Musicians in OzBargain - how many of you are out there? (and how many of you regret not learning one?)

yuuki on 14/04/2015 - 18:22
Last edited 14/04/2015 - 18:23

Heya everyone. Was just wondering, how many of you guys here play a musicial instrument of some sort? Alternatively, if you don't, do you regret not learning one up until this point? (I phrase it like this, because it's never too late!)

I ask this because I frequently browse through music gear sites and find decent bargains on musicial instruments and gear of the sort. Typically guitars, strings and woodwinds as I play instruments from those families - but ocassionally other goodies pop up. If there are musicians indeed lurking around OzBargain; I'll begin to post these music deals more often seeing as others may benefit or take interest into them.

When I say "play an instrument", I don't mean something as crazy as having an LMusA in the instrument of your choice; I mean something as simple as being able to play a song or two. Call is yours to make. :')

Really interested to see how many of you are out there and the variety we have here!

Poll Options

  • 146
    Yes, I play an instrument.
  • 72
    I have tried, but did not make progress.
  • 4
    No, I do not play an instrument due to constraints.
  • 19
    No, I do not play an instrument and have no interest in doing so.
  • 18
    Never tried learning.
Entertainment

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 14/04/2015 - 18:34
    +1

    I played the violin in hs. Stopped in Year 11. I did wish I continued playing it though.

    Tried the guitar out a little bit a few years back and found it difficult… fingers not nimble enough, and didn't have enough time to practice it, nor did I have anyone to teach me. Gave it up after 3 months and sold the guitar.

    • GnarlyKnuckles on 14/04/2015 - 22:18

      The violin is a lot harder to get a decent sound out of than the guitar Scrimmers, cause the neck is so small and it has no frets (so your finger-placement must be very precise, or you're painfully out-of-tune). Thus, if you were even able to get to square-1 with the violin (lemme' guess; "Suzuki-method"?!?), then methinks you would be able to start making guitar chords sound quite acceptable in a relatively short time (a month or two), with just a few minutes of practice per day to build up the required finger strength (in the somewhat initially awkward positions/directions of force) in the left hand.

    • currentfad on 15/04/2015 - 18:07

      Same. Started in year 8 and stopped in year 11 and I was 6th grade (skipped 1st & 2nd).

    • Jackson on 15/04/2015 - 21:56
      +1

      YouTube is your friend

  • [Deactivated] on 14/04/2015 - 18:48

    I can play the saxophone at a reasonably good level, have some skills (not a lot) in piano and violin and have just started trying to teach myself guitar.

    • GnarlyKnuckles on 14/04/2015 - 22:34

      LOL, seems like everyone gravitates towards the guitar, especially these days. Sorry for all my posts in this thread, it's a topic I love chatting about… anyways… please feel free to ignore them!

      If you're decent/good on the sax berc, you will be able to pick up the guitar no worries; because of your 'ear'.

      Just even beginning not to sound hideous on the sax actually takes a fair bit of time/ dedication/ perseverance, because everyone sounds so bad on it when they first try (blowing a reed properly is tricky at first); so most simply give up after a few days. Those who persevere and ultimately 'master the beast', tend to be those who have a good ear; thus they can 'hear' (by trial-and-error at first, usually) when it sounds 'good' (both tone-wise and pitch-wise) and when it sounds bad, and hone their embouchure accordingly.

      There's an 'unlikely' similarity with guitar here… anyone can thrash out a few chords, but to make a guitar sound particularly 'sweet', a decent 'ear' is required. For various reasons, including being able to hear when you have not 'fretted' a note strongly enough, when a string on your guitar is out of tune, etc. So I reckon you'd be able to master the basics of guitar-playing easier than most, because you've already 'trained your ear' to a degree, on the sax.

      • [Deactivated] on 14/04/2015 - 22:43

        I played the sax for about 6 years or so, haven't played in a little while so I need a bit of practice to get back up to scratch. Before that was when I played the piano/violin, both for a few years to try and find an instrument I like. I decided to teach myself guitar because I wanted to see if I could actually teach myself an instrument, unfortunately haven't had a whole lot of time to set aside to do it. I can definitely tell when I'm out of tune, and when I haven't hit a note strongly enough!

