Any Musicians?

[NickelCreekFan1]

:) hey there!
how many people here play an intrument? and if so, what and for how long have you been playing it?

[roswellalien475]

i've posted this before on the yahoo message board but thought i'd reply to get the discussion going. i play mandolin, guitar, banjo, and dulcimer. started when i was 6.

[matt the fiddler]

i am a violin player. i have played for 12 or so years it was such a long time ago- i also play guitar and a bit of mando. i love to compose music!
matt

[janeboheme]

hey there! i play guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass, and enough piano to fake it. i've played guitar for 6 years and learned the rest for a role i played (one which i got to take to the ryman!)
i want to concentrate on the banjo; it is so much fun! i also have a fiddle, but it stays in the back of my closet.

[NickelCreekFan1]

:p wow youve all played for so long, i've played classical violin for about 3 years now, i want to take fiddle lessons though, and i just recently bought a mandolin and have been picking out songs with it, i want lessons, but they are so hard to find in the rhode island area...

[Thilefan]

I also love to compose! How many songs have you written? I find I CANNOT write an easy song!! No matter how hard I try...(Does anyone else have this problem??). So anyway, cool.

Robin

[Thilefan]

I havent been playing mandolin very long, (4 years), but I wouldn't mind helping you get started (If you're interested).

Robin

[matt the fiddler]

hmm i compose as i get time, - being a full time student- it isn't a whole lot now days- lets see. i have written a musical, and jsut random pieces- no real commisions yet. most of my stuff isn't written down- although i am startig to do a lot more scorign and orchestration for larger groups and counterpoint type stuff
Originally posted by Thilefan
I also love to compose! How many songs have you written? I find I CANNOT write an easy song!! No matter how hard I try...(Does anyone else have this problem??). So anyway, cool.

Robin

[Thilefan]

I try to write fiddle tunes with classical slants. I love classical, but I also love the Nickel Creek sound. I've written many differn't pieces and patches, but only recently have I been able to write a whole tune. Its so much fun to write isn't it??

Mandolins Rule,

Robin

[NickelCreekFan1]

:eek: wow...i havent composed anything really, ive sat around and just came up with short 30 second melodys, but nothing written down. i dont write things down much because i only know the basic notes and not much of the complex stuff.....im new to this bluegrass scene and im just working to try to pick out stuff. hey robin, the help would be great, i need practice on my right hand, i have a habit of only downpicking when i play, any tips?
well..off i go..im going to play some more tunes :p

[sand_maiden]

Hey,
I'm actually a piano player....I've played for 14 years. But I bought a mandolin last year and just love it. I play guitar, clarinet, and horn also. Did you guys know that there are National Whistling Championships? I had no idea. Imagine how much practice time those competetors must invest into that.:) My parents are really into jazz and my sister's all about classical music. I lean toward the bluegrass, folk, or alternative sounds.

laura
(is there another laura out there? I think there is ....so hi laura! Maybe we should distinguish one of us so people don't get confused. I could call myself something else if you want. Let me know!!)

[Thilefan]

I know what you mean about complex! There is one really big advantage to playing the mandolin over the fiddle, I can write all my tunes in tab!!! (So much easier than notation in my opinion). Oh yah, right hand exercises hmm? Okay, I know exactly how you feel, when my brother first told me I had to pick up AND down, I was not happy. Here's what I would do: Pick a scale...say the G scale, and play it VERY VERY slowly and make sure you don't allow your hand to down pick twice in a row. Gradually speed that up as your hand allows (Caution!! DO NOT speed this process, let your hand get use to the idea before speeding up...I must admit, I had a serious problems keeping things slow when I first started. And last of all DON'T GIVE UP!!! The mandolin is awesome and fun to play once you get the hang of it. You'll love it! You know what? I'm going to buy a violin in about two months...maybe you could give me some of your secrets??? Heehee..
Well, I hope this helps you!

Robin

[Thilefan]

:confused:

Really?? Whistling contests??? Wow weird! You sound like you are a very versitile musician! I don't know if I could play some many instruments, I would get confused I think. What kind of mandolin did you get??? A Dudenbostel by any chance? Heehee...If you did, I'll buy it from you (Lol). I like classical, jazz, pop (Nickel creek that is), and small amounts of Bluegrass. Well,

Talk at you later!

Robin

[NickelCreekFan1]

cool! another Laura! -waves- hi Laura!
thanks robin! ill be sure to use those tips and i'll be glad to tell you some of mine for the violin...but i only have a few :o
whistleing contest!? wow thats so cool....i can barely whistle anything lol

[hornplayer]

I have played the horn (French Horn) for 23 years, and I play a little piano.

