Let’s get the SDMB band together. Do you play a musical instrument or two? Sing? Write music? Public poll, multiple choices are allowed.
If you like, tell us about the music you’re currently playing or singing or writing.
Even if you’re just learning or haven’t practiced for a while, we’ll count that and find a part for you in the band.
(To honor Davy Jones, Stevie Nicks, Tracy Partridge, and Sidney Jr., tambourine has its own category. :p)
Rhythm guitarist, singer for songs where it is about selling the song more than vocal talent ;). In a band now, fully band ready (being good at an instrument or singing vs. being band ready are two completely different things)…
One role you don’t have up there is Field General - someone who actively guides the band through changes, calls out changes to chords and everyone’s pace and volume on the fly, etc. Not quite the conductor of a symphony but rather someone who keeps the birds flying in formation. That’s my job in my band currently - and a rhythm guitarist role is particularly well-suited to that in a rock band setting…
I’ll go first. At the moment, the only instrument I’ve been playing is piano. I have some new fake books and have been trying those for fun. In the recent past, I sang (alto) with a couple of different groups. When I was a kid, I played flute and oboe. I still have those instruments, but rarely get them out any more.
ETA: Make that second. 
Yes, I’ve done this kind of thing, too. Once for an a cappella group and once as drum major (one time, at band camp…)
I’ll see if I can get a mod to add this.
(Wahoo! My first poll edit and I didn’t wreck it! I mean-) Done.
I’ve been playing guitar for about 12 years, bass for almost four, and I got into singing maybe five years ago. I haven’t played with a band in forever and ever, but my dad is a longtime guitar player and one of my brothers just took up the drums, so we’ve started jamming together. We’re planning to get together tomorrow, in fact.
I used to blow a pretty good harp. Out of practice, though.
So, you’ll find out how bad I am at the audition. I screwed up, so I feel like I need to qualify some of my votes. I used to play in the Collegium Musicum in university, so my ‘woodwind’ experience is all based on playing recorder, shawm, crumhorn and racket. My brass/horns experience is as a tuba player 35 years ago in High School, as well as playing serpent in the Collegium Musicum. I should have had ‘strings’ down there from my days playing viol as well…
You also asked about what we’re currently singing/playing/writing… I’m learning two roles right now - the Major Domo in Capriccio by Richard Strauß, and Don Alfonso in Così fan Tutte by Mozart.
On the piano front, I’ve been working on Grade 9 Royal Conservatory of Music repertoire. (My piano skills are waaay behind…) Right now, I’m working on two Brahms intermezzi from op. 76 (#4 in Bb Major, #7 in a minor) the Chopin 2nd Nocturne (Eb Major) and the Debussy “La Fille au cheveux de lin”.
Guitar - well, this one’s all over the map. I’m putting a demo together, and it will have some Luis Narvaez, John Dowland, Leo Brouwer, Chet Atkins and Ralph Towner on it if I ever get my sh*t together. I’m involved in arranging and performing some classical and contemporary voice and guitar music. I’m also trying to break a long streak of non-composition…
Though I’m pretty steeped in traditional African rhythms, I’ve got vast experience coordinating drum/instrument circles. DoperJam '10!
I can play some guitar, but I wouldn’t call me a guitar player. Hide me in the back behind a couple other rhythm players and I can probably do OK.
I didn’t see “cowbell” anywhere on the list. We need more cowbell!
I couldn’t carry a tune to save my life but I used to play drums in high school. I’m pretty awesome on the crash cymbols.
I’m also a prodigy with the kazoo and nose flute.
Currently renting a doghouse bass I’m enjoying thumping. Used to play electric, piano, harp, and mando. But I’m a bassman.
Have been playing electric guitar for nearly a year now (though, only started lessons about 8 months ago). I’m at the point now where there are a few songs I can play all the way through. Still have a ton to learn, but I’m really enjoying it.
I took two years of harmonica lessons. I shit you not.
Poll needs past tenses:
sang
wrote music
played guitar
and mountain dulcimer (kinda sorta)
I believe you. But did they do you any good? Did they help you (A) play harmonica, or (B) pick up chicks? Both are thoroughly worthwhile outcomes to two years of harmonica lessons.
I’ve been playing guitar for about 5 years… my playing is pretty primitive but I can bash my way through a number of popular (and not-so-popular) tunes. I also sing and I’ve written a few songs and have several others in various stages of completion. In late '08 I completed a home-recorded CD using a multi-track digital recorder – it was a lot of fun arranging the parts (usually a bass part, a couple of guitar parts, lead and harmony vocals, and sometimes simple keyboard and percussion parts) to get a full-band sound. Last year I tried out public performance, participating in a couple of open-mic nights. This year I hope to do more open-mics and start a second CD.
Productions: http://soundcloud.com/hissnlissn
Working on a slew of material to be self-released on vinyl. Also starting up a separate label for limited run vinyls from other artists, fwiw, focus being on remix/rework/versions. I’ve played in several bands in the past and have been doing music in one form or another since the tender age of 8, started out on cello.
Self-taught rock keyboardist and singer starting in high school. I jammed with my friends on then-current songs but I was not part of a working band in those days. My real passion was for writing, and my best friend has always been a recording buff (starting with reel-to-reel) so we have managed to record about 20 of my songs over the years. These are of various quality but a lot of my friends actually play the tapes regularly, and I’ve heard that even friends of friends play certain songs repeatedly.
In 2000, two of my friends who had been in working bands previously suggested that the three of us start a classic rock cover band, and I agreed, thinking it would go nowhere. In fact, the three of us along with a couple of bassists and a parade of drummers have played close to 80 gigs, including some pretty large venues.
I’m not what you would call a great piano player, unless you are not a musician yourself, in which case you might think I’m pretty good (lots of people do). I am good at picking up a song on the fly, so if an audience member wants to hear something and one of the guitarists know it, they can tell me what key they’re in and I’ll catch up. I sing lead vocals on about half the band’s songs and harmonies on the rest–I have probably the best voice in the band and certainly the most stage presence.
Last year I bought a Mac and Logic software in order to start recording my own songs. Even with the help of my recording friend it has been a slow learning curve for me–maybe I should have started with Garage Band but I didn’t. I still write one or two new songs per year but I have a backlog of good ones to record so I’m trying to focus on those.
A) Absolutely. There’s a huge difference between harmonica players (e.g. Big Walter Horton, John Popper), and musicians who sometimes play harmonica (e.g. Bob Dylan, Billy Joel). You ain’t gonna be a harmonica player without either 1) substantial natural talent, or 2) lessons.
B) I gotta say, it’s my best pickup line.
I can’t believe I forgot this!!!