Do you play a musical instrument? Please comment and tell us what it is (or they are) and how you use them.
About a year ago, at age 60, I began playing an instrument. The instrument I chose to play is the concertina. I chose this for a host of reasons — it is light (unlike an accordion), relatively easy to learn, and I like the sound. I like a bellows instrument, and if I were younger, I would have probably taken up the accordion or bandoneon.
Decades ago I tried to play the harmonica, but “I could not control my tongue.” You heard it here first. So I gave up.
I take the concertina with me sometimes to nursing home visits and play hymns for shut-ins when I stop by. Some of those folks really appreciate it. It has be a great stress-reliever for me. Since I love the music of the 1920’s and 30’s, that is most of what I play at home.
Many of you play an instrument or instruments.
Please comment on your instrument, if you don’t mind. BTW, kazoos do not count. But a glockenspiel does count. A photo is always welcome, if you can figure out how to post one. I found one of me with my grandson by searching images at Google (I use this photo for my facebook picture).
Poll Results
Do you play a musical instrument? Please comment and tell us what it is (or they are) and how you use them.
Yes, I play 3 or more instruments. Votes: 6
Yes, I play 2 instruments. Votes: 1
Yes, I play 1 instrument. Votes: 9
I no longer play an instrument(s), but I used to do so. Votes: 5
No, I do not play an instrument. Votes: 5
Other Votes: 0
- 5 views
I play keyboard… which usually means piano.
Wee bit of guitar, but not enough to count. Yet.
(Goofed off a bit with my brother’s/nieces’ dulcimer… maybe between it and guitar I can claim a total of 2!)
“I couldn’t control my tongue” As the kids say, LOL.
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.
I have played the trombone since 4th grade and the guitar since I was 22.
When I was in HS I bought a new trombone to replace the thrift shop models I’d played since elementary. Since I couldn’t afford the $1600 Yamaha, I settled for one I’d never heard of, a Getzen. Then, 6 years ago, I became a pastor in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, less than 1/2 mile from the Getzen instrument company. It’s really a fine instrument.
A few years ago I began to feel my education deficient since I didn’t know how to play an instrument; so I taught myself how to play a 5-string Finnish kantele. It is a simple instrument to play, and just strumming the chords for hymns or plucking a few simple folk melodies on the strings by myself brings me enormous satisfaction.
Took piano lessons for about 9 years starting as a child. Now I only play the radio!
CanJAmerican - my blog
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Can you include a picture of this instrument, please?
"The Midrash Detective"
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.
[Ed Vasicek]Can you include a picture of this instrument, please?
Not mine, but pretty much identical. My dad made mine for me, with some purchased plans. It has a beautiful, bell-like sound. :)
[Andrew K]Ed Vasicek wrote:
Can you include a picture of this instrument, please?
Not mine, but pretty much identical. My dad made mine for me, with some purchased plans. It has a beautiful, bell-like sound. :)
Thank you. Sort of in the lap-harp dulcimer family, would you say?
"The Midrash Detective"
Yep!
I chose it because that family of instruments (lap harps) is about the easiest to learn, and doesn’t require any particularly ghastly body-contortions. I’m also part Finnish, so that played a role.
My pastor forbids my participation in our services
#quenchingthespirit
Yesterday, one of the men from the church brought me a 60s Olds cornet that he found. As of last night, I could play a C major scale. Does that qualify me for a 3rd instrument?
[Jim]My pastor forbids my participation in our services
#quenchingthespirit
If you are visiting out our way, we’ll use you for an offertory. I can preach on the land of milk and honey, and the cow bell would reinforce the text!
"The Midrash Detective"
I love the cornet. Really. Bix Biederbecke, when he was with Jean Goldkette and then Paul Whiteman was the most amazing cornet (jazz style) ever. I love the hot licks! If you want names of groups that feature an occasional cornet solo nowadays, let me know.
Bix was hot but laid back at the same time. His solo begins at about 2:00 on the Youtube video, although you can hear him with the band at the beginning.
"The Midrash Detective"
I’m a looooooong way from playing cornet like that.
[pvawter]I’m a looooooong way from playing cornet like that.
Yes, I would imagine so! But it illustrates what a GREAT instrument the cornet is. It exists in the shadow of the trumpet, but has a neat sound all its own.
"The Midrash Detective"
I have been playing guitar for 6 years and piano for 3 years. But I only decided to study the piano because of the songs I want to play in the original. Otherwise, I don’t really like it. Recently I decided to learn to play the drums. But I’m not sure if I like it yet, so I bought a tongue drum. Been playing for 2 weeks so far, desire so far, all the negativity is gone. I like it a lot. The thing is cool, it is not difficult to play it, and it is designed in 2021, for those who want to learn how to play the drums is the best option to start, read it for yourself - simplydrum.com.
I love the Sharper Iron threads that resurface several years later! I play several instruments. I play all of the low brass instruments (Euphonium/Baritone, Trombone, Tuba) as that was my emphasis with the music major that I graduated from Cornerstone U with, but I haven’t touched them for at least a decade. I lent my Euphonium to my father because he is retired and plays in all sorts of brass choirs and ensembles. However, I also play the piano and play the Keyboard in our worship band at my church.
On a side note, between 1997-2004, I co-wrote the music with our guitar player (who happened to be a French horn player in the Grand Rapids Symphony) and played Keys in a Christian Rock Band that played for youth groups, coffee houses, festivals, and a few other venues throughout Michigan and Indiana. I eventually became pessimistic at what we were doing because so many teen/college students were much more enamored by the medium than the message that we proclaimed. Even though our lyrics were blatantly about the things of Christ, after the concerts, the main question that guys came up to ask us was “how can I start my own band” and the main question that females asked us was, “is the bass player or drummer dating anyone?” Were we perpetuating the idols of the Christian students who came to our concerts? Eventually, our band dissolved and we all went our separate ways.
So now I serve my small church in our worship band without fanfare or hype that I experienced as a Rock musician two decades ago.
Were we perpetuating the idols of the Christian students who came to our concerts?
Somewhere during the advent of CCM, we moved from ministry to perpetuating the Hollywood-like entertainment industry. We lost our way. Celebrity pastors were next. And we seem unable to fully find our way to a better place.
"The Midrash Detective"
I have a friend who was very heavily involved in organizing CCM concerts for many years. He’s completely disillusioned. Says he can’t even listen to the stuff anymore. It just disgusts him.
He told me a story once about a concert he was helping to organize for a big name in worship music. A really big name. I won’t say who it was, but you all definitely know him. He said the guy was a total jerk to everyone, and acted incredibly entitled. After the concert, he just took off immediately for his hotel.
He also mentioned, however, that the opening act was some sort of no-name Christian metal band. After the concert, they signed autographs and sat down with fans for long talks and discussions about spiritual matters. Just the most gracious guys you had ever met.
grew up playing the violin and started up again during the COVID lockdowns
My dad played violin, along with guitar and a smattering of several other instruments. Broke his heart when he had to give it up… well, he gave it up when he couldn’t keep the bow steady anymore. Most people probably wouldn’t have noticed for a couple more years, but he was always a “do it right or don’t do it” guy. I’m mostly on board with that.
Had an opportunity to play piano for congregational singing again a few weeks ago. It was great to feel the keys and make chords again, and I like the instrument. It’s not a “top of the line” grand or anything, but a well aged baby grand that seems to have a warm personality. The keys felt right. (My fingers didn’t feel all that right, but … one gets out of shape!)
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.
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