      • scotty on 14/04/2015 - 22:47
        +1

        Guitar is actually comparably easier to get started and you can make it sound half decent pretty quickly — comparing to sharp high pitched noise on a sax when you blow the reed incorrectly. I know this because one of my daughters is doing clarinet (AMEB exam this Saturday!) and we all have to endure the phase where she can hardly make any sound.

      • [Deactivated] on 15/04/2015 - 12:28

        Guitars are relatively cheap, tabs/notes are easily accessible, and has a wide genre coverage. If you'd pick up a clarinet, most struggle to find the songs they are interested in.

        Another instrument with a wide genre coverage is the piano. Although with electronic pianos on the rise, it's still expensive a cumbersome when you compare it to the guitar.

        Both guitar and piano have a fairly linear learning curve. I play the guitar and piano, and occasionally drums, and I feel like it's quite hard to overcome some beginner hurdles when drumming.

      • poboy on 15/04/2015 - 21:27

        A guitar has the ability to play music and rhythm. Plus it's portable and has an excellent teacher. That's why it's so popular.

  • loulou1 on 14/04/2015 - 19:03
    +6

    The recorder totally counts right?

    • GnarlyKnuckles on 14/04/2015 - 21:55
      +2

      I might just mention, to ensure that no professional/dedicated recorder players get offended by this post, that the recorder totally counts, if you're an expert at it. To hear an accomplished recorder player play a solo piece on a wooden instrument, even the standard sized/wee one, is a moving experience. It sounds a lot like a flute, when an expert plays one like that. Then there's the bigger recorders, also awesome sounding when played by a professional. Great note 'bending' (etc.) can be achieved because most of the holes are closed with the actual finger (rather than a pad, as is the case for a flute)… I have a largish (baritone) wooden recorder, and by throwing it into a harmonic register and bending notes, I can make it sound pretty much like a "shakuhachi".

  • cypher67 on 14/04/2015 - 19:26
    +11

    I have been playing guitar hero for years

  • Empharand on 14/04/2015 - 19:37
    +1

    I regret not learning to play an instrument.. would've helped with the ladies..

    I had many opportunities during my school days, and I was told I had potential
    (We did some practical and theory test during music class once, then me and a small group of us (Maybe 5-10) were pulled aside and told that we progressed better than the others, and were given the opportunity to sign up to a extracurricular, at a cost … I declined because money wasn't abundant in my family, and I didn't want to burden them with having to pay for classes (I wasn't old enough to work at that point)

    Many years later I bought a guitar on a whim with the intention to teach myself how to play, but never got around to it .. ended up selling it.

    Oh well, shit happens.

    • GnarlyKnuckles on 14/04/2015 - 22:45
      +1

      "… would've helped with the ladies.."

      Sounds like you've 'got the gift of rhythm' there hombre, so I'm guessing you've prolly done OK 'with the ladies' in your time… ;)

  • yjm on 14/04/2015 - 20:00
    +2

    Another guitar dude here. Been playing for almost 30 years for recreational purposes.

    I like John Petrucci, Andy Timmons, Guthrie Govan, and a few other guitar gods.

    I suck.

    • scotty on 14/04/2015 - 22:29
      +1

      I like John Petrucci, Andy Timmons, Guthrie Govan, and a few other guitar gods.

      But but but you are yjm?!

      Another bad guitar player here. Andy Timmons, Guthrie Govan, Neil Zaza, Joe Satriani and a soft spot for Stevie Ray Vaughan. Used to play a lot in high school & uni. These days only get to play steel string acoustics at church :(

      • GnarlyKnuckles on 14/04/2015 - 22:50

        "… Joe Satriani and a soft spot for Stevie Ray Vaughan."

        As I've mentioned on a previous recent thread, I maintain that Joe Satriani is the best electric guitarist of all time. I'm considering both personal playing ability, and ability as a composer in that… He's simply a magician. Crap singer though… go figure?

        But I also have a soft spot for Stevie Ray… different to Satch, and can sing.

