I've played the piano since I could hop up on to the piano stool as a child. I picked up an acoustic guitar in my early teens, and still play one today.
I dabbled with the flute and other woodwind instruments, but ultimately settled on what I grew up with.
Who here plays which musical instruments, and what standard did you achieve / are you aiming at?
I've started with piano lessons when I was six, I think. Played couple of years and finally quit when couldn't deal with abusive teacher anymore..She was old frustrated lady who was pinching me all over the body and pulling my hair, smoking and screaming all the time. I didn't have fun at all. I never restarted with lessons and I did regret that in my teens, however my hands are not made for piano and I am no Michel Camilio..
I play the guitar. I am a fingerstylist but use the skin of my fingers and not my nails. I just like the more mellow sound when playing using flesh. Plus I don't have to keep my nails longer, like claws. I am not "great", but I do ok. I have a very organic style and would call it "camp fire" or "mood music" playing. I don't get really complex, but instead let the guitar "sing", feeling the song and notes. It is one of the things I do to truly relax.
I can't read music. I play by ear; and if I hear it, I can usually duplicate it.
Count me in as #3 for the piano-kids. I started extremely early as a child, went through the Royal Conservatory with grades and exams every year and then gave it up in my early teens. I also had an 'evil' piano teacher in my last two years playing (seems to be a lot of them going around!) - it made me dread lessons. As well, my schedule growing up was jam packed with extracurricular activities and lessons and I thought it was time to start paring things down and concentrating on just one or two disciplines in my teens. Piano was a casualty of those decisions.
In school though - because they make you play an instrument and piano was not available, I also dabbled in the flute. I remember being sick at the time of the year they assigned instruments based on every kid's wish-list. When I returned to school I found out I was stuck with the one nobody wanted - the French horn. Aaack! I tried to make a go of it, but my teacher eventually felt sorry for me trying to lug this monster instrument home. It was wayyy too big for me. He made an exception and found a flute for me to switch over to. Much better.
The guitar is something I'd love to try to pick up sometime. And I've always had a strange yearning for the cello. Maybe one day.
I am a decent singer. I did some musical theatre in school and have some training. I'm by no means pro-quality but yeah, I can carry a tune and people tell me I'm good, so I take that for what its worth. It's still just more of a fun thing for me though.
Twenty odd years as a guitarist, producer, Pro Tools engineer - amateur, semi-pro and pro as work has allowed.
Sadly it doesn't pay as well as working in the service of the 'free' world.
Rock and metal is my thing although I have sessioned for alt. country bands in years gone by.
Still writing, recording and (very occasionally) performing my prog-metal stuff with various vocalists and drummers. Can we post audio files on here??
35 years as a guitarist, saxophone and keyboard player. Studied classical music in college but have played in hard rock bands all my life...
Gibson Les Paul Custom '80
Gibson Les Paul Deluxe '75
Yamaha Strat '93
Custom built strat '85
Marshall amplification (JCM 800 EL-34 Head)
ADA Preamp
I play Acoustic guitar and Electric Guitar both classical and rock, and i play a 1960 Fender Stratocaster.
I picked up guitar lessons my final year of primary school. The lessons where school based and I'll admit I started out of pure selfishness ( I was excused from a much hated duty school, one I won't mention as I don't want to offend anyone) and not out of love of the instrument. However over the years i have come to love the instrument. I self taught my self after 2 years of lessons. Nowadays I still play from time to time and have attempted to song write too. I do fear though that I can't sing and my song writings barley addequite at best.
There also was a old grand piano forever present growing up. Mum always always had people coming in to tune it and fix it despite it never being used. Instead of an 'evil' tutor like some have mentioned I had an evil mother so to say who banned it from it ever being used. She however did play all the time apparently at some time. I only remember her touching it once when I was younger. The memory is clear I remember I woke to the music drifting through the house. When I found the source was her I was shocked and sat there listening for what felt like hours. When she finished I asked why she didnt play more and she said she just looked at me eyes glazdd over and walked away. As I said she never touched it again nor did I broach the he subject.
Not much of a musician, but hoping to change that someday.
I learned clarinet in school and kept it up on and off afterwards. Still have a good clarinet and the intention of starting up again. It's not the easiest instrument, though, in the sense that you can't do much without an accompanist. My son plays piano but has largely lost interest in music else I'd get him to start working with me.
Longer haul, I'd love to learn either piano or acoustic guitar but time is not on my side right now.
I played a little piano in high school but haven't done since. Sometimes wish I'd taken proper lessons.
I was much more comfortable treading the boards, however.
EDIT: And I ain't a terrible singer either.
What a good idea Nicola. I'm a classicaly trained guitarist, but haven't played that style seriously for a long time. It ended up as a springboard for Acoustic gutar and electric bass. I dabble some with an electric guitar, but I don't consider myself very good with it. I played weekly for 25 years up until the end of last year when I decided I needed a break. It'll be interesting to keep an eye on this.
I've never done grades, or exams or anything, but i'm accomplished enough at guitar, bass, drums, singing etc to be the house musician at my local club (bluesey ish I guess, but also can stand rock, and alt)
I did a bit of piano, but then changed over to violin quite early on. Did a lot of classical music, playing in an orchestra even to the great pride of my parents. Lots of choir singing as well, and I had some singing lessons (but am not great at that at all, not my thing...).
I had to lean recorder in school but liked it quite well. Did a bit of flute but liked it less. Then I fell in love with Celtic music and all the great "music bretonne" (no idea how that would translate, sorry) and had to chance to try and lean to like the penny whistle, I have a whole collection of them and really like to play those. Started to play in a band (doing recorders and violin mainly, sometimes a little backup singing or second voices). Still do that. The level is not amazing, but it's fun. :-)
Otherwise I'm really into jazz and my greatest regret is to not have learnt anything jazzy practically. I sometimes wonder if I should start the piano again in order to try and imitate the great and amazing man of my dreams, Keith Jarret. Oh well... better listen to him...
Look like folks are tossing in if they sing or not... LOL I sing.
HOWEVER, I can't play AND sing. One or the other. lol
I am studying vocal performance and play guitar, viola, piano and uke
Well Hello Mister Fancypants!
Started piano lessons at the age of 5, played drums as a teenager, and taught myself guitar in my early twenties. Always played more for the fun of it than to be a pro, but I do enjoy writing the occasional song.