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What's The Easiest Instrument to learn?
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: Peter T. Date: 10 Feb 02 - 11:04 AM Something that is really easy to play and sound fantastic right from the start is a guitar tuned to an open-D tuning (that is, a D chord). Forget all the standard tuning goop. I once taught a 7 year old to play the blues in about 2 minutes, sounded great. In open-D the open guitar is the I chord (i.e. do nothing, just strum), laying a finger along the 5th fret is the IV chord, and doing the same along the 7th fret is the V chord, so you can play 10 zillion songs immediately, every children's song ever practically, and with a bit more work you can do some serious stuff!!! yours, Peter T. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: Mr Red Date: 10 Feb 02 - 11:14 AM IMHO any percussion instrument is easy to learn, but most instruments are hard to master, in the sense of being accepted by musicians. & not all the skill is in playing, there is a lot to be learned in handling opinionated "real" musicians and not all of it can be achieved through manual dexterity. In short, thick skin and gentle nature come in handy. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 10 Feb 02 - 04:04 PM Whatever you choose, or whatever you choose, keep it simple. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: GUEST,farmerpaul Date: 10 Feb 02 - 07:11 PM Mr Red said what I was told by a really good guitarist, she said of a chap playing in the pub who everyone was admiring. "having sex is not making love, he is having sex".mechanical but no feeling. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: Mary in Kentucky Date: 10 Feb 02 - 10:55 PM It seems to me that several points of discussion have been left out. Most of you know where I'm coming from...my MS has taken away my ability to sing and also my fine motor skills. That means I can no longer play Chopin on the piano. And though I'm learning dulcimer...so many tunes are for accompanying singing (like strumming the guitar). Whistle, fiddle, and pipes are better in groups. I just saw a melodeon up close for the first time last year. I played clarinet as a teenager, but can't get a sound out of it now. The harmonica also seems limited, even though I love "Goodbye Old Paint."
So John, back to your question...as others have said, play the instrument you love. But also consider: Above all, JUST DO IT! |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: Dave Bryant Date: 11 Feb 02 - 09:31 AM I knew of one (would-be) performer who used to turn up with a different instrument each week, convinced that it was "going to be the right one this time". He tried guitar, whistle, bodhran, banjo, and even crumhorn. He never seemed to realise that playing any instrument, even passibly, takes some dedication and work (why do you think that I'm such a crappy guitarist ?). I'm reminded of the story of the famous musician (I'm sre everyone will tell me who it was) who was approached by a couple who asked him "How do get to the Carnegie Hall ?", not realising that they hadn't recognised him and were merely asking for geographic directions he replied, "Practice, Practise, PRACTICE !". |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: harpmaker Date: 11 Feb 02 - 06:12 PM John, I've just started a mandolin class, Its not too late to join if your interested. Look what Jeanie (this thread) says about the mandolin. You don't know untill you try! Also, Harps are easy to play, but are a bit expensive for beginers. Did you like the CD that you've been asking for, for about a year or more?? John the harp. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull Date: 11 Feb 02 - 08:18 PM Thanks everyone who replied since my last message. John your CD is brilliant and was definetley worth the wait! see the thread I started called "harpmakers CD". |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: Kaleea Date: 12 Feb 02 - 01:49 AM Alas, poor John, no one told him the truth that the easiest instrument to learn is the : Triangle, of course! The technique is simple, and the conductor points right at you when you must "ding" it! Ah, life's little pleasures, with the ding of triangle. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: GUEST Date: 12 Feb 02 - 09:53 AM A Comb and kleenex...also ould be a good name for a pub. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: GUEST,AmosMoses Date: 12 Feb 02 - 10:13 AM Great thread. I play guitar and have 1 year mandolin. As has been said any instrument is easy to learn and gets progressively harder the more you play it. my two cents. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: JeZeBeL Date: 12 Feb 02 - 02:36 PM Well, I've just got back from a couple of days in Dublin. Last night I finally found a session. I asked if it was ok to join in as I know they can be a bit funny about strangers joining in, but they were all real friendly, and actually enjoyed my bodhran playing. There was this bloke sat next to me with spoons and he was telling me how use have to use the bodhran as a part of you that you use to express yourself, which is spot on. He said you don't have to play every single beat, which is also true, and that the bodhran should enhance the accompanyment of the wune, not just drone in the background. Something which, since getting my new bodhran last year I have learnt to do and understand. It makes it a lot more interesting to play. I started playing the bodhran cos I was at a folk gathering with workshops and was bored, n thought, aye, that looks easy, I'll give that a go. Everyone has the same impression of the bodhran, but in all honesty it is NOT easy to play. John, if you need a hand with the whistle or the bodhran, I would be happy to teach you....as long as you can get to gowdall, near goole. Cheers, JeZ xxx |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: Dead Horse Date: 12 Feb 02 - 05:25 PM Whats this triangle thing? Any relation to a TeeFer or Bastringue? Now THAT is an instrument, and far more than just one note, it can be the entire percussion section. But you must have a sense of rhythm, which I suppose you need for most instruments (except banjo, of course) |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: vectis Date: 12 Feb 02 - 08:38 PM The buffoon. My husband is an expert player. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: harpmaker Date: 13 Feb 02 - 03:18 PM Gut bucket, dog box, tea chest bass,-call it what you will, is quite easy to play. Its a lot of fun at sessions for shure. Thanks for the comments on the CD John. John the harp. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: GUEST,BINHIDING Date: 13 Feb 02 - 06:45 PM Try clapping,if you get really good try the hospital. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: JeZeBeL Date: 13 Feb 02 - 07:17 PM ?????????????????????????????????? |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: GUEST,Frogmore Date: 13 Feb 02 - 07:23 PM I suppose the human voice is the easiest, since most of us began practicing on Day #1. Someone else mentioned that the one you really want to play is the easiest, and there's something to that. In my opinion, the easiest STRINGED instrument is the McNally Strumstick. And it sounds good too. The website is www.strumstick.com If you want one of these shipped to you, just let me know. I've got several and get a kick out of making "pickers" out of peope who have given up. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: kendall Date: 13 Feb 02 - 07:27 PM If it is a REAL musical instrument, it is not easy. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: harpgirl Date: 13 Feb 02 - 07:33 PM ...gee David, you must own a music store! Isn't it great that the Florida Folk Festival will have a fiftieth birthday party? Are you going to be there? harpgirl |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: GUEST,Frogmore Date: 13 Feb 02 - 09:57 PM Hello Ms. Harpgirl, Yes, hallelujah! How could anyone dare to stop something in it's 50th year?? What's the real scoop on George Steinbrener coming up with big bucks? (Sorry I changed the subject of the thread.) You bet I'll be there and I might even bolt my strumstick to my dreadnaught and do the 2 neck thing. Why not? |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: GUEST,chrisss Date: 15 Feb 02 - 05:06 PM fretless Bass is the easiest instrument to play. -----> your first lesson is here.................. http://www.geocities.com/washtubbass/fretless_by_nature.html |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull Date: 22 Feb 02 - 07:36 AM Thanks everyone, I bought a mandloin, it was 69 pound from Antones guitars in Hull, it is an Ozark.I am getting lessons of harpmaker (John the Harp). Jez-Thanks for offering to teach me whistle, I am still going to keep my whistle, but I am working almost every night at the minute and don't wake up till after dinner! so by the time I have got up and had my dinner then found your house it will be time to go to work, but I hope to see you at The Jug soon, I am going to cut my hours down over the summer, (about half of my customers are students and most of them go home for the summer).john |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: wilco Date: 22 Feb 02 - 10:19 AM Autoharp was easiest for me. Toughest is the musical saw. It even makes me sick when I practice!! Also hard is the fiddle; I've had three instructors quit on me (real cry babies). |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: Suffet Date: 22 Feb 02 - 10:56 AM I saw a teenager learn to play the mountain dulcimer in a few minutes. She didn't use a noter, just her left index finger to slide up and down along one of the strings while the other two remained open drones. She sounded the strings gently with a long, flexible pick held in her right hand. Almost immediately she was accompanying herself singing Frère Jacques. --- Steve |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull Date: 28 Apr 03 - 07:44 PM |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: Alba Date: 28 Apr 03 - 08:05 PM What are you trying to say John? ...*BG*...that you yourself are the instrument. Voice Box perhaps! A:>) |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: kendall Date: 28 Apr 03 - 08:51 PM John, I would recommed giving this some thought; what instrument do you like the sound of better than others? Get one, and WORK it! |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: Ely Date: 28 Apr 03 - 10:47 PM Another vote for the Appalachian dulcimer. I messed with it for a week and the then took it to a Civil War reenactment and gathered a bigger crowd than two regiments (North and South) of men. My brother will never forgive me . . . Which is not to say that you can't learn to do some really wicked stuff on a dulcimer if you work at it. It covers the full range from basic one-finger to the guy who can play the entire Willaim Tell Overture by bouncing a pencil on the strings (I'm not kidding). |