        Re bass, btw, it has to be "Mr Hamm"…

      • yjm on 15/04/2015 - 10:15

        LOL! Good one, Scotty.

        Seriously, today's YJM does sucks Musically and tonally. But!!! I still like him. :)

    • [Deactivated] on 15/04/2015 - 22:26

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dURukXNBLzI
      You are a champion! LOL

  • the-mal on 14/04/2015 - 20:06
    +4

    I play way too many instruments, it's what happens when you have a music teacher / chamber musician as a parent. Could read music before I could read. Can't say it ever helped with the ladies that much but it did let me tour a few continents whilst in my teen years. And it has lead to me having a house choc full of instruments now (piano, lots of keys, a few trumpets, flugel horn, 10 odd guitars of all sorts, mandolin, dobro) and I'm never ever bored.

    • CheapCoffee on 14/04/2015 - 20:47

      Haha, you are almost exactly like my brother and I. Way too many instruments in the house at any given time :P My parents aren't professionals but they are certainly enthusiasts and I think we were heavily influenced by that.

  • indium on 14/04/2015 - 20:27
    +1

    I can play zelda's lullaby and saria's song/lost woods on ocarina :)

    • GnarlyKnuckles on 14/04/2015 - 22:05

      I love ocarinas. A bit like recorders, in that "in the right hands", they can sound like flutes/ have awesome note-bending potential. The ones that play the best are usually the really plain-looking ones; often with a few visible imperfections (maybe due to being 'tuned' via subtraction/addition during or after production?!?).

  • tomleonhart on 14/04/2015 - 21:08
    +1

    The only instrument that I play has been the 104 keys keyboard. And i'm really good at it. Shame this keyboard doesn't produce any music though :(

    • scotty on 14/04/2015 - 22:32
      +3

      Shame this keyboard doesn't produce any music though

      Don't say that! I love the sound of a seasoned hacker hammering on a Model M at 60 WPM :)

      • GnarlyKnuckles on 14/04/2015 - 23:03
        +2

        "I love the sound of a seasoned hacker hammering [drumming?] on a … (etc.)

        So that's 'music to your ears' aye?!?

        ;P

  • iridiumstem on 14/04/2015 - 22:50
    +1

    Air guitar, I think I can air guitar many many songs without any problem :)

    Jokes aside, I sort of learnt how to play Merry Go Round of Life on guitar and started learning how to play "Hurt" by Johnny Cash and learnt how to play piano for a bit (when I was in grade 2). I could sorta play some songs on harmonica as well, just basic CDEFGABC and simple songs stemming from being able to play one note with a lot of concentration. So I guess I fall under "tried but no progress" group.

    As far as do I regret not pushing myself further? I don't know, I was forced to learn how to play piano (like many Asian kids do), I frankly hated it with all my heart (no offense to any piano players out there, I simply didn't like being forced to do something). So for piano I guess, I may have liked it if my mother wasn't so forceful about it.

    Harmonica, it reminds me of the dark days of my life, which I honestly think I survived out of luck.

    Guitar… I think I am in love hate relationship with it. I know that I suck and it makes me feel really awful to try something that I am not good at (or show little progress in), but, I don't know, I might try re-learning it when I have the chance to do so.

    • gimli on 15/04/2015 - 20:09

      from howl's moving castle?
      if so its very nice music :)

      • iridiumstem on 15/04/2015 - 22:30

        Yep. I practiced it for few months… Managed to learn how to play it, though I end up stopping a lot in the middle. (+Guitar version is really simple as well).
        Though, I have to admit, I really really wanted to learn how to sing nicely (since I personally believe that my fingers are no way nimble enough to play an instrument nicely :P).

  • cpho on 14/04/2015 - 23:12
    +1

    I played the flute for almost 10 years, and was really interested in it. Did performances, orchestras, competitions. Unfortunately year 11/12 came around and academia took priority (not to mention my high school had a practically zero music support).
    Regret not sticking with it. Maybe will pick it up again.

    • GnarlyKnuckles on 14/04/2015 - 23:20

      It sounds like you accomplished a lot/brought joy to many/had a lot of fun with it cpho… I guess academia puts the brakes on a lot of stuff/causes shifts in priorities, but these needn't be permanent. Certainly don't consider it 'time wasted', even if you never do have the time to seriously take it back up again though!

