Can You Play A Musical Instrument To A Reasonable Degree ?

Roland Butter

Roland Butter

Roland Butter

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Or do you regret not learning to play one ?

So, don't be modest, blow your own trumpet about, erm, playing the trumpet.

[ And if the usual wags could restrain themselves for at least a few posts before inflicting the
Pink Oboe and G String gags it would be very much appreciated ]
 
Got up to Grade 8 clarinet and Grade 7 piano when i was in school, so about 15 years ago now.
Just bought a piano and it appears I'm back to grade 5 level :(
 
I got to Grade 6 (Distinction) on the French Horn. I was unable to take the exam for quite a while as I struggled to pass a prerequisite music theory exam.

Music is incredibly technical, especially the theory / reading music aspects.

I haven't played since I left school, but was in various county youth orchestras and windbands.

My biggest regret is not learning a more versatile instrument which isn't limited to orchestral / classical music.
 
I learnt to play piano/keyboard to a sort of competent level as a kid (near 30 years ago now) - can't remember grade now or even the first thing about it. I sat down at a piano open to some Christmas carols last December and just drew a complete blank though I suspect a lot would come back if I brushed up on the basics.
 
Yes. Well its depends what you mean by reasonable lol. Had a passion for the drums when I was younger ought to take it up again really might help me lose some weight. Can play to a level to play in a band: yes. Not quite up to Dave Weckl standard though lol. Can also do some basic stuff on keyboards, enough to keep me amused at anyrate though I wouldn't want to inflict that on anybody else.
 
Clarinet a bit when young, guitar reasonable though haven't played for years. Also played the Cello for a small time in school though not very good.
 
I played drums in a few bands, and played percussion at secondary school. Biggest regret is not being able to take up an offer for a placement at music college.

I was in my teens and on the verge of expulsion from school before I picked up a drumstick. There's no doubt in my mind that the focus it gave me made a massive difference.

Learning an instrument is fascinating, and I'd say never too old to learn.
 
Daughter is grade 5 piano atm, but have been told if she wants to progress further than that, the keyboard we have does not have enough keys and we will have to buy a piano :eek::eek:

Can't afford a piano!!
 
Did drums at school in the late 70's....tried forming a punk band but could never get all group members in the same room at the same time to practice :(
 
ivrytwr3 said:
Daughter is grade 5 piano atm, but have been told if she wants to progress further than that, the keyboard we have does not have enough keys and we will have to buy a piano :eek::eek:

Can't afford a piano!!
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People are giving away uprights. Search gumtree, local ads, etc.

You'd be crazy buying a new one. Even second hand ones are expensive. Do some research and you won't regret seeing her progress :)
 
Picked up a guitar 10 years ago when I quit smoking and really enjoyed playing simple songs but couldn't master f major, got very impatient after weeks if practising this chord and gave up :(

I could still play London's Burning on the recorder though :)
 
I learned to read music by playing the tennor horn in middle school, and flirted with both the piano and saxaphone before I settled on the acoustic guitar at the end of secondary school.

I taught myself by reading guitar tab and learning covers, but hit a bit of a plateau. When I started Uni I got proper lessons from a really cool jazz guitarist and that made a big difference.

Even though I was never really into jazz guitar, the skills he taught me were useful when applied to the finger-picking folksy style that I do like.

I also have a very close friend who is an amazing guitar player, and he’s taught me a lot.

I don’t play as much as I’d like to these days, but every so often I’ll pick it up again and bust out a bit of Bert Jansch or Neil Young — it’s like therapy.

I never played properly in a band, but my friend and I would jam together quite a bit and I did a couple of open-mic nights.
 
ivrytwr3 said:
Daughter is grade 5 piano atm, but have been told if she wants to progress further than that, the keyboard we have does not have enough keys and we will have to buy a piano :eek::eek:

Can't afford a piano!!
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The Piano can be cumbersome and would need to be tuned at least a couple of times a year. If you have access to a modern computer you can get setup for about £225, 88 keys £136, The Grandeur Piano £89, KONTAKT 5 player is free. If you don't mind none weighted or semi-weigthted keys and adjusting the octave you can get a 49 or 61 midi key controller for under £100 and often comes with free software entry level DAW and even a piano virtual instrument.
 
Have played the Tuba/Bass since age 12 got Grade 5 but was no good/not really interested in Theory so stopped there, still play in a local Brass Band that do contesting at National level, am ok standard but nowhere near the top guys
 
HEADRAT said:
I would love to learn the piano, anybody have any experience of learning to play as an adult?
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People always say that learning *anything* is harder as an adult than a child, but I think it’s more to do with life and time commitments getting in the way than anything else.

It’s true that the ratio of white and grey brain matter changes as you grow up, but this doesn’t mean adults are incapable of learning.

Given enough time, commitment and deliberate practice, you should be able to pick up *most* things.

Based on my own experience, I’d definitely recommend getting a teacher.
 
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