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Old 04-21-2015, 11:21 AM   #1 (permalink)
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Default For non-musicians: Ever tried to play a musical instrument?

We know there are some mega-talented people here, and good luck to them. Some can turn their hand to virtually any musical instrument there is. But what of us, people like us who can't play? Did you ever want to? Did you try? Why did you fail?

I have two brothers who are both great musicians and I tried to learn the keyboards (basically because I hadn't the strength to hold down the strings on my brother's acoustic without it really hurting --- yeah I know: wuss!) but although I got ok at it I found my bad memory really went against me. I could learn songs but later not recall the chord structures or melodies. Also I found it impossible to do the one-hand-doing-one-thing-while-the-other-does-something-else that you need to properly play piano or keys, and took the easy way out, holding down chords.

I would not class myself as a musician, maybe a failed one. I could blunder through some chords and melodies but don't ask me to play anything you know or recognise. Always kind of annoyed me that I failed so miserably. Oh of course, self-discipline and dedication/practice was also severely lacking so I was never really going to give it the kind of commitment I know you need to be a successful musician.

Now this is not a thread for people who can play to tell me what I need to do to get better/good/reasonable. It's unlikely I'll ever get back to it. But I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who tried to learn any instrument but found it was beyond them, and why.

Musicians, please don't laugh at us. We can't all be brilliant and intuitive you know.
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Old 04-21-2015, 11:50 AM   #2 (permalink)
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In my time. I've owned one guitar, a Fender, had it for a few years, played it off and on, learned a few things on it but found myself not really picking it up like I thought I would. I'd bugged my mother to buy me a guitar since I was 10, finally got one at 17. I loved playing it. But I feel like the reason I failed to really learn it well, was due to not dedicating myself to the instrument, really committing to it and practicing as much as I could. I'm not even sure if I tried again if I'd stick to it. Not sure I want to spend the $3000 or more to get the kind of guitar I want, only to let it set in a case and barely get played. I've resented myself since I sold my first guitar for not taking it seriously. But you learn...

I've also played bass guitar. I found that to be more my pace, much easier to understand, and I found myself learning it much faster. I mistakenly found myself playing the bass line to the start of Stainds song Mudshovel one day at my buddies house, and I'd only been playing for maybe, three weeks at that point? Nothing complicated about that song, but I just found myself plucking the top string, placing my fingers at random points on the neck and I found myself recognizing what I was hearing, and in a matter of a fifteen minutes, I learned the song haha. I don't know if I could still play it, but it was fun. I wouldn't call that one a failure, because I still play time to time, learn things.

I think I could learn an instrument if I really got serious with one. Because I do pick up on things when I really commit.

But, yeah. Don't laugh at as musician wanna-be's, all you musicians.
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Old 04-21-2015, 11:52 AM   #3 (permalink)
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Old 04-21-2015, 11:55 AM   #4 (permalink)
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Quote:
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You shall be hung by your neck.
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Old 04-21-2015, 11:57 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Quote:
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He said for people who know how to play instruments not to laugh.
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Old 04-21-2015, 11:58 AM   #6 (permalink)
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Old 04-21-2015, 12:06 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CoNtrivedNiHilism View Post
You shall be hung by your neck.
Your neck if you're lucky!
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He said for people who know how to play instruments not to laugh.
Zing!
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