      • cpho on 14/04/2015 - 23:43

        Thanks mate. Are you a music man yourself?
        Definitely not time wasted, I can say that much. Hopefully I can get around to picking it up again :)
        Finishing up my degree in a few months, so will make an effort to try again.

        • GnarlyKnuckles on 14/04/2015 - 23:58

          Yeah, I've played 'around the traps' for decades… diverse stuff, ranging from accompanying the MSO chorus (then called the 'Melbourne Chorale' I believe?) at the Melbourne Concert Hall, to playing various instruments at grungy festivals and alternative-type gigs at places like 'The Tote', 'The Art-house', 'The Corner Hotel' etc.
          After you finish up your degree, other priorities may again take priority (new job, gf/family/etc.) but that's not a problem… just having done it/acquired the 'auditory skill' is a major achievement I think.

  • moraldk on 14/04/2015 - 23:23
    +1

    I played the fagot in Romania

    • GnarlyKnuckles on 15/04/2015 - 17:18

      I frequently play the fool on OzB…

    • moraldk on 07/05/2015 - 10:53

      I apologize for being too Zenish in my first reply. Music has been a big part of my life. Last night I was listening with my boy with the volume toooo high to Hawkwind and The final countdown. We listen to older stuff too…
      I first played the mandolin, then traveled my country playing the althorne. My parents had to ruin my teenage comfort by enrolling me into this remote music academy. The Basoon was the only thing available and the piano compulsory.
      I love music, now my daughter wants to learn the piano.

  • [Deactivated] on 14/04/2015 - 23:38

    I play a mean Stylophone.

    Synth FTW.

    • terrys on 15/04/2015 - 10:38

      To my shame, I even have two Rolf Harris 45's that came with mine…

  • coin saver on 15/04/2015 - 00:47

    I attempted the harmonica thinking the way the music was printed would make it easy to learn believe me it isn't and i didn't.

  • [Deactivated] on 15/04/2015 - 13:33
    +1

    In the 1950s when I was growing up in Europe nearly every kid was learning a musical instrument, mostly piano. Me and my siblings included. In the sixties I moved to guitar and double bass. Mostly blues, old time rock'n'roll and jazz. By the beginning of the 70s I realised that although reasonably competent musically, I was no freaking genius or particularly gifted, so gave it away.
    I retired 18 months ago. Since then I have picked up the guitar, bass and keyboards again. It was quite astounding how quickly the skills have come back. And it's much more fun now coz there's no pretension. I'm never gonna be a star now, just making music with my friends.
    Lessons? Play music for the heck of it, not some aspirational or delusional goal.
    There, I feel much better now… (John Lee Hooker to Robert Cray at the end of "Mr. Lucky").

  • slow on 15/04/2015 - 15:18
    +4

    I always find it strange when people say they regret not learning to play an instrument.
    What is stopping you learning now????

    It is so easy with all the resources available on the Internet now, unlike 25 years ago when I started guitar and piano

    • psyren89 on 15/04/2015 - 17:37
      +1

      Time is money, and considering what site this is, people either don't have a lot of (or are unwilling to part with) either.
      Sure, you can teach yourself, but it doesn't come anywhere near having a good teacher (and an instrument to practise on).

  • [Deactivated] on 15/04/2015 - 16:22
    +2

    I went to a very musically inclined school. Piano/keyboard was compulsory in music through year 8 to year 10 and we had to learn to read and write music (we had keyboard labs so every student sat at a keyboard with headphones and the teacher could control who heard who play).

    I also learnt to play bass at said school as private lessons once a week were free (this was also a public school mind you we got to pick our instrument and their was a lot of options). My mates learnt drums and guitar and we started a band and used to jam with the music teacher at lunch time and after school. I remember playing Hey Joe by jimi hendrix with the music teacher soloing on his guitar for over the whole 50 minute lunch break.

