How Many Musicians Are Here?

[1stgarand]

Seems like I see a few postings from former musicians from time to time. Just wondering? I played bass guitar, mainly, and guitar for over 40 years. Had an exceptionally good group for many of those years. A few of them have passed on. Anyway, loved the music. Lots of good times. It was the only thing that I liked more than duck season at the time. ..What do you play?

 

[500SNW]

I am a "former musician" and played guitar during high school and during the early 90's. Had a beautiful G&L S-500 and a Marshall 2x12 which shook the house when I cranked it up. I sold off my guitar and amp about 25 years ago and haven't picked one up since. I occasionally find myself wishing I could get another guitar, but current finances won't allow for it. Also, if I do have extra spending money, there are many things I need to buy for my gun hobby, like holsters, a scope, reloading stuff and maybe a new shotgun. So, unless I win the lottery....

 

[deadin]

Started in Grade School with piano, switched to trombone in Jr. High and High. Spent 20 years as a Navy Musician and haven't touched a horn since I retired in 1978....

 

[Tradewind36]

Started guitar in high school, early 60's, played in a few bands 'til early 70's then just kept one acoustic around the house/boat to play with. Somehow I have accumulated 5 over the years but I don't play much anymore. I just ordered a new tuner from Amazon so maybe I'll get back to it.

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...trombone was my instrument...

...my wife and I have collected quite a few instruments over the years...

...right now we have...

...a trombone...trumpet...flute...several acoustic guitars...electric guitar...bass guitar...drum set...key board...harmonicas...probably something(s) I don't remember...

 

[mtgianni]

I played clarinet in grade school and Jr High, switched to saxophone in 8th grade. I left them behind after graduation, as they left me with a hate of marching in and watching parades.
I have sung Bass/Baritone in a couple of Symphonies and some classical Choral groups and Church choirs. It is fun but my hearing is going south and I have heard horror stories about hearing aids and pitch loss. It seems to be universal no matter the quality of hearing aids.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Not a musician. Just want to say "Thanks!" to all of you who are, especially the left-handed piano players.

 

[rags]

EX Drummer....

 

[oddshooter]

Four musicians walked into a bar.

Oh, and a drummer.

 

[oddshooter]

I have a lending library of guitars. About 75 out right now. If you practice what we agreed on and succeed, you can trade up; else, return it. I love to teach slide to rookies in under 5 minutes. Ages 4 to 84.
Once I got started with garage sale finds, lots of folks started giving me their old guitars that sat in the corner.

I like all of the vintage stuff. Mandolin, tiple, 12 string, electric, acoustic, spanish, slide or resonator, banjo, harmonicas, accordion, drum sets, tamborine, tube amps, old microphones, and anything else that makes music.

 

[deadin]

I like all of the vintage stuff. Mandolin, tiple, 12 string, electric, acoustic, spanish, slide or resonator, banjo, harmonicas, accordion, drum sets, tamborine, tube amps, old microphones, and anything else that makes music.

I see a few things on your list that just make noise..(not music)

 

[johngalt]

Used to play a saxophone.

 

[turnerriver]

Many years ago I made a very meager living for a mercifully short time playing the harmonica. I still play now and then. I was good, never great, and am now mostly rusty.
Regards,
turnerriver

 

[gregintenn]

Piano and guitar here. Recently I've been more of an owner than a player. Life seems to get in the way of fun stuff sometimes.

 

[Golddollar]

I started piano lessons at about age 7. I kept it up until high school. I kept playing for quite a while but for the last 20 years or so I've pretty much quit. I still have the old upright piano that my parents bought at an auction when I was 7.

 

[jag312]

Five-string banjo, 10-string banjo, Mosrite 12-string guitar. I got the 12-string because I wanted to copy the playing style of Roger McGuinn, although Roger plays a Rickenbacker. I don't play the 5-string banjo much. Once you play a 10-string, you don't go back to 5. It gives a new dimension of sound to folk, blue grass, and even calypso. One of these days, I'll even try some Beatles on it.

 

[Coot47]

Used to play a saxophone.

Sounds like the beginning of a Steely Dan tune

Bass guitar here. Started out six string, but we needed a bass player, so I was it. Never looked back. Filled in as bassist in a bluegrass band one summer. Played the first couple gigs with the electric, until the purists were throwing cabbages at me. Picked up a cheap upright to weather the storm. Started playing with a group of guys in high school. Just made a trip to Mich last month to get together and jam with the same core group - most in our 70's now. Gigged off and on for all those years. The joke now is, we used to wonder " if we'd still be playin' when we're 40". Would never trade that music for anything.

 

[TomkinsSP]

Used to play a saxophone.

Steely Dan, Deacon Blues, or as I call it the Pelle Lindberg song...

 

[raisedin99]

Frankly, I am unable to play a radio...

terry

 

[federali]

Former Guitar Plucker

I started with lessons in the 50s. Played many gigs in the 60s including cruise bookings from NY to Bermuda and back. I owned a Gibson ES 225 which I foolishly traded away, acquiring a Guild X500. It's a great guitar but not as easy to play standing as was the Gibson.

I'm now playing for personal enjoyment, teaching myself how to fingerpick and playing on classical guitars. I also built an electric guitar from scratch (except for the neck) and turned a cheap Fender mini-strat into a little gem by installing a standard strat neck, a neck shim and an overall guitar set-up.

As I age, its becoming increasingly difficult to recall or remember new things I've learned on the guitar.

 

[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."