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Message |
    
Amanda
Citizen
Username: Amandalavin
Post Number: 8
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Monday, April 17, 2006 - 10:03 pm: | 
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I feel like I'm spending too much time on Maplewood online and need another hobby. Piano seems like it might be pricey and not sure where I would put one. Any ideas - guitar? How hard is it for a 30 something to learn? |
ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 1755
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 17, 2006 - 10:15 pm: |
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Go for the guitar! I am in my 30s and I started guitar lessons a couple of years ago. You do have to apply yourself, and you do have to practice, and it is not going to come as easily to you as it would if you were 16, but hell, it's a lot of fun to play. And -- you can take it anywhere!! |
Amanda
Citizen
Username: Amandalavin
Post Number: 9
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Monday, April 17, 2006 - 10:23 pm: |
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Thanks for the thoughts. Can you recommend anyone for lessons? |
ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 1756
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 17, 2006 - 10:28 pm: |
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My personal favorite is Mark Murphy, in South Orange, on Scotland Road. He is great with kids and adults. 973 378-2540. He also sells guitars.
Have fun!! |
jersey Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 510
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Monday, April 17, 2006 - 10:52 pm: |
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I play the harmonica and I taught myself. It's easy. It's harmonic, and when you get good it's a lot of fun.
It doesn't cost too much. Until you are like John Popper from Blues Traveler and you have a million.
Start with a chromatic. The diatonic harmonicas have a button, and that's complicated.
All you need is a friend who plays guitar and you're in a band!
J.B. |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6210
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 9:28 am: |
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And Amanda with Guitar, once you learn half a dozen chords you will be able to play literally THOUSANDS of folk, rock, folk/rock songs.  |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 1971
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 9:39 am: |
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How about the ocarina? The eagle bone flute? (I kid you not on this one) |
ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 1760
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 9:47 am: |
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Duncan is right. If you learn a handful of chords -- and master the chord transitions (my trouble spot) -- then you can play tons of songs. Again, it's a lot of fun! |
Rick B
Citizen
Username: Ruck1977
Post Number: 1074
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 9:53 am: |
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I would also agree with the Harmonica and Guitar. Best thing about them is your not tied to a spot like you would be with a piano (or even a keyboard you need to plug in). |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 1973
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 10:09 am: |
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Guitar is a good choice.
I would suggest the mandolin, for its convenient size, especially if you like bluegrass, jazz, or Celtic music, all of which suit the mandolin tremendously. I would do that if I had the time.
Word has it that one of the best mandolinists and mandolin teachers in the country lives nearby in Scotch Plains. His name is Barry Mitterhoff, and I've seen him perform at some local venues. He apparently plays with Jorma Kaukonen and Hot Tuna as well. |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1758
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 11:11 am: |
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How about go into digital music? If you have a computer (duh...you're online reading this now), all you need is a cheap midi controller which is the keyboard -- $179 gets you a very cool new oxygen 8 (and even cheaper used on Craig's List) that connects to your PC with a standard USB cable.
You can get an real copy of an older version of Propellerhead's REASON on Craigs list for very little money, and they are selling not real copies of the current version too if you are willing to go that route for as little as $50. Reason is a fully featured music application that works REALLY well with a controller with knobs and sliders. The software is very capable of a whole slew of different things and isn't used just for dance music. You can do anything with it. The best part is that it's designed to be fun to use, intuitive and downright a playful. You can check out it out here: http://www.properllerheads.se
The beauty of this approach is that the music you create is LIMITLESS. The software is EXTREMELY easy to use requiring no manual. But he manual is AMAZING and fun to read -- loaded with all sorts of tips. This is the type of hobby that you can pick up and just feel like you are having fun. You don't need to play an instrument either. I can't play keyboard to save my life, and yet, I create some of the most rich sounding and thoroughly complex music. It's not about learning an instrument...and that is the beauty of it. Instead I can concentrate on being creative and having fun with the medium of sound.
I know how to play guitar and I studied piano and trumpet as a child. And I can tell you that this is much more interesting and enjoyable to me than those ever were. |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6213
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 11:54 am: |
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Innis..mandolin is very VERY hard on virgin fingers. Plus if you have big fingers it gets a tad harder to manage. Many people start with the guitar and as they get comfortable with the fingertips (assuming a steel string acoustic here) then they move on to mandolin, as I did. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13732
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 12:42 pm: |
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Piano seems to be a better introduction to music theory, since the notes are visually laid out on the keyboard for you. Guitar is great for the reaons stated and more. But piano seems to offer a gateway to a greater variety of music, i.e. pop, jazz, rock, blues, classical, baroque, gospel, everything!
