I play the guitar… I have an ovation elec/acoustic and I have a 1995 Fender Plus Strat.
I have been playing since 1997 when at age 24 i decided to go ahead and learn.
I also play the drums. And I occassionally play bass guitar.
What about you?
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I started playing around with my grandmother’s piano when I was very small, 3 or 4. I didn’t learn to play any actual songs until many years later, after I had some training, but on my own I figured out how to play chords and melody and would make up my own simple songs. My parents suspected I would become some kind of musical virtuoso, though it didn’t work out that way.
I started playing the harmonica when I was very young too, again just improvising, although I figured out on my own how to play something very similar to the music from Rocky.
When I was 11 I joined band, and played the trumpet. I got rather good, I could hit higher notes than my teacher. I dropped it, though, when I moved to Texas, where there was no 6th grade band program.
After that I started messing around with electronic keyboards, and started playing actual songs on the keyboard, now that I knew how to read music from band class.
When I was 15 I started getting interested in my friend’s guitar, and then at 16 or so I got my own. Learned guitar tablature, and then many songs. I got pretty good at it, when I had only been playing seriously for a couple of years a very accomplished guitarist said I was better than this older guy we played with, who had been playing guitar for over 12 years. I levelled off in playing skill, though, and I don’t think I’m as good now as I was 10 years ago.
I also learned to play bass in my guitar-playing days, but nothing fancy, some really basic slap-and-pop technique but that’s it.
Recently I have been playing with the harmonica more lately.
I play the kazoo until someone tells me to stop.
I have been playing drums for about 8 years now. I just use a standard 4 piece kit, single bass, and two, maybe three cymbals. I aspire to have a career in professional drumming someday. While drums can indeed be very musical, I longed for something a little more definite in pitch. So, last Christmas I got a bass guitar; I’ve been learning that since, mainly just blues runs and chords.
I play strings, with my central instrument being the viola. I’ve been playing since middle school, so for about 11 years. I own a 1886 German viola, and I am whimpering, scrimping and saving for my very own Zeta Strados.
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I also used to play the piano, until I was electrocuted at work and lost half the motor control in my right hand. So I’ve been focusing on bow control and hope to pick the piano back up later.
Incidentally, my current bf is a cellist and has been playing for about as long.
I’ve been playing violin for about 10 years, on and off. I recently started again after having about a year’s break… and that year really made a difference. My technique has gone to shit, and I’m just starting to get it back again, but it’ll really take a while.
Some time soon I’d really like to join/start a swingjazz band type thing… stuff like the Squirrel Nut Zippers would be really ace. But I have yet to meet people with the same aspiration 
I’ve been playing trombone for almost 20 years now. I’ve kind of put off really playing it over the last couple of years though since I don’t know of many places to play. I also have a bass but I don’t touch it much, I can play a few songs but never learned all that much. Don’t think I’ve picked it up all summer long.
I had 10 accordion lessons when I was 7. I haven’t improved much since then, but an accordion is cruel to a busty woman. I got a guitar when I was 13 or 14 and taught myself chording and a few picking techniques. I tried taking classical guitar lessons, but the teacher owned the music store and he’d spend most of my lesson time dealing with customers while I played to an empty room, so I quit. I took a group lesson some years later and learned a variety of strumming and picking techniques.
In high school, I got a soprano recorder and taught myself a little, but I never really took to it. When I was in college, I bought a piano and a pile of lesson books. I taught myself some simple classical stuff, but I lacked the dedication to work at it. Every once in a while, I’ll tickle the ivories in a fit of boredom.
I always wanted to try drums, but I never knew anyone who had a set, so I never got a chance. I also want to learn banjo - maybe some day.
I play guitar - have for almost sniff 25 years. Am I that old?
Rock, Blues, a little jazz - pretty basic.
As for guitars, I have a Strat, a Taylor acoustic and my lastest acquisition, a Gibson ES 335 that I discuss in this post…
Playing keeps me sane, and that’s all I ask…
I played the tuba for about 10 years, and got a BA in music before I had to give it up for rent. Since then, I’ve played the dumbek for about a year, and I’ve been playing recorders and singing for the past couple years. Because of the music training, I can pick out tunes on pianos, bells, and a few other things.
