Easiest instrument to learn

Subject: RE: Easiest instrument to learn
From: Scrump
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 03:59 AM

Piano? Easily portable?!

Subject: RE: Easiest instrument to learn
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 11:10 AM

As for Pipe and Tabor :-
Drum usually played with stick held in right hand and pipe in left hand. Holes are not offset, so could just as easily be played "left handed".
Bottom 3 holes on tin whistle are at same distance from end of pipe, but on tabor pipe the first hole is on the back of the pipe for the thumb to cover. You can play the same tunes on a "taped up" penny whistle, but the fingering uses three fingers rather than thumb plus 2 fingers.
All notes on the scale of a tabor pipe are overblown, the highest become overblown to the extent that the actual fingering becomes less important than your determination that it plays the note in your head. If you think the note hard enough it comes out.
Personally I prefer the 4 hole pipe. The 4th hole produces the same effect you can get by half covering the end of a 3 hole pipe, but is more convenient to finger. It gives an extra accidental (an extra "flat" I think) so you can play in different keys than standard pipe.
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Easiest instrument to learn
From: Little Robyn
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 02:59 PM

So if you can play a piano but want portability, get a wee piano accordion!!!!
Robyn

Subject: RE: Easiest instrument to learn
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 10:39 PM

"get a wee piano accordion"

Actually, a moderatly wet one is best.... :-P


"on tabor pipe the first hole is on the back of the pipe for the thumb to cover. You can play the same tunes on a "taped up" penny whistle, but the fingering uses three fingers rather than thumb plus 2 fingers."


Due to my slight MMD hassle, I find the thumb damn near impossible to use for that, but I can play fine with the 3 fingers. I would like to get one with the 3 finger holes, but 'traditionalists' all know better! The tabor pipe is all about breath control.


"the highest become overblown to the extent that the actual fingering becomes less important than your determination that it plays the note in your head. If you think the note hard enough it comes out."

If you think THAT is tricky, try playing the pipe with no finger holes - you modify your cupped hand shape around the end for the pitch changes. You definitely have to THINK the note with that beastie!