Instruments

[Thin Lizzie]

I'm not lurking, I'm loitering with intent
I'm listening to a clip of Andy Irvine playing Arthur McBride on the Bouzouki now. It's a very pretty-sounding instrument, though he's not doing that vibrato thing that is so characteristic of the Greek playing. I love that. It reminds me of summer time and ouzo! (I was brought up on Greek 80s pop music e.g. Mikis Theodorakis so I have a great affection for the bouzouki's sound).
I do like the banjo too. I think it should be used in more pop records.
I think I know only about 2 or 3 pop records that use a banjo, but one is a bit of a novelty song, so doesn't really count. I suppose the banjo has become to be known as more of a novelty/comedy instrument, sadly.

[Dapper Dan]

Bass. Upright and electric. I played in a variety of Dance and Jazz bands from age 15 to around 30 but never play any more. At one time I was very serious about being a professional song writer and studied theory/arranging at Berklee College of Music in Boston.

[Game master pro]

I play clarinet at high school, which i am in now, i lpayed last year and this year. Not really that long, so i kinda suck heh.

[fingal]

I'm not lurking, I'm loitering with intent
I'm listening to a clip of Andy Irvine playing Arthur McBride on the Bouzouki now.

Lol! Thanks for that. I didn't know he recorded Arthur McBride as a solo artist. He used to gig with Paul Brady whose guitar arrangement and singing of Arthur McBride is amazing, and I would love you to hear it! Paul moved on into a more mainstream recording career ...

Andy's bouzoukis are custom built and shaped like guitars, but you're right: the vibrato thing is missing. He would be more likely to play quite fast and complex arrangements (though he has quiet and thoughtful songs as well).

[jonantice]

I play some guitar myself, but I'm trying to decide what instrument is next. Main reason: everyone plays guitar. EVERYONE! I can fingerpick and play classical guitar, but I've come to believe that guitar players are mediocre musicians (modern ones). Really, what's so great about strumming a few chords? When I'm with my friends and I play, say, "one last breath" by Creed (simple song really), then I'm cool and such a great guy. If I do a bit of classical guitar then I'm just a dork. Thus, I'm contemplating buying a violin; might as well be a dork all the way. I swear, when I have kids I will forbid them to touch a guitar until they learn to play a mean piano first.

[JoeB]

I've been playing guitar since I was 16. (31 years ago aiiii!) Mainly blues and jazz. Favorite all-time band was out of Macon, GA. SkyDog lives!!!

... I've come to believe that guitar players are mediocre musicians (modern ones).....

I have to agree with you there. My guitar mentor used to say that "..its easier to sound good on guitar than piano, but its harder to actually BE good on guitar than piano." Corollary to that was his other favorite: "These guys have the hands to play, but not the brains"