    Recently I've just picked up a 52' vintage reissue telecaster and all my music theory is coming back. I'm doing alright at it because I learnt a lot of scales and fretwork from bass anyway. I grew up around music, my father has lots of guitars some worth an awful lot of money. He even got me a valve amp and cab for my birthday recently.

    I find music fascinating. The benefits it has on how you think and your mind is amazing. I will thoroughly encourage my kids to undertake music like my father did me if they show an interest.

    All the outdated psychology surrounding these 'golden ages' to learn music or a language have been strongly refuted yet people still take it as fact…and that's the only thing that holds you back. You are never to late to learn and to become a decent player.

  • grabngo on 15/04/2015 - 16:44

    i play a few instruments myself too !
    Trying to expose the kids to a few instruments themselves
    They love it
    Music is a gift

  • SpaceNinja on 15/04/2015 - 17:16

    I play Garage Band, if that counts.

  • neophytte on 15/04/2015 - 17:18

    I'd love to see music bargains … but my wallet might not, however bring them on!!!

  • snapper on 15/04/2015 - 17:29

    I have a "career" as a musician

  • silverrat23 on 15/04/2015 - 17:52

    For a change, I am/was a drummer!

    Stopped at the end of Year 11, then lost the push to make it a career - also buying a decent kit is too expensive (like the OzBargainer in me).

    :(

  • AlanHB on 15/04/2015 - 18:04

    I'm a guitarist. My originals band Brother Be released a new single just last week, you can hear it here https://www.soundcloud.com/brotherbemusic/all-my-life

    I also have my own guitar portfolio here: https://www.soundcloud.com/alan-hilvert-bruce

  • roastchook on 15/04/2015 - 18:57

    Get Rocksmith. awesome for mucking around. best software dollars/hour ever. Bass player here, not very good, but my bass is - 1967 Fender Mustang Short Neck - not many left alive I'd say. After not playing much for many years, Rocksmith has really driven me to start again, comes with 50 or so songs, and more are available every week (around $2-$3 each). I've seen here a few times for reduced Steam pricing, last one was quite a while ago, so they may be due to reduce it again.

    • scrimshaw on 15/04/2015 - 22:40
      +1

      I tried rocksmith. Fun at the beginning, but novelty wears off once you are experienced with it. I then found it very repetitive and boring, especially with the lack of genre variety.

      • marquise on 16/04/2015 - 19:04
        +1

        Then you need more songs from customsforge!

  • moraldk on 15/04/2015 - 20:04

    It's good to see such a diverse view on music. I am talking about those willing to put it on the line with less sexy instruments than the sax or guitar. kudos

  • hahaboy on 15/04/2015 - 20:21

    i haven't put much effort so can't complain, but if music counts i'd like to learn how to produce trance or prog house music using programs like fl studio.

  • iChopstick on 15/04/2015 - 22:43

    I can play twinkle twinkle little start with an ocarina. Is that legit?

  • Roqua on 15/04/2015 - 22:55
    +1

    Hardcore metal guitarists here.

    Own 3 electrics and an acoustic. Two amps, tones of pedals etc.

    I love it, love the challenge of hearing a good song and learning it.

    Making a guitar sound good takes a good amount of time, making it sound unique to you is what makes the player.

  • kiitos on 15/04/2015 - 23:34

    This is timely. My 9 yo daughter has started learning the acoustic guitar. She's using a borrowed guitar at the moment.

    I'd like to buy her a decent guitar if she perseveres with it. They're seems to be a lot of very cheap guitars available, but what do I look for for one that will last?

    For the musicians out there, did you buy to quality instruments or did you get by with whatever you could get?

    • yuuki on 16/04/2015 - 06:28
      +1

      As a decent guitar that'll last without breaking the budget; you'd want to be looking into Takamines (G340SC), Seagulls (S6) and Yamaha (APX500, FG720). Vast majority of their entry-mid level lineups are actually decent, sound full and a handful even play great out of the box.

      In regards to quality instruments, no. For every instrument I've ever played - I've always started on a rubbish instrument. Began learning flute on a $50 one where the pads wouldn't seal without practically squashing them; slow and rough mechanism; etc. Was a pain in the ass to play, but helped my refine my technique and learn to appreciate a good instrument. Potential con of going this route however, is that one may lose interest fast if it's simply too hard to play.

