Who else is/was a musician?

[alwynsw]

What type of music?

Your instrument?

Professional/amateur?

My instruments were alto saxophone, flute, and clarinet. Did a number of "legit" pieces both as soloist and in the ensemble with a couple of minor symphony orchestras. My heart lies with big bands, 30's forward. Yes all the way to now.

My heroes were/are Stan Getz and Paul Desmond. Who could forget Coleman and Lockjaw? Best "legit" player ever? Sigurd Rascher.

Added bonus: I dodged the mud in Viet Nam by getting into the Air Force Band. My draft number was very near the top.

I play for fun these days. Did the entrepenur thing and retired in my mid forties. More time to play now.

[Emboldened Chimp]

1. Amatuer guitarist

I've been playing on and off for near 18 years now, though it's been only recently that I've been getting progressively better. Perhaps I have more patience to sit down and learn now than I did ten years ago.

[MuseRider]

2. Professional clarinet

I am getting ready to go to rehearsal as I write this. I play in the symphony. I have been in it for almost 30 years. We do not make a lot of money, in fact it is almost laughable but we did not get paid before when it was just a community orchestra. For the past 15 years we have been an auditioned, professional group. I love it and with the change the music has gotten so much better since we are able to tackle some of the more difficult pieces. My husband and both sons are jazzers.

[Xandor]

3. Most scattershot musical career imaginable...

Played legit trumpet and piano for years, trained by my parents who are both professional music educators. But taught myself rock guitar on the sneak, starting when my adolescent rebel self heard the Beatles. Worked my way through college and beyond playing in regional rock and r&b bands... After that it was back to trumpet to play in community orchestras and such. Spent a few years studying classical guitar... Dabbled with composition using computer synth technology -- sounded mostly like movie soundtrack stuff. Now it's back to steel string acoustic guitar, playing mostly Celtic fingerstyle stuff.

Heroes: uh, I don't even know where to start. Stravinsky, Vaughn Williams, George (see avatar), Zappa, Jack Casady, Jorma, Garcia, Phil Lesh, Duck Baker, Dizzy, Bird, Jim Hall, Mark Isham, Bill Evans, Scott LaFaro... many more, depending on what phase the moon is in or something.

[Emboldened Chimp]

8. Yeah, Garcia!

I miss the old guy. Some of my various musical influences besides Cap'n Trips (in no particular order): Hendrix, Trey, Segovia, Coltrane, Miles, Lee Morgan, Brad Mehldau, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Marley (Bob, not Ziggy!)...the list could go on...and on...and on...

[leftofthedial]

4. pro singer songwriter

been at it for 30 years: played rock, folk, country, punk, blues and a little jazz

keyboards, vocals, guitar

run several music-related businesses

[Skittles]

5. I SURE LIKED DATING THEM

CRAZY F***ERS. :thumbsup:

[Kat45]

13. Me too!

:D :thumbsup:

[corarose]

45. LOL

Nudge Nudge wink wink say no more!

[FlashHarry]

6. former pro guitarist/organist/songwriter

Still get a BMI check every quarter. Thankfully--for my liver, at least--I'm in semi-retirement.

Guitar/Amp: Gibson SG/Marshall Super Bass 100
Organ: Farfisa Compact Combo

[Rabrrrrrr]

7. Amateur violinist, almost pro composer of "serious" music

Though i've been offered a commission, I passed it up, since it was for my home church and I would have felt bad making them pay for something they probably couldn't perform. :-)

Hpefully, someday, the composition will earn some minor income, though it is not my focus. At least, not now.

hereos: Glass, Reich, Varese, Mahler, Penderecki, Tan Dun, Wagner, Messiaen, etc.

[MuseRider]

12. Ahhhhh, Mahler.....n/t

[DemoTex]

48. NO! It should be ....

Mahler ... ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

On edit: I guess it really is dependent on when the orgasm happens ... before, during, or after the Mahler symphony.

[dbt]

9. Oh, yeah!

Rock, Country, Folk, Bluegrass and now Hillbilly Punk (visualize Johnny Cash as the King of Rock And Roll; it's easy.)

Fiddle, Banjo, Mandolin, Guitar, Dulcimer, Bouzouki, Harp, Bass, Drums, Dobro, Keyboards and a pretty good hand with a bodhran for a Yank. Tried the uillean pipes, but it's like wearing an octopus!

Pro? I guess so--but I REALLY play because I HAVE TO. That and watching the girls dance!

:smoke:
dbt

[corarose]

10. Flute & Bass

We have tons of Musicians in our family.

[grannylib]

14. My daughter too - flute and bass!

Hubby plays bass and guitar and trumpet
I play some flute and some keyboard

[curse10]

11. Professional violist

but no longer.

