| question for twtd musicians 18:40 - Dec 14 with 4378 views | lowhouseblue |
i'm seeking advice. i like music - listen to all sorts. i really like when people play informally and would like to be able to join in. but i've never learnt an instrument, can't read music, and never got to understand the theory behind it all. i am an ultimate musical ignoramus. so where should i start? what's the right instrument for a musical idiot? do i need to learn the theory first. (it may of course turn out that i just lack any aptitude, which may of course explain why i haven't got round to it before). |  |
| And so as the loose-bowelled pigeon of time swoops low over the unsuspecting tourist of destiny, and the flatulent skunk of fate wanders into the air-conditioning system of eternity, I notice it's the end of the show |
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| question for twtd musicians on 09:48 - Dec 15 with 1218 views | monytowbray |
Guitar and some Punk/Grunge song tabs.
I’m DREADFUL at music but even I managed some bits.
Nirvana’s Nevermind is a good starting point, nice mix of chords and single string. |  |
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| question for twtd musicians on 10:32 - Dec 15 with 1186 views | dickie |
Another plus point with learning the guitar is that it's possible to get a good quality instrument to learn on for not much money (especially with electric guitars) |  | | |
| question for twtd musicians on 11:10 - Dec 15 with 1172 views | tractordownsouth |
It's possible to pick up the basics of guitar quite easily. I've been doing gigs for quite a few years now (I'm 22) and learnt the guitar at 14 through Youtube and chord diagrams. I taught myself a bit of piano too but I found the hand co-ordination stuff much harder to do on that. Plus it's much easier to be useful in a group with limited guitar skills than it is with limited piano skills - you can get away with just playing chords as a rhythm guitarist but there isn't really an equivalent for the piano.
As for reading music, if you just want to play rhythm guitar and chords you don't need to do it. I can read music as I did a bit of theory when I was younger but I don't use it for guitar. Even if you want to play lead guitar, you can just use tabs instead, so reading music isn't necessarily a requirement for that either.
Drop me a PM if you have any questions though. |  |
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| question for twtd musicians on 13:31 - Dec 15 with 1138 views | FBI |
| question for twtd musicians on 20:53 - Dec 14 by RadioOrwell |
Good call.
Bass guitar. Find out what a root note is and you are done.
Everyone and their dog plays 6 string but if you turn up with a bass then you'll be able to join in more or less any kind of jam.
Electro acoustic bass is a decent option because you can play it through an amp and ...guess what ... acoustically which works with acoustic guitar dudes. |
Speaking as a bassist who's been doing it 35 years, I'd strongly recommend starting with guitar even if you plan to be a bassist. That way you'll understand more about what a guitarist does, how different chords work and where your notes fit into that - for example the difference a bassist makes by shifting up and down the octave or throwing in a passing note to minor the guitarists' chords. And it's interesting, too: I'm a better lead guitarist than one of my band's and nearly as good as the other but I much prefer being the bassist.
A few passing notes (which is a guitar joke):
1. Bass isn't easier because it has four strings. Try playing a violin.
2. Drums are definitely cool and you'll always find work if you can keep time.
3. Electro-acoustic basses are great but they're bulky by necessity and often don't cut through well against other instruments unless amplified, which sort of defeats the object.
4. Basses don't have to be big: There are some excellent short scale ones which are great for learning on when full-scale can be a stretch - literally. The Squier Bronco is good but I really love my Harley Benton PB-Shorty which is, unbelievably, £75 from the makers, Thomann.
5 Whichever instrument you buy, I'd suggest going inexpensive. Don't be suckered into paying much over £150 for whatever you buy: it won't make any difference to your playing and you won't have lost out if it's not for you. Don't be the 'all the gear, no idea' guy.
6. Enjoy it. If it's a chore, it's not for you. |  |
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| question for twtd musicians on 13:34 - Dec 15 with 1129 views | FBI |
| question for twtd musicians on 09:18 - Dec 15 by farkenhell |
Hurdy-gurdy (only because I like the name) |
The official National Musical Instrument of Sweden. | |
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| question for twtd musicians on 13:57 - Dec 15 with 1099 views | FBI |
| question for twtd musicians on 13:31 - Dec 15 by FBI |
Speaking as a bassist who's been doing it 35 years, I'd strongly recommend starting with guitar even if you plan to be a bassist. That way you'll understand more about what a guitarist does, how different chords work and where your notes fit into that - for example the difference a bassist makes by shifting up and down the octave or throwing in a passing note to minor the guitarists' chords. And it's interesting, too: I'm a better lead guitarist than one of my band's and nearly as good as the other but I much prefer being the bassist.