      Acoustic guitars or guitars on the whole generally need a setup done to them in order to play at their peak. Typically involves lowering of the action (string height) to ensure the guitar is easy to play. Best to leave a guitar technician to perform this work; as altering nut and saddle heights on a guitar isn't something you want to jump in and attempt to do without understanding what it's doing first. Ballpark for a guitar setup is around $100 dollars - but a good setup can make all the difference between a good guitar and a "I never want to put this thing down" guitar.

      • [Deactivated] on 17/04/2015 - 11:29

        As a decent guitar that'll last without breaking the budget; you'd want to be looking into Takamines (G340SC), Seagulls (S6) and Yamaha (APX500, FG720).

        Quite unintentionally I obtained a second hand Yamaha RGX A2 . Among my collection, which includes a couple of genuine Fenders and a Gretsch, it's my favourite, simply for the wonderful clean & resonant tone and easy action. Great blues guitar, IMO. I have a Yamaha Acoustic/ Electric and Yamaha Bass as well. They are wonderful instruments. It's a shame they are often ignored in favour of the "big names"

        • kiitos on 18/04/2015 - 10:18

          Thanks - good food for thought.

          I have seen really cheap $60 guitars in the likes of Aldi but presumed they wouldn't be worthwhile.

        • [Deactivated] on 25/04/2015 - 13:28

          @kiitos:
          I don't know about the ALDI imports, but hey, nice thing about ALDI is you can always return within 60 days for money back. Long enough to determine if the thing you've bought is any good.

          However, a friend recently bought a couple of guitars through aliexpress.com for his kids to "learn" on. I found them not too bad. They stay in tune fairly well, nice action, and sound is perfectly acceptable. Necks are adjustable. Passive pickups, of course.

          If you're willing to spend more than $100US there are some interesting looking choices. I'm tempted to get one of the vintage Gibson look a-likes, purely out of curiosity, of course.

          My point is most of this stuff comes out of the same factories in China, including the Fender Squier guitars. Your local music store will ask for $650 to 800 dollars for one of the upmarket Squiers. I'd be inclined to take the risk and import something from China at the fraction of the cost.

    • AlanHB on 16/04/2015 - 08:02
      +1

      You'll want to buy something initially that is fine to play and sounds good. No matter how hard you practice, a bad instrument will make you sound bad, and you'll give up.The professor made some solid suggestions.

      Noting that your daughter is only 9, it may be worth checking ouy some parlour (3/4 size) guitars.

      Note that you can always knock at least a quarter off the price tag in a guitar store.

    • kiitos on 17/04/2015 - 00:03

      Thanks to both of you - that's been very helpful!

  • adante on 16/04/2015 - 07:47

    +1 regret

  • maximum on 16/04/2015 - 08:49

    I played piano when I was younger and recently tried to learn guitar - but I pretty much sucked.

    That's ok I think I'm an awesome singer - my kids ask me to stop singing in the car but I think they are just afraid I'll get discovered by an agent and whisked off on a world tour and they'll miss me.

  • [Deactivated] on 16/04/2015 - 09:10

    I can play first line of happy birthday on a piano.

  • Cataclysm on 16/04/2015 - 09:50
    -1

    duplicate

  • Cataclysm on 16/04/2015 - 09:50

    I can only play keyboard.(typing)
    And im very happy.

  • j4ck on 16/04/2015 - 10:09
    +2

    I started learning bass guitar in 2004. I've also learned to play drums and guitar at a decent standard, but bass will always be my favourite instrument.

  • [Deactivated] on 16/04/2015 - 10:55

    Anyone here as a child, wanted to learn an instrument but parents made to learn piano instead? :D

    • lenlynn on 16/04/2015 - 11:40
      +2

      Lol every kid in Asia has to learn the piano I think. I learned it from 8-11yrs old, stopped at Grade 3 cos I got lazy. My dad told me then, "You will regret it when you get older", and I retorted "No I won't!".

      I'm regretting stopping now. :(

      • cbpeh1 on 16/04/2015 - 11:53

        same here, wished i kept at it.

