whats a good store to get good music instrumentsMore
Asked by: kooldav3000
It really depends on the type of instrument you're looking for. The easiest way to find out is to google the make and model of instrument you're looking for. Most manufacturers will let you know on their web pages where you can find a dealer near you.
If you're looking for orchestral/band instruments, you aren't going to find a good selection at Guitar Center or Musician's Friend. Likewise, if you're looking for guitars, you won't find much of what you're looking for at Schmidt. More
I want to start experimenting by playing new instruments that I haven't played before, like drums and spanish guitars. What is the most efficient way of being able to try new instruments? Could it be:
-going to a music store?
-renting instruments?
Any suggestions?More
I have recently begun a non-profit organization, Music and the World (musicandtheworld.org) and need a place to donate our supplies we have obtained.More
Asked by: musicandtheworld
Sure, EVERY school is in need of musical instruments, because they're REALLY EXPENSIVE. However, if you want to truly make a difference, you need to take some initiative. Find schools that don't even HAVE music programs because they're unable to afford the instruments. Contact them yourself. More
I want to trade a Boss Delay pedal for a Portable Keyboard.
Do you know of any sites that let people trade music gear?More
Asked by: nuclearboots
There are lots of them:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=musical+instrument+trades&btnG=Search
Kabum More
I like to do Irish ceili dancing and because of that I've become a little fascinated with fiddles. I don't know much about playing them though.More
Asked by: SYSV1RUS
Don’t listen to the naysayers who say you can’t do it. Of course you can.
Contrary to what Birgit says, it is NOT “nearly impossible” to learn to fiddle as an adult.
Contrary to what Mandaladreamer says, there is no reason to “doubt that you’d be any good at violin if you’re an adult”.
I took up the fiddle at age 33, and have been playing now for 16 years. I taught myself to play Appalachian old-time music by ear, and have a number of friends who play fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, and bass. Some of us get together regularly, twice a month, to jam for fun. In addition, I play with a local bluegrass group that meets weekly for rehearsals. I’ve played on a number of occasions for local square dances and have performed at international folk festivals in Europe. I’m not a full-time professional musician but I do give lessons occasionally. So YES, you certainly can learn to fiddle, and do it well, as an adult. But you do need to be prepared to put the time in. It will most likely take several years to get proficient at it and to develop an authentic sounding traditional fiddling style, whether you’re interested in Irish, Scottish, Southern Appalachian, Cajun, Quebecois, Texas style, whatever. Each style has its own distinctive rhythmic pulse, bowing patterns, ways of ornamenting the melody, ways of harmonizing the tune with doublestops and open string drones, and repertoire. In order to absorb the style(s) you want to play, you should listen, listen, listen to as much music as possible in the style you want to play – in your case, listen not just to Irish fiddling but also to uilieann piping, Irish flute playing, mandolin and tenor banjo, all of it – you want to absorb the sound of the music into your bones and your soul; only then will that sound come out into your playing.
If you do Irish ceili dancing, you’ve got a good start; at least you’re listening to the music, and dancing to it helps tremendously to get the rhythm into your body. I would suggest that you find a fiddle teacher if at all possible – someone who plays Irish music would be best. If you want to play Irish music, I don’t recommend classical violin lessons, at least not more than a few basic lessons to learn how to hold the fiddle and bow and a few basic scales in first position – unless you find a classical violin teacher who is openminded enough to help you work on fiddling as opposed to violin playing.
Fiddle and violin are physically the same instrument, with some minor differences in set-up perhaps; what really makes them different is the attitude and approach that players take to the instrument. Over the last several centuries, violin players and composers for the violin have developed the instrument’s capacity for vocal-like melody to the nth degree; whereas over the last several centuries, fiddlers have developed the instrument’s capacity for rhythmic danceable groove to a far greater extent than violinists have ever done. In the hands of a good dance fiddler, the violin is almost as much a rhythm instrument as it is melody. This different approach can’t be learned from a classical violinist, unless that violinist is also an experienced fiddler. If you know some Irish musicians or belong to a folk music organization where you can meet other musicians and get involved in learning to play with others, that would be the best.
Hope this helps.
EDIT: Check out The Fiddle Hangout website, a discussion board for fiddlers and fiddle music enthusiasts to discuss their favorite instrument:
http://www.fiddlehangout.com/ More
