I’m a pianst and an organist, but haven’t played regularly for four or five years. Prior to that, I played daily, starting about 20 years ago (organ starting about eight years ago).
I have this idea to someday get around to giving a very small piano/organ concert for close friends, but know it will take a year or more of preparation. I’m out of practice technically, and musically.
Until I actually start down that path, I’m looking for a different instrument to toy around with. I’ve tried guitar a couple of times, but didn’t stick with it long enough for it to be enjoyable. I dug a harmonica out of the closet the other day, but then realized that I don’t really enjoy the sound of a harmonica, or the styles of music it’s typically used in (for a diatonic, at least).
Then, yesterday, I found myself on Ebay, browsing accordions. I played one once (For about 20 minutes. In 1960. [Did I get that right?]), a chromatic, and enjoyed it, but not enough to track down one to learn on then. At some point yesterday, during accordion shopping, I realized that I was, in fact, shopping for accordions on Ebay, and might do well to seek professional psychiatric evaluation. Not being able to afford that, I turn here.
So, fellow musical Dopers, what instrument should I seek for personal gratification and ultimate fame and fortune?
Well, I’m a keyboardist/pianist, and I was going to chime in and suggest the harmonica, but I see that’s right out.
Guitar would be the next obvious instrument. Following that, bass seems to be a very natural instrument for keyboardists as well. You can never go wrong with guitar though.
Drums are great, too, but I suspect not the type of instrument you’re looking for.
Well, I wouldn’t say “right out”, but I’m not a blues guy, and I don’t love the sound of a harmonica. I have seen some amazing players, and enjoy their sound, but for something for me to plink around on…I guess it doesn’t interest me enough.
I’d be willing to give guitar another shot. I assume a six-string acoustic would be the place to start, which is something I could probably afford.
I like the idea of bass and drums, but they’re both instruments that are most gratifying when playing with others, and right now I’m without accompaniment. I’m looking more for an instrument to entertain myself, and maybe friends. I’d love to start up a group again (some formulation of a band; my former groups were all vocal-only), but that’s not what I’m looking for from this instrument.
I played alto sax in junior high and high school band. I don’t love it, but this suggestion has the advantage of the possibility of my sax being somewhere at my folks’ house (pads might be an issue, though). I suspect there’d be an amount of un-learning bad technique involved here, but it’s an idea I hadn’t yet considered.
Yeah, then I’d say guitar is definitely worth another shot. I find it so much fun just to plunk around on a guitar when I’m bored–much moreso than plunking around on my piano.
And I kinda do like accordions, but I’m not sure how much they’ll “entertain” your friends.
I think that guitar and accordion are on the top of the list right now. I’m fortunate :dubious: enough to have friends that might actually enjoy accordion (fans of They Might Be Giants, etc.), but I think the guitar would earn a higher Girlfriend Approval Factor.
Don’t let visions of Lawrence Welk scare you away from the accordion. Here in Texas, accordion traditions include conjunto, zydeco, cajun & real polka bands. Plus “new” bands like Brave Combo.
San Antonio’s International Accordion Festival kicks off tonight! Check out the lineup. There are also workshops–maybe next year?
I’ve been toying with the notion of taking up the ukulele again. (I fooled around with one for a while back in the 1970s.) The upside is that you can get some really cheap ones on eBay, and then if you like it you can buy a better one, and if you don’t, you’re only out a few bucks.
The downside is that your repertoire is sort of limited to Tin Pan Alley tunes and songs that Tiny Tim might have sung.
Naah, it’s the singer and not the song so much; you can play damn near anything on anything if you really dig it. Instruments are tools but the real magic is in what you do with them. Having an open mind and a willingness to try most any combination at least once is helpful.
I’ve heard some cool stuff on ukulele; never thought I’d ever say that but I’ve had the chance to hear some great players right in my home town. You can also be most traditionalist and sound like Rudy Vallee if that’s what floats your boat – but you don’t have to go there if you don’t wanna.
Thanks for the links, Bridget Burke and TubaDiva. Funny you should mention the Big Joe Polka Show, Tuba. On nights when nothing else is on, somehow my girlfriend and I find ourselves watching the RFD channel, transfixed by the big guy in women’s clothing. Not something I aspire to, personally.
At any rate, I think a trip down to the Land of Cheese and Accordions is in order in the near future. I’d rather take a drive than take my chances on Ebay, though that could probably work if a reputable dealer is selling.
So, when are we all getting together to jam on accordion, ukulele, tuba, and theremin?
Yeah, with your dexterity something like fingerstyle guitar (or more plainly fingerpickin’) could be a rewarding pursuit.
Some accordianists I’ve been amazed by:
Luis Ganzaga
Neshko Neshev (Ivo Popasov and His Bulgarian Wedding Band)
Madagascar has a rich accordian tradition. If I had the time I’d search for a guy I saw at Central Park Summerstage many years ago that was transcendent.
