Learning music instruments---order of difficulty? [more inside]
posted by ragtimepiano on Nov 6, 2009 - 40 answers

Five string guitar (non-bass), with a standard-width fretboard: Why am I not finding m/any, and how can one be altered, purchased, or constructed cheaply by a non-expert. [more inside]
posted by jjjjjjjijjjjjjj on Sep 25, 2009 - 12 answers

I need to learn how to play guitar. I'd like to start on an acoustic so I won't have to lug an amp around all the time. What type of acoustic should I start off with and what is the best way to learn? Websites? Lessons? [more inside]
posted by decrescendo on Jul 31, 2009 - 30 answers

Should I buy this used Taylor acoustic guitar? Guitar guru mefites, help me out! [more inside]
posted by Precision on Jul 16, 2009 - 11 answers

Are there any stores that sell cheap toy musical instruments in Los Angeles? [more inside]
posted by speicus on Jun 25, 2009 - 9 answers

What are some good thrift stores in Philly that go beyond just clothing? [more inside]
posted by god particle on Jun 21, 2009 - 10 answers

What are some good pop/rock songs that feature an accordion? I'm not looking for any polka/cajun/zydeco-influenced sounds, but more traditional rock tunes - think "The Last Beat of My Heart" by Siouxsie and the Banshees or even "What it Takes" by Aerosmith - where it's just another backing instrument.
posted by adverb on Jun 20, 2009 - 29 answers

What instrument is this, that I remember from my youth? [more inside]
posted by Rewind on May 4, 2009 - 6 answers

Help me choose a musical instrument to learn! [more inside]
posted by btkuhn on Apr 18, 2009 - 33 answers

Any recommendations for an inexpensive (but not cheap) classical guitar? I'm looking in the $150-$250 range here. [more inside]
posted by littlerobothead on Jan 2, 2009 - 9 answers

We know smoking is bad for people, but is it bad for synthesizers? While looking at classified ads for various bits of musical equipment (speakers, synths, samplers etc) I often see in the descriptions "all gear used in a 100% smoke-free environment". Does this actually matter? And how come nobody ever includes that in descriptions for secondhand electric guitars?
posted by awfurby on Oct 9, 2008 - 13 answers

My music theory professor challenged our class to identify a married couple where one plays the violin and the other the trumpet. His theory is that the personalities of violin and trumpet players clash. Can anyone name a prominent musical couple where one plays a bowed instrument and the other brass? I would imagine that a saxophone player or drummer would be equally incompatible with a string player.
posted by swarkentien on Sep 1, 2008 - 14 answers

Inspired by this question: I have the sheet music to Steve Reich's MUSIC FOR 18 INSTRUMENTS. I bought it to understand the piece better. But, the individual parts played by themselves sound nothing like the actual piece. I am not a good enough pianist to create a full piano transcription of the piece. Does anyone have any advice as to how to play excerpts from this score but still have it sound like Reich? ( Maybe someone who knows the piece better than I do.)
posted by wittgenstein on Aug 6, 2008 - 5 answers

I'm interested in taking accordion and/or ukulele lessons in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Does anyone know where I might be able to take lessons? Additionally, does anyone know of places where I can rent either instrument?
posted by Waitwhat on Jul 25, 2008 - 5 answers

Can I actually play my toy guitar? [more inside]
posted by liketitanic on May 24, 2008 - 4 answers

I was gifted a mandolin for my birthday this past weekend. I already play guitar and bass. Mandolin, not so much. Tips, techniques and tricks are appreciated. [more inside]
posted by gnutron on May 20, 2008 - 8 answers

Guitarist looking for other string instruments to play around on... [more inside]
posted by fire&wings on Apr 19, 2008 - 19 answers

One-string tunes for guitar or bass? [more inside]
posted by padraigin on Mar 7, 2008 - 19 answers

Vacation in Turkey + love of folk music and instruments. What to do? [more inside]
posted by outsider on Jan 9, 2008 - 3 answers

Where can I buy myself a lovely second-hand analogue synth in London? It's my birthday, I'm alone, the only way out is to buy a new instrument as a present to myself. Nothing TOO expensive - I'm thinking a Juno 106 or something. Is there any shop that might stock one?
posted by Ted Maul on Oct 24, 2007 - 4 answers

I'm interested in buying some cool, portable, percussion instruments over the next few months. I'd be willing to spend up to $200 per piece, and I'd like them to be beginner friendly. What should I start with? Are there any instruments I should avoid because they break too easy, etc? [more inside]
posted by yeahyeahyeahwhoo on Jun 22, 2007 - 17 answers

I've had music in my head all of my life. I don't play any instruments (yet). Where do I begin? [more inside]
posted by Danila on May 3, 2007 - 13 answers

Two questions concerning violins (and by extension, other string instruments): 1. Mass production! 2. Strads! [more inside]
posted by archagon on Apr 27, 2007 - 14 answers

Any Suggestions on how to get a 180lb flight case from JFK to lower Manhattan today without a car? [more inside]
posted by ob on Mar 26, 2007 - 13 answers

How hard is it, as a (relatively) long-time musician, to pick up new instruments? (more specifically, as a guitarist moving to other areas) [more inside]
posted by invitapriore on Nov 20, 2006 - 11 answers

How do I play my clarinet alongside guitar? [more inside]
posted by bmct on Sep 3, 2006 - 12 answers

Anyone know where to get accoustic bass guitar strings in D.C.?
posted by Ironmouth on Aug 14, 2006 - 5 answers

