Different Musical Instruments

[asmidir]

Hello fellow Escapists,
By tomorrow I'll have finished the last of my exams and I will have a great deal of free time on my hands. Besides the multitude of gaming I have to catch up on I want to also do something a bit more productive and one of my ideas was to learn another instrument. Right now I play the guitar, piano and ocarina. I picked up the ocarina last year because I wanted to learn a lesser known instrument. So again I would like to learn to play an instrument that you don't see very often. I've done a bit of research and I've become quite interested in the jaw harp, ukulele and glockenspiel. They're all rather simple to learn and I think they sound rather nice.

So I was wondering if any of you had some recommendations for an instrument to play. Are there any that you've played that you like? Are there some really easy to pick up instruments? Help me become a musical meistro.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

Rare instruments? Wrong guy to ask. All musical instruments have a learning curve though, in their own special ways.

Currently I play the trumpet and the baritone (out of necessity for a band). I think its great you're going to add more music into your life

 

[Tsunimo]

Theremin or Pan flute.
I suppose the pan flute isn't 'rare' but it would be a cool thing to learn., and the Theremin is probably my favorite instrument. Ever.

 

[asmidir]

Theremin or Pan flute.
I suppose the pan flute isn't 'rare' but it would be a cool thing to learn., and the Theremin is probably my favorite instrument. Ever.

I just looked up the theremin, it certainly is strange almost sci-fi, how does it work?

 

[jessegeek]

Well, I play guitar, bass, keyboard and saxophone, but also the melodica. Provided you can blow and play the piano (which you can), it is a remarkably easy instrument to learn, and pretty rare.

 

[KnightOfHearts]

I picked up sitar about a year ago
My primary focus is guitar and vocals so I haven't spent much time with it

But it's a TON of fun and I highly recommend it!

 

[Tsunimo]

-snip-

I don't know all the specifics, and have yet to buy one, but the pitch and volume are changed by the distance of the users hand from either antennae. The one the looks like a half-oval is the volume control, the antenna the pitch. The volume increases as the hand is moved farther away, and is 'muted' when the hand is touching the bar. The other is the pith, having the pitch decrease with distance from the antenna.
EDIT:

Spoiler: Here is a video of a guy playing it, for anyone else who is curious

[sub][sub]EDIT:Replaced with better video.[/sub][/sub]

 

[Captain_Fantastic]

well i personally would say pick up a type of hand drum like a bodhran or djembe (both things i play)

if you have a good sence of beat/rhythym then its simple... or atleast was to me though im still not what i would call a "good" player.

EDIT: also i dont actually use the bodhran like people are traditionally supposed to i prefer to use my fingers/hands

 

[ajemas]

This might sound odd, but why not pick up beatboxing? I've been doing it for years in addition to playing piano and singing, and I can say that it is just as rewarding. It is actually very easy to pick up, and I can almost guarantee that you will learn how to make some basic beats within a day. It's a very unique skill to have, and is even a great supplement to other instruments. As long as your mouth is free, you can add a basic beat to whatever song you're playing. I can't tell you how many songs I've written for piano that really stand out once I add some vocals and beats to it.
The biggest problem also comes along with its relative obscurity in that there isn't a universal way to learn it, or a way to get more music for it. While other instruments and vocal forms of music have books and guides and sheet music, beatboxing is done mostly by ear and by practice. My advice is to check out some basic guides online and practice, practice, practice!

 

[antidonkey]

I've been a fan of well known but not often used instruments. Things like the mandolin, banjo, or steel guitar. Sadly, the only thing I've ever been able to play was the viola......and I haven't played that thing in some 20 years. Perhaps one day I'll just pick up a banjo and see if the interwebs can teach me how to play it.

 

[repeating integers]

Well, since you already play guitar, maybe you might want to try the Lap-Steel guitar. It's not used very commonly, but it can make amazing sounds when it is.

<youtube=cGtjr-U5bT4>

 

[AlAaraaf74]

Take up the organ! There are great pieces you can learn on the king of instruments!

 

[w9496]

Rare instruments, huh? There's only four French Horn players in my high school, and I'm one of them, and probably one of the few on this site.

It's a fun instrument that has quite a bit of range, and the music for it is usually pretty varied.

 

[SckizoBoy]

EDIT:

Spoiler: Here is a video of a guy playing it, for anyone else who is curious

[sub][sub]EDIT:Replaced with better video.[/sub][/sub]

Damn! Was hoping for Bill Bailey... I am disappoint...

Take up the organ! There are great pieces you can learn on the king of instruments!

Hurr hurr!! Good luck getting to practise on one if you don't live in Europe!

OT: Cor anglais... no?

*meh* Personally, I prefer the oboe... but never mind. How's about the viola, have fun with Hindemith!

 

[Gloomsta]

Hello fellow Escapists,
By tomorrow I'll have finished the last of my exams and I will have a great deal of free time on my hands. Besides the multitude of gaming I have to catch up on I want to also do something a bit more productive and one of my ideas was to learn another instrument. Right now I play the guitar, piano and ocarina. I picked up the ocarina last year because I wanted to learn a lesser known instrument. So again I would like to learn to play an instrument that you don't see very often. I've done a bit of research and I've become quite interested in the jaw harp, ukulele and glockenspiel. They're all rather simple to learn and I think they sound rather nice.

So I was wondering if any of you had some recommendations for an instrument to play. Are there any that you've played that you like? Are there some really easy to pick up instruments? Help me become a musical meistro.

Electronic based stuff like Fruity Loops/Pro Tools.

Would help you abit with production/composing.

 

[Logiclul]

If you like Jazz (I do, it sounds good), then pick up a Saxophone (Tenor is the best, although you should feel them all out ). It's fun, and is a very versatile instrument. Not hard to learn; if you get the hang of it and have some direction you should be fine.