Started with piano and sax in grade school. Played in an orchestra, dance/jazz bands. Stopped soon after I graduated high school. The bass guitar and cello intrigue me, but apparently not enough to learn.
How Many Musicians Are Here?
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Kapuna
Member
Still picking'....
Former factory rep in the music industry...retired from travel now.... also a professional musician since 1978...lots of travel...
still picking' though...singer/guitarist... working nice restaurants... good hours/good pay.... mostly classic rock/light jazz... gonna keep on till I drop... pictured is my rig after years of experience...
Former factory rep in the music industry...retired from travel now.... also a professional musician since 1978...lots of travel...
still picking' though...singer/guitarist... working nice restaurants... good hours/good pay.... mostly classic rock/light jazz... gonna keep on till I drop... pictured is my rig after years of experience...
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I saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan in '64 and lost my freakin' mind. I told mom and dad " I want to do that".
Dad, being a card carrying hillbilly, said " I'll buy you a cheap guitar and if you learn "Wildwood Flower" and "Under the Double Eagle" I will buy you a nice one and then you're on your own."
Off we went to Western Auto and grabbed a $29.00 Truetone.
I didn't much care for those songs but I learned them note for note and it earned me a Princeton Reverb and a Duo Jet. I was off and runnin'.
Thanks dad.
Dad, being a card carrying hillbilly, said " I'll buy you a cheap guitar and if you learn "Wildwood Flower" and "Under the Double Eagle" I will buy you a nice one and then you're on your own."
Off we went to Western Auto and grabbed a $29.00 Truetone.
I didn't much care for those songs but I learned them note for note and it earned me a Princeton Reverb and a Duo Jet. I was off and runnin'.
Thanks dad.
Play the sax and banjo.
I've sold my 1922 C-melody sax and Deering Sierra banjo. I still have a handmade pine plank banjo made by a friend. She makes them to suit the person. Mine's called Lone Pine and has a pine tree carved for the peghead and the bottom end of the strap. She killed the deer, tanned the hide and stretched it over a metal coffee can for the head. It has a super soft sound compared to the big ones. I like it.
I've sold my 1922 C-melody sax and Deering Sierra banjo. I still have a handmade pine plank banjo made by a friend. She makes them to suit the person. Mine's called Lone Pine and has a pine tree carved for the peghead and the bottom end of the strap. She killed the deer, tanned the hide and stretched it over a metal coffee can for the head. It has a super soft sound compared to the big ones. I like it.
I bought a ukulele last year. Totally different animal than guitar. I'm working on it.
..I like the sound, a lot though.Legravin
Member
I worked all summer in 1969 to earn enough money to buy a drumset from the Sears catalog. I played in various bands through high school, college and for about 10 years after college. Most of the bands were heavy blues and rock (Cream, Hendrix, Hot Tuna, and many originals). Man, were we loud! Sometimes I couldn't even hear my snare drum. 
I taught myself bass guitar and piano so I knew what all that music stuff was that the other guys in the band talked about.
Used to surprise them when I started tuning my toms to minor thirds, fifths, etc. and then complain when they wanted to change the key for a song.
I refuse to get rid of my drums or basses because to do that would be admitting that I am old.
I got into electronic music in the late 1970's. Over the years I bought 3 Simmons electronic drumkits. Still have them.
In 2001, I bought a small modular synthesizer. It has grown tremendously over the past 15 years. It's about 12 feet across and 4 feet high. It is now my primary musical interest.
I taught myself bass guitar and piano so I knew what all that music stuff was that the other guys in the band talked about.
Used to surprise them when I started tuning my toms to minor thirds, fifths, etc. and then complain when they wanted to change the key for a song. I refuse to get rid of my drums or basses because to do that would be admitting that I am old.
I got into electronic music in the late 1970's. Over the years I bought 3 Simmons electronic drumkits. Still have them.
In 2001, I bought a small modular synthesizer. It has grown tremendously over the past 15 years. It's about 12 feet across and 4 feet high. It is now my primary musical interest.
I am a professional trombonist, classically trained. Toured with some brass ensembles and played in some of the larger symphony orchestras throughout the years.
Currently I am an owner/craftsman at M&W Custom Trombones. We design and build top of the line instruments catering to the top professionals around the world.
I still play as much as time allows. In fact, for those in the Houston area who may be interested, I will be performing with the Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass ensemble in Spring, TX on May 20th.
The instrument pictured below is one of our most recent that I built for myself.
Currently I am an owner/craftsman at M&W Custom Trombones. We design and build top of the line instruments catering to the top professionals around the world.
I still play as much as time allows. In fact, for those in the Houston area who may be interested, I will be performing with the Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass ensemble in Spring, TX on May 20th.
The instrument pictured below is one of our most recent that I built for myself.
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Chik a Boom
Member
Would you believe a piano and violin lesson for $1.50 an hour? Yeah, that was way back when, when I got started. Have never been paid for any performances, so not sure if I qualify as a real musician. However, played violin, viola and cello throughout high school orchestra. Taught myself guitar at 12. Now have a 12 string that gets to go to church once in awhile.