[matt the fiddler]

tabs are nice for one preson to read- but to see all teh music theory going on- i really need standard notation- [i move music theory] i used to think tab was the best thing since sliced bread, because it is easy and qucik to jot down- but after doing a lot of work in composition, if you want people to play it [especially otehr instruments] - standard notation/ chord charts is the best- i have doen a short hand though- melody line with chord charts, or what ever- maily for jazz and bluegrass though.
but remember i come more of a classical background-
matt

[roswellalien475]

dude i can't compose AT ALL!!! i've tried and tried i can only compose for one instrument and it ain't pretty LOL. i can never seem to write something together on more than one instrument. if any one has any tips feel free to share them!!!

[ljsmanz]

I feel really music stupid reading about all of you guyses different musical ability. I don't play any insturment (besides a little piano). I love to sing but unfortunately I do not do that very well. I always wanted to learn guitar when I thought that would help me become a country singer but I don't think anything could help my singing! I kind of feel because i'm 19 now that it'll be hard for me to start playing and perhaps a little silly.

[Johnny Do]

During my senior year in high school, I took up guitar, and learned it a little bit while playing tabs from a lot of my favorite bands, including Toad the Wet Sprocket. Since then, I have yet to practice too much, with school and all taking up my time, but it is impressive to see so many of you immersed into playing so many instruments!

-Johnny

[mandomaniac]

learning an instrument at an older age than these guys is perfectly normal. I started mando at age 11 (relatively young) but I see guys that are picking up instruments in their 40s, 50s, even older, it's a healthy outlet and really fun!
no shame in my game...

[Thilefan]

Starting a little later isn't bad...It may be harder because of all the obligations an adult has. I think anybody, at any age can become a fine musician (Look at Doc Watson...what 89 or something like that??). Don't get discouraged from learning music...music is your best friend.

Robin

[XTerraWoman7]

I have just started learning to play the mandolin. Lessons are hard to come by where I live, too. North Carolina. it's never too late to try to learn. My husband has learned to play the guitar and is doing very well. I'm younger than he is so I thought I'd give it a try. Chris is the one that inspired me to want to learn the mandolin. He's fabulous. Looking forward to MerleFest again this year!

[NickelCreekFan1]

:) before i heard nickel creek (my first real glimpse was at Grey Fox 2001, then i vowed to buy the cd), i wasnt much of a bluegrass listener i didnt really know what a mandolin really was...i mean ive heard it before, but never considered playing it......but now that i've heard it,i was inspired by Chris to learn how to play it, so i went al the way to new hampshire to find the right one for me ><

[Thilefan]

Wow, now thats inspiration! What kind of mandolin did you get in New Hamphshire??

R

[NickelCreekFan1]

its a Kentucky A-style...model KM-140....its good for a starting instrument, oh how i had longed for the F-style but it was out of my price range >< lol o well, ill get a F one when i get better at playing the one i have hehe

[XTerraWoman7]

Ever picked up any of his music that's been tabbed? it's difficult. Of course, I'm just a beginner, but oohhhhh! I love his style and what a neat person. My son got to hang out with him for a while last year at MerleFest. It was awesome.

[Thilefan]

You bet! I love it too. I tabbed out 7 or 8 of his and your right they are HARD. Its a good challenge though...

R

[NiCkELCrEeKRoX]

i *just* started learning the fiddle...3 weeks ago! But i absolutely love it, and i commend those who can play well because it is definetly not the easiest thing in the world! Very rewarding though :) So what is y'alls favorite song from the nickel creek album?

[Thilefan]

I'd have to say its In the House Of Tom Bombadil for me...so well written. I also like Ode To a Butterfly. And you>?

R

[NiCkELCrEeKRoX]

As far as lyrics go, I'd have to say 'When You Come Back Down'...Sweet Afton is great, too! and for instumentals, Tom Bombadil is awesome. Any one know when the sheet music for NC is coming out??

[NickelCreekFan1]

my favorite songs are the lighthouses tale (i just love the live version!) Reasons Why, and When You Come Back Down, for instrumetals I'll have to say Ode to a Butterfly and In the House of Tom Bombadil

[roswellalien475]

dude! i wanted to get a kentucky km630 (fstyle) but instead i'm getting a dean bluegrass fsf. is a kentucky mandolin any good?

[Thilefan]

Kentucky Mandolins are pretty good student models I would say. I have a mandolin called an Oscar Schmidt and its only a student model same as the Kentucky. The higher end brands such as Gibson, Gilchrist, Dudenbostel, Cepak, etc are the ones that get exepenisive really quick and are not student models. So, Yah..

