Have you found 'your' instrument?

Subject: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Peter T.
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 10:44 AM

This is a spinoff from the "Instruments: Pro and Con" thread -- I was wondering how or if people had found the instrument "they were born to play", and whether that was for everyone, or some eclecticism (I am an eclectic, which I guess means I get bored easily).

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 10:54 AM

In a sense I would say found but as I don't play it and never will be able to play, it doesn't meet your criteria. It is the fiddle. I love it as I think it is rather more versatile than the tenor banjo I mostly try to play and I like its range of expression in skilled hands.

Another instrument I don't play but in this case have always felt I have an affinity for and found it fairly easy to something with in a short while is the bass guitar. I probably will buy an electric bass one day.

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Amos
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 10:59 AM

I am deeply in love with a Martin D35 made in 1969 which it was my good fortune to buy a number of years back. I am sometimes tempted by theramins, though. I am not in love with my raincoat, just for the record.


A

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Willie-O
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 11:11 AM

Yes I have.

1955 OOO-28

What I have not found is the $7500.

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: mooman
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 11:54 AM

....well I'm getting close but there are still quite a few to try!

Tried and liked

Classical, folk, "celtic", blue, rock and jazz guitar
Bass guitar
Mandolin
Octave mandolin
Tenor banjo
5-string banjo
Bouzouki
Portuguese guitar
Mountain dulcimer

Tried and player found "skill-challenged"

Melodeon
English and Anglo concertinas
Saxophone
Keyboards

Currently under trial and "promising"!

Irish D flute

On future "wishlist"

Decent resonator guitar

The Good Lady says I am "best" (in the broadest sense of the term) on mandolin but I think perhaps guitar...

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 11:56 AM

YES! after 32 years of stumbling and fumbling around with stringed instruments (guitar, banjo, ukulele, to name a few), I found myself trying an anglo concertina. I missed the sound so much after Byron died, and wondered if it would help with my healing.

In a word, yes. It has. I have such joy and yes, fun, wih this little squeezy -thingy- and it comes so easily to me! I never even touched it when Byron was alive, and now it's like I'm channeling the master.

I don't think it's just about the connection with Byron- I honestly feel I've finally found the instrument I've been looking for all my life!

Allison

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Midchuck
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 11:57 AM

Fifteen or twenty times now - but each time I get bored with it after a few months to a few years, and sell it to buy something else.

Over on Flatpick-L there's a whole bunch of people with the same problem.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Amos
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 11:58 AM

ALlison:

That is pure-dee WUNNERFUL!! Really. Congrats.


A

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: GUEST,Les B.
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 12:00 PM

I started with guitar, then moved to banjo, then messed about a bit with mandolin, came back to banjo, took up the fiddle, came back to banjo - but lately it's the guitar I've started to really appreciate again! I guess it got my virginity some forty years ago and was my first true love.

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 12:23 PM

I'm not convinced that I (Or anyone for that matter) was born to play anything...

But I sure have fun at what I do...

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Little Robyn
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 01:36 PM

Northumbrian small pipes.
I first heard them in 1968 and fell in love with them, spent the next 4 years trying to find a set, finally had to go to Britain to get them. They're not easy to learn and most are in the key of F and a bit so they're not much use in a normal session.
But I still love them!
Robyn

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 02:37 PM

I love all of my guitars and give them all time to work out. I can't part with any of them:

1972 Martin D-18
1969 Gibson J45
1964 Gibson LG-0
1962 Gibson LG-3
1963 Harmony Sovereign H1260

I also play when needed my:

1978 Fender P-Bass
1977 Iida Gibson Mastertone Copy banjo
Mid-90's Upright China mad bass

All of these instruments are just wonderful to own and play.

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: bazza
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 02:46 PM

I got my first concertina in 1971 an English ,I have also taken up the Anglo in the last 6 years.I have tried guitars ,banjo,s melodeon,but the concertina is the one for me I never get fed up playing ,its a wonderfull instrument.

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Spot
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 03:25 PM

Hello everybody..
Lowden 032, Stelling Bellflower, Oakwood Teardrop Special mando...I would sell my soul before parting with any of theses babies!! Having said that, I still feel "born to play" a whole host of others wot I havent yet discovered.At least..I hope thats the case!!!

                   Regards to all..    Spot

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 04:03 PM

My 1974 SL Mossman Tennessee Flat Top - had it since it was new. I do have a second love and that is a lovely Gurian I purchased from Ferrara a couple of years ago. I flat pick the Mossman and fingerpick the Gurian.

