Where Are Our Musicians? If You Play(ed) An Instrument...Tell Us About It

[Babs2u]

I was never proficient with any instrument although I played clarinet in school and messed around with an All Girl Calypso Band which never made prime time. (Day-O).

Yesterday a musician friend visited and brought along talented friends. You can't beat live music.

 

[palides2021]

I started playing the viola in third grade, took some lessons, and then played in several orchestras into my late thirties. I also taught myself to play the piano when I was 16 and took a few lessons to further my skills. Then I switched to violin due to a neck injury and have been playing it for the past 13 years in chamber groups and orchestras.

Currently, I have a piano, a Yamaha keyboard, a small harp, a guitar, a viola, and a violin. I also have played music on Youtube and have written my own music (using Noteflight) and set the music to poems that I wrote. The one song I've uploaded to YouTube has garnered 2,700 hits since last year. I look at it as a hobby. I used to teach violin/viola in my thirties, but no longer teach.

 

[seadoug]

My father majored in Music in college and played the trombone. I think some of it rubbed off on me. I took piano lessons and attended recitals in elementary school and could play the piano "by ear". I didn't continue it as I got older, but I became an amateur DJ, making dance mixes for my friends. It does take a special ear to mix dance beats because you need to know when beats match and when to cut in/out of songs. That was it for me. Now I just enjoy listening to music.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

@Tom52..your guitars and basses are nice. I especially like the one in the dark colored case. You inspire me and at the same time make me admonish myself yet again. I should be practicing at least an hour a day too, but don't play my instrument nearly enough. Pat yourself on the back for sticking with it, thus finding relaxation and peace.

@jujube I bet you weren't as bad at piano as you thought you were. I would love to see a picture of you from your "beatnik..hippie" days. Seems like to me you knew how to work your show.

@Lynn Wow a multi instrumentalist, some of it self taught! What a talent. Do you have any recordings of yourself? I'm sorry you are no longer able to play.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

You are one interesting person. Peppermint Patty!

Ahhh shucks! Thank you!

 

[MACKTEXAS]

Our church has two services. At 8:15 is the Traditional service and our keyboard player plays the piano while the congregation is coming in and being seated. Once the service begins, all hymns are played with the organ.

At 9:30 until 10:30 is Sunday School classes.

At 10:45 is the Contemporary service where they play guitars and a drum that is hardly heard. I prefer the Traditional service.

At least you are given a choice. My church only offers 1 service, and in it, they do a mixture of traditional hymns and contemporary . . . or so they say, but it's mostly contemporary (formerly referred to as "choruses") which I see as aimless, rambling, and repetitive.

 

[oldman]

At least you are given a choice. My church only offers 1 service, and in it, they do a mixture of traditional hymns and contemporary . . . or so they say, but it's mostly contemporary (formerly referred to as "choruses") which I see as aimless, rambling, and repetitive.

We also sing hymns using two different books. However, we hardly ever use the other book with contemporary hymns. You are right about those hymns. It defends on the subject of the Pastor’s sermon. We sing a hymn that acts as a segue to his sermon.

 

[oldman]

At least you are given a choice. My church only offers 1 service, and in it, they do a mixture of traditional hymns and contemporary . . . or so they say, but it's mostly contemporary (formerly referred to as "choruses") which I see as aimless, rambling, and repetitive.

I should have added that our church is having 2 separate and different Candlelight Services on Wednesday night.

At 7 is the Contemporary Service and at 9 is the Traditional Service. There will be Communion at both services.

 

[Sunny]

I started piano lessons when I was six and continued for many years. I got pretty good at it.

My other instrument is the recorder, which I started playing in college. I continued with that for years, joining recorder ensembles and playing in renaissance festivals, early music concerts, etc. I gave it up a few years ago because the recorder society had their monthly rehearsals at night in a church a pretty long drive from my home. And it involved a lot of rehearsals, climbing up and down steps carrying recorders of various sizes, music stands, etc. In other words, I just got too old. But music is still a big part of my life. Every day I play one or more of my enormous collection
of CD's, old-fashioned as they are, or I get Alexa to play whatever I want to hear.

Two of my three children grew up to be professional musicans, probably inspired by me. (The third is an excellent artist, definitely not inspired by me.)

 

[Sciguy]

During Covid…

 

[OneEyedDiva]

@old medic As long as you enjoy your playing...that's what counts.
@MACKTEXAS How cool that you also played for the church. Did you learn to play as a child? Played by ear or took lessons? I liked the organ because it allowed me to sound better with less work. I had one at home but of course the one in the church was bigger and I had to learn how to work those big pedals, as opposed to what I had at home as well as learn the Hammond settings.

@Been There Smart, keeping your piano playing under wraps, so as not to have to perform in school.
@HazyDavey Cool that you were gigging. Sometimes I wish I could experience that. Are any of your songs on YouTube? If so and you wish to, please message me the information or links. Thank you.

@stretch5881 So sorry that happened to you! The trauma probably caused the disconnection.
@IrishEyes That harp is an interesting looking instrument. My music teacher in school first assigned the violin to me when I was about 9 or 10, but I didn't want to play it because I thought it would mess up my chin. So my mother started me with piano lessons instead. I understand your nervousness, even in front of your DH. I get nervous no matter who is watching me play, ergo...no playing in public anymore.

 

[smiley]

clarinet and saxophone - but both now long dead!!

 

[MoBeans]

I have been learning the didgeridoo for breathing exercises. I'm actually getting good enough so my wife doesn't leave when I start practicing.
(Thats not me)

 

[Capt Lightning]

In my teens, I used to play a short scale bass guitar (badly).

 

[Mitch86]

As a kid I learned to play a Wurlitzer Organ which I still have in my living room. I haven't played it now for 60 years. I'm 90 now. I also used to play a Spallanzani accordion which I still own but have not touched it for many, many years.

 

[smiley]

As a kid I learned to play a Wurlitzer Organ which I still have in my living room. I haven't played it now for 60 years. I'm 90 now. I also used to play a Spallanzani accordion which I still own but have not touched it for many, many years.

that sounds sad - music sooths the soul doesn't it - mind you I'm not the best one to expound??

 

[OneEyedDiva]

@retiredtraveler With all the public playing you did, I have trouble believing you were mediocre! I know musicians tend to downplay our talents. When you're ready to get that electric piano, there sure are plenty to choose from.

@Babs2u Very cool that you played clarinet and were in an all girl Calypso band! Did you choose the clarinet or was it chosen for you? Is that what you played in the band? How fun that you got a visit from talented musical friends and had a jam session. My BFF recently did something like you and your friends. All of those who gathered at a mutual musician friend's house two weekends ago are professional, gigging musicians. They also jammed and had a good time. You're right...nothing beats live music.

@palides2021 As you already know, I like your music. You are quite talented. I admire that you played in orchestras. I admire all who have the nerves for performing in public! I would think with a neck injury, it would be hard to play a violin, but what do I know?! I think I mentioned previously, I was assigned the violin in grade school music class, but thought it would mess up my neck, so declined. My mother started me on piano lessons after that. 2,700 plays on YT since last year is great. None of my songs posted since Nov 2024 have reached that many yet. I'm going to have to get some tips from you about marketing. You have all those instruments...do you have a music room or studio?

@seadoug You obviously inherited your father's music gene. I know you are right about having to have a special ear to produce great mixes. As you know, my son is also a deejay and he is known for his smooth mixes. Some of the younger deejays cut the songs off before they are even finished and go to the next song....no continuity at all. It's awful, especially if one is trying to dance to the songs. Have you ever heard of Shep Pettibone. I used to love his master mixes back in the day, which were on Kiss Fm, I think.

@Sunny It seems like you got to a point when you concentrated more on the recorder. Do you ever still play piano? Like I mentioned to Palides, I admire those of you who played in public. Which instruments do your children who are professional musicians. Are they in bands, play for the church? What kind of art does your other child do? I used to do charcoal drawings.

 

[palides2021]

@retiredtraveler With all the public playing you did, I have trouble believing you were mediocre! I know musicians tend to downplay our talents. When you're ready to get that electric piano, there sure are plenty to choose from.

@Babs2u Very cool that you played clarinet and were in an all girl Calypso band! Did you choose the clarinet or was it chosen for you? Is that what you played in the band? How fun that you got a visit from talented musical friends and had a jam session. My BFF recently did something like you and your friends. All of those who gathered at a mutual musician friend's house two weekends ago are professional, gigging musicians. They also jammed and had a good time. You're right...nothing beats live music.

@palides2021 As you already know, I like your music. You are quite talented. I admire that you played in orchestras. I admire all who have the nerves for performing in public! I would think with a neck injury, it would be hard to play a violin, but what do I know?! I think I mentioned previously, I was assigned the violin in grade school music class, but thought it would mess up my neck, so declined. My mother started me on piano lessons after that. 2,700 plays on YT since last year is great. None of my songs posted since Nov 2024 have reached that many yet. I'm going to have to get some tips from you about marketing. You have all those instruments...do you have a music room or studio?

@seadoug You obviously inherited your father's music gene. I know you are right about having to have a special ear to produce great mixes. As you know, my son is also a deejay and he is known for his smooth mixes. Some of the younger deejays cut the songs off before they are even finished and go to the next song....no continuity at all. It's awful, especially if one is trying to dance to the songs. Have you ever heard of Shep Pettibone. I used to love his master mixes back in the day, which were on Kiss Fm, I think.

@Sunny It seems like you got to a point when you concentrated more on the recorder. Do you ever still play piano? Like I mentioned to Palides, I admire those of you who played in public. Which instruments do your children who are professional musicians. Are they in bands, play for the church? What kind of art does your other child do? I used to do charcoal drawings.

Thanks, @OneEyedDiva, for your kind words! I have enjoyed your music tremendously. I honestly don't know why my music on YTube reached 2,800 views (closing in on 2,900 - yes, I do check it regularly, haha). But now I am too busy to make music, and am playing in an orchestra once more. One day, when things slow down....As I say, "Once a musician, always a musician." Keep up the great work!

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Thanks, @OneEyedDiva, for your kind words! I have enjoyed your music tremendously. I honestly don't know why my music on YTube reached 2,800 views (closing in on 2,900 - yes, I do check it regularly, haha). But now I am too busy to make music, and am playing in an orchestra once more. One day, when things slow down....As I say, "Once a musician, always a musician." Keep up the great work!

Almost 2,900! I am truly impressed. I'm so glad you enjoy my music so much Thank you for letting me know. Well, as they say "Break a leg". Wishing you much success in your music career.