Your instruments' fate after you die

Subject: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Marion
Date: 23 Jul 00 - 11:35 PM

The recent threads "Sad Goodbye to an Old Friend" and "Thought for the day, July 20" made me wonder:

How many of you have made it known to your loved ones, whether formally or informally, what should happen with your beloved instruments when you die?

If you have children but none of them are into music, would you leave an instrument you love to one of them, or would you leave it to someone who would play it?

If you had no heir apparent to your instrument, what other options are there?

Am I the only one who wants, if I don't have an heir apparent to my fiddle when I'm getting old, to have my ashes put into my fiddle and be buried in it?

Marion

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Dulci46
Date: 23 Jul 00 - 11:55 PM

You are not the only one that has thought of this. I plan on taking my first autoharp with me. The rest I am watching to see which of my children and grandchildren, show an interest, and will choose which they will get.

If there is no interest from my own family I think donating them to be used for children, or senior citizens perhaps for therapy would be my next choice, of course I would want to make sure they would get used

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: GUEST,JamesJim
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 12:31 AM

Right now my guitars, etc., are willed to my son. Unfortunately, he doesn't have the same interest in music as myself. As a result, I am watching my grandchildren's muscial development (and spending a little time encouraging them as well). I will consider changing my will, or maybe even give one or two instruments away before I die. Jim

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: dwditty
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 12:37 AM

The first guitar I had was a really beat up 1917 Gibson L-1. A woman was selling off a bunch of old guitars her husband (long since gone) had played. It sounded great to me, though, and I came to know that guitar quite well. There were signs of wear in certain places, for example on the top way up near the neck. Lo and behold, the best sound came out of that guitar when played in that precise spot. I always believed that the soul of the original owner had permeated that old wood, and that he actually "taught" me how to play that guitar. I hope to be able to imbed part of me into a couple of the instruments I play. I have always thought it would be nice to pass them along to my children, but so far, no interest in playing on their part. I would never want to take an instrument with me when I go. I would hope that some part of me would go on and show up in someone else's music someday, the way that part of that person did with that old L-1.

dw

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Les B
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 01:45 AM

My thought is to keep them (banjo, fiddle, guitars) in the family, even if the next generation doesn't play. After a period they should become vintage enough to have some worth. For those generally interested in the life of instruments, the film "The Red Violin" is a "must see". (Now out on video)

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 01:56 AM

(Red Violin not available in my town, I already tried)
Neither of my children have shown any interest in instruments. One is 21, the other 15 so I don't think there is hope. At least Kate sings. I can't imagine burying a decent fiddle.........

I think I will probably give them away when I can't play anymore, and if I go too suddenly to do that, my family has instructions to donate them to a school, etc.

My books, esp. the Celtic research collection and tune collections are going to the local library to shelve or sell as they see fit. No one at my house is interested in them.

Good thread, Marion. Maybe we will all get some good ideas out of it.

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 02:09 AM

My children are punk rockers. You should see what they do to their own instruments, even though they are far better instrumentalists than I. Is there any doubt about the sad and sordid fate of my instruments?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Callie
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 02:33 AM

When I'm dead, I'll have no cause to care.

When I'm too old or too sick to play, I'll give them away.

The recordings will live on!

Callie

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 03:48 AM

Having never considered this I think I'll have anything I have at the time willed to Society for the Preservation of Rampant Flatulence, one of the major contributors to the Neil Young Center for the Terminally Screwed.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 05:52 AM

I'm always grateful to whoever gave a guitar to a cancer charity shop where I found it and nursed it back to health. I sometimes wonder what it's history was - it had plainly been played a lot at one time, and then not looked after too well at all. And now it's a joy to play. (And the picture's in the Mudcat Rogues Gallery.)

What'll happen after I've gone? It'll have a good home, but just where depends on how long I last.

This is a really cheerful topic for a wet and windy Monday morning...

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Bagpuss
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 07:23 AM

I have always thought about giving my guitars to homeless people who can play. You can earn a much better living by busking than by begging and/or selling the Big Issue. And failing that they can always sell it if they are really desperate.

Bagpuss

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: kendall
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 07:44 AM

I already gave my old Gibson J-45, 1956 vintage, to my friend Dave Mallett. My Taylor goes to Bernie Houlahan of Moncton N.B. and my Apollonio 12 string will have to be sold I guess. I'm tempted to leave it to Catspaw..great way to have the last word!!

