Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with instruments

Which musical instrument is the most difficult to master?

ragtimepiano — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:50:07 -0800

Learning music instruments---order of difficulty? This is just a "fun" question. I expect I'll get a wide range of answers here; people's preferences vary. I'm a musician who plays numerous instruments---piano, brass, woodwinds, flute, a little percussion now and then. I feel most fulfilled playing brass---and find it the most difficult, also, involving the whole body, requiring conditioning (diaphragm and embouchure especially) and constant maintenance---almost like being an athlete:-).
I have no knowledge about playing strings, and I know many people regard the violin as the most difficult and rewarding.
I'd like all you musicians and music scholars of the hive mind to weigh in on your own experiences. Many thanks!

Five string guitar (non-bass): How can one be altered, purchased, or constructed by a non-expert.

jjjjjjjijjjjjjj — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:15:06 -0800

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. So two years ago I bought a ukulele, and to my great surprise meteorically shot to proficiency. In a very few months of constant practice I became a solid player... not spectacular or virtuosic, but quite solid. More than just making me fairly dexterous and competent with fingering, the act of learning the ukulele made me feel like I finally "got" some crucial element of music--on a rudimentary but fundamental level--that had eluded me all my life.

I picked up a guitar 6 months ago and approached it with this new understanding, and with my previous diligence in practice, and there are too many goddamn strings on that thing. Well, put fairly, my issue is that the strings seem too close together for my feeble skills.

I know in my rational mind that many, many people with many different physiological shapes have become proficient--doubtless many less dexterous, and with much fatter fingertips than I--but I've driven myself to the point of psychological impediment. I can not play clean anything on the thing. No doubt that exercises or instruction would help me, and I may ask for help in that direction someday; but today my purpose is to ask for help with my dream: a Five-String Guitar.

In my searches, I found references to guitarists playing with only five strings, but just by omitting a string on a 6-string guitar. I also found a patent, and one single production model that looked to have a smaller-width fretboard. I found a family of instrument called a "tenor guitar" which looks to be a 4 string guitar, but I'm still curious about 5 strings. To further complicate, I've found 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and obviously 12 string guitars. I presume that the illuminati is suppressing five-string guitar production for some reason... this is the only explanation I have for guitars being available in every positive integer string configuration up to 500 except five.

How could this be bought or altered from an existing 6-string cheaply by a non-expert? I'm a handy guy, but have zero luthier experience. Also, what are some ways that it would likely be tuned? Anything else I'm not considering? Thanks.

Starter acoustic guitar/learning to play guitar recs

decrescendo — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:50:32 -0800

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? I could afford something decent but I don't want to be the guy who buys an expensive baseball bat when he can't hit for shit. What type of acoustic guitar is decent for the money? If I stick with it I want to be able to reward myself with a nice electric someday.

And how is the best way to start learning guitar? I'm fairly musical since I've been playing trombone for 15 years, but what's my best option for starting off?

Thanks.

Should I buy this guitar?

Precision — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:25:41 -0800

Should I buy this used Taylor acoustic guitar? Guitar guru mefites, help me out! In my local craigslist today I found a 2002 Taylor 414-CE for $800. (It's acoustic electric). I already went to go check it out. The man hasn't played it in three years, literally, and the strings are at least as old, so the tone was rather dull. Also, it was very dusty.

However, it was in amazing condition otherwise. No scratches or blemishes that I noticed whatsoever. It comes with the hard shell case. With a fresh set of strings and a little cleaning, it'd be good as anything. The 414 is typically new for $1600-$1900, from what I understand, so this seems like a rather great deal. I'm 18, and this seems like an acoustic that would carry me for a looong time, if not forever.

Is this as good a deal as I'm thinking, or do they depreciate more than I realize? Would you buy it for $800? Any advice/thoughts appreciated.

