How can a person without skill or talent have fun at an informal family-style sing-along? [more inside]
posted by Alizaria on Jun 17, 2009 - 13 answers

I've decided to learn how to play the Autoharp, and am looking into purchasing one for the very first time. What's a good entry-level instrument? (Note: keep in mind that I'm an absolute beginner, and am looking at the lower end of the price range, since I'm just starting out.) Thank you in advance for your help, all!
posted by sarabeth on Feb 23, 2009 - 8 answers

Where can I find a box to ship a big keyboard? [more inside]
posted by zvs on Jan 8, 2009 - 9 answers

How can I store my banjo long-term to preserve the best possible sound? I have a hard case (not a soft "gig bag") and the instrument is in a dark closet. We keep the humidity between 40-55% whenever possible... [more inside]
posted by homelystar on Aug 19, 2008 - 4 answers

Where in New York City or the San Francisco Bay Area can I buy dirt-cheap used/wrecked musical instruments? I want to dig through bins of dented trombones and xylophones with missing bars. Is there such a place? Preferably near public transit.
posted by moonmilk on Jun 1, 2008 - 4 answers

Suggestions for a quirky, small musical instrument that a music-newbie can learn to play on their own? [more inside]
posted by lychee on Aug 28, 2007 - 43 answers

Is there any shops in New York City where one could find a Stroh violin, aka Phonofiddle or violinophone? [more inside]
posted by 235w103 on Jun 8, 2007 - 7 answers

Help me understand how guitars (steel-string and classical) are built. [more inside]
posted by arcticwoman on Jun 1, 2006 - 7 answers

I am flying to another city soon and would like take my guitar with me. On the plane--not as baggage. I would like to read about the experiences of anyone here who has tried to do the same. My research thus far yields no fixed answer.
posted by y2karl on Oct 9, 2005 - 18 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

My 13 yr. old son has been taking electric guitar lessons for about a year and is getting ready to spend his hard earned money on a new guitar. (more inside) [more inside]
posted by rtimmel on Mar 7, 2005 - 25 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

What are the three things on the body (just above the fretboard) of Jeff Tweedy's guitar in this picture? I've been seeing them on that guitar at Wilco shows for years, and have never been able to figure out what they are. At some shows, it seemed like they were glowing, but it could have just been the stage lights.
posted by COBRA! on Oct 27, 2004 - 8 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