Or have you played something else in the past? What’s your favorite piece to play?
Edit: thanks for everyone that has replied. This has been so heartwarming to read :)
I have been on and off for the past 7 years due to moving overseas, but up until then, I’d been playing instruments since I was 8 (so over 20 years). Starred on clarinet, then flute, alto/tenor/baritone sax, some piano. Started to learn trombone, but I graduated so no longer had access.
I’ve always loved playing jazz and just general big band music. Pink Panther has always been a fun one to play. One of my friends here is in a band (vocals, drums, guitar, bass) and keeps hassling me to get a saxophone so I can guest gig and play “Careless Whisper.” lol.
Since moving, I’ve missed my saxophone dearly, but it’s expensive to ship and expensive to buy. I currently have a kalimba and low Irish whistle. They’ve been in the box for a few months due to moving houses. Seeing all of these posts make me want to break them out again.
Having tulips on my organ
When I was younger, I played the viola and I loved it, but moved to a school that didn’t have that and we couldn’t afford any lessons. I tried piano (one of those simply piano courses and a keyboard) and I actually liked that as well, but time got away from me. I wish I could actually play, it looks so amazing. Jealous of all you talented musicians.
Probably piano, my favourite thing is probably jazz music theory and lovely thick chords
My favorite thing about me playing an instrument are the cheers and frenetic applause of my neighbours when I stop it.
Really really inspiring.
Is it the skin flute?
Not at all - just be having a good time.
I play guitar casually since a little before COVID. Becoming more fluent with it every time I play is an amazing feeling.
Getting into a groove, putting my own spin/expressing myself with songs I like, and jamming with friends are experiences that are unmatched in enjoyment for me.
Making up my own silly songs on the fly is fun too.
Learning to play is the best thing I ever did. I had to get over the idea that it would be hard work to get good, or the idea that I’d never be as good as someone who started as a kid, or that I’d ever even be technically good, at all. Letting go of that stuff allowed me to enjoy each moment playing, and just have fun.
I’ve been playing many instruments for over 25 years. Sometimes professionally. My favorite thing to do with them is just explore the sounds they can make. Really listen to the nuance of it. A plucked or strummed string, for example has such a complex waveform. When you get to know how sound works on a physics level, it’s truly amazing.
Over my lifetime I’ve learned to play like 8 or 9 musical instruments, from “can squeak out Mary Had A Little Lamb” on a harmonica to reasonable on the piano. I took band class in middle and high school and was a reasonable trumpet player, though it’s been awhile.
I’m mainly a guitar player. I’ve tended toward 6 string acoustic, finger style. I tend to like the guitar because it can hold up on its own, it can be a solo instrument in a way that a trumpet can’t. Show up to a social gathering with a trumpet, see if you’re allowed to play it, compared to showing up with a guitar.
My favorite piece to play on guitar is probably a solo guitar arrangement of Bon Jovi’s Livin’ On A Prayer. This is what I aim for with it, and I’ve got…most of it, not quite that clean.
I picked up a steel tongue drum out of pure serendipity and I can’t keep my hands off of it. The good quality ones that are hand tuned by an artisan and crafted from the highest quality steel will sound good no matter how you hit it. I started just bopping random notes with mallets, then tapping patterns with my hands, and whatever I do it sounds great and feels zen and beautiful. I don’t really play any songs on it, just patterns, but it’s like the audio version of a warm bubble bath.
There are mass market dinky derpy ones off of Amazon and they’re completely different instruments. If it sounds like a gong or a bell it’s a cheap one. If it sounds like the ethereal thrumming of the deep forest magic it’s a good one.
I play ukulele because when I miss a note or get a beat wrong it just makes me laugh because it sounds so silly. I got a banjolele too and that thing is ridiculous, but when it works it sounds awesome.
Viola! I like its range of sound and the fact that we get our own (alto) clef makes me feel special. But you end up playing a lot of lame parts when the violins get all the melodies and solos.
Viola sounds amazing but yes, fun pieces are written for violin.
Do you know any great viola music that is on par with great violin music?
Mozart famously loved violas so he frequently gave them some love and he wrote Sinfonia concertante in E-flat major where they are the star of the show.
Beautiful piece, I can see why you love to play it, too! Must be super fun to bounce back and forth with the violinist and carry the melody.
I think one of my biggest regrets is stopping playing violin. I will pick it back up one day when I have more time, nothing else has brought me the same kind of joy, not even the other instruments I’ve learned over the years.
I learned in this order: clarinet, trumpet, piano, penny whistle, kalimba, guitar, and harmonica. I don’t actually play most anymore, the joy of music to me is in performance and I was never good or passionate enough about instruments to perform with them.
My favorite always was the trumpet. I love the sound and the feel of it. It’s just got a punch and energy that I haven’t gotten from other instruments. I haven’t played since I was a teen though because it’s just too loud for me to be able to practice without bothering people.
Drums. I got a used electronic kit, a lower-end Roland model, and only play it for me. I learned the basic rhythms so I can throw some tunes on my headphones and try to play along. More meditation than anything else.
I used to program electronic music and play live keyboard until I wrecked my hearing on stage.
I picked up playing drums 1.5 years ago and love it. I’ve been teaching drums for almost 2 months now at a music school.
Drumming relaxes me a lot, it’s a good workout and even with my impaired hearing I can still play them.
Hopefully you’ve picked up some ear protection since then! Drums are loud AF and if you’ve already got hearing issues, drums will make them worse. +1 for Loop earplugs if you need some.
Don’t worry,I learnt from my past mistakes. I’ve got solid ear protection now and also wear earplugs for all concerts I’m attending.
This thing is legit.
Super simple to get pleasant sounds from. Basic melodies just fall out of it. Can’t recommend highly enough.
This brings me back. I hitch-hiked across Canada with a friend who brought one of these. He was meh on the guitar but amazing on this thing, and it was easy to travel with. I learned a few tunes, too. Lots of sitting in back seats, playing for whoever picked us up.
There’s another vote for strumstick. Thanks for the memory.