I want to make the bleepy bloppy wheezy sounds

speicus — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:06:21 -0800

Are there any stores that sell cheap toy musical instruments in Los Angeles? I'm looking for a few specific kinds of toy instruments:

-toy accordion (preferably one with piano keys like this one, though one with buttons would be fine too)
-voice changers
-toy fake guitars (you know, the ones that pump out a few canned riffs, like the inimitable One Man Jam)

Though other toy instruments are good too (especially electronic ones that can be bent). I tried going to Mega Toys but they seem to only be open during Xmas season, and my cursory stroll through Chinatown looking for shops was not so fruitful. Does anyone know of any stores around town that might have this kind of stuff for cheap?

Thanks in advance folks!

Philly Thrift Stores

god particle — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:58:35 -0800

What are some good thrift stores in Philly that go beyond just clothing? What are some good thrift stores in Philly that carry more than just clothing? Things like old electronics would be cool, but specifically I'm looking for thrift stores that might potentially have musical instruments such as toy pianos or old keyboards or even oscillators. I'd prefer to stick to the city but I'm not opposed to going out to the Main Line, since I know there are some thrift stores there (but I haven't been).

Feel free to also list Philly thrift stores that only deal in clothing but are great, since I'd like to know about those also.

Needs more accordion.

adverb — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 05:31:38 -0800

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.

Yeah, I wanna rock you, Chaka khan, but what with?

Rewind — Mon, 04 May 2009 09:50:33 -0800

What instrument is this, that I remember from my youth? I can't believe I'm asking this but... what instrument is producing the sound located between 0:33 and 0:47 of this Chaka Khan song (assuming, of course, that you can ignore the righteous scratchin' and breakin' long enough to pay attention to the actual song.)

I'm also fairly certain this same instrument was the primary one used in the instrumental version of the Sesame Street theme (run during the closing credits, when we discovered that that days episode had been brought to us by the letters E, B and the number 3.)

Just hearing the sound of that instrument in my youth was enough to conjure up warm fuzzy memories of various muppets. In later years, it reminded me of, well... the less warm and fuzzy Chaka Khan. Anyway, I'd initially assumed it was a harmonica, but now I'm not so sure. Anyone care to definitively state what instrument produced those glorious notes?

Help me choose a musical instrument to learn!

btkuhn — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:48:35 -0800

Help me choose a musical instrument to learn! Hello,

I have some extra free time available in the next few months, and I'd like to learn a new musical instrument. I played piano years ago but it's not practical for me to take it up again. I know how to read music, though, and the basics of music theory. I'd like to take up a fun instrument as a casual hobby. Here's what I'm looking for:

- Relatively cheap - something I can get on ebay or craigslist (or a used music store) for under $100

- Fun to play

- Something with a relatively quick payoff. For instance, when learning to play piano it takes a lot of work to play anything impressive-sounding, whereas with the guitar you can learn many modern rock songs after just a few weeks. I don't need an ultra-easy instrument, I just dont want something that is going to take a year of practice before I can play anything cool.

I've thought about just taking up guitar or mandolin since they pretty much fit all my requirements, but I'm thinking about more obscure, quirky instruments as well. I just think it would be cool to suddenly tell my friends, "Yeah, I play the bagpipes now". But I don't know much about how hard it is to take up the bagpipes (I'm guessing that it's pretty hard).

Some of the more "obscure" instruments I've gathered the names of from previous askmefi posts: bagpipes, accordion, concertina, Jew's harp, tin whistle, ocarina...I'm just not sure which of these (if any) fits my requirements. Other suggestions wecme as well.

Thanks!

Inexpensive (read: not cheap) classical guitars

littlerobothead — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 19:23:52 -0800

Any recommendations for an inexpensive (but not cheap) classical guitar? I'm looking in the $150-$250 range here. I've been playing guitar for eons, but never had much luck with classical pieces. I'm ear trained, and quite out of the blue my ears have decided they want to learn this style. I've borrowed a friend's 1/2 scale classical, and I feel like I've rediscovered the guitar. I'm picking up so much so fast, and I want to keep going, but will never do this as part of a paid gig like I might with my other guitars.

