Musical instruments for kids. [more inside]
posted by cameronfromedinburgh on Oct 7, 2009 - 22 answers

Is it reasonable to expect that I can develop reasonable proficiency at piano/keyboard with 30 minutes to an hour of practice each day for a few months? [more inside]
posted by DMan on Sep 25, 2009 - 12 answers

Help me write retro-styled video game music! I've finally found a system that works for me, but its supported music formats are OGG - which is nice, but too heavyweight for the kind of retro feel I want - and MOD/XM, which has definite potential... [more inside]
posted by wanderingmind on Aug 17, 2009 - 6 answers

I'm considering a new violin... but I live in an apartment. And I have no intention of performing for anyone but myself. What's the most reasonable violin to get, and how can I best keep from driving my neighbors insane? [more inside]
posted by katillathehun on Aug 13, 2009 - 13 answers

What exactly is the difference between a guitar and bass amp? If I were to get the latter, could I plug in the former instrument and still get similar bitchin' sounds out of my rig? [more inside]
posted by shoebox on Jun 29, 2009 - 15 answers

I am interested in learning to play the pedal steel guitar, what do I need to know? [more inside]
posted by MaryDellamorte on Jun 10, 2009 - 7 answers

What musical instrument looks like a clarinet but has a tiny thin reed? [more inside]
posted by Brodiggitty on May 28, 2009 - 8 answers

How do I transpose guitar sheet music, not tabs, into banjo sheet music?
posted by shesaysgo on May 17, 2009 - 9 answers

Where in Vancouver, BC might I find a replacement power supply (I believe it's a Yamaha PA-6 adapter) for a PSR 740 keyboard?
posted by stray on Feb 21, 2009 - 5 answers

Is there a great, free website where a child with no prior experience can learn to tune and play her new guitar? [more inside]
posted by daisyace on Jan 13, 2009 - 2 answers

Please suggest a few songs (rock,punk,alt-country,indie,country, I hate using labels, but please no blues or jazz or classical) that incorporate the trumpet. Doesn't have to be the main ingredient, just part of the song will do. For some reason, when used in this vague context, it sends me into a solemn, pensive place for a while. Thanks.
posted by repoman on Nov 7, 2008 - 77 answers

I'm very curious about learning to play a hammered dulcimer. What do I need to know? [more inside]
posted by valleys on Oct 18, 2008 - 9 answers

What instrument is featured on 30 Rock? During the first season of the TV sitcom 30 Rock Liz's scenes are sometimes introduced with a few notes of wistful music, played with what sounds like a woodwind instrument. Usually solo. Can anyone identify the instrument?
posted by Jeff Howard on Aug 15, 2008 - 5 answers

Our kids, 5 and 7, haven't singled in on any specific instrument yet (nor, perhaps, will they ever), but they do love listening to, humming/singing, and dancing to all kinds of music, and playing the various "minor" instruments we've got. We're thinking about buying some sort of simple music machine/synth to have in the house for them play around with. Any recommendations?
posted by progosk on May 13, 2008 - 14 answers

AskMe Musicians - I'm buying a drum set for the first time. What advice would you offer me? [more inside]
posted by Afroblanco on Feb 15, 2008 - 14 answers

Can you help me find more information on the mystery-maker of my Grandfather's violin? [more inside]
posted by DecemberRaine on Jul 25, 2007 - 4 answers

Please help me find a musical instrument to learn that fits all these qualifications (in order of importance): super easy to learn, small, cheap. [more inside]
posted by marginaliana on Apr 30, 2007 - 27 answers

I own a 50s reissue Stratocaster that I need to get some work done on. It's been in storage (not in a storage locker but someone's house, and not in a garage) for a couple of years, since I moved away from my hometown. Next month I'll be retrieving it. (Yay!) However, I'm not quite sure where to go in NYC to get that work done properly. I don't want my baby screwed up. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by Mikey-San on Mar 24, 2007 - 8 answers

I'm looking for an interesting and inexpensive MIDI instrument. [more inside]
posted by monkeymadness on Feb 16, 2007 - 15 answers

What do you think is the best inexpensive ($50 or less) pocketable musical instrument?
posted by archagon on Feb 4, 2007 - 44 answers

Short version: What cool musical equipment can I get for $200? [more inside]
posted by lekvar on Jan 29, 2007 - 30 answers

How do I properly clean and tune a newly purchased, but second-hand, acoustic guitar? [more inside]
posted by chos on Jan 29, 2007 - 11 answers

Cheap, noisy and fun: Help me to build/make/collect dozens of inexpensive, whimsical musical instuments. [more inside]
posted by leapfrog on Sep 5, 2006 - 21 answers

Help me find somewhere online to purchase a theremin, preferrably cheaply. I'd just be a beginner, so great magical quality isn't an issue. Also, I have no problem with age as long as they function. There's aslo [more inside]
posted by Glitter Ninja on Aug 16, 2006 - 6 answers

I have a 1997 Telecaster Plus with a rosewood fretboard that I'd like to darken up a bit. [more inside]
posted by KevinSkomsvold on May 19, 2006 - 11 answers

What's the least amount of money you can spend and still get a decent banjo? [more inside]
posted by defenestration on Apr 1, 2006 - 5 answers

Last night I decided I want to play the violin. [more inside]
posted by soma lkzx on Mar 30, 2006 - 22 answers

I'd like to buy a cello for around $500. I know nothing about celli. [more inside]
posted by cortex on Dec 27, 2005 - 18 answers

How should I sell my violin? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 21, 2005 - 11 answers

How does one go about learning the pedal steel, or any musical instrument for that matter? [more inside]
posted by catesbie on Jul 11, 2005 - 13 answers

What are some albums that make good use of the duduk? I've been hearing this instrument crop up more and more in film scores, such as Ronin and The Hulk, and it delights me.
posted by Sticherbeast on Jan 3, 2005 - 6 answers

What the hell was that *thing* Sting was playing at the Oscars? It had an almond-shaped body, but the two strings were spread wide, with what looked like a harmonica in between 'em, and almost no neck. Plus, he was turning a little hand-crank on it with his right hand. It had two small f-holes in it, too. I'm completely stumped.
posted by notsnot on Feb 29, 2004 - 15 answers