[GOPisEvil]

61. You were? Interesting!

One of my good friends is married to a violinist with the San Antonio Symphony. I'll never forget how nervous I was when he left his violin, worth 6 figures, in my (uninsured) apartment while we went to a ball game.

[mr_hat]

15. Was; am-ish.

I had classical training; went to the Royal Academy of Music in London. Started as a music major in college, but ended up in humanities. Similar story with my wife -- she started as a music major but ended up with an MBA (smart cookie).

Played in a rock band around Europe quite a bit. Had a couple singles released, but never an album. Two of the guys I played with made a go of it and are still in the biz. One in New Zealand, one in Italy.

My favorite semi-pro experience was with The American Beatles. We played straight, classic country to the befuddlement (and occasional anger) of our audiences.

My teen is the bassman now; I play my old Martin and the piano now and then. My wife can still sit down at the piano and sight-read. Plays a mean Christmas carol.

[BlueJazz]

16. Alto/Tenor Sax

Piano (mainly chords and some easysolo stuff)
Worked for CBS at one time in studio.
Was on road with various Bands for 15 years.
I'm now a Microsoft Certified (certiFRIED!) system engineer.
Make an Alto mouthpiece that sells on "The Woodwind and The Basswind"
My Alto mouthpiece web-page is www.nete.com

[alwynsw]

28. Very Desmond-like

on the wav at your website. I'm impressed!

[BlueJazz]

47. Gee, thanks! Coming from another player ...

...that means a lot.

On a sadder note (not to spoil the moment):
The Sax I played that on (silver serie III) was stolen about 2 weeks after I made the clip and for the first time in my life I didn't have insurance (at the time)...AAAAGGGG!

No big deal...it was only $3359.00...choke...Sob.. :)

[alwynsw]

51. Bummer

what else is there to say? It's akin to losing a child.

[BBradley]

17. Amateur Guitarist/Drummer

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

18. Pro guitar, but also play bass and keyboards

I play ANYTHING on guitar and bass....piano I am more rusty at.

Was in a punk band in the 80's and now mostly jazz, blues and chord melodies.

[trof]

19. Bongos. In the 50s.

EVERYBODY played the bongos in the 50s.
I was like...COOL, daddyo.
I actually got paid for one gig. A high school sorrority party.
I guess that makes me a pro?
;-)
Play folk/blues/bluegrass harmonica, but just for my own amusement. Not for cash.

[fortyfeetunder]

20. An old windbag

Clarinets, flute, oboe, bassoon... now a wannabe composer....

[Bertha Venation]

21. amateur

choral singer, 25+ years
guitarist, nearing 30 years

[bbernardini]

22. Pro, all kinds of music, keyboard instruments

I play out here and there, and I teach music, so I guess that counts as pro. :)

I'll play any kind of music. I'm not fussy.

I play keyboard instruments of all kinds. Started on organ, added piano later. Synths, harpsichords, mallet instruments. Also do a bit of rhythm guitar and percussion, but that's strictly amateur.

[Karenina]

23. There are only 2 kinds of music

Good and bad. If it rings my bell I want to play it.
Instrument? OBOE and ENGLISH HORN

Studied with Papa George. Stan was a jewel and encouraged me. Said I was "a beautiful girl."

[ironflange]

25. The oboe:

The ill wind that no one blows good. :evilgrin:

[DemoTex]

46. DemoTex checking in for oboe duty!

Another ex-oboist. Maybe we need a side thread on the oboist favorite work (solo/non-solo), or Vade Mecum, as it were. I always liked the easy finger-work, with great audience respose, of Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade. But I also loved playing Sibelius' Swan of Tuonela on the English horn. I love the melodies but hate the compound times of those like Igor Stravinsky's Petrushka.

[ironflange]

24. I hold a bachelor's in musicology

Played piano and organ, just fiddle with them now. I do a bit of MIDI sequencing, and sing, but just in church choir, at least for now. Used to belong to local symphony choir, but got tired of it and didn't like the new choir master anyway.

Mrs. Ironflange has more talent, in fact, if it weren't for her lack of overpowering ego, she could have been a concert artist.

It's all rubbed off on our daughter. She is a tremendously talented singer, actress, and artist. Does Aikido too, but I'm tired of her asking me to grab her wrist.

[MaineDem]

26. Guitar player - very much amateur

ALthough I've been playing for over 30 years.

Back in my youth I used to play the coffee house scene. I miss getting together with people and playing music. :( I should look for a way to do it again.

[dbt]

27. Well, just take your guitar with you when you go out

and it will find you!

BTW, there are Karmic Laws against not playing your guitar if you know how...

:hi:
dbt

[MiddleRiverRefugee]

29. Weekend warrior, 25 years now

My first paying gig was October 31, 1978. Since then I've been working an average of once a week but that is changing as two of our regular clubs are soon to discontinue live music. One has canceled the rest of our gigs for 2003 and the other is soon to follow.