        • lenlynn on 16/04/2015 - 12:05

          Planning to take it up again?

          I still have my piano back at home; my mother refuses to give or sell it away.

      • [Deactivated] on 17/04/2015 - 09:04

        Me too! haha

      • scotty on 17/04/2015 - 13:36
        +5

        I am bookmarking this thread now so when my kids complain about piano practise I can show them "so do you want the same regret as these guys here?!!!" bwahahaha

        • lenlynn on 17/04/2015 - 20:11

          lol. I'll just force my kids to keep at it. "A few more years and it will be done and you don't ever have to touch it again if you don't want to!" hmm

      • yuuki on 17/04/2015 - 21:33

        and a me third here, regret stopping for a long period of time.

  • November14 on 16/04/2015 - 13:38

    I play classical piano & keyboard (9-10 years of lesson), guitar (tab) (2 years of lesson), drums (3 years of lesson & band experience), basic violin, recorder. Yes I have Asian background and wasn't born here. I hated my parents for forcing me to go to piano lessons, but in teenage years it was one of few ways I can release/channel my emotions. I'm thankful that I powered through the hard part, it pays off now. Since I left my hometown 6-7 years ago, I have no piano, but last year I bought a piano-keyboard here.

    Yes, I'd love to see music-related deals. At the moment I'm looking for a cheap but decent acoustic guitar and a keyboard stand.

  • shtewe on 16/04/2015 - 14:27

    I play Bass guitar in an original band. So I guess I kind of play an instrument. http://www.bearthemammoth.com

  • Penalty boxer on 16/04/2015 - 15:15

    I used to play piano and I regret not quitting it earlier

  • JayM on 16/04/2015 - 15:21

    You may play an instrument but can you play a squeakaphone?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpg2k2C103k&list=PL4B24A89E5…

    Used to play drums and still play them on my car steering wheel and anywhere that doubles as a drum kit…..keyboard+table at work too.

  • baker bob on 16/04/2015 - 15:38
    +1

    I rigged an electronic drum kit to my xbox and could play every GH and Rockband song on highest difficulty. Decided to retire at the top rather than fade away like so many others before me.

  • airzone on 16/04/2015 - 16:25
    +2

    I used to play with my organ as a young teenager. Sometimes I used to play with an organ in front of everyone at my high school's chapel during mass.

    But now I play piano.

    • JayM on 16/04/2015 - 21:42
      +1

      I heard if you play with it too much you go blind.

    • marquise on 16/04/2015 - 22:07

      Now you play with someone else's organ

      • airzone on 17/04/2015 - 10:33
        +3

        Yes, that's what I used to do in the church. However I think the priest preferred the red head boy playing with his organ as I got the sack after a few weeks. His hands were more skillful at handling organs due to him being slightly older, but I maintain that in my youth, I was more passionate about organs and would practice by myself more often.

        But I did give up on playing with my and other peoples organs after I left the all-boys school that I went to. I do regret it, but unfortunately one of my sisters friends sat on my organ and bent it. It was a little hard to play with after that.

  • Mister Popo on 16/04/2015 - 16:58
    +1

    Hopefully you can find a decent bargain on a $100041050150101061006 Stradivari violin OP :)

  • frewer on 16/04/2015 - 18:23

    I never learn any musical instrument, however i did a few attempt at guitar through youtube. Then i give up largely due to the fact that i can't tune my guitar probably … well at least that is my excuse.

    Edit: The guitar cost less than $50 so i don't think any decent can come out of it :D

  • blackorange on 16/04/2015 - 21:08

    I played the piano since age 3 which is insane when I think about it now but did have a break when I got sick of it. At 26 tried to pick up the violin and it's bloody hard work. also play the accordion just for fun!

  • adpaholic on 17/04/2015 - 14:14

    i played piano, guitar and drums. Not pro, but i learn those so i can compose song myself.

    Anyone here compose songs too?

  • [Deactivated] on 17/04/2015 - 16:35

    Guitarist here and for 22 years.
    I guess apart from tools is the other place I do not go cheap.

