How Many Musicians Are Here?

[Spleenless Dave]

I'm 53 and took a guitar class back in high school when I was about 17, and promptly forgot how to read music after it was over. I play rhythm and used to be lead singer in a classic to current rock band in my late 30's and early 40's. Now I just sit on the bed and strum my acoustic from time to time and sing to entertain myself. I've got an old Ovation Tangent acoustic/electric, a Taylor 114ce acoustic/electric, a Washburn semi hollow body electric and 99 Fender Stratocaster natural hardtail, which is the first "good" guitar I ever bought back in early 2000 after having a cheap electric that was a Les Paul knock off for years.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I made a career out of it.

Good times!

 

[gunblade]

Drummer here. Started at about age 12 and still at it. I play with a couple of bands around town, get paid a little walking around money which just about covers my gas and bar tab.

 

[Muley Gil]

I can play a little bit on the harmonica. I've owned a 5 string banjo for 45 plus years, but still can't make music on it.

 

[dben002]

If xylophone or bagpipes count.....count me in....

 

[brucev]

My little brother got a guitar for Christmas back about 1968. He got tired of it after a few days. I picked it up off the couch and started fiddling with it. Got a nice Gibson Mk. 72 in 1980. Been playing it for all these years. My daughter wanted to play. Found her a as new Martin DMX which she has been playing since 2004. Her little 2 1/2 son has listened to me play since he was a tiny baby. Now he has a little ukulele which is about the right size for him to play. Guess the Sonny and Cher were right ... the beat goes on! Sincerely. bruce.

 

[Smith357]

Been playing the guitar and bass badly for 45 years.

My current #1 is a heavily modified 72 Deluxe Telecaster.

 

[Kurusu]

Not me I'm afraid. I can't even ring doorbells properly.

 

[walkin jack]

I played trumpet, cornet, and French Horn in HS marching band but had to let it go as my interest in my car and my social life took over. It's just as well. I wasn't any good anyway.... I mainly just liked bugging my parents when I practiced.

 

[TX-Dennis]

Grew up playing piano and guitar. Played piano and trumpet briefly in a jazz band in college until they found out I wasn't much good. Sang in choir in elementary and Jr. high. One young lady I sang in choir with became an internationally known opera soprano. Me, I sucked.

I still have a small Kawai grand, and dabble now and then, but I really don't work at it these days.

My son was allowed to play with my guitars when he was small and ruined them. Thankfully, none were expensive. He played trumpet in his school band for awhile, but he doesn't any more.

I quit trumpet during college when I realized it was what was causing my headaches and tinnitus - which turned out to be permanent.

A friend is a music minister at a local church. I asked him what instruments he could play. I was surprised by his answer, "I can play the stereo pretty well, but that's it."

 

[growr]

Am a semi-professional trumpet player...which really means sometimes I get paid, most times I don't!
Also serve on the Honor Guard for the American Legion, VFW, National Guard, Marine Corp League as the real deal live bugler.
Randy

 

[ContinentalOp]

Don't play much now, but I was a guitar player. Also played piano.

 

[rbmac52]

I've been a guitarist since my pre-teen years. I was in a few bands in high school, a couple were pretty good, but I knew I'd never be good enough to make a living as a musician.

I also play drums and bass guitar. I have so much gear it is ridiculous, especially at my age (66 next month), much of it in storage (my house is just not big enough for it all). Over 30 guitars and basses, 6-piece drum set, more than a dozen amplifiers, and sound reinforcement and recording gear, to boot. Playing music is my number one hobby, followed closely by shooting and my love of Smith & Wesson.

 

[joeintexas]

I've played second fiddle to so many things in life that should account for something. Actually played drums in a band in high school, made gas and movie money. Does the ukelele count?

 

[TomkinsSP]

I found that the difference between making a (laughable imitation of a) living playing the Piano and being a Cop in the City was, (1) better pay, (2) fewer drunks trying to beat you up. Same hours, same neighborhoods...

 

[kozmic]

I've played guitar since the early70's. I've been in a few bands here and there. Now I get tremendous enjoyment jamming with my eldest son. He's become a very good player which helps me stay sharp. He also doesn't judge me (out loud) when I screw up. Mostly I collect and buy and sell vintage, one-offs, custom shop and boutique guitars, tube amps and pedals. It's not a big money maker, but it's fun and you meet some very interesting folks.

 

[diegobxr]

Started playing drums at age 12, I'm gonna be 30 this year.

Unfortunately the rigors of adulthood, work and responsibilities don't see me grabbing the sticks very often, but after 18 years of never letting this hobby go, I think I can call myself a drummer; hoping the words "ex-drummer" never come out of my mouth.

Making music with others is such an awesome feeling. Very, very difficult to describe. I really miss it.

 

[RobertJ.]

Drums & percussion since I was 15, country and blues harmonica since '92, and guitar (acoustic and electric) since '97.

I'm not great on any of them, but I can sit in with a band and fool people. I play harmonica occasionally in the praise and worship team at my church.

I was in a band until a couple years ago. We called ourselves "The Beach Jam" and we played informal, acoustic, and free. Country, gospel, blues, folk, and old rock. I played harmonica and percussion, and had vocals on a few songs, like "Folsom Prison Blues" and "Act Naturally". We played all the retirement centers in the county, and we had quite a little following. It ended when our guitarist moved to California, and we couldn't find anyone to fill his shoes. (They were BIG shoes!) Recently, a couple of the other members and I have been getting together to quite possibly get something else going. Not much on the horizon right now, but we have fun, and that's really what it's about.

 

[Kiwi cop]

Four musicians walked into a bar.

Oh, and a drummer.

What's the commonest nickname given to drummers by the lead guitarist?

Roadie

I am a self taught rhythm guitarist, strumming only. I have performed with bands, had my own band, performed solo, written and recorded my original music, collaborated with others to write and record original music. Become a collector of guitars

Currently I have 11 electric guitars and 3 acoustic ones in my music room. I have a Voz AC15 C2 amp along with a both a 15 was and a 3 watt Vox modelling amps (supposedly for home practice) and a Hartke 65 watt hybrid (valve pre amp section transistor power section).

I was heartened a few years ago when I read Graeme Nash's biography "Wild Times" when he said he can't play guitar, he can only strum.

Well if it worked for one half of the driving force behind The Hollies in the 60's and a big part of Crosby Stills and Nash (and Young) then it'll work for me.

 

[1stgarand]

Well.I made a living at it for a few years, then did the week-ends for a lot of years. From a lot of Juke Joints, to the Mid-South Coliseum, and everything in between. Stopped about 3 years ago. I do miss it on occasion when I hear an old song we used to play. Which is why I no longer listen to the radio. I still have my gear.
Glad to see there are others on here.
First song I ever learned, after Polly Wally Doodle, was "Satisfaction"
Last song was "I Still Be Diggin' On James Brown", Tower of Power.