes, Tin whistle (I make low d wistles) Wooden concert flute, bodhran and other noise makers, a bit of concertina and harmonic (they are really the same instrument - just one has a bellows, eh?) guitar badly, hurdy gurdy (stringed pipes really), warpipes, and a few other nick nacks, I sing (come from a singing family) and write a few songs... Larry

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 01:07 PM

I play two:

1. A classical guitar. Note I say "_A_ classical guitar" rather than "classical guitar". My playing style is best described, I suppose as a sort of "degenerate classical guitar style".

2. 5-string openback banjo, clawhammer (or frailing if you like that word better and think it's a different thing).

Each of these is used almost exclusively for accompanying my singing of folk-type songs, usually story songs. I'm a solo entertainment act (when I can get anyone to listen).

Over the years I've tried and failed at teaching myself harmonica and flageolet (a sort of recorder-like woodwind). I also failed at teaching myself 5-string banjo, but finally had the wit to get a teacher. Took classical guitar lessons for about two years about fifty years ago.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Miken
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 02:10 PM

Acoustic guitar, a Martin D-35 and a OO28G; I sing . and am learning B/C button accordeon. Also have an old Dobson 5-string banjo which I need to have restored soon - a greatfrailing banjo

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Anahootz
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 02:30 PM

I just retired as lead Air-guitarist for a world-famous bar band in Schenectady...

Actually, I play Mandolin, Banjo, Guitar, Bass, Fiddle (NOT violin), Bozouki, tinwhistles, bodhran, and anything else thats not nailed down, or fast enough to move.

My mandolins are my prizes...I have a Larry Hughes F5, #20 finished on 12-4-00, A Ken Ratcliff "Silver Angel" F5 finished in '00, and a J. Docy F5 finished on 10-4-01.

I also have a Paul Hathway Irish Bozouki that I make wierd irish-sounding noises on, as well as a Martin D-28, a Fender San Marino, a Washburn D-12-12, a Piece-of-crap Ovation, an Iida banjo and a cremona copy fiddle (dang, wish it was a REAL cremona...)

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: John P
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 05:53 PM

Arahootz, Since you say your Ovation is a piece of crap, maybe I can get away with this bad joke:

A musician walks into a guitar store with an Ovation in his hand. He says to the person at the counter, "Can you give me a set of strings for my Ovation?" The shop person thinks about that for a few minutes and finally replies, "Yeah, sure. That's a fair trade."

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Crane Driver
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 06:01 PM

Duet concertina - Crane system, obviously - since 1971, and I'll keep playing til I get it right.

Recently took up the bowed psaltery, an instrument developed from a medieval device for slicing hard-boiled eggs.

Voice - like someone else above, I can claim to be responsible for MOST of the sounds I make.

Andrew

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 06:04 PM

Hmmmmm, my main instrument is trumpet, which I've played for 12 years, flugel horn, cornet, bodhran(my main instrument now)which I've played for two years, seamus o'kane one, penny whistles (susato,overton and generation), piano accordion which sam is teaching me..well he is again now I have a car again, keyboard, piano(a bit), guitar a bit, djembi (senegal), oh and flute(wooden, tradiotional variety).

Jez xxx

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: X
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 06:18 PM

A Gibson 1937 RB-12, an E. Ball Twin neck with 4 knee levers and six peddles, last but not least a 1941 D-28.

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: smallpiper
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 06:37 PM

Scottish small pipes, Highland pipes, Guitar, whistle, low wistle and the fool more often than not!

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Beer
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 07:06 PM

Acustic Guitar mostly. Some piano and and harmonica.

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: DancingMom
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 08:03 PM

I sing (2 and 4-part harmony, alto mostly). Just started playing blues harmonica. also penny whistle and recorder. Played guitar years ago and as soon as I purchase another, gonna give it another go. Sharon

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: John Routledge
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 08:09 PM

Sing and play Northumbrian Small Pipes - not often simultaneously :0)

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Noreen
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 08:12 PM

Carol, are you sure that was the picture you intended to link to? I can't see anything that looks like a melodeon in the picture entitled Alonso S. Wheaton's Quadrille Band , and I'm interested!

Noreen

who sings, plays ceili piano and is learning the Anglo concertina.

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: CarolC
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 09:49 PM

Noreen, it's not the kind of melodeon with which you are probably familiar. It's the big boxy wooden thing right in the middle of the picture with the woman sitting behind it. It's related to the kind of melodeon you know about in that it is a free reed instrument with a bellows. But it's in a piano-like cabinet and the bellows are operated with foot pedals. Here are some other pictures with some information and dates...

http://www.kshs.org/cool/coolmel.htm

http://www.cuc.claremont.edu/fiske/melodeon.htm

http://www.reedorgan.com/portfolio/pratt.1865.white.html

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: 53
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 10:18 PM

Good John from Hull I'm glad to know that you'll be taking up guitar. I think that you'll enjoy it.

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Melani
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 10:23 PM

Penny whistle, guitar, mountain dulcimer (well, five tunes), six-hole flute (slowly), and I can play "Yankee Doodle" on a harp.

Subject: RE: What instruments do catters play?
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 03:02 AM

Fiddle, for Irish and Scottish music. Voice, for chanteys and a few other songs.