R

[sand_maiden]

I also have a Kentucky mando. (In fact, it's the same model as the other Laura's! We have the same name AND the same mandolin:) ) It's got a nice sound to it for a student model. I'm enjoying it alot. But it's no Dudenbostel.....
I think my favorite song from that cd is probably The Lighthouse's Tale. It's so sad and beautiful. I never get tired of listening to it. I guess I never get tired of listening to ANY of their music. It's so amazing.
That's so great that so many of you are into composing. I've never tried to write anything. Does anyone play in any bands or groups?

Laura

[mandomaniac]

kentuckys are nice, but anyone seriously interested in mando playing should check out the Breedlove Quartz series. Serious mando for not so serious money
james <---still saving for a Dude

[mel4Him]

i sing and play the cello. i also can do a little piano. i'm learning the mandolin (when i have time) and i'm determined to learn guitar before i graduate. it will be hard, being a crazy music ed. major, but i'll do it!!!
:D

[Thilefan]

Right on! Wow, I always wanted to play cello...never ahd one though...cool...mandolins rock. Rock on!

><>

-Robin

We know that in Christ, all things impossible, by him will be made possible.

[Indeliblegrace]

I am learning to play guitar and mandolin. I sing and write songs!

[KCDrummer82]

I've been playing drums for over 10 years now...I play guitar decently, I sing background vocals in my band and write singing parts/lyrics...and i help write some guitar parts here and there....

[smartguy_10]

Am I the only one who plays the double bass here? (I play it for our school orchestra.) I also play (sheesh....) percussion, piano, a bit of the violin, bells (kinda look like a xylaphone without the pipes at the bottom), regular hand bells, gees - I know there is more. Oh well - not really important.

[littlevenice143]

I wonder how many people here don't play an instrument :) I play the violin and I am in my 6th year of playing it. I love it most of the time! :)

[mightymouse]

I'm new here woo hoo so i thought i would start with telling ever1 what instrument i play! i play accoustic guitar and i've only been playing for about 8 months but im in love with my guitar :) I've been thinking about checking out the mandilion and the sitar but ill prob never be able to afford a sitar so thats just a dream of mine ! ~ mightymouse

[matt the fiddler]

hey mouse- they were just in alaska- auctually they got stuck there for sept 11th. so you just missed, but mabye they will be going back there again.... who knows??

[mightymouse]

:( thats not cool. but anyways i wasnt in Alaska so its ok. They came to Portland when i was there but i wasnt able to go :(. ~ mightymouse

[fidlmaker]

Been playing guitar for 35+ years (yeah, I'm old), played flute for a few years back in the 70's. Currently playing the fiddle most of the time (about 6 years), mandolin and bass. Was a lead guitar player in a country rock band from 1976 to 1980, also did a solo acoustic guitar/vocal thing at coffeehouses. Did a little session work at Heddin West, Solid Sound, and Kitchen Sync recording studios in the late 70's, early 80's. Did background vocals on White Harvest's Take it to the Heart LP. These days mostly jamming at bluegrass gatherings when I'm not making fiddles or camping at festivals around the midwest.

[Faramir]

I've been playing the banjo for 14 years, the guitar for 12, played the violin in junior high and high school, played dobro for a little while and mandolin for about 6 years. Started playing music when I was 8 on the banjo and piano for a few years. I didn't start playing mandolin seriously until I was 16. I had to choose between buying a flatiron mandolin or getting a car. So naturally I bought the flatiron and have concentrated on mandolin since then.

[Sarah9230]

Hey all! I'm a new~be to the scene! I'v just been floating around reading your responces but this is the first time i've spoken up! Be proud of me lol. I really enjoy the Nickel Creek sound as well as many others. I play in my high school band. I play flute and some baratone. But I want to learn sax, guitar (I've been teaching mysel on my mom's 12 string) Violin, Piano and many many more and plan to in the near future! I just hope I'm talented enough. [noise] Let the music take you places you've never been. You are your own adventure.

[zelda]

Well, it looks like this is the place to introduce ourselves, so I thought I might say hi. I've been a NC since the first time I heard When You Come Back Down on the radio. [noise] The lyrics to that song just melt me. (yeah, I admit it, I'm a very sappy girl)
I've played the violin and piano for years, but never really got into fiddling much. I'm trying to learn as much as I can, it's kind of hard to know where to start to learn. (any thoughts would be appreciated!) Last night I spent about 15 mintues trying to figure out how to play House of Tom Bobadil, but I couldn't do it....I guess I'll never be as good as Sarah[sob] Sign me,
Wannabe fiddler :)

[Thilefan]

Hi!

Well, if you want help with Bombadil, I can help you with the fiddle part...

R

[zelda]

Yeah? That'd be awesome! :)

[mandofocus]

one of the best places to start (even after taking an extended break) is at the beging. work on scales an dthe easier songs. you'll progress at a beter rate if you do
-PJ- :cool: