|
Your History as a Musician
This thread is for all musicians, not just guitarists.
When did you start playing? What was your first instrument? What were the first songs you learned? Did you take lessons and for how long? What was your teacher like? When was your first performance? What gear did you have? When did you start or join your first band? What did you play? How long did it last? How have your gear preferences changed over time? What is your favorite gear now? How much gear do you own? How much have you sold? What are you hoping to own in the future? How have your influences and playing style changed over time? What were your best / worst performances like? Have you ever had any studio experience? Where at? Do you still play? If you don't why did you stop? |
Quote:
:-) |
When did you start playing? What was your first instrument?
2004, 11 years old, Robson Strat / 10W Amp combo, $100, Christmas present. What were the first songs you learned? Black Sabbath - Electric Funeral Black Sabbath - Iron Man White Stripes - Seven Nation Army Did you take lessons and for how long? What was your teacher like? Weekly lessons from age 11 to 17. Teacher was fantastic and became a lifelong family friend. Tailored his lessons to my musical preferences, taught me anything I wanted to know and a ton that all guitarists should know. Trained his students to play and learn by ear. When he moved away some years ago he passed down his entire vinyl record collection (hundreds of albums) to my buddy and I, who initially met through his lessons. When did you start or join your first band? What did you play? How long did it last? When I was 13 in 2006 I met another kid at school taking lessons from my teacher. We listened to the same kind of music and got along really well, we started our first band that week and are still playing together today, several bands later. The current incarnation of our band has been together for 6 years, plus or minus a few bass players and drummers. We started off playing thrash metal and have sort of moved more towards bluesy doom / sludge over the last year. When was your first performance? What gear did you have? Playing some Green Day cover at a grade 6 talent show, 11 years old. Robson Strat and 10W amp. How have your gear preferences changed over time? What is your favorite gear now? My first chosen guitar was a BC Rich Mockingbird, lower end model. Spent my early years playing pointy metal guitars and solid state combo amps: BC Rich Warlock, LTD Alexi200, Dean Razorback (Slime Bee), 1985 Fender Katana (awesome rare guitar), Randy Rhoads Jackson V, all through a Line 6 Spider III 150 2x12. Sold all of the above gear to put myself through university in 2011. Spent the following three years making electronic music with a laptop, still playing in the band on the side, using the other guitarist's spare gear. In late 2014, post-graduation / employment, I went and saw John Fogerty's CCR Tour and relapsed back into the guitar game, started re-building my rig. Current Gear: 2013 American Standard Telecaster - Ash Body / Maple Neck Custom Project Telecaster w/ B-Bender / Brass Barrel Bridge / Two '60s Teisco neck pickups / American Tele pickup in the bridge MESA Single Rectifier Solo 50 head MESA Mark III 15W / 75W (1985) Laney IRT212 Desired Gear: Rosewood neck w/ ebony fretboard for project Telecaster MESA Lone Star Special 1x12" 30W More Telecasters How have your influences and playing style changed over time? In my earliest years I was taught primarily blues guitar, my lead style still reflects that a lot today. For most of my teens all I played was metal, was really into shred guitar for a while. Early influences were Zakk Wylde, Tony Iommi, Alexi Laiho, Ritchie Blackmore etc. Nowadays I've mostly reverted back to blues rock styles, although the band is still metal we're much bluesier these days. Current influences are along the lines of Joe Walsh, Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir, Duane Allman, Jimmy Page, Bert Weedon, Robbie Robertson etc. What were your best / worst performances like? Best performance was about half a year ago at a small dive bar, everything fell together, nobody slipped up, all of our gear worked, decent sized audience. Worst performance was a Halloween party. We were all drunk, wearing latex masks (which massively distorts all sound), and hadn't practiced before the show. We blew a circuit breaker, ****ed up half our songs, and were sweaty messes under the masks. Crowd were all hammered and didn't seem to care at all so we laughed it off, but holy **** was it bad. Have you ever had any studio experience? Where at? Only recently, currently in the process of recording our first professional EP at the Vancouver Art Institute. We've done amateur home studio EPs in the past but they're nothing special. These new tracks are turning out really well and the producer is a great dude, very talented. Do you still play? Yes, more than ever before, putting a lot of genuine effort into writing and performing these days. Really looking forward to the rest of the year. |
When did you start playing? What was your first instrument?
I guess it would be the recorder back in first grade. I took up trumpet from grades 6-8 but dropped it pretty early on in grade 8 because our band instructor left to get his doctorate and the new guy was a dipshit. I had also picked up a Squier Strat a few months prior and wanted to focus on just that. I think that was 2002. What were the first songs you learned? Probably "Hot Cross Buns" Did you take lessons and for how long? What was your teacher like? When I dropped trumpet and took up guitar I did start taking lessons and it was probably the best decision I ever made. I am a little envious of self-taught musicians, but I work better with someone else when I can ask questions and get answers directly. When was your first performance? What gear did you have? Outside of the usual school band stuff my first performance with guitar was with the store I took lessons from. I think we did a rendition of "God Rest Ye Weary Men". As for gear, I honestly can't remember, but I think I was using a Peavey guitar. When did you start or join your first band? What did you play? How long did it last? Joined my first band at 14 and it lasted about as long as it took a neighbor to complain about the noise. How have your gear preferences changed over time? What is your favorite gear now? I never really had a preference back when I was younger, it was pretty much whatever I could get with the money I had. I never had anything better than a 30 watt solid state amp until a few months ago. I definitely prefer LTD and ESP guitars now over anything else I've played, although if I could get one for a good price I would still like to get a Gibson SGJ. I've definitely had a change of heart about distortion pedals and now would just prefer to use amp distortion. How much gear do you own? How much have you sold? What are you hoping to own in the future? Right now I have my Blackstar amp head, peavey 412 cab, 3 electrics, 1 resonator, a banjo, and mandolin. I've sold A LOT of gear over the years, too much that I feel like listing but that said I've owned 4-5 amps, somewhere around 12 pedals, and about 5 guitars prior to the ones that I own now. As for future gear... I'd honestly like to get rid of the 412 cab and either get a 212 or even 112. I'd really like to get a Gibson SG at some point, don't really care what model just so long as it's cherry. I think a Line 6 DL4 pedal would be pretty cool but I just can't justify $250 on a single pedal. Other than that I'm pretty content at the moment. How have your influences and playing style changed over time? They've stayed more or less consistent, although I've taken up more country/folk/bluegrass stuff over the years. What were your best / worst performances like? Never really played live show with a band Have you ever had any studio experience? Where at? Nope Do you still play? If you don't why did you stop? Yes, although The Witcher 3 has been consuming (too) much of my time lately. |
When did you start playing? What was your first instrument?
I started playing guitar when I was eight years old. I had my dad's hand me down Ibanez G Series which I still have and play to this day as well as an acoustic Applause guitar. Kind of an Ovation ripoff with the round back, but I play it all the time still. What were the first songs you learned? One by Metallica was the first one that I learned all the way through, then I forget the rest. I had a volume of all these songs transcribed for guitar (they usually had guitar in them too) that I made my way through when I was learning. Did you take lessons and for how long? What was your teacher like? My dad taught me some basics for two or three years. There were some times when our planned practice hours was us just jamming some song I had learned. Then we just kind of stopped doing lessons for no particular reason, and I was self taught from then on. When was your first performance? What gear did you have? My first performance was at ten years old at my elementary school talent show. I played my Ibanez and used my dad's Marshall. It was an original piece that was a cheesy metal instrumental that a ten year old would love. I also did a bunch of acoustic performances at our church growing up. When did you start or join your first band? What did you play? How long did it last? My first band was Rest In Agony in middle school, but we never actually did anything but talk about the band since we lived far apart and only saw each other during the school time. Ended after a year of not doing anything. Then I started a real band called Wolves in Sheepskin where I started off playing just guitar but moved onto other instruments throughout the years. I started it with a mate when we were fourteen so it's been going for 6 or 7 years now. How have your gear preferences changed over time? What is your favorite gear now? I used to be an acoustic guy, but I really like feedback now. A nice amp and some good pickups to get some nice screechy feedback is golden for me. Although, I think that my favourite instrument to play these days is a full drum kit when I have access to one. How much gear do you own? How much have you sold? What are you hoping to own in the future? 3 acoustic guitars 1 electric guitar 1 electric bass 1 tenor sax 1 clarinet 1 snare 2 cymbals 1 bodhran 1 slide flute 1 flute 1 homemade stringed instrument 1 didgeridoo 1 theremin 1 jaw harp 3 harmonicas I haven't sold any instruments apart from a violin a few years ago, but I was thinking about trading my tenor for an alto one of these days. Me and the tenny have grown a little distant. One day I would like to own all of the instruments though, I have my eye on a ngoni. How have your influences and playing style changed over time? Started off playing lame metal and rock and roll (when I was being original that is), moved on to playing avant-garde ****. It just kind of happened I guess. What were your best / worst performances like? Worst: Wolves in Sheepskin were invited to play a party on the day of the party, and we were set up right outside of this guy's house without a proper stage or anything. Then we started playing and were still in our wannabe Captain Beefheart improvisations phase and we sucked. Best: I played a solo fifteen minute set at my current college. Although it was meant for fifteen minutes I went for twenty or twenty five. Started off with a reading of Captain Beefheart's 81 Poop Hatch which went very well. Then I did a weird psychedelic guitar bit with a lot of delay pedal that the audience looked kind of impressed by. That track was eight or so minutes Then I did this song which scared them a little bit. I finished it with Zorn's Kivah on the acoustic guitar. I was on point that night, really gave a great performance imo even though it wasn't the best crowd for it (wonder if I'll ever find one of those). Have you ever had any studio experience? Where at? Nope. We just plop down the recorder and play at it. Do you still play? If you don't why did you stop? You bet I play, every day. I think I'm pretty much in my prime right now. |
When did you start playing?
Before I could walk. What was your first instrument? Piano, but I've dabbled in pretty much everything else since. It's still the only one I'm any good at. What were the first songs you learned? "Hot Cross Buns" and "Chopsticks". :D "Norwegian Wood" was the first popular song I learned, about two years ago. Did you take lessons and for how long? Since I was about three or four, still going. What was your teacher like? She's my mom. :pimp: When was your first performance? A recital of my mom's students back in 2005. What gear did you have? A 100+-year-old upright. When did you start or join your first band? Back in 2013. What did you play? Piano and keyboard bass (think Ray Manzarek). We didn't have a bassist. How long did it last? About three months. How have your gear preferences changed over time? I've only ever owned Yamaha keyboards, and I've had no reason to change. What is your favorite gear now? Yamaha P-105 (88-weighted keys, digital piano) with another Yamaha (61-key, organ keys) on a rack, both plugged into a Roland KC-60 keyboard amp. How much gear do you own? The above, plus an antique upright, two entry level microphones, an ancient accordion, a Kamaka ukulele (purchased in Hawaii, but it's quality, not tourist bait), three Yamaha recorders, a didgeridoo, an Echo harmonica, and a set of Ludwig drums with Sabian cymbals. How much have you sold? Two beautiful acoustic guitars. Nobody in my family wanted them, and I was too young for them. We sold them for a song at a garage sale. :( I still regret not keeping one. What are you hoping to own in the future? I'd love to get a decent acoustic (no idea what to look for, though) and a Strat. Also a Steinway grand, a Fender-Rhