Ongoing Conversation about Instruments in General
 

I don't know if this is going to work, but I'd like to have an on-going, not-topic-oriented thread about instruments, the ins-and-outs of them, and peoples perceptions of them. A real 360 degree conversation and something with a little more sobriety than "no way man, the ****ing oboe rocks!!!"

This is, in part, selfish. In my eternal quest to make sure I'm not wasting my time with instrument X, I'd love to have a long conversation about everything with no required direction. I guess I'm hoping I can drop in a read a conversation about things like having to lug a cello around or how trumpeters deal with cold sores in the winter. In short, insider tips from people who've done stuff, so that Mr. Dave won't yell at me for trying to learn15 instruments in 2 months.

Instrument X is easily the best instrument out there.

you think it would be like that?

Yes, it has an X in it, doesn't it?

But you're forgetting the complexities of instrument Y.

Oh good, I cannot wait for the incoming pages and pages of Michael Ian Black impersonations as the shepple of MB attempt humor.

So anyway, my current dilemma is wanting to stick with piano, it not being portable enough to bring to front porch jams, and accordion seeming to not have the same abilities (and mostly being a support instrument).

If you'd like to be something other than an unsuccessful smart-ass, here's your opportunity.

I felt like I was a relatively successful smart ass. But anyway, why not try something like a melodica? They're portable, piano-like and more straightforward than an accordion.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...x-Melodica.jpg

I've always sort of wanted to learn the accordion.

If you don't mind my asking, what about it appeals to you?

With any instrument, the sound. It'd be fun to make music that sounds like that.