[mitchum]

30. guitarist and pianist...

spent years riding in vans, waiting and drinking, "can we crash with you?" Don't do that anymore. Still do a lot of recording for other's releases (I live in a town where "How 'bout them dawgs? is rivalled only by "What are you working on now?") Frequently, I play out solo with a ridiculous amount of delays and looping devices. Galleries, theatres, coffeeshops, and fine dining establishments. Erik Satie with an electric guitar.

[Robb]

31. Punk rock.

Math punk, actually, a la godheadSilo or the Cows, both of whom we played with back in the day. Loud, screaming stuff. Very fun.

[alwynsw]

34. Label for the new band

godheadSilo and the Cows join up

http://images.thesun.co.uk/picture/0,,2003500838,00.jpg

[ZoCrowes]

32. I still am

Type of music: Rock n roll baby!! Hmmm Rolling Stones with a Beatles twist with a bit of the Allmans and Santana thrown in. I guess you could call us a jam band. We all have our own little things going on. I'm really into Ali Farka Toure and some of the other guys are into dance and jazz.

Guitar. I'm 19 and I've been playing since I was 12 or so. Been in the same band since I was 14. Along the way I've picked bass, harmonica, keys and some kit.

We get paid gigs but I would not call us pros.

My heros (LOOOONG list: )
Jimmy Page
George Harrison
Mick Taylor
Duane Allman
Eric Clapton
Neil Young
Muddy Waters
Wes Montgomery
Jimi Hendrix
Miles Davis (non guitar...duh)
Charlie Christian
Grant Green
Robert Johnson
Ali Farka Toure
Junior Marvin
Stevie Wonder (non-guitar)
Albert King
Paul Simon
Little Beaver
Al Anderson
Mike Bloomfield
Allen Collins
"Capt." Kirk Douglas (Roots new guitarist)



Moi:
http://images.snapfish.com/338%3A%3A49923232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E2328%3D8%3B5%3D38%3A%3Dxroqdf%3E23233%3A5565742ot1lsi

[toddzilla]

33. guitarist

i've played for about 7 years, started teaching 3 years in. i taught full time for a few years. now i'm sort of out of it due to work and some wierd pain problems with my hands/wrists. i miss playing and will promptly start up when i get a different, less physical job.

i like stevie ray, pink floyd, chris duarte group,satriani, robben ford, gov't mule, etc..


i've owned a ton of guitars over the years and finally gave up the quest for owning a bunch of stuff to settle on a road-worthy combo of a peavey classic 50 4x10 and a strat that i've extensively modified with an onboard pre-amp and some high output pickups except for the bridge position which has a stock strat pickup. i've played out here and there but it's difficult becaue i'm uncomfortable around drunks and drug users. i'd like to release a cd next year of some covers and a few original instrumentals assuming my job situation changes.

[hayu_lol]

35. Retired Symphony/Opera/Ballet Musician...

Horn, String Bass, Renaissance Winds...free lance in Europe for years.

[leftofthedial]

40. "i'm uncomfortable around drunks and drug users."

What are you doing on DU dood?

:-)

Drag about the hands and wrists. My longtime musical partner (several bands and a duo for the last ten years together) has developed nerve problems much like carpal tunnel and likely will require surgery on both arms and wrists. Out of action for probably 6 months! I get elbow pain sometimes playing the keyboards in one of my rowdier bands, but nothing requiring medical help.

Drag! Stretching, exercise, anti-inflammatories and ice can help. Also exteme care about technique.

Good luck with the CD!

[4323Lopez]

36. I can whistle...oops, doesn't count.

[BiggJawn]

37. Jazz Flute and Tenor Sax. Tenor, Alto, and and Descant Recorder, too.

Played Flute and Sax at various jams (amateur night) aound town in the early 80's. Had to hock my axes thanks to "Reaganomics" never got back into it...I don't have the speed in my fingers anymore.

[DemoTex]

44. My "chops" are gone and my "axe" is history!

Chops = fingers
Axe = double bass violin

[DoYouEverWonder]

38. Old time fiddle just for fun.

Never spent the time to get good enough to feel comfortable performing, I'd much rather sit around and jam with my friends.

However, I've spent years on the promotion side of things. Started out with a radio show in college and then got into promoting and producing shows and folk festivals. I've produced, stage managed and done lighting for shows with Tom Paxton, John McCutcheon, Greg Brown, Christine Lavin and Mike Seeger just to name a few.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

39. Mandolin

I play guitar, bass, and keys as well, but not seriously. I was in bands years ago, but put it down for a long time. Now I'm two years back into it and itching to get an ensemble together. In the old days I played a lot of rock, reggae, now it's more jazz and reggae...