Looking for good intonation, above all. The tone or timbre itself I couldn't care less about. I hear Yamahas are quite good at this price point. Even a student model would be fine so long as it's got good intonation. Thanks.

Does smoking give instruments cancer?

awfurby — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:45:10 -0800

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?

Musicians in "Mixed Marriage"

swarkentien — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 07:45:12 -0800

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.

Not so Easy as Pie Reich

wittgenstein — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:02:33 -0800

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.)

Accordion & Uke Lessons in MN

Waitwhat — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:07:30 -0800

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?

I prefer "the people's guitar."

liketitanic — Sat, 24 May 2008 18:21:57 -0800

Can I actually play my toy guitar? I bought a really boss toy guitar that I can't seem to tune. The pegs keep unwinding when I try to tune up. I'll turn them to tighten the strings (which I think are cheap nylon) but they won't stay. Can I replace the strings with "real" ones or do something to get it in tune? Or is it really not meant to be used to play "Ring of Fire" at potlucks?

mando demando

gnutron — Tue, 20 May 2008 11:39:08 -0800

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. I have been playing guitar and bass for about 15 years. I've already learned some mandolin chords and have been happily strumming away.

I'm interested in hearing some mandolin tips, techniques or insights from experienced players. Or point me towards some good online resources. Tuning tips would be appreciated as well.

I plan on taking lessons at some point in the future. If you know anyone teaching in the SF East Bay, feel free to make a recommendation.

Neat instruments for guitarists

fire&wings — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:44:17 -0800

Guitarist looking for other string instruments to play around on... I recently sold my guitars since I was bored playing them and fed up with the space they were taking up. I'm happy to report that despite having spent 15 years on and off in bands and playing alongside friends I don't really miss them that much.

That said, I do miss having something to hold and idly pick out a melody on while watching tv or relaxing. So I'm looking for suggestions. Small-ish, easy to learn for an experienced guitarist, not extravagantly expensive, different or interesting sound, good for playing around with and playing riffs or little melodies on. I am tempted by the appalachian dulcimer but am open to any suggestions...

One String And The Truth

padraigin — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 23:06:32 -0800

One-string tunes for guitar or bass? My five year old has nearly mastered plucking "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on the top string of her guitar. What are some other tunes that we can teach her to play that only use one string? We'd like to get her comfortable with a couple different tunes before we get all crazy with the "Three Blind Mice" and whatnot.

NOT constantinople

outsider — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 21:56:42 -0800

Vacation in Turkey + love of folk music and instruments. What to do? I am going to istanbul for a week in march... I love crazy musical instruments and hearing traditional music being played.

Where should I go to get some turkish folk instruments to play with when I get home? Such as...

http://www.allaboutturkey.com/muzikalet.htm

I like woodwinds, so I definately want to pick up a Zurna, maybe a Saz, I dont know!!!

I am hoping there is some sort of district / market that specializes in instruments but that might be naive.

Also, where can I go to hear some real turkish music?

Even outside of istanbul is fine, we are taking some day trips!

After second-hand synths in London

Ted Maul — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 05:28:09 -0800

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?

Percussion instrument recommendations.

yeahyeahyeahwhoo — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 09:02:59 -0800

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? also, where is the best place to buy this sortof stuff? I'm especially interested and inspired by Afro-Caribbean & African use of percussion. Is there any place where you can buy these where some of the money actually goes to developing countries from these areas?

Help a Baby Musician Learn to Crawl

Danila — Thu, 03 May 2007 19:14:00 -0800

I've had music in my head all of my life. I don't play any instruments (yet). Where do I begin? I'm constantly making up new melodies and remixing other people's songs in my head. A few years ago I started writing lyrics and humming the melodies into a tape recorder. That's the extent of my ability to create music. I've long thought of myself more as a lyricist but I'd really love to be able to play around with the songs I hear in my head. But I know next to nothing.