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Subject: RE: BS: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: denise:^) Date: 29 Apr 03 - 12:03 AM I teach autoharp and hammered dulcimer lessons, and I see a LOT of people who think that the "Autoharp Fairy" is going to fly over their bed at night and wave her little wand, and--VOILA!!! Instant Acclaimed Musician!! (I don't see that as much with the HD--I think it's the prefix 'auto' in autoharp...) Anyway, it IS true that, if you have ANY sense of rhythm at all, you can learn to accompany yourself on a 2-3 chord song, with a simple strum on the autoharp, in one good hour-long workshop or lesson. You will not be Bryan Bowers. You will not even be Denise:^)! ...but you will be making music... Of course, to get to the point that people other than those who love you VERY much will sit and listen, and perhaps even sing along, you need to put in a lot of time and practice. I think that is true for any instrument. (Even singing improves with practice!) Hope this doesn't discourage you--the practice can be really enjoyable, if you like your instrument and love to make music. Denise:^) p.s.--why is this BS? Sounds like music to me... ;^) |
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Subject: RE: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: GUEST,chippinder Date: 29 Apr 03 - 07:11 AM The easiest instrument to learn I suggest is the one you really, really want to learn. You'll be more committed to practice if its an instrument you like. If you don't like it or don't want to learn it you will resent the time spent practicing. Chips |
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Subject: RE: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: GUEST,noddy Date: 29 Apr 03 - 08:18 AM It must be the Banjo -you dont have to tune it ,nobody knows any of the tunes people play on it and who ever listens when its played. |
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Subject: RE: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: red max Date: 29 Apr 03 - 10:12 AM Bass guitar. I took it up because bass was the easiest route into a band, as everyone else wanted to be guitarists or drummers. There are only four strings, and you can easily get away with only using two of them. Of course, some bassists can be very dextrous and talented, but no bugger's listening to them so why bother? |
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Subject: RE: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: GUEST,noddy Date: 29 Apr 03 - 10:45 AM or of course the Shakey Egg. nuff said. |
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Subject: RE: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: GUEST,Banjoman Date: 29 Apr 03 - 10:55 AM Buy yourself the most expensive Melodeon you can afford. Then you will only have to carry it around to be universally accepted by Morris Teams Session players etc. without ever learning a note. The melodeon is the last refuge of the musically incompetent. However, if you really do want to play an instrument, get a five string banjo. Its open G tuning lets you play loads of tunes very easily, and its very easy to develop your own style. As to not wanting to dance - well thats another issue - why not Learn to dance its easier than playing -believe me. Its no fun after a four hour stint with a heavy instrument around your kneck - its definitley easier to learn a few basic dance steps. |
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Subject: RE: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca Date: 29 Apr 03 - 11:22 AM Red Max! Some of us DO listen to all of it. If it's not interesting, NO, I won't listen either, but the bass player is the one who has to know the tune to ENHANCE the tune. Same as the bodhran or banjo or mandolin players. They should not overpower the singer, or lead instrument, but enhance. I've seen good and bad players of instruments. Pretty well all of the good and great players, are barely discernable to many people, but if they aren't there, you would soon know it. My vote is also for the human voice. It is easy to join in, and with a tiny bit of practice you can actually sound good. With lots of practice you can be magnificent! BESIDES, it's the CHEAPEST instrument, unless you're a mute! |