Don't know that I was "born" to play either one - but certainly enjoy both. My kids can argue over who gets which one -

Steve

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Spot
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 04:08 PM

Norton 1

             Gurian??    Never heard of this one...sounds a bit Star Trek, to me . can you enlighten me, please?


                         Regards to all Spot

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Ed.
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 04:24 PM

Spot,

How much are you selling your soul for, please?

I'm in the market for a spare one.

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 04:26 PM

Gurian Guitars

Fine instrument - -

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Lil Dog Turpy
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 04:53 PM

It's funny how every kid that's forced into playing the piano, as I was, seemed to hate it at the time and now I'm so glad I got the basics of music theory and practice. Since then I've played guitar, D whistle and now the English 30 button concertina. I find I can be transported by any of them but the one instrument that I never tire of and I'm always fascinated by is my voice. I used to sing harmonies to the choruses in folk clubs but after coming to Canada the only way to hear the songs I was familiar with is to sing them myself. As a consequence I'm having a lot of fun with this most wonderful instrument!

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Spot
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 05:10 PM

Norton1
       Thanks for that ...I now know everything about something I'd never heard of until an hour or so ago...!!! Comprehensive site plus fine looking guitars...(wonder if I was born to play one o' them as well??)
                     
                   Regards to all   Spot

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Spot
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 05:14 PM

Ed...
          My soul's not really worth much at mo'...its full of cold, sore throat, cough, aches an' pains...... 80p max, I 'd say!!

               Regards to all...Spot

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 05:14 PM

I go on binges of playing one thing or another so "my" instrument varies from week to week. At this time, it happens to be a 00-15 Martin guitar in open D tuning. Next week it may be a 12-string Guild in open G. Or maybe a nylon-strung guitar. Or a banjo, Dobro or mandolin. I may get inspired and dig the hammer dulcimer out from under the bed. I may get wild and play electric guitar. One thing for sure... It won't be anything even vaguely related to an accordion!

Bruce

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Donuel
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 05:15 PM

Took abot 5 years of ebay intrigue but I got my dream instrument.

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 05:30 PM

BTW, Spot, that "disastrous fire" mentioned in that Gurian article was disastrous in more ways than one. It not only destroyed Michael's shop, but his lumberyard where he had accumulated some of the finest instrument-building woods in existence, including a large chunk of the available supply of Brazilian rosewood (importing BR was banned in 1969). Many other small-shop luthiers had been purchasing woods to build their own instruments from Gurian and had to find new sources after the fire.

Bruce

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 05:45 PM

It's interesting that some of us are talking about a specific instrument, eg, a "Martin 00-xxx", and others more generally about The Instrument, not the single item but the genre, I guess. There's a Jeffries anglo I'm longing for, but I don't have legal rights to it, nor the lucre, so I'm just happy with what I can put into my hands, reminding myself it's the music, not the Thing that matters.

(Yes, Amos, WUNNERFUL just begins to express how I feel about the 'tina!)

And yes, of course, Li'l Turp, how could I fail to mention my singing voice- I'd be truly lost if I couldn't sing!

Allison

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 08:03 PM

I started with a Mouth Organ as a lad, had a brief period of Clarinet lessons then learned Scottish Pipes. Went back to Clarinet playing Jazz, added Saxes, then discovered Folk. Obvious first Folk Instrument was Whistle (Tommy Makem with the Clancy's) then on to Guitar, Banjo,(Duo with Other Vocals/Guitarist) then got a cheap mandolin. Added Tenor Banjo to 5 String, then got the Banjola. I still say whistle is the ONLY one I CAN play, just get by with the others, but I LOVE the banjola. Its the one i take out to Folk Clubs
more than any thing else.

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Scoville
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 08:38 PM

I'm badly conflicted. I kick butt on the Appalachian dulcimer but I'm starting to get frustrated with its limitations (see pro and con thread). I dearly love flatpicked guitar and OT fiddle but I don't really have the reflexes for either. So, yes and no. Actually, I got a fiddle bow for Christmas and am doing better than I expected, so maybe it will turn out better than guitar lessons did.

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 10:25 PM

If it can score ANY three sequences of notes....major or minor...I can play it.....enjoy it.....develope on its nuances.

For I am a "musician."

