All things musical

[Rubberman]

Since I am discovering that a number of the lurkers on these forums are at least part time musician or musician wannabes, I thought I'd start by asking what instruments and/or music-related Linux applications you play/use. Myself, I studied the violin, piano, and voice when young (through college) and now play guitar and mandolin mostly, though I have a Jarocho (Veracruz Mexico) harp that I want to learn how to play. My wife (also a computer professional and physicist) plays guitar, ukulele, and banjo. We collect instruments and can outfit a pretty good size band. Our current collection consists of a 36 string harp (mentioned), a good number of guitars from classical to dreadnought to a Fender Stratocaster, several varieties of traditional Mexican guitar-like instruments (jarana, requinto, etc), 2 double bases, at least 4 mandolins, an unknown number of ukuleles (at least 6-10) ranging from the plastic TV-Pal from the 1950's Arthur Godfrey show to a Gibson and a Martin and one modern one that looks like it was built by Salvador Dali, several banjos of various configurations, 3 or 4 fiddles, a variety of drums and other rhythm instruments including a Sioux ceremonial hand drum and an Irish bodhran, and a number of "mixed" metaphor instruments such as banjo-uke, banjo-mando, mando-uke, etc. The only thing missing is a piano - no room for it, though our daughter has an electric Yamaha I bought for her and the grandkids a few years ago!

We also put on house concerts and have had the pleasure of hosting such notables as Andy Statman (bluegrass mandolin and klezmer clarinet master), Ken Perlman (clawhammer banjo), Alan Jabbour (master fiddler), Sparky and Rhonda Rucker, and many others in our basement venue. If you are into bluegrass, having Andy Statman and friends perform in your home is like a classic music lover having Yo Yo Ma and the Guarneri Quartet performing in your living room for a handful of your best friends. Truly awesome!

[oz]

In no particular order... the violin, mandolin, guitar, flute (American Indian), drums, harmonica, and trumpet. I should add that I'm a huge fan of Mark O'Conner and his world championship fiddling and style!

[techieMoe]

I'll admit up-front that it's been several years since I've touched a musical instrument, but from about age 12 to 21 I played French horn and guitar, and dabbled in jazz trumpet. I was in marching band through high school and freshman year at the university. Fun fact: although we played with French horn music and mouthpieces, the actual instrument we used was a mellophone.

[Rubberman]

Ah yes, the marching band! In HS I was the concertmaster of our orchestra, but I wanted to get into the football and basketball games gratis, so I joined the marching band, playing the cymbals! Now that's easy music to read... only one note!

[nujinini]

Well, if I may again mention...

I started learning the piano at age 9, acoustic guitar at 10, the violin at 12, conducted and trained our college choir for competitions from age 18 to 20. Did my first national stint as a choir conductor in a National choral competition at 20 too. Joined and won a national singing competition when I was 23.

Had some TV guesting stints from 23 to 24. I began to explore other instruments and didn't know that I can naturally play the drums fairly well. And play the bass guitar decently. As well as the organ. BUT, I must confess it has been quite a while since I have played an instrument. I have been looking into programs that I might be able to use like sound mixer, studio effects, and a linux counterpart for a Toneport Line 6 KB37. My son got one and I am very impressed how it performs well with his garage band in his mac.

I first heard about blue grass from an american friend almost 30 years ago and I didn't have the dumbest idea what kind of music was he talking about. But it is only recently that I have tried it c/o youtube. I enjoy it too. Makes me feel "happy". I particularly loved the fiddle an the mandolin.

I tried to join the marching band (ROTC) in college to be able to get a scholarship but they told me was no opening for violin and piano. They let me tried the marching xylophone but I screwed up. All metal keys, no black and white.

[techieMoe]

Well, if I may again mention...

I started learning the piano at age 9, acoustic guitar at 10, the violin at 12, conducted and trained our college choir for competitions from age 18 to 20. Did my first national stint as a choir conductor in a National choral competition at 20 too. Joined and won a national singing competition when I was 23.

Had some TV guesting stints from 23 to 24. I began to explore other instruments and didn't know that I can naturally play the drums fairly well. And play the bass guitar decently. As well as the organ. BUT, I must confess it has been quite a while since I have played an instrument. I have been looking into programs that I might be able to use like sound mixer, studio effects, and a linux counterpart for a Toneport Line 6 KB37. My son got one and I am very impressed how it performs well with his garage band in his mac.

I first heard about blue grass from an american friend almost 30 years ago and I didn't have the dumbest idea what kind of music was he talking about. But it is only recently that I have tried it c/o youtube. I enjoy it too. Makes me feel "happy". I particularly loved the fiddle an the mandolin.

I tried to join the marching band (ROTC) in college to be able to get a scholarship but they told me was no opening for violin and piano. They let me tried the marching xylophone but I screwed up. All metal keys, no black and white.

Well, talk about tooting your own horn.


.... I kid, I kid.

[nujinini]

...so I joined the marching band, playing the cymbals! Now that's easy music to read... only one note!

Now why didn't think of that. I could have hacked my way into the band with those cymbals Rubberman!

[nujinini]

Well, talk about tooting your own horn.


.... I kid, I kid.

hahaha!

[rokytnji]

Self Taught Blues Harp (Harmonica) player since the 70's.

Sometimes get's me free beers in saloons. No training, Can't read sheet music.
Play by ear type of musician. Play at camp sites where the critics can get their *** kicked.

I don't use any Linux apps for recording my Music . Got a buddy though that plays wicked blues guitar (elecric). Did some recordings for him with mhwaveedit and putting recordings on CD for him. Still have a cd of his music in my collection. Also have a rowdy recording of 38 special from a bar given to me by one of the members here (you know who you are )

[nujinini]

Hey rok,

Cool. Harmonica is one instrument I tried to learn but never gone beyond playing happy birthday and silent night. I always wonder how the Doobie Brothers make their harmonica sound so good back in the 70's. You wouldn't happen to have some extra mp3s of you playing blues using harmonica? I pay for your beer.