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Subject: RE: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: PoppaGator Date: 29 Apr 03 - 11:24 AM It's *got* to depend upon your inclination and temperament. Lots of folks recommend the harmonica as "easy," (including several of the above posts), but I carried one or more around for several years without ever feeling I had even begun to learn it at all. The only real use I ever got out of a harmonica was as a pitchpipe to tune my guitar -- a "real" and moderately dificult instrument that I HAD learned to play. Since I was unable to impress even my own self with my sorry efforts as a reed player, I never felt like I had any business playing it for others. On the other hand, there's one simple instinctive instrument at which I became quite skilled, and to which I was always able to bring plenty of enthusiasm -- the washtub bass. Who knows why? The only explanation I can come up with is that the bass is the one "part," the one instrument, I was really meant to play, moreso than any "lead" voice like the mouth harp or even the guitar. And, with the gutbucket, I found a way to instantly express my inner bassist, without a great investment of time, study, money, etc. One school of thought is that the washtub is to the "real" bass as the kazoo is to the saxophone -- you can fake an approximation of the real instrument's sound, but you're worlds away from the technique required to function as a real musician. I disagree, at least to a degree; there's a bit of technique to washtub playing. For example, you can raise the pitch either by tightening the string/rope (pulling back), by shortening it (by grabbing it against the broomstick "fretboard" and sliding down), or both. Gotta wear gloves, of course! Like any of the "easy" instruments, the one-string bass is easy to play badly, but requires some kind of musicianship, albeit instinctive, to play well. For anyone who loves music and feels the need to play despite never had any training, there's probably a solution for you out there, but there may not be more than one that's right for you. If you fail to find the groove with your first attempt (like I did with the harmonica), keep trying; there might be another vehicle better suited for your talents. |
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Subject: RE: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: GUEST Date: 29 Apr 03 - 12:24 PM guitar is pretty easy if you just want to accompany yourself or others on simple chords. Like any instrument though - there's a whole load to advance onto later. But its quite a quick-start instrument. |
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Subject: RE: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: GUEST,Racer Date: 29 Apr 03 - 12:30 PM I just wanted to add that playing in key should also be a consideration. There are players out there that won't shift things up or down a key to accomadate a 'D' whistle or a 'G' harmonica. There are a few common keys that most people play in, but sometimes people don't know what key their playing in. In these cases, you have to watch and listen in order to figure it out. I have a particularly hard time doing this with fiddle. I guess the notes are too high. It sucks to hear someone playing his 'D' whistle, when everyone else is playing in 'C', because he doesn't know. It's even worse when their ear isn't developed enough to tell them to stop playing. My vote goes to the guitar. You can usually get away with only knowing six chords, and there's almost always someone there to follow. --CS |
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Subject: RE: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: mexican Date: 29 Apr 03 - 12:45 PM I've heard it said that no braincells at all are required to play one of those eight button melodeon things. |
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Subject: RE: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: denise:^) Date: 29 Apr 03 - 05:02 PM Lots of folks are mentioning the egg shaker-- let me add that a rhythm-impaired shakerist can cause quite a bit of damage wtih a loud egg!!! If you aren't sure how your rhythm skills are, you'll probably have to get someone you trust, someone who will tell you the truth--someone who knows rhythm when they hear it!--and then play along with someone or some recording. Ask them to tell you honestly if you stayed in time. Nothing like trying to lead a sing-along with a rhythm-impaired shaky-egg or bass player "joining in." (Or bones--yikes!) Or--BEST OF ALL--one of those rthythm-impaired folks who collect entire BAGS of 'novelty' rhythm toys, and then sit there, going, "Zip! Whiz! Clangety-clang! Bonk-bonk-bonk! whip-whip-whip-whip-whip-whip-whip! Ding ding ding!..." throughout the entire event. Aaaaaarrrghhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Denise:^) ...who knows a few 'rhythm-bag' collectors... |
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Subject: RE: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: Leo Condie Date: 29 Apr 03 - 05:25 PM why are melodeons so easy? |