A few passing notes (which is a guitar joke):
1. Bass isn't easier because it has four strings. Try playing a violin.
2. Drums are definitely cool and you'll always find work if you can keep time.
3. Electro-acoustic basses are great but they're bulky by necessity and often don't cut through well against other instruments unless amplified, which sort of defeats the object.
4. Basses don't have to be big: There are some excellent short scale ones which are great for learning on when full-scale can be a stretch - literally. The Squier Bronco is good but I really love my Harley Benton PB-Shorty which is, unbelievably, £75 from the makers, Thomann.
5 Whichever instrument you buy, I'd suggest going inexpensive. Don't be suckered into paying much over £150 for whatever you buy: it won't make any difference to your playing and you won't have lost out if it's not for you. Don't be the 'all the gear, no idea' guy.
6. Enjoy it. If it's a chore, it's not for you. |
Also - I can't read music and have never had a lesson in my life. But that hasn't stopped me being at one time a professional musician, having (minor) hit records and touring with some pretty big names. It helps, but isn't a prerequisite. | |
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| question for twtd musicians on 13:58 - Dec 15 with 1093 views | Ewan_Oozami |
| question for twtd musicians on 13:57 - Dec 15 by FBI |
Also - I can't read music and have never had a lesson in my life. But that hasn't stopped me being at one time a professional musician, having (minor) hit records and touring with some pretty big names. It helps, but isn't a prerequisite. |
You are Guy Pratt and I claim my £5 :-) |  |
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| question for twtd musicians on 14:01 - Dec 15 with 1089 views | FBI |
| question for twtd musicians on 13:58 - Dec 15 by Ewan_Oozami |
You are Guy Pratt and I claim my £5 :-) |
If only. But (gratuitous namedrop) he is a mate of mine. | |
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| question for twtd musicians on 14:13 - Dec 15 with 1065 views | Ewan_Oozami |
| question for twtd musicians on 14:01 - Dec 15 by FBI |
If only. But (gratuitous namedrop) he is a mate of mine. |
Googles "bass players that Guy Pratt knows" [Post edited 15 Dec 2021 14:14]
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| question for twtd musicians on 14:14 - Dec 15 with 1064 views | jeera |
| question for twtd musicians on 14:01 - Dec 15 by FBI |
If only. But (gratuitous namedrop) he is a mate of mine. |
I just looked him up and saw with some surprise that he had played with artists such as Pink.
I blinked at it a few times thinking that didn't sound right at all.
Then I opened the page and the next word was Floyd and the world returned to normal. |  |
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| question for twtd musicians on 14:16 - Dec 15 with 1063 views | Ewan_Oozami |
| question for twtd musicians on 14:14 - Dec 15 by jeera |
I just looked him up and saw with some surprise that he had played with artists such as Pink.
I blinked at it a few times thinking that didn't sound right at all.
Then I opened the page and the next word was Floyd and the world returned to normal. |
He has played bass with a lot of people in the business - search for the Rockonteurs podcast with him and Gary Kemp - great listening if you like muso stories, boring as hell if you don't! | |
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| question for twtd musicians on 14:48 - Dec 15 with 1032 views | TVRBlue |
A great post and some really interesting and considerate advice from some helpful people.
A few months before the first lockdown I felt the same as Lowhouse and bought an electro acoustic Fender, lead, and a Fender amp (an Acoustasonic 15). Not too expensive for a beginner in the grand scheme of things.
Signed up to a "How to play guitar" series of evening lessons which were interesting and helpful, but equally as frustrating when some weeks things just didn't seem to go as well as others.
Due to Covid the course got binned but this thread has got me thinking of having a go again - perhaps trying the Youtube route.
My apologies to my neighbours in advance!
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| question for twtd musicians on 14:53 - Dec 15 with 1023 views | clive_baker |
| question for twtd musicians on 19:24 - Dec 14 by Dubtractor |
I'm similar to you in some ways, love music but can't play it, and the few times I've tried to learn eg guitar I just get too frustrated and give up as I really struggle with coordinating left and right hands.
