As it turns out, I do like music

[wei yau]

I recently got myself an iPod and have discovered the joys of podcasts. My favorites are the ones from NPR, especially for "This American Life".

The most recent one (http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=223) focused on telling stories from classified ads found in a single day's newspaper. Act Three of this podcast focuses on putting a band together from musicians who advertised in the classifieds.

It's a great story about how seven artists got together, having never met each other before, for a single day and recorded a single song.

The artists were (working from memory)

- Acid Funk conga player
- Sultry jazz singer
- Christian guitarist
- Two indie rock bassists
- Electric violinist
- A theremin player

The song (http://podcast.thisamericanlife.org/special/223_RocketMan.mp3) they end up playing is a pure joy to listen to, especially when you hear the story of how much giddy fun the group had when recording.

Listening to this story, I felt a yearning for the kinship and camaraderie amongst musicians. Just the simple idea of "jamming" fills me with happiness. To be able to do nothing but express yourself through music, just losing yourself in playing with fellow artists...well, that just makes me smile.

And all this made me think about something. Lately, I've had only one hobby (http://www.cityofheroes.com/). I've been feeling the need to branch out and try something else.

I'm thinking about picking up a musical instrument.

Now, I've no pretension that I have any musical talent. But, I'm not expecting to play professionally, just for myself.

The thing is, I don't know which instrument to start with, I'm considering either the guitar or the piano. But, have no real idea what's involved in learning these instruments or even where to begin.

Suggestions?

[seebs]

A few thoughts.

One: If you like rhythm, do consider drums. They're pretty fun, though I think in some ways they're the hardest instrument.
Two: Otherwise, you can pick up a fairly decent keyboard for a couple hundred bucks and play it whenever you want using headphones. Very nice options there.

[livius drusus]

Oh, I thought it was going to be a song they composed themselves. I dig that theremin. :aww:

I'm afraid I'm musically ignant so I can't help you in your pursuit for a fulfilling, non-dorky hobby. I managed to crank out a couple of rudimentary tunes on a recorder when I was a girl, but beyond that, the music gene seems to have skipped a generation in my family. My dad plays piano and French horn, my mom plays piano and clarinet.

[wei yau]

...your pursuit for a fulfilling, non-dorky hobby.

FUCK YOU BUDDEH!
:superchicken:

[livius drusus]

Okay, okay, I'll throw you a frikkin bone. If I didn't suck at music, I would love to learn to play a harmonica. Small, portable, classically bluesy, it can sound good all over a huge range of abilities.

[Sock Puppet]

I look forward to your new collection of musical instrument-themed superheroes.

[BrotherMan]

I can't help you much with narrowing down what instrument you should start with. But I can point you to a good online store that you can end up spending lots of money or at least lots of time. Sweetwater (http://www.sweetwater.com/).

My musician friend has been using them for years.

My preference would be for a guitar. Chicks dig a guitar. A bad guitar is more portable than a good keyboard. (I'm speaking of Yamaha, Korg, Roland.) A guitar is a different animal, though. One with musical theory knowledge may be able to translate from a guitar to a piano or woodwind. (:bunnythrust:) But a neophyte may not. The piano (keyboard) might be easier to learn and the right set of sounds can have a greater flexibility. And don't let the thought of drums scare you. Electronic kits are very advanced now and won't disturb the family or neighbors late at night.

[Petra]

I'd have to go with guitar or bass guitar - it's portable and there are loads of free video tutorials for beginners on the web (especially as podcasts via iTunes).

[Dingfod]

Theramin, absolutely.

[ChuckF]

Embrace your natural talents and stick with the skin flute.

[curses]

I'd have to go with guitar or bass guitar - it's portable and there are loads of free video tutorials for beginners on the web (especially as podcasts via iTunes).

Bass guitar. Everyone knows bassists are the awesomest! ;)

I second the Sweetwater route but urge you to go into a local music store and handle the merchandise before buying. Find an instrument that you feel comfortable with. If it isn't comfortable, you won't play it. Basses tend to be heavier than their powerchord playin cousins so keep that in mind too.

Start off with the basics, instrument and (if amplification is necessary) cheap amp. Actually Vox make this pretty cool portable amp that works as a headphone jack as well for guitars, and they work on basses as well. I think they're like $75. That's a great way to start learning without the huge investment.

[Dingfod]

The biggest drawback to playing piano is the lack of portability, though there are some pretty good portable keyboards out there. As good as they are, they're no substitute for the felt-padded hammers hitting strings stretched over a decent sounding board. Based on this, I recommend harmonica. You can't get much more portable than that aside from melodic whistling, which is my specialty. I love having my musical instrument with me at all times. It keeps me company in the dark. I entertain myself whistling while riding motorcycle. That said, I'm actually pretty easily entertained.

[livius drusus]

A guy I used to work with was the most astonishing whistler. He could harmonize and shit. It was crazy.

[Dingfod]

I've been playing around with harmonized humming while whistling. It amuses me. I wouldn't say I'm any kind of astonishing, but I can whistle most anything.

[Qingdai]

Harmonicas give me a fucking headache.
But you are no where near me, so go for it.

[BrotherMan]

I second the Sweetwater route but urge you to go into a local music store and handle the merchandise before buying. Find an instrument that you feel comfortable with. If it isn't comfortable, you won't play it. Basses tend to be heavier than their powerchord playin cousins so keep that in mind too.

Listen to curses. She is so very knowledgeable and stuff.

I know there's a Guitar Center within a 2 hour radius of where I think you live. It's about the same drive for my roommate and he'll make that trip once in a while if there's something he's looking for.


Wait for it...

I love having my :airquote: musical :airquote: instrument with me at all times. It keeps me company in the dark.

:bunnythrust:

[Dingfod]

Harmonicas give me a fucking headache.
But you are no where near me, so go for it.You probably want to stay away from any clubs in Portland where Michael Tracy is playing. He's really really good on his harmonica. I know the guy personally, have heard him play unaccompanied. His band does play Portland quite often.

YouTube - Michael Tracey Blues

[ChuckF]

You probably want to stay away from any clubs in Portland where Michael Tracy is playing.
Having watched that Youtube clip, I second this advice.

[Dingfod]

LOL

[kazza3]

I would definitely suggest a keyboard or guitar.
Keyboards are good because it's easy to see where the notes are and mess about on it.
Guitars (get an acoustic, to start) are good because almost every band uses them, so you can play their music. Also they're portable.
I agree with curses, make sure you go and try it, get a feel for it. Whatever you decide.

Alternatively, you could take a walk on the wild side and get a bass clarinet. :wink:

[Crumb]

I advise against the bass clarinet. Those are for teh gays. :biker2:

[Ensign Steve]

No way, man. The butchest dude in my high school band played the bass clarinet. So did the butchest chick, but I wouldn't read too much into that.

[Dingfod]

At my high school it was the ugliest and fattest that played bass clarinet. Don't tell my sister I said that.

[Ensign Steve]

:lol:

[kazza3]

I advise against the bass clarinet. Those are for teh gays. :biker2:

Oh, wrong path to go down buddy. That's an insult to the bass clarinettists, and indirectly, the clarinettists I know (including myself).
You, sir, have made the list. :whup:

Incidentally, it's flute players that are gay. :D

[Dingfod]

Incidentally, it's flute players that are gay. :DQFT!

[Crumb]

Especially if they play the skin flute. :yup:

[Qingdai]

Hey what if the flute player is a chick?
'Cause I not only play flutes, but I play flutes from many lands. Although not on the street corner, because that is fucking gay.

[MonCapitan2002]

I think chicks get a pass.