Do you know of a musical instrument that has name that sounds like "feen"? [more inside]
posted by donajo on Jul 18, 2006 - 6 answers

What is the best stage arrangement for wireless instrument gear? [more inside]
posted by KevinSkomsvold on Jul 1, 2006 - 5 answers

Where to start learning a musical instrument for the musically inept? [more inside]
posted by KirTakat on Mar 30, 2006 - 38 answers

So I finally got a midi cable and hooked up my keyboard to my computer for some home recording. It works swell, but I'm looking into a portable solution so I can take it along with my laptop. [more inside]
posted by pooya on Mar 24, 2006 - 9 answers

I'd like to buy a beginner's acoustic guitar. [more inside]
posted by MasonDixon on Jan 20, 2006 - 24 answers

What is the best approach to learn how to play bass guitar? [more inside]
posted by jeremias on Dec 27, 2005 - 11 answers

Name-That-Synth-Filter: Help me identify the monophonic synthesizer used on "Dracula's Wedding", from the Outkast album The Love Below. Samples inside... [more inside]
posted by sluggo on Dec 13, 2005 - 9 answers

I have a flute. I don't play flute. I'd like to sell the flute. How do you sell a flute? [more inside]
posted by ToasT on Nov 4, 2005 - 10 answers

I want to record my own music. I have no idea where to start. What would be a fairly inexpensive and good beginner's setup hardware and software-wise? [more inside]
posted by petah on Oct 14, 2005 - 23 answers

I've played guitar for 10+ years - I want to learn piano, for writing, performing, and to widen my musical understanding. A real piano doesn't jive with my life, what should I buy? [more inside]
posted by Jack Karaoke on Sep 25, 2005 - 14 answers

What's that instrument you hear in some bossa nova songs that sounds either like a man wheezing or someone pulling a plastic straw through the top of a fast food soda cup?
posted by CrazyJoel on Sep 21, 2005 - 7 answers

I'm in a band. Two guitars, bass, drums. We're looking at maybe throwing in touches of synth -- touches of atmosphere, maybe an occaisional lead line. I have a keyboard/controller (an M-Audio Oxygen8), so I'm just looking for advice vis-a-vis a cheap-but-usable synth module. [more inside]
posted by cortex on May 3, 2005 - 6 answers

A few years ago my mother picked up this traditional(?) instrument in Hungary. What's it called and how do you use it?
posted by klue on Mar 20, 2005 - 9 answers

Identify this percussion instrument: I just bought a thing that is a 5' tall stick with a pogo spring on the bottom. It has hi-hat cymbals on the top and a tamborine, cowbell, jingle bells and a woodblock attached to it. You thump this thing on the ground while wacking on everything with a drumstick and it makes a racket that will wake the neighbors. What is it?
posted by wsg on Feb 3, 2005 - 14 answers

Does anyone have a recommendation for a cheap, but great sounding electric guitar, say in the $300-600 range? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by Tommy Gnosis on Nov 24, 2004 - 14 answers

DonationFilter: Musical Gear and 20 Years Of Guitar Magazines To Donate. Does anyone know a suitable candidate? (MI) [more inside]
posted by mischief on Oct 4, 2004 - 2 answers

What's the instrument played by the old man in Hero? What's that style of music called?
posted by callmejay on Sep 5, 2004 - 3 answers

Electric/electronic accordions. What do they sound like? How's the volume control? Is there any recorded music they've been used it? Are they good for moderately experienced keyboardists who've never played accordion but think they're really cool (especially the auto-transpose stuff)? [more inside]
posted by Tlogmer on May 16, 2004 - 4 answers

In about a week, my boyfriend and I are flying from Chicago to Boston. He plans to play with his band while he's there, and so would require his bass (electric). This is not something we would want to check, for risk of damage or theft. But I don't think that sort of thing is allowed as carry-on. What can we do? I know that a lot of locked items are forced open nowadays for security checks. Does anyone have any experience with transporting instruments via air? We're taking ATA by the way.
posted by agregoli on Mar 16, 2004 - 22 answers

I write and compose music. What I would like to know is what kind of basic equipment do I need to start laying down my own tracks and orchestrating my own stuff? My expensive toy PSR500M Yamaha has just enough bells and whistles to tantalize me as to what is possible to do. I have to start small, as finances are an issue at present.
posted by konolia on Mar 7, 2004 - 10 answers

Odd Ethnic Croatian instruments...I found my dad's old bugarija, and took it to the local folk-music shop to get restrung. They gave me strings based on the thirty-year-old strings that were on the thing. I looked online and foud out that the instrument is commonly tuned to an open D, but there's no way I can wind the strings up that tight without breaking stuff. If possible, I'd like to tune it like a guitar's top strings, and leave the bottom two strings as a drone and octave ('chorus'), but don't really know what my options are. My dad hasn't played it in 40+ years so he's no help...any one know anything 'bout a bugarija? One other thing: it's got five tuning pegs, but both the nut and the bridge have seven slots, with different spacing. Anyone know what the heck is going on?
posted by notsnot on Mar 6, 2004 - 10 answers

So in the past, I've played the piano, violin and bass guitar. But my true passion, and musical talent, has always been singing. Alas, my particular voice isn't very popular. So I want to translate my vocal talents into my newest venture, the saxaphone. Any advice on where I should purchase one, and if this is even a good idea?
posted by BlueTrain on Dec 28, 2003 - 6 answers