I was paid to play the fife (It’s a wooden flute-like thing with only six finger holes) for eight years, and I played the trumpet for 4 in school band.
I’ve played the flute since I was 10 and played seriously through the end of college. After that I burned out (serious competitive attitudes in university band) and haven’t picked it up much since college (about 8 years). I regret that every day but can’t bring myself to play again.
Recently I tried to contact my old private teacher to see if we could get to playing together a little bit, but she tried to rope me into an Amway scheme and I don’t think I can talk to her again for a long time.
So for now I’m learning guitar. I’ve been taking lessons for about a year and have a Fender acoustic. Not practicing as much as I should (about 3-4 days a week) but it’s fun, relaxing, and I’m enjoying myself.
I played the trumpet from sixth grade until I graduated from high school. I hardly touched it afterwards, Now my friend’s son is using it in his seventh grade band class (same teacher as I had, nonetheless).
As a teen I played the guitar a little as well and I got to where I could play a lot of stuff by ear (Black Sabbath was my favorite play-along music). I took lessons but I really didn’t like the instructor, so he didn’t do much for bettering my skills.
About ten years ago I took some piano lessons and bought a small electronic keyboard, but going to college cut into my time for this so this musical pursuit never got off the ground.
It’s a shame that I didn’t stick to playing any of these instruments since I have perfect pitch and can play just about any song I recognize and in the correct key if I know the instrument. Nowadays a MIDI sequencer serves as my “instrument” of choice.
I used to play trombone in junior high. Haven’t practiced it in years, except to woo women with…nothing like a bit of ragtime to get babes in the mood… 
I’ve been playing drums for 16 years. Been in bands for about 8. I couldn’t imagine my life without it. sweet shit
Picked up the air guitar about twelve years ago. It was pretty tough at first considering I was always trying to play the drums with my left hand at the same time. I got a couple of instructional vidoes (The Song Remains the Same and Simon and Garfunkel: Live in Central Park) which gave me some pretty good pointers on two distinct styles. I am now fairly proficient at the general chord strumming method and I can get right down and jam when I need to. It’s been fun, although I don’t get to play as much as I used to as the wife and kids have a difficult time understanding the time commitment required by a serious air guitar artiste. My practice time is now, sadly, limited to the daily commute which has really inhibited my growth as a performer.
I was in band from junior high through college. Started off on trumpet, moved to baritone, then tuba. I also played trombone in jazz. After college, I played B flat tuba in a British Brass Band for a year.
For years afterwards, I didn’t do any playing. My parents had an old stand-up bass that had been in storage for years, and I asked if I could have it. Later, I met a dude who was a rock guitarist and studio musician. We started talking about jazz, and I mentioned I had a string bass. He invited me over and taught me how to play it. The fact that I have perfect pitch helped me to pick it up in no time. We since formed a little jazz combo after getting his sister to be vocalist. We played a few gigs, then he got burned out, and the band broke up.
Recently I took up playing again after finding out a few of my coworkers at my current job play guitar. We’ve been getting together and playing country, folk, blues, and even a little gospel. I really enjoy it and I can honestly say it’s a spiritual experience for me.
I am a profiessional violist in several orchestras in the Los Angeles area. Started on violin at age two, switched to viola at thirteen.
Piano – since 1st grade (1976) – did a double-major in college, one part of which was music (piano performance).
Guitar – since age 16 (1986)
Tenor and baritone sax in Jr. High and high school – haven’t played it much since.
In the fourth grade, I picked up playing Stand Up bass. I loved it, it was the greatest thing in the world. Of course, my family then moved to New Orleans, and there wasn’t a single orchestra to be found, so I picked up the trumpet. I played that for a good couple of years before getting my braces.
Then, I took up the tuba. Wonderful instrument, great fun. Played that for a good three years or so before moving to a school without a band. Sometimes I think my parents were trying to screw up my artistic developement. Anyway, ,I managed to continue with that and trumpet for a while through various outlets, but eventually stopped when I came to college.
I’ve been teaching myself guitar for a few months now, but that’s coming along veeerry slowly. But it’s fun, and I’ll get the hang of it one of these days.