  • DealzEddy123 on 17/04/2015 - 16:44

    did drums for a while but quit.
    regret but only VERY slightly.

  • soza on 17/04/2015 - 20:09

    another guitar player here. Started playing in high school and swapped to bass when I realised all my guitar playing friends were way more gifted. Easy enough transition and got to jam and play around making a racket in the garage during my school years.
    In my mid 20`s I took the guitar a bit more serious and splurged out on a jap telecaster and half decent Ibanez acoustic. people always said you enjoy playing more if you invest in a $400 and above guitar and I agree,if you want to learn guitar spend as much as you can afford on one.
    these days I have a couple of electrics a bass a uke and a lap slide…also gave the banjo a go a few years back but I only ever tend to pick up and play the old acoustic.

    some of the most fun I ever had was using the lap top as an instrument…..
    A good thing about todays technology is the ease and low costs of home recording or playing with computer generated sounds. Get familiar with software like ableton live and sony acid,plug a m-audio midi control and black box guitar interface on a cheap lap top and you can really let your creative juices flow.

  • Becsavers on 17/04/2015 - 21:47
    +2

    Violinist here. I've been playing for 20 years, have completed a music degree at uni and am now a teacher of violin, viola, cello and double bass. I'm very keen to see more music related deals on here, but please no Aldi violins! If any OzBargainers are in the market for a string instrument I'm happy to point you in the direction of a good quality brand or store :-)

  • blackorange on 18/04/2015 - 06:27

    has anyone bought instruments from aldi?

    • yuuki on 18/04/2015 - 09:49

      Yes I have, and they were terrible unless you planned to learn an instrument for less than a day.

      Electric guitars were overall terrible. Playable - and maybe good for the beginner who doesn't know if they want to get into the instrument or not, but other than that not worth your time. One or two acoustics were okay as far as build goes, but needed fretwork.
      Violins don't even have the bridge cut right, hence the action making it impossible to play - not to mention the horrendous tone. Fine tuners were also as good as useless.
      Flutes had leaks all over the place, some pads didn't seal.
      Keyboard was good value. Could use it as a MIDI keyboard - so it was actually useful if you hooked it up to run real grand piano samples. Also good for all other MIDI fun.
      E-drum kit was trash. Snare sounded like you were hitting a food tin can. Almost like kitchen drumming. However, had MIDI/USB capability hence you could trigger samples with it from programs like Superior Drummer - which made it sound better than a thousand dollar Roland kit. (of course, applies to just sound. still feels like a trash kit)

      When it comes down to it, some of the instruments you could get away with - just to trial out the instrument. Guitar, drums, keyboard; they all worked to the level you'd expect from an instrument of that price.

      Where it didn't work out, is orchestral instruments. There is no such thing as a 'cheap' and 'good' orchestral instrument like with instruments such as guitar. In the guitar realm, $800 gets you something that will feel great to play on and with a setup, will be a fantastic axe. $800 in the flute realm for example, gets you the most basic entry level flute that will feel only average to play on. Where 'high end' flutes begin - is already at least twice the value of a Gibson Les Paul Custom.

  • umamandy on 18/04/2015 - 09:57

    Piano (though my repertoire of pieces has diminished over the years) and more engaging for me, voice. My sisters and I form a mean choral harmony. My eldest sister and I are mezzo-sopranos, my second sister is an alto, and my little sister is a pianist. (though we can never agree on what type of songs to perform lol)

  • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2015 - 12:40

    hi, great thread. i play guitar and i've written lots of songs. i just bought a rode nt1-a mic, fast track solo, mic stand and cable from ebay (still unused) and i got a great deal with two vouchers (both received from ebay and on both of my ebay accounts). so, i now have a pretty good set up and hope to start making some recordings and see what comes of this silly dream. by a stroke of luck, i have received yet another voucher from ebay (15% off, max $50 - i stopped myself from buying the ps4 last night :) ), and i'm thinking of using it to buy a better guitar. i currently have an epiphone semi acoustic, which produces a nice sound, but would like to upgrade to something around the $500 mark. do you know of any good buys on ebay? my voucher expires on the 24th of this month. cheers.

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