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Gervase
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 07:48 AM

After dusting off the box at the weekend for a practice, I think I know what'll happen to my three-row after I die.
As mentioned in an earlier thread, my SO isn't as fond as she might be of the box. She made her feelings clear again and muttered darkly about what she'd like to do to the instrument.
Thus, when I'm dead and gone, I know the pathologist will have to spend a good hour with a proctoscope before crunching up my beloved box with forceps to remove it from my arse, and a Hohner DGA Corona will become good for nothing!

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: RichM
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 07:49 AM

I don'twant to take my instrument with me to the grave, or the urn...

My son plays guitar, so he will have the option of keeping one for his own use.
But the brazil rosewood Martin goes to my wife, and if she wants to sell it to finance a round-the-world trip, that's ok with me!

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 08:58 AM

I'm taking the Bodhrans to Hell with me!

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 09:42 AM

Psssstttt.....hey.......Wandering Minstrel.

You got bodrhans, you ARE in Hell......

Spaw

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 10:31 AM

"Here is your harp, welcome to Heaven...
Here's your accordion - welcome to Hell!!"

John Kirkpatrick.

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Fortunato
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 10:34 AM

I refuse to die until I satisfy the urge to make music.

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 10:34 AM

Mine are already mentioned in my will! My little bro and my son are to divide them evenly between themselves; I think they can manage it without falling out. I shall have to change it to include my daughter now she's learning to play. I hope she can save enough to buy her own before I go!

Steve

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: GUEST,Passing Stranger
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 12:35 PM

"He took his fiddle in both of his hands And brack on a stone He said 'Nae hands will play on thee Unless they be mine own'"

MacPherson's Rant

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Mbo
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 12:40 PM

Ha ha! I was wondering if someone was going to mention ol' MacPherson. Actually the real life MacPherson, after claiming that no one should play his fiddle after his death, and that they mod who can to see him die only wanted to buy it as as something to brag on, and not to play, he broke the fiddle over the hangman's head and lept off the gallows himself...

--Matt

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 12:44 PM

McGrath, have you seen the lovely "dark side" cartoon to accompany your quote? I'll try and set up a scan for here,

meanwhile this may encourage you

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 12:45 PM

damn the clicky died address was www.mathematik.uni-marburg.de/~hampel/larson/colour/musician.jpg

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Amergin
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 12:46 PM

Yeah, Passing Stranger, but that is wrong to my way of thinking....well loved instruments should be passed on to those who will appreciate it as much as you do...just like any other item that one loves so dearly....

Amergin

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: kendall
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 02:54 PM

The story I got was from National Geographic. MacPherson was hanged in Scotland in 1701 for stealing a horse. No mention of his jumping off the gallows.

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 04:33 PM

Gervase - I'm sorry but my thoughts are with your SO on this one.... and I share a house with 8 of the buggers, so she should think herself lucky.....

SO has willed all his to Cecil Sharp House so they become their problem, except the matchstick fiddle (unplayable) that his uncle made, that matches (sorry) the one in the Byany and May (matchstick makers [as opposed to matchmakers]) museum.... That goes to the bratling, who will probably try to play it like a drum if past performances are anything to go by. However, she has expressed an interest in playing the piano..... I live in hope, cos I can't get my head round the damned thing!!

Mine I guess will just be packed off along with his, unless he goes first and I get a few weeks grace for a ruddy big ritual bonfire......... there are two piano accordions in there and they burn for ages!

LTS

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Jed at Work
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 05:20 PM

This has been a good thread, and poses a question I have thought about. My two older boys play guitar, and I would expect a grandchild or two (if they ever come) to have an interest. As it stands, our 3 sons will inhereit whatever we have, evenly, and they will sort it out ... but I would very much like to see that the instruments wind up in the hands of one who will appreciate them.

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 06:03 PM

OK, those are great answers.

But how about giving them to me?

OK, OK.

How about giving them to Mudcat to auction for Max? (Mudcat's going to be around forever, right???)

Screw that Save the Music program, where people turn in new stuff they bought and decided was too much trouble to play, or the old dried out thing that was Granny's priceless violin before little grandson Jake stuck it in the hot dry attic under ther sled runner! And I have no idea how the program really works, but do the kids who get the instruments get to keep them or does the school? And do the kids have to sit still for boring, pedantic lessons when they should just get to discover?

