Instrument survey

[Imperfect Pitch]

Just for fun, I'd like to get a snapshot of what instruments my fellow Chatterbox-ers play. If Other, please elaborate.

Voice is a little tricky as everyone sings to a degree. Check the box if you have had formal voice training or if you otherwise consider yourself to be a vocalist. Karaoke alone does not count.

[Ken]

I've selected the three instruments that I have played: the keyboard and guitar (i.e., 'other'), each with multiple years of experience, and the trumpet, which I played for three or four years during my early youth. This said, I don't play any instrument at the moment. Once I settle into a city for a while and receive a decent income I might again invest in a piano.

[dirkronk]

My response has to be similar to Ken's. I "used to" play guitar (and 5-string banjo) and sing in the waning days of the coffeehouse in Austin, Texas--late 1960s and very early 1970s. I continued playing and singing for myself and for friends until the early 1980s, but since then I have allowed my skills to rust and my callouses to disappear. Classical music? Never a lick of it.

And the only other instruments I ever played were the "tonette" (anyone remember that ocarina-like instrument?), the ukulele (my elementary school principal was an aficionado and taught some of us kids) and the recorder. All kid stuff.

My mother played piano, which was sold off when I was still too little to take lessons. And my grandfather played "fiddle"--I still have his old violin. But beyond these, my family was pretty much an instrument-free zone.

Still have two of my original five guitars and a cheapie old banjo, and I keep threatening to start practicing again. But so far, it's all been empty threats...so you can all breathe easier.

Dirk

[Fergus]

I played a number of instruments when I was younger but I gradually stopped as I got older and now do not play at all. The instruments that I used to play were the piano, guitar, mandolin, bouzouki and recorder.

[Wallingford]

Just for fun, I'd like to get a snapshot of what instruments my fellow Chatterbox-ers play. If Other, please elaborate.

Voice is a little tricky as everyone sings to a degree. Check the box if you have had formal voice training or if you otherwise consider yourself to be a vocalist. Karaoke alone does not count.

I unhesitatingly cast my vote for voice--I've always enjoyed harmony singing to tunes I'd hear on AM radio, and still believe I can figure out the missing part of a basic tertiary chord better than some of those pros!

[Heck148]

other = saxophone[s], also bass clarinet [it's been awhile]

[jbuck919]

I think we should get in touch with Elliott Carter while he's still around--we have six otherists!

[Donaldopato]

studied clarinet, and did percussion when in highschool and college. Now just sing tenor.

[Ken]

I think we should get in touch with Elliott Carter while he's still around--we have six otherists!

From the looks of it, we could commission the man to write us a Sextet for Guitars, Tonette, Bouzouki, and Saxophone.

[Imperfect Pitch]

Thank you for the replies so far. I am surprised there is only one vote each for violin and viola, and by the heavy woodwind representation. Here is a summary of results at present:

By instrument
Keyboard 31% (12/39)
Other 18% (7/39)
Clarinet 15% (6/39)
Voice 13% (5/39)
Trumpet 8% (3/39)
Violin, Viola, Oboe, Bassoon, Horn, Percussion 3% each (1/39 each)

By category
Keyboard 31% (12/39)
Woodwinds 21% (8/39)
Other 18% (7/39)
Voice 13% (5/39)
Brass 10% (4/39)
Strings 5% (2/39)
Percussion 3% (1/39)

[lmpower]

I learned to play the piano late in life by attending my sons' piano lessons. I certainly don't consider myself a musician though. I am simply a music lover.

[aurora]

came late to the party. Rack up one more for violin. Maybe viola one of these days if I can ever get my brain around the clef.

[Imperfect Pitch]

Thanks for the further replies. Here is one last update for those who may be interested:

By instrument
Keyboard 34% (15/44)
Clarinet 16% (7/44)
Other 16% (7/44)
Voice 11% (5/44)
Trumpet 7% (3/44)
Violin 5% (2/44)
Viola, Oboe, Bassoon, Horn, Percussion 2% each (1/44 each)

By category
Keyboard 34% (15/44)
Woodwinds 20% (9/44)
Other 16% (7/44)
Voice 11% (5/44)
Brass 9% (4/44)
Strings 7% (3/44)
Percussion 2% (1/44)


aurora: I had the same frustration with viola clef, which is one reason why I dabbled in it for a semester in college before giving it up. What a lovely-sounding instrument, though.

[Corlyss_D]

I did play at one time piano and oboe, but not simultaneously. I wish I had kept up with the oboe. I don't play anything now. Recently I've considered taking up the hurdy-gurdy - the ancient medieval thingy -



or the clarinet, just for the hell of it.

[Heck148]

aurora: I had the same frustration with viola clef, which is one reason why I dabbled in it for a semester in college before giving it up.

Learning a new clef is relatively easy, once you commit yourself.

just take some sheet music, and transpose it all into the new clef....no playing, just write it out, do the reverse as well - take viola music and write it out in treble or bass clef...
very quickly you get it. Bassoonists, cellists, trombonists, etc all have to learn tenor clef. it is mandatory. you just do it.

[Guitarist]

I obviously play...guitar!

[Ken]

Recently I've considered taking up the hurdy-gurdy - the ancient medieval thingy -

Corlyss, I've often wondered how easy it is nowadays to get one's hands on one of those historical instruments that you see the likes of Jordi Savall and company toting about. How is it with the hurdy-gurdy? Could you find a newly-manufactured instrument for a reasonable price?

[Lance]

At this moment, the PIANO winds hands down as the most popular instrument. Frankly, I'm surprised I'm not seeing a higher percentage for VOICE. People who play pianos keep their piano technicians employed! [Not to mention that they are usually grand and upright people to work for as well!

[dirkronk]

I did play at one time piano and oboe, but not simultaneously.

Too bad. That would have been something to see...not to mention hear.

Dirk

[stenka razin]

I played the trombone throught my school years. But, sadly, I stopped playing after graduation. Those were the days.