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Subject: RE: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: PoppaGator Date: 29 Apr 03 - 05:36 PM I suppose there's nothing to be done to protect us from the completely talentless. And the sad thing is, those completely devoid of any musical sensibility at all don't even have the judgement to realize their own incompetence. Offering them kazoos and washboards, I suppose, only makes matters worse. On the other hand, there are plenty of individuals who have the requisite ear and intelligence to participate in some kind of musical jam or session, but who haven't yet acquired and learned an instrument. Perhaps something mentioned in this thread will help someone like this find a place to start. After all, there was once a time when each one of us hadn't yet learned to play our respective instruments. (Well, most of us anyway -- we all know somebody who seems to have jumped out of the womb able to play anything with strings on it.) |
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Subject: RE: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: GUEST,Bill Date: 29 Apr 03 - 07:18 PM Why not try an ocarina they are easy to carry don't take up a lot of space and not as limited as they first appear when you really try. Bill the sound(as was) |
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Subject: RE: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: JohnInKansas Date: 29 Apr 03 - 09:27 PM No one has mentioned the really easiest and most appropriate instrument: the JUG. Giving careful thought to the source of the the question - John from Hull, and the most likely use - to be present and not dance, the JUG is the perfect solution. One must arrive prepared to play in any key, hence with a full jug. Various aspects of the filling are good for hours of discourse and opinion shared with your fellow musicians. Taking a place on the periphery of the event, where one can devote appropriate attention to tuning to the key in use, the contents must be removed in small increments, with interspersed "hoots" to test. A peripheral location is essential, so that the "pre-tuning" hoots don't interfere with the main event, and also to avoid unwanted "help" from those who are likely to participate in the tuning. It is almost certain that, by the time the player perceives that he/she is "in tune," said player will fully believe that vast reservoirs of talent and virtuosity have come to the fore - and will fully believe that full and complete mastery of the instrument has been obtained. At this point, it is also quite likely that our new performer will be unable to dance, so that problem is solved automatically. A word of caution though. Too many hooters too prominently in evidence can detract from the serious purposes of a session, and above all else, when you reach that point of perfection, resist the temptation to play with other's jugs. John |
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Subject: RE: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: Bee-dubya-ell Date: 29 Apr 03 - 10:11 PM I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the hammer dulcimer. Yeh, it looks scary with all those strings and such, but it is the most forgiving stringed instrument there is. It's tuned diatonically so it's difficult to play an accidental by accident. In other words, if you're playing in C you can't possibly accidentally play an F# instead of an F. The worst that you could do would be to play an E or a G which are at least notes in the C scale so they harmonize instead of clash. Just about anybody can be playing "Golden Slippers" in just a few minutes. "Off to California" just takes a little longer. Only problem is if you're looking for an instrument to learn to keep from having to dance, the hammer dulcimer is a poor choice. Most players seem to be compelled to dance while playing. Bruce |
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Subject: RE: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: Roger the Skiffler Date: 30 Apr 03 - 03:49 AM So where did you hear me, Poppagator? Roger the Completely Talentless. (buzz buzz, rattle rattle) |
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Subject: RE: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: GUEST,noddy Date: 30 Apr 03 - 04:04 AM claves are harder than shakey eggs and louder. |
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Subject: RE: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: red max Date: 30 Apr 03 - 08:18 AM Re. bass guitar I know some people do listen to the bass, George. In fact, I was watching the Glastonbury movie the other day and Dave Pegg's playing is so brilliant it makes me want to weep. But it DOESN'T make me want to go and practice my scales, heh heh! I've been a hack bassist for nearly 20 years and a hack I'll remain |
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Subject: RE: What's The Easiest Instrument to learn? From: fiddler Date: 30 Apr 03 - 08:34 AM John fro Ull are U tasking the p*ss No Instrument is easy to play! No praps I'm being a dork! Much more likely! Take up fiddle there are no marks for you fingers so it doesn't matter and all you do is pull the bow thing backwards and forwards. Waht could be easier!!!! A |
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