I'm ready to learn how to play an instrument that can help me. All I know is that most songwriters/composers start with either the piano or the guitar. But my songs don't fit either of those instruments! What I really think I want, is a synthesizer. You know, a keyboard that can make many kinds of sounds? But I'm not sure if a synthesizer is what I need exactly, I don't know. I know little about them beyond that they were popular in the 80s, and all of the articles I read have way too much technical jargon. I want to pursue music-making as a hobby.

I just want to find the electronic instrument that I can play around with to my heart's content. In another life I think I would have been a music producer. I want to make beats and lay tracks and all of that too, but that's a little too ambitious I think, for where I am right now. I know I was born to make music, I just don't know where to start. I learn best by doing, not reading books. I'm willing to save whatever money I need. Thank you for your consideration.

The $100 dollar violin and other questions!

archagon — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 20:28:45 -0800

Two questions concerning violins (and by extension, other string instruments): 1. Mass production! 2. Strads! 1. Why aren't violins mass-produced like guitars? Is there something special about their design that prevents this from happening, or is there some other reason?
2. Are Strads as good as they're made out to be, or is it all just the placebo effect? Can we use our advanced knowledge of acoustics to design a perfect violin?

It'll fit in the back of a Volvo

ob — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 05:53:25 -0800

Any Suggestions on how to get a 180lb flight case from JFK to lower Manhattan today without a car? I'm doing a show this week in Manhattan and the musicians have come over from Holland with a large (but not too large) flight case full of their instruments. It's currently at JFK. Two of us are going over there this lunchtime to see how we can get it to lower Manhattan sometime today. We don't have a car and are loathe to rent a U-Haul and drive it from Manhattan all the way to JFK and back, there must be an easier way... Apparently it fits in the back of a Volvo, if that's any help. We already have an idea of how to do this, but I thought that I'd ask the hive-mind for any inspired suggestions.

How easy is it to learn a new instrument?

invitapriore — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 03:19:59 -0800

How hard is it, as a (relatively) long-time musician, to pick up new instruments? (more specifically, as a guitarist moving to other areas) I have been, since age 8, a guitar player. I started out in the blues and rock idiom, began doing jazz later in high school, and from the end of high school until now (as a sophomore music major) I have been practicing classical guitar and it is that in which I currently take lessons (although I certainly haven't forsaken my roots :) ). I also recently dug out my alto saxophone, which has been essentially untouched since early high school, and I am still about as proficient at that as I was when I stopped, proving that I am at least capable of playing more than one instrument. In addition, I have a reasonable knowledge of classical and jazz theory. However, it's been forever since I've gone through the more tedious beginning stages of learning and this will probably be a rude awakening.

Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible for me to take any more instrument lessons than what I have on my plate.

My apologies if this is question is over-reaching, but essentially my curiosity about other instruments takes three branches: bowed string instruments (most likely the violin or the bass), plucked string instruments (banjo or mandolin), and the piano. I categorize these this way because of certain specific (observed and possibly incorrect) characteristics:

The piano, unlike most instruments, is playable "out of the box." The technique concerns hitting the right notes the right way, without having to learn secondary skill-sets such as bowing. Given this (as a complete novice, although I will have to take keyboarding classes in the future), is learning pieces and practicing scales and chord progressions my best bet for becoming proficient with the piano on my own?

Bowed instruments, while more similar to the guitar than the piano, involve a lot of work. Intonation and bowing are complex skills that I would have to begin learning very late in the game. Is it even within reason to think that I could develop any sort of ability with these instruments on my own?

The last category, plucked strings, shares the most with the guitar. Most of my learning would consist of some new right-hand patterns, adjusting to new physical dimensions in the left hand, and new tunings. This doesn't seem like it could be that difficult, but I wouldn't be surprised if that turned out not to be the case. Is it?

I would be very interested to hear from either players of these instruments or guitarists who have moved to these instruments. While I hope to master the guitar some day, my ultimate goal for any of these pursuits would be something around the top-side of proficiency: while I don't plan on (or think I could be) the next Bill Evans or Itzhak Perlman, the ability to play most any piece out there and improvise skillfully would make me very happy (I'm a jazz man at heart :) ).

Sorry for the long-windedness and thanks for reading!