The unluckly rest of the assemblied 97% congregation are clue-less...and missing an invaluable augment of life.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Peter T.
Date: 10 Mar 04 - 08:11 AM

I mentioned this to someone yesterday and they said that they had an image of themselves as a certain kind of person (e.g. wandering hobo), and that the instrument had to fit into that. Which was a new thought to me -- I thought one was caught by a particular sound or something.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Bohdran Killer
Date: 10 Mar 04 - 10:32 AM

Vega Whyte Laydie tenor banjo, loud and obnoxious, perfect.
Killer

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 10 Mar 04 - 04:13 PM

Turpy--i had the same experience and things turned out the same way! I can't remember where the notes are on a piano, but I sure learned how to read music! Funny how things have a way of turning around on you isn't it?

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Vixen
Date: 11 Mar 04 - 10:24 AM

Interesting thread...I hardly ever post anymore, but this one really caught my attention.

First, Gargoyle speaks a truth. All the people I've considered to be "true" musicians can make at least passably coherent, interesting, and enjoyable sound with any "instrument" you give them. For example, I am clearly not yet one of these people, and may never acquire that level of intuitive talent, but Reynaud can play anything. He recently bought a cello at a yard sale, and was playing it to accompany other musicians later that afternoon at a family gathering.

Second, I think some people have special affinities for certain instruments. They may be "true" musicians by the above definition, or they may not. For example, the instrument I play most is the guitar; it's a constant struggle, challenge, and trial, with occasional moments of frustration thrown in for variety. The instrument for which I feel an affinity, however, is the flute. It was what I wanted to play most way back when as a child, and when I finally was able to acquire one a few years ago, the first thing I did was put it together and play Amazing Grace. Playing the flute is a pleasure, a delight, and a constant sense of discovery, with occasional moments of frustration thrown in for variety.

Third, I think some people have special attachments to particular instruments. These folks may be "true" musicians, or they may not, but in any case, for any one or several of a multitude of reasons, they are partial to a particular instrument. For some examples of these kinds of "attachments," I have an Alvarez that is my main guitar. I like its tone. Last year, by great serendipity, I won a Baby Taylor. It's a pleasure to play. My flute is a Gemeinhardt student flute, and it has some tonal issues, and playability issues, but I'd rather play it than either guitar, and I can't wait until I've saved up enough to buy a better one.

And over and above all of this, I'd rather sing. All I need is me to do that. Nothing to carry, nothing to assemble, nothing to buy.

Fascinating topic. This thread really got me thinking about what I'm spending my musical time on, and why.

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: C-flat
Date: 11 Mar 04 - 12:52 PM

My instrument is most certainly the guitar although I can play most stringed things in a fashion and can make a reasonable sound on the piano.
But finding "the instrument" is an endless quest for me, and one I don't ever expect or hope to conclude. A particular guitar can inspire me for months, to the neglect of my other instruments, but when I do eventually pick up one of my old beaters I can find them every bit as head-turning as when I played them for the first time.
I often think of my passion for guitars in the same way one might think of personal relationships, each having their own characteristics, but if I was as flighty and feckless with my personal relationships as I am with my instruments, I'd have to keep moving and changing my name!
My latest "baby" is a 1954 plastic Maccaferri which is so different to anything I've played before (partly because it won't stay in tune) that I can't walk past it.
I thought I might have found the answer with the Variax that I bought last year (a whole range of electric/accoustic guitars, banjo, sitar, dobro, etc, in one package) but I only use it for gigging with, never at home.
As someone once said.."If you marry your mistress you create a vacancy"
C-flat.

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Willie-O
Date: 11 Mar 04 - 01:02 PM

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: Willie-O
Date: 11 Mar 04 - 01:06 PM

Sorry, meant to say...it's not that I don't love the instruments that I have now. I've certainly gone on enough over the years about my J***** L****** guitar. But I guess I am acquisitive by nature...it's always the one I don't have that I'm lusting after. It's sort of like a chain letter...no matter how many times it gets passed along, there will always be a name at the top of the list.

But I think I've tried to learn enough instruments in my time...I'm sure I can spend my remaining forty or fifty years going back and trying to really learn ones I've had a stab at and left behind...accordion, banjo etc.

Subject: RE: Have you found 'your' instrument?
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Mar 04 - 08:45 PM

Yep ..found mine. 6 string Eko ranger bought in 1983. I've tried out and bought flashier looking guitars since, but they are always the ones to end up stored under the bed or getting sold on. Cant imagine life without my old Eko..and its lovely low action.