Save the Mudcat, more like it! Put them into Catters' hands, where we will do some real good with them!

Or give them to a child whose eyes light up when you let them hold it after your set... give them your old beat-up instrument that would only get you $50 anyhow when you trade up....

Mine? I dunno. I trust Hardi to do whatever would be right.

(The amps-- that's different! I'm taking mine! Heaven is WAY too big for purely acoustic!)

~S~

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: GUEST,Phil Cooper
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 06:19 PM

I've put in my will that if I am survived by my singing partner, Margaret, or my significant other, that they find some worthy sort that couldn't afford a decent instrument and give them mine. Again, back to the notion that I would like them well used after I'm gone.

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: bigchuck
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 07:03 PM

Sorcha, don't give up hope yet. My daughter never had an instrument take in her growing years, but I gave her a fiddle for her birthday 21/2 years ago (She was thirty), and is developing into a very fine fiddler. And my grandchildren seem to play anything they can touch. You never know.
Sandy

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 09:05 PM

I recently gave a guitar to a 9-year-old girl whose house was burned out, and she said in the newspaper article that what she missed most was her guitar that she was just learning to play.

Also gave a viola to a 5th grade boy who wanted to be in the strings program in school but couldn't afford to rent an instrument.

I'm hoping to have 32 grandchildren someday, so we can pass on all of our 32 remaining instruments. I would love to teach my (future) grandchildren how to play piano, guitar, bass, fiddle. Just might hide the banjos, though and let the next generation wonder what to do with them!

Seriously, this thread has prompted me to consider things. My younger son is a musician and would no doubt make use of many of the instruments, but the rest should be given to people who will play them. These instruments know lots of tunes, and they shouldn't stop with me.

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 09:37 PM

No brothers, no sisters, no children, Heather doesn't play.....37 instruments...Good Grief! I'd better start givin' 'em away now!

Rick

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: GUEST,Phil Cooper
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 10:13 PM

I was given a gibson tenor guitar once. I kept it awhile, but it filled the same slot my octave mandolin does, so I gave it to an old timey musician friend with the tale. I said then, considering it was given to me, I didn't feel I should sell it, but pass it on. It has since changed hands a least twice more, with the story and no money exchanged.

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Midchuck
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 10:14 PM

My problem is getting my daughter to let me keep my guitars until I die.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Jeri
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 10:23 PM

Rick! My long-lost brother! And Mom told me you were sold to gypsies!

I haven't really thought about where mine will go - probably should.

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Dee45
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 11:34 PM

Well as long as none of my guitars are turned into this, I'm happy.

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Sorcha
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 12:01 AM

Praise--I have given instruments to those children and there is no better feeling in the whole world.....

Barbara Shaw--I hope I don't have 32 grandchildren; can you give them away like puppies?

Jeri--Are you sure he is your brother? I thought he was mine..........

Serious--I did inherit my mom's viola. I dont' play it much, but I do play it. My nephew was to get it if he continued lessons, but he did not. If he ever really does play viola at all, I will give it to him. If somebody only wanted my instruments for a Curiosity Collection (a la MacPherson in Mbo's post) I just might smash them. Instruments are meant to be played, not admired. That is why I have sold cheap and given away several in my life. I just want someone to be able to have the music, like I have. It has made such a big difference in my life. Saved my life more like, the year I was "nursing my mom to death". And, reference the other thread, NO, I could never give up the music.

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 02:02 AM

My friend who has a balalaika, 4 banjos, 4 mandos, 8 guitars and 22 fiddles stored at my house(He has a couple more at home)says that when he goes, his family hopes he can take it with him...

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: JennieG
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 03:16 AM

Several years ago I bought myself another guitar; when I let my older son play it - he was then aged about 15 I think - he asked "Mum, when you cark it, can I have this?" Perhaps I should make my plans known.........