I am very envious of all of you that get to jam with a group, always fun as an ensemble. I miss the orchestra teamwork. However, I now sing with the community choral group, so that's close.
Also envious of any harmonica player. Would like that too, but don't have enough wind...sigh.
I am very envious of all of you that get to jam with a group, always fun as an ensemble. I miss the orchestra teamwork. However, I now sing with the community choral group, so that's close.
Also envious of any harmonica player. Would like that too, but don't have enough wind...sigh.
Good story! "Wildwood Flower" used to be our 'fight song' during my country band stint. We'd automatically kick in to that tune at first sound of broken glass. Nuthin' like getting a couple of drunks amped up before the cops arrived. All those bars on Michigan Ave near the Willow Run plant in Ypsi.
Ole Joe Clark
Absent Comrade
Played music or attempted to since about 1960. Started on an old Silvertone with a terrible neck. My best electric was a Gibson Super 400, now I have two Martin Acoustic guitars, a D18 GE, and a HD28. No electrics, love to play rhythm and let the good pickers show out. Going to a regular Tuesday jam in a little while that I have been attending for at least 20 years. Just do a little Bluegrass and Gospel with a tiny bit of Western Swing and Jazz thrown in.
Have a blessed day,
Leon
Have a blessed day,
Leon
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I've got a Martin acoustic, a Fender Strat, and a Yamaha Clavinova. To call myself a musician would be a "real stretch of the imagination". Actually, the word "lie" would be more factual.
Come to think of it, it's a lot like my firearms. Every one of them can deliver better accuracy than I can demonstrate, just like my musical instruments.
Come to think of it, it's a lot like my firearms. Every one of them can deliver better accuracy than I can demonstrate, just like my musical instruments.
HOUSTON RICK
Member
I was good at playing the 70's stereo with 4' speakers, but all my music is on the computer now.
beach elvis
Member
I'm in my 49th year of drumming.
In the past 15 years or so, however, guitar, bass, and writing has replaced the drums as being my life's other passion besides the shooting sports and fishing for catfish. Drums only come out for business or cutting drum tracks to my own material.
I'm currently in the midst of a torrid love affair with my Rickenbackers and Gretsches through my old Vox amps.
In the past 15 years or so, however, guitar, bass, and writing has replaced the drums as being my life's other passion besides the shooting sports and fishing for catfish. Drums only come out for business or cutting drum tracks to my own material.
I'm currently in the midst of a torrid love affair with my Rickenbackers and Gretsches through my old Vox amps.
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jrclen
US Veteran
I'm a former bag piper.
Been in the current band since around 2001. Play piano/keyboard, guitar, saxophone, mess around with a bunch of harmonicas, ukulele, drum kits and even an acoustic bass. Also been the sound engineer for the band for over 10 years. The huge pile of pro audio gear, instruments, speakers, amps, mixers, mics, pedal boards, rack gear is laughable... And of course everything has its own case, kinda like a gun... Small fortune on bags, cases, cables... Drummer used to call me "XLR King".
Made enough over the years to have it on my taxes if that is any sort of measuring stick for musicians. Probably more like the ocean of beer, river of wine and lake of liquor I was served up over the years in lieu of payment and/or rounds purchased by fans. I quit drinking a long time ago...
At my advanced age, I feel fortunate to only be on one medication - for my arthritis. One of the things that playing/practicing guitar does is help me to gauge my current state of symptoms. I thought I was just getting old but low and behold with the proper meds in place, I was able to shred harder and faster.
And for the second year in a row, I have the unbelievable fortune of seeing Slayer live for my birthday! Wooo hooo!
Made enough over the years to have it on my taxes if that is any sort of measuring stick for musicians. Probably more like the ocean of beer, river of wine and lake of liquor I was served up over the years in lieu of payment and/or rounds purchased by fans. I quit drinking a long time ago...
At my advanced age, I feel fortunate to only be on one medication - for my arthritis. One of the things that playing/practicing guitar does is help me to gauge my current state of symptoms. I thought I was just getting old but low and behold with the proper meds in place, I was able to shred harder and faster.
And for the second year in a row, I have the unbelievable fortune of seeing Slayer live for my birthday! Wooo hooo!
CCHGN
Member
I'm self taught Guitarist, since I's young. I play a little (please turn the volume down a bit): [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vlnyh8V3fw[/ame]
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CCHGN
Member
An original piece [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spKxsQeirDo[/ame]
Rastoff
US Veteran
I've been playing bass guitar for about 30 years now. I play in church every other weekend or so.
About 10 years ago I finally broke down and built my own bass:
Sounds and plays far better than I thought it would. Almost never play the Rickenbacker any more.
About 10 years ago I finally broke down and built my own bass:
Sounds and plays far better than I thought it would. Almost never play the Rickenbacker any more.
