What Instrument(s) do you play?

[karl stange]

i taught myself to play guitar back when i was 14 or 15, by listening to my one brother, ken's john denver records and using my oldest brother, mike's guitar and john denver song books to play along with the records.

also, before this time, i took accordian lessons. but have not kept up on playing accordian. my uncle, when i stayed on his farm one whole summer, was teaching me the "swing bass" type chording on piano which i can still do with a little practice.

[M Kerkvliet]

I used to play accordion, though not well. I was probably about 9 years old when I got sick of it. It was a mothers thing. I can still fake it, but I play by ear. I cannot read music.

I do have a good ear for music though, and I can tell when someone is really mucking something up. That's why I cannot watch Karaoke or even American Idol. I cringe when someone is off key, and am uncomfortable for them.

I wish I would have learned how to play piano. I love the instrument... or the guitar. I am sure I could learn, even at my ripe old age, but I have zero patience so I would not be a good student. Too many other priorities I guess.

[dachtera]

Mark - So that means you won't be up for Karaoke night this year? (Yes, I have a complete 'bar-quality' setup)

Musically, I played the trombone from 5th grade thru college, and I make an attempt to play the guitar. I played drums in high-school for a few years, as well as just about any band-instrument short of the oboe and xylophone. I guess music runs in my family..

[80pfd]

I wonder if anyone could tell me a good way to loosen the slides on my trumpet. I have not used it for about 10yrs. I did not use it much prior to that. So, when I had it out of the closet a while back, a lot of parts would not move very well. I tried donating it so someone could get good use from it, but I have had no takers.The last time I really was using it, was when I graduated from high school 36yrs. ago (that should put some date on my age!).
After retiring from the fire service (volunteer), but still paying my bills by working at Penberthy, I do sing more with the Barbershop quartets and the chorus I am involved in.
Thank you for the forum.
Sincerely;
Paul McCracken
twocampers@frontiernet.net

[Mallands]

I took piano lessons when I was young, but quit after a few years. I really regret that now. I sang in choir in high school and now sing in my church choir. I'm an alto.
And Mark, I love American Idol! Have been watching for 2 years now. There are some really good singers on it and quite a few not so good singers too.

Roxane

[dachtera]

Paul :

You reminded me I should pull out my Trombone one of these days again.. - If you are wanting to loosen up the slides and valves, I was always told in band to soak the instrument in a warm bath (and to give it a good inner cleaning).. Yes, fill up the bathtub with warm water and immerse the Trumpet for a good amount of time until things free up. I might suggest taking the caps off the valves if you can as well.

I've hear other things, like a rubber mallet tap, but I've always hesitated on that one, for fear of kinks.

OR - If you are still wanting to offload it.. I'm up for it. Otherwise, I could try and clean it up for you and then maybe you can find someone to take it.

Years ago in High School, I was given a beat up baritone from my Grandmother who purchased it for 5$ at a garage sale. After letting my friend borrow it for band, he had it acid-dipped, and cleaned up, and it turned out to be some rare french-made baritone worth quite a bit of money!

Vintage instruments in working condition are a great find!

I wonder if anyone could tell me a good way to loosen the slides on my trumpet. I have not used it for about 10yrs. I did not use it much prior to that. So, when I had it out of the closet a while back, a lot of parts would not move very well. I tried donating it so someone could get good use from it, but I have had no takers.The last time I really was using it, was when I graduated from high school 36yrs. ago (that should put some date on my age!).
After retiring from the fire service (volunteer), but still paying my bills by working at Penberthy, I do sing more with the Barbershop quartets and the chorus I am involved in.
Thank you for the forum.
Sincerely;
Paul McCracken
twocampers@frontiernet.net

[80pfd]

Tim;
Thank you for the reply. I might have been told about the bath method a long time ago, but forgot. The trumpet is an Olds, purchased w-a-a-a-ay back when I was a 5th grade student.
A long time ago, someone did suggest aplying heat in various areas. But, my version of "a little heat" usually cuts off frozen bolts on trailer hitches.
Thank you again.
Paul

[nhojs1]

OK, let me see.....I took 4 years of accordion and two years of piano and so play both those instruments. I also play 5-string banjo, bass guitar, and recorder. Also a little mandolin, guitar, bodhran(irish drum) and pennywhistle. I am also learning bagpipes. But at Rollag you will usually see me with the banjo.

John F. Schaffer

[M Kerkvliet]

I wish I would have learned piano. At our church we have some excellent pianists, and I love to watch them play. The best ones seem to become part of the instrument, and it seems effortless for them.

I wonder if I am too old for lessons? I will be retiring within the next 10 years or so... maybe I will need something to do!

[40avery]

You are never too old to learn Mark. Some of the third graders the instructor has may look at you a little funny at your recital but what the heck!!:)

I used to play Sax and would really like to find a nice tenor to buy again.

[karl stange]

as with everyone...

i wish i would stayed with the accordian. but having a very bad teacher at 10 years old of my life. this pretty much ruined it for me.

i can still pick up an accordian and play a couple songs for my own benefit but not much else.

have any of you ever tried to play an push-button accordian?

in-which when holding the note down on the "out pull" it makes one note and the "in push" it makes a different note? similar to an harmonica. i can play it up to a point which is nice considering it was my grandfathers on my dads side.

i've been told my grandpa harry could play turkey in the straw while this was behind his back. oh how i wish to of had a cam corder for this back then!! amazing.

[thevintageangel]

My 11-year-old brother bought a mint condition small 1950s? accordian on an auction last summer. He's taught himself to play a song or two from the songbook that was included in the case. He's hoping that he can come up to the show this year and watch some of the experienced players and maybe learn a little. :)

[Desyl]

Hello. I started to learn to play the bagpipes 5 years ago, at the age of 54. It's never too late to learn something new, although I wish I'd known how physically demanding bagpipes would be. I'm a small woman, and it's a lot of work! Should I bring my bagpipes and Scottish uniform to WMSTR and play somewhere?

Desyl Peterson

[karl stange]

hi desyl,

by all means, yes.:woohoo1:

be sure to stop in at the nelson exhibition hall sound booth and talk to russ. you might find me down at the tmb or on the straw burning buffalo pitts steam engine. (southeast across from the tmb)

[virgildr]

Karl,
Bobby Becker and KRCQ are coming to the shoe on Sunday. (9/3) He would apreciate talking to you in that regard.
Thank You,
Virgil DR Gunnarson

[JWerner]

I guess I started violin lessons when I was five or six and have played ever since. I remember my mom used to clear our living room, place our coffee table in the middle of the room and have me stand on it and play for our family. I recall her favorites were "The Blue Danube" by Johann Strauss and "Liebestraum" by Franz Liszt. In addition to the violin I went on to play similar instruments, the viola, cello and bass, and have since started playing the guitar. I've thought about taking some piano or organ lessons, but like everyone else, my extra time has become a limited commodity.

Jake Werner