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 06:52 AM

Don't expect anyone would want to inherite a plastic kazoo, Herself will probably throw it on to the coffin as it goes into the crem. furnace!
BTW there has been a recent campaign on UK tv etc asking musicians with unused instruments to donate them to a trust which distributes them to young musicians.
RtS

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: InOBU
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 07:22 AM

I have always thought that I don't own my instruments, most of em are over a hundred years old, I am just keeping them for who ever comes next. But I am reminded of a story I got from another piper, Mike McQuade, a reliable sourse for missinformation, so if anyone can confirm the story, please do...
Michael Commba O'Sullivan was an Uilleann piper who lived in three centuries. He was born in the 1790s and died in about 1915 or so, he lived long enough to be recorded on an edison wax cylindar. Well, at his death he begged a friend to make sure his pipes were burried with him. They were, but his friend was a piper, and as time passed, he could not bear the idea of those pipes down there with Michael, so after a few weeks, he dug him up and took the pipes back. According to McQuade, they are the flat set (C set) Liam O'Flynn plays on the Planxty album Well Below the Valley...
A warning about being burried with your instrument, so if you got to go with a set of pipes, make sure they are Tim Briton pipes, so no one will make the effort to dig them up... (no offence Tim... your a lovely nice guy, your pipes look nice, but your no Seth Gallagher!)
Larry

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: alison
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 09:01 AM

InOBU... when you go.. do you think your pipes would like a new home in Oz???? hahahaha...... wishful thinking *grin*

can't we just start a hands-on museum room in the Mudcat Retirement Village / Cruise Ship... so we can all have a play......

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 09:08 AM

Well Sister Jeri, along with a neat Gibson fiddle, I think you warrant at least a mandolin or two.

*note. Jeri lent me the fiddle, and although I've already screwed up the arrangement of "Ashokan Farewell" she taught me, that little fiddle has played a lot of blues over the last few months.

Rick

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Dulci46
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 09:31 AM

Gee, all this talk about burying and not burying your instrument with you, has made me stop and wonder.

I guess there should be some type of criteria for deciding whether your instrument gets to live on or is buried with you. I always thought I would take my first autoharp with, but now I'm not so sure. It qualifies to go with me because it is an OLD black harp with a crack in the top, I'm sure no one would dig me up to get it. but on the other hand it also qualifies to stay because it is still playable, (and it knows all the songs).

What to do!! What to do!! Maybe I'll just ask it what it wants to do. Or maybe I'll just send it to the Mudcat Retirement Village. I like that idea.

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Jeri
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 09:44 AM

Rick, if you played it on your radio show, I could hear how you and it sound. (Hint, hint) And re' Ashoken Farewell - did you screw it up as in "whoops," or "I shall now play a clever intentional improvisation?" (And while typing, I made a boo-boo. If you improvise, and it irritates people, is it an "improvocation?")

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: InOBU
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 02:27 PM

Jeezzzee Alison!
I am not planning on going anywhere permanent soon!!!! If my pipes go to Oz, they will be attached to my still WARM hands!!! But, serriously folks, if you would like to hear a real live Otway piper, down under, how bout a booking for Sorcha Dorcha in Oz? Perhaps a save the Otways concert? (the forrest not the pipers)
Larry

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Bert
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 03:50 PM

I'm sure every single one of mine is going to heave a sigh of relief.

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Mbo
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 03:57 PM

Hopefully I would be able to give them to the beautiful music loving children I may have one day. Wonder if they think it would be "cool" to play the guitar that I wrote love songs to their Mom on...?

--M

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 04:24 PM

I love the idea of a hands on retirement village - one of my favorite and most hated galleries in the Victoria and Albert museum, or indeed any museum, is the musical instrument section. All those poor, dead instruments locked up behind glass, never able to speak again. An instrument, if it is playable, should be played, at least once a year, just to keep it alive.

Mind you, how many melodeons can you have in one place without that place undergoing some major implosion or a black hole forming?

LTS

Subject: RE: Your instruments' fate after you die
From: Hardiman the Fiddler
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 05:17 PM

Being as mine is an older violin, ca 1880-1900, and being as I bought in from a music shop second-handed, I guess the original owner is dead, and probably the second owner as well! I'm grateful that they passed the instrument along, even if it did sit in granny's attic for awhile. I would like to think that some day my fiddle will fall into hands that love it as much as I do; maybe those hands will be able to play it more beautifully than I do. My kids? If they suddenly had an interest in the fiddle, I would be happy to give it to them, but that is not on the horizon. I just would weep to see my fiddle become a decoration for someone's dining room wall.

Hardiman