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13733
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 12:57 pm: |
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Oh, and you can start piano with an electronic keyboard. If it goes well, you can go for a real piano. But don't skimp too much. Get all 88 keys and a weighted, velocity-sensitive keyboard.
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Bailey
Citizen
Username: Baileymac
Post Number: 240
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 1:20 pm: |
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It depends.
You can learn to play a few chords on guitar OR piano, and you can be playing those thousands of songs Duncan referred to very quickly with either instrument.
If you want to learn music theory, go with piano. You can buy keyboards that wont take up much space.
Guitar does hurt more, as your fingers need to develop calluses to protect the nerve endings. Once that's done though (a couple weeks), it won't hurt to play.
I love acoustic guitar, I've played since I was 13. I'm um.. older now. :-)
Which ever you go with, as Tom said, DON'T skimp. If you decide you hate it later, you can always sell it (call me if that happens  ).
If you start with a crappy instrument, you can never make it sound great, no matter how much you learn. |
LazyDog
Citizen
Username: Lazydog
Post Number: 248
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 5:17 pm: |
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Uke |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6217
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 7:47 pm: |
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LD that is just a phase, you will come back to your senses  |
jersey Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 537
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 12:00 am: |
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I love these threads where the original poster checks out and we keep ranting....
HARMONICA!!!
You can put it in your pocket, play it in jail, and still get up at a concert and jam.
J.B. |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 2818
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 2:47 am: |
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Just do what I've always done, hang out with the musicians, look and act the part.... |
themp
Supporter
Username: Themp
Post Number: 2797
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 11:10 am: |
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Roland EP9 for sale. Nice electric piano with stand. Perfect for lessons. We bought it, but never had time for the lessons we had planned.
I am learning guitar at 40 myself. Guitar is more social and portable. Plus everyone plays so you can easily get advice. Someone comes to my house once a week, and the two year old even sits in with his mini guitar. It is slow at first.
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notehead
Supporter
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 3175
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 11:21 am: |
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In case you turn out to have an incredible aptitude for learning musical instruments, why not learn them all in chronological order?
First up... the bones. This is the most ancient instrument known.
You can get a set of bones, and just about any other ancient/ethnic/unusual instrument out there, at Lark In The Morning. |
Psychomom
Citizen
Username: Psychomom
Post Number: 109
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 4:49 pm: |
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Guitar is one of those instruments that can be played in many ways with varying degrees of difficulty.
Sure a few chords will get you through but if you don't sing well or don't have someone to supply melody, it will get dull soon.
Once you learn some fancy pickin that's a different story, but that is a lot harder to learn and each song kind of has to be learned as a complete entity (at least at first) because of the melodies, rhythms, time signatures etc.
Then there's Barre Chords which I have yet to master after years of trying.
A portable keyboard is a lot easier on the fingers than guitar but it's your choice ultimately. |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6226
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 5:16 pm: |
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Psycho...we must meet. Barre chords, once you crack em, are a snap. I don't claim to be a teacher at all, totally self taught but if I can do em.... |
LazyDog
Citizen
Username: Lazydog
Post Number: 251
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 6:19 pm: |
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Barre Chords ? Is that what I trip over trying to get my drink ? Or is that another type of barre ?  |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6228
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 7:05 pm: |
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How to Play Barre Chords
From your Guitar Guide
Playing barre chords is essential for 'taking the next step' to becoming a good guitarist. The process takes practice, but here's some help!
Difficulty Level: Average Time Required: 15 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's How:
Your first (index) finger is responsible for a lot when playing barre chords. Lay your first finger across all six strings (try the fifth fret for this lesson).
Very slightly bend the index finger. A straight and rigid index finger is not what we're looking for.
Roll the finger back slightly, so that more of the side of the index finger closest to the thumb is in contact with the strings.
Apply pressure on the strings. Strum to make sure each string is sounding.
Now add the following fingers: third (ring) finger to the 5th string, 7th fret. Fourth (pinky) finger to the 4th string, 7th fret. Second (middle) finger to the 3rd string, 6th fret.
Using a pick, play each string, one at a time, to make sure each note is ringing clearly. Try and correct those that are not.
You have just played an A major chord ('A' because the type of chord corresponds to the note you play on the sixth string. If you played the chord at the 8th fret, it would be C major.)
To play an A minor chord, simply remove your second (middle) finger from the 3rd string. The first finger will now be responsible for fretting the note on the 3rd string also.
Now, try playing the other common set of barre chords. To play a major chord with root on the fifth string, use your first finger to barre the fifth fret on strings five to one.
Add the following: Second finger on 4th string, 7th fret. Third finger on 3rd string, 7th fret. Fourth finger on 2nd string, 7th fret. This is a Dmajor barre chord.
To make the chord minor, re-adjust as follows: third finger on 4th string, 7th fret. Fourth finger on 3rd string, 7th fret. Second finger on 2nd string, 6th fret. This is now a Dminor chord.
These four chord shapes are the essentials in barre chords. Learn these, and you'll be able to play many of the pop songs you hear on the radio.
Tips:
Try slightly pulling the body of the guitar towards your body, using the arm of your picking hand. Also gently pull the neck towards you with your fretting hand. This makes fretting barre chords somewhat easier.
The chords will not sound clear at first. Do not get discouraged. They will sound great soon enough.
But you knew that....right
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ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 1786
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 7:32 pm: |
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Duncan...you make it sound way easier than it really is!! I cannot for the life of me seem to master the barre chord!! Ugh. Makes it very frustrating. |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6229
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 7:41 pm: |
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Sorry ess...it does take practice and big fingers help.
Also the kind of guitar you use makes a difference. Thinner necks make for easier work. So it might have something to do with the instrument you use. But as many on here will attest to, I am no expert. |
upondaroof
Citizen
Username: Upondaroof
Post Number: 628
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 8:26 pm: |
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"Also the kind of guitar you use makes a difference. Thinner necks make for easier work. So it might have something to do with the instrument you use."
That's it in a nutshell, Duncan. If you're really into learning the instrument, you have to buy something decent to learn on. My wife bought one of those "Estaban" classical guitars for our youngest a couple of years ago for something like a $100. What a piece of crap. Will not hold it's tuning, neck too wide, (It's a classical, kid wanted to play rock!)
I'm not saying spend big bucks, but one should go to a shop and try out different instruments until you find something that is comfortable to play and easy on the wallet. My first guitar was some no name, that started falling apart before the chipboard case. Lasted about two years and I moved up to a Gibson. ($125.00 in 1965, big money then, but I was into it.) |
C Bataille
Citizen
Username: Nakaille
Post Number: 2567
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 10:09 pm: |
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I suggest learning the instrument you most love to listen to. It helps immensely with motivation and being able to persevere through the boring and/or difficult parts. If you are drawn to the piano, try a keyboard, using Tom's suggestions above. The nice thing about pianos/keyboards (this is my spouse's wisdom) that they make a nice sound right from the start. (Unlike many wind and string instruments.) Guitars are lovely but there is that phase of developing the blisters, oops I mean callouses, that allow you to really play the things. |
ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 1791
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 11:57 pm: |
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I recently got a Parkwood, a step up from my 10-year-old Ibanez. (BTW, I have not been playing for 10 years, but I had the old guitar for that long.)
Man, what a difference! It feels better. The action is lower. The neck is thinner and less bulge-y in the back. There is a noticeable difference when I play.
That said, now I am really inspired to go off hiatus and resume lessons. I love it. Cathy said it right -- play the instrument to which you are most drawn. I am drawn to the guitar (and to guitarists!). Though an Eric Clapton I will never be, I still hope, one day, to be able to play the songs I enjoy and have others recognize them! |
Psychomom
Citizen
Username: Psychomom
Post Number: 110
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 9:32 am: |
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Hey Duncan,
Thanks for the barre chords tips...my problem is I learned all the traditional chords and have no problem with them so when the music calls for a G or A or C or whatever I immediately play the chord I know...I don't like to struggle for a chord I can do faster and easier the other way.
but I know that the good players all can barre. I can play the chords individually with a minimum of dulling and thumping but I have to think about it to remember what the chord looks like.
Good advice about looking for a narrow neck and low action.
My first good guitar was a Yamaha 6 string which I still have as a back up. I now use a Seagull electric acoustic. In between I had a Yamaha 12 string too, but someone broke into my car and stole it a few years ago so I went for the Gull.
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13797
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 2:06 pm: |
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You should definitely take up the ukelele. You will want to after you watch this video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1352016870638076087
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oops
Citizen
Username: Oops
Post Number: 3
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 6:23 pm: |
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Amanda, don't listen to anyone else before me.
Just rent some drums and bang away.
Getting the frustration factor out of your system will do wonders. |
Amanda
Citizen
Username: Amandalavin
Post Number: 12
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 6:40 pm: |
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Thanks for all the advice everyone...really torn between guitar and piano. Given complexity associated with piano - renting/buying one, finding space in house, etc, I'm wondering what people think about the keyboard as a good proxy for the piano to see if it's a good idea to go down the piano route. |
Ukealalio
Citizen
Username: Ukealalio
Post Number: 2557
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 9:44 am: |
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Hey Duncan, I'm coming in kinda late to this. Re your answer to LD on 4/18.
DEMS FIGHTING WORDS |
Jay
Citizen
Username: Jaymon
Post Number: 1145
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 11:14 am: |
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Is a barre chord the same thing as a bar chord? You guys are getting FANCY.
I say guitar over piano, but I'm biased. I also want to to add one more thing to the mix on guitars. If you are planning on learning to play a steel string guitar, be prepared for a little calus pain in the beggining. Frankly, if you don't get caluses on your finger tips, you 'aint playing enough. Think of it as a sort of baptism by fire. That being said, you could always take up classical or Spanish guitar. It will limit the type of stuff you can play, but it's way easier on the fingers. I actually like the calus build up, it lets me know I'm really playing.
Then you can always light matches on your finger tips and impress your friends (sic). |
doran
Citizen
Username: Doran
Post Number: 25
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 7:45 pm: |
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THERE is guitar instruction for adults at the Baird Center
on Wednesdays at 7:30pm.
There are still openings. |
ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 1801
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 8:20 pm: |
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Doran, can you post or PL some more info? Phone number or link, if appropriate? Thanks! |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6243
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 9:27 pm: |
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jay..there is no such thing as a "bar" chord.
barre also bar ( P ) Pronunciation Key (bär)
n.
A handrail fixed to a wall, as in a dance studio, used by ballet dancers as a support in certain exercises.
A fingering technique used with fretted stringed instruments in which a finger is laid across the fretboard to stop all or several strings at once |
upondaroof
Citizen
Username: Upondaroof
Post Number: 629
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 10:19 pm: |
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"jay..there is no such thing as a "bar" chord."
Good God, Duncan. Are we to be forever tied to Mother England and the European continent because of spelling? Google "barre chord" vs "bar chord" and you'll find several thousand more instances of "bar" than "barre", with both having the same definition. "You say tomato and I say tomato", but I prefer my "bar" chords served up twelve bars at a time in a road house bar!
Boogie on. (Or would that be "Boo Gee"!) |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 9270
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 10:32 pm: |
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What about the Due Capi?
 |
Jay
Citizen
Username: Jaymon
Post Number: 1146
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 10:36 am: |
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Yeah, you tell 'em!
 |
Jay
Citizen
Username: Jaymon
Post Number: 1147
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 10:38 am: |
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And FURTHERMORE..................
http://www.co-acoustic.com/2/chords/barchords.shtml |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6246
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 8:59 pm: |
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Ok so I am something of a purist. Comes from having an english teacher for a father, but uponaroof, lighten up. I quoted a dictionary.
And since I haven't had a drink in nearly 15 years, I prefer barre chords. Plus I generally don't spend a lot of time counting the number of hits at google. Talk about getting a life.. |
upondaroof
Citizen
Username: Upondaroof
Post Number: 632
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 1:12 pm: |
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Hey Duncan, we're a bit out of sorts from the extraction? My post was meant to be humorous. I'm not much of a purist myself, but I was a music major in college and taught guitar to pay my way and as far as I can remember, they were always "bar" chords. I generally don't spend a lot of time counting hits at google, either, but I did check prior to posting to ensure I wasn't talking out the back of my head.
Peace brother and feel better. |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6251
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 7:11 pm: |
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music majors are lazy and don't want to spell barre is all. Same with Ballarina's. And I can speak for both as I attended a conservatory where I roomed with one of each. A classical guitar major and a ballet major. Both men. Both Bar. not Barre. Even though, as I recall (and this was a while ago) the guitar guys text referred to them as barre chords.
Same way Thank you has become Thanks.
See you Later is now C U L8TR
I am feeling better now. though I have the weirdest ghost tooth thing going on. Plus I can feel the stitches.
peace uponaroof. I would love to play with you some day but fear you would shame me something fierce. |
upondaroof
Citizen
Username: Upondaroof
Post Number: 638
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 7:44 pm: |
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"I am feeling better now. though I have the weirdest ghost tooth thing going on. Plus I can feel the stitches."
Had one yanked late last fall. No stitches and no ghost but it is to this day the weirdest sensation to run my tongue through that gap!
As far as shaming anyone with my musical prowess, fear not. Nearly four decades of construction abuse to my hands, (not to mention a ten year addiction to "Redneck Rampage", has left my fingers and wrists in a most terrible condition. It really sucks to see yourself loosing your chops, but I'm thankful for what I can still do and play out every now and again.
I plan on hosting an accoustic jam at some point in the next year or so and will let you know. The last one was a totally informal mix of some of the best musical talent, gourmet snacks and beverages.
Remember Duncan, musically we're all equal! (Unless of course you suck. Just kidding!!)
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