[leftofthedial]

41. sweet!

what do those babies sound like played through a Marshall?

:-)

Mando is next for me. I'm working on bottleneck guitar--been a fingerpicker forever.

[HEyHEY]

59. I'm gonna remember you!

I was going to buy a mandolin months ago, now finances don't allow for it...I may need you around for mandolin gabbin...there was another mandolin mannamed NicholasJ on sight..But I haven't heard from him or seen him forever.

[rbnyc]

42. I am.

I sing and play guitar, Hard to describe the style. I also do a lot of producing and engineering for other artists. I can play a little bass, but I'm not great at it. I can't play piano at all, tho I've been trying for years and years.

My musical heroes are Kristin Hersh, Velvet Underground, Miles Davis, John Cage and Neil Young, among others.

I once opened for Patti Smith.

[DemoTex]

43. Symphonic oboist/jazz bassist

However, I am in such awe of the jazz bassist (playing a late 1800's German bass) at my brother-in-laws wedding today, I'm ashamed to claim to be a jazz bassist. This young guy lives in Asheville but was working a gig in Greenville, SC, at my B-I-L's outdoor wedding.

He is a young guy with a buzz cut and a few piercings. He is as good as many bass jazz soloist I have heard in NY or LA.

I talked with the pianist K____ for a short time after they finished playing. He and I were tuned to the same anti-Bu$h/anti-war freq within minutes. Hushed tones, though. Many Repukes around. Many left-wing types, too.

If you are in A-ville, and know the Jazz scene, you probably know the upright bassist I am writing about. If I still had my bass, I'd be driving to Asheville thrice a week for lessons from this guy.

[RandomKoolzip]

49. I play bass, drums, guitar, and I write lyrics and occasionally compose

"serious" music. If you're ever in Nashville, come and check out my band, The 8th Grade....

[Tyler Durden]

50. Pianist, until I destroyed my right hand.

accident, many years ago. bordered on great but not a prodigy. I do miss it.

[BlueJazz]

52. Oh, Man....I don't truly know how you feel but...

....I can imagine the feelings that you sometimes feel....

PS...Did you ever see the "Mash" episode where the Concert Pianist
lost his left hand....was pretty moving for me...and I just play Chords
and easy solos. (Sax is my main ax)

[EV1Ltimm]

53. viola :)

and some guitar and bass.

i treated the neighbors to some "creeping death" at 3am saturday morning. I'm still trying to fix my karma.

[ronzo]

54. me.

Played Bass and Guitar for a living for eight years. Settled down ten years ago. I still play for pleasure and the occasional $

Thanks for asking :)

[Leftist78]

55. semi-pro

have played guitar for the last 12 years. I'm currently playing and singing in a local blues/rock threesome.

I'm also playing bass in another local band, but it's more of a indie/alt-rock/helmet-inspired/thingamajig. You'd just have to hear it. B-)

I'd like to do it full-time but the scene here is kinda small so I'm still a weekend warrior. Still looking to travel and make a job of it.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

56. Although I've dabbled in three instruments

(piano, violin, and recorder), I'm too fidgety to practice, so I never made much progress. Although I rarely play, I can still sightread the average four-part song on the piano, but I can't seem to get beyond that, not that I've tried very hard.

However, I've sung in choirs almost continuously since I was eight years old. Mostly I've been in church and community choirs, but I spent several years singing Balkan music in three different cities. That music resonates with me emotionally, but as I get older, I worry about straining my voice, so I think I will have to be mostly a listener from now on.

I'm currently singing second soprano in a high-powered, audition-only church choir that performs incredible amounts of music and is full of trained musicians who can sightread just about anything. For the first few weeks, I suffered from the "impostor syndrome," certain that the director had made a mistake by letting me in, but now I'm really enjoying the challenge and the wonderful people in the choir.

Most of this singing has been strictly amateur, but I have received payment for one Balkan gig, one recording of a Portland composer's work, and one rendition of (ugh) Malotte's Lord's Prayer at a memorial service.

[HEyHEY]

57. Amatuer guitar, pennywhistle (sort of) and harmonica player

But I used to be a concert pianist


No I didn't. ;-)

[Dancing_Dave]

58. Keyboardist, promoter, producer

Well, just about anything with anyone. When there was a decline in interest in blues and jazz I became more dance and experimental music oriented. Now I'm happy that people seem to be getting into bluesy jams again. :)

[VOX]

60. Blues harp and slide guitar...

Used to play professionally, but had to get a "real" job to pay the freight.

Still play the occasional gig, and will do more as I'm on the downslope of my time in the bureaucracy.

Prefer Lee Oskar harps to Honer. Strong influences include: Little Walter, Paul Butterfield, Charlie Musselwhite, Ry Cooder, Taj Mahal.