I don't have many regrets in life, but not learning to play music as a kid (when learning stuff is easier) is one of them. |
Agree Dub. Bought myself a guitar when we first went in to lockdown, one of those 'I'm going to be productive and learn a skill' moments. Turns out I'm absolutely terrible at it. Or don't have anything like the patience more to the point, I enjoyed watching YouTube tutorials and got so encouraged at how easy it looked, then back to Earth with a bump when I tried. |  |
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| question for twtd musicians on 15:11 - Dec 15 with 1012 views | BLUEBEAT |
Bass.
It’s the easiest and bands are always looking for bassists.
Plus you can make the heaviest of sounds.
I was in a relatively successful band for nearly 10 years and had no musical knowledge or training beforehand. Still can’t read music but can play by ear. Sort of. |  |
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| question for twtd musicians on 16:29 - Dec 15 with 977 views | RadioOrwell |
| question for twtd musicians on 13:31 - Dec 15 by FBI |
Speaking as a bassist who's been doing it 35 years, I'd strongly recommend starting with guitar even if you plan to be a bassist. That way you'll understand more about what a guitarist does, how different chords work and where your notes fit into that - for example the difference a bassist makes by shifting up and down the octave or throwing in a passing note to minor the guitarists' chords. And it's interesting, too: I'm a better lead guitarist than one of my band's and nearly as good as the other but I much prefer being the bassist.
A few passing notes (which is a guitar joke):
1. Bass isn't easier because it has four strings. Try playing a violin.
2. Drums are definitely cool and you'll always find work if you can keep time.
3. Electro-acoustic basses are great but they're bulky by necessity and often don't cut through well against other instruments unless amplified, which sort of defeats the object.
4. Basses don't have to be big: There are some excellent short scale ones which are great for learning on when full-scale can be a stretch - literally. The Squier Bronco is good but I really love my Harley Benton PB-Shorty which is, unbelievably, £75 from the makers, Thomann.
5 Whichever instrument you buy, I'd suggest going inexpensive. Don't be suckered into paying much over £150 for whatever you buy: it won't make any difference to your playing and you won't have lost out if it's not for you. Don't be the 'all the gear, no idea' guy.
6. Enjoy it. If it's a chore, it's not for you. |
A bass guitar is not a violin. Wow who knew ? Oh everyone. That's right. Everyone knew that.
I think you have entirely missed the point of electro acoustic instruments.
Bulky you say - wait till you find out what a double bass is. |  | | |
| question for twtd musicians on 17:21 - Dec 16 with 892 views | FBI |
| question for twtd musicians on 16:29 - Dec 15 by RadioOrwell |
A bass guitar is not a violin. Wow who knew ? Oh everyone. That's right. Everyone knew that.
I think you have entirely missed the point of electro acoustic instruments.
Bulky you say - wait till you find out what a double bass is. |
What the F' is your problem? | |
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| question for twtd musicians on 17:24 - Dec 16 with 877 views | jeera |
| question for twtd musicians on 16:29 - Dec 15 by RadioOrwell |
A bass guitar is not a violin. Wow who knew ? Oh everyone. That's right. Everyone knew that.
I think you have entirely missed the point of electro acoustic instruments.
Bulky you say - wait till you find out what a double bass is. |
Not very nice was it? | |
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| question for twtd musicians on 17:25 - Dec 16 with 875 views | FBI |
| question for twtd musicians on 17:24 - Dec 16 by jeera |
Not very nice was it? |
Not particularly, no. I don't know who he is but he seems to have some issues.
Thanks for the backup buddy. | |
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| question for twtd musicians on 17:26 - Dec 16 with 870 views | jeera |
| question for twtd musicians on 17:25 - Dec 16 by FBI |
Not particularly, no. I don't know who he is but he seems to have some issues.
Thanks for the backup buddy. |
I'll send you my bank details. | |
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| question for twtd musicians on 17:28 - Dec 16 with 863 views | FBI |
| question for twtd musicians on 17:26 - Dec 16 by jeera |
I'll send you my bank details. |
Only if you want the $100M in my Nigerian bank account ;-) | |
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