So I'm hanging out over at the Straight White Guy's place, basically kicking his butt at pool, so he changes the activity to guitar pickin' (Something that he just knows he's better than me at). It's all good, but we had a little debate over the use (or lack thereof) of using a pick while playing.
Me, I'm generally Pro-Pick, whereas Eric generally eschews the little piece of plastic used to strike the strings. First off, he is a "Finger Pcker". Don't read anything into that, as it doesn't mean anything "dirty". It just means that when he plays, he uses different fingers of his playing hand to strike different strings. I can't do that.
Me, I use a pick. It just feels more right to me. That, and I like the sound of a guitar just ringing out. A pick will give you a "crisper" sound when you strike a chord, but it will also excentuate your mistakes. Using your finger, causes the guitar to be slighltly muted. The sound is much "softer". If it's the style of paying that Eric normally does, it will turn out quite nice, as he generally play's Notes. Me, I play Chords, because it's what I know. I understand the concept behind what he is doing, but I just can't seem to make my hands mimic those motions. Maybe I should actually practice or something.
I realize that if you've never played a musical instrument, the concepts described above will be foriegn to you. If they are, learn an instrument. Doesn't matter if it is a Cello or a Jew's Harp. Just learn to play something. It'll teach you what you don't know, and what you don't know is a lot.
So what instrument do you play?
Posted by Johnny - Oh at September 3, 2004 12:27 AMI used to goof around with the old guit-fiddle quite a bit, but kinda let it set. However, you and Eric have got me to messing around again. I don't use a pick much, either. I can do a little finger picking, but I like being able to pick some notes, and then strum a chord using the back of my finger nail.
Also used to be able to make a keyboard sound like an educated monkey was playing it, but I haven't played one in so long, I don't know if I could do it at all anymore!
Posted by: That 1 Guy at September 3, 2004 03:22 AMPiano mainly. Some guitar, as I'm too girly to let my fingertips harden :-) Prefer instruments they play both melody and bass.
I once joined an orchestra on percussion as I thought it'd be a doddle, but it's harder than it looks. A lot of it's counting bars till you come in and you really *don't* want to lose track if you're doing the "Da da da DUM! da da da DUM" bit on the drums as I once did. Poor Beethoven. I hope they didn't restore his hearing in Heaven!
Posted by: Sally at September 3, 2004 06:02 AMCool T1G! Glad we were able to inspire you back to playing some. even if you're no good at it, it's still a lotta fun.
An Orchestra Sally? How cool is that? I can imagine how many shades of Red you turned after missing your count. It's bad enough when it's just you and a few friends, but messing up in front of 40 or 50 people just had to suck.
Posted by: Johnny - Oh at September 3, 2004 09:24 AMGrade school - 2 years of violin, 4 years of cello. I used the school's instruments, so when I dropped Orchestra class, I left it all behind. I kept the appreciation for classical music, though.
And Blogless Brother John taught himself guitar, and watching him learn gave me an understanding of what's involved, even though I can't play a note, myself.
Posted by: Harvey at September 3, 2004 01:09 PMThe concept behind playing guitar is actually pretty simple, but teaching your hands to do it the way it "sounds in your head" is the hard part.
Let's see, we've got strings and percussion covered. What about brass or woodwinds?
Posted by: Johnny - Oh at September 3, 2004 02:31 PMGah! Don't put me on percussion! I can play flute or clarinet (easy) if you don't need a pianist for The Bad Example Orchestra.
Posted by: Sally at September 3, 2004 07:13 PMI play flute, piccolo, and the bagpipes, although I have my bagpipes mothballed right now.
I've been looking into a town symphony and may start again, seriously start again. (Flute) There is a flute choir that I would join in a heartbeat if it weren't such a long ass drive.
Posted by: Boudicca at September 3, 2004 07:21 PMSally is the pianist (Uh huh(Redneck laugh)). But but, we need some woodwinds. Clarinet counts right? Okay, Okay. Pianist (Uh huh) it is. ;^)
Flute and piccolo Bou?
i guess blowing over the top of a Coke bottle can be considered an instrument (Coke bottle has less holes in it). No I think the "pipes". The only way to hear "Amazing Grace" is on the bagpipes. IT's the most mournful thing I've ever heard, but with a little bit of redemption.
Oh yes. The pipes it is. :^)
Posted by: Johnny - Oh at September 3, 2004 11:39 PMDrums (I do that better than I do anything else) and guitar. I can get by playing bass. I blew into a sax a couple times, but only managed to frighten animals.
Posted by: Jim at September 4, 2004 04:34 AMDrummer huh? Isn't that the guy who hangs out with musician's? :^) I think I'd like to get a small drum set and try that out. I've only been able to try it once or twice at a music store, but it sure seems like fun.
I feel your pain, avbout the sax. I picked up a trumpet one time and all the noise I could get it to make sounded like someone stepping on a duck.
Posted by: Johnny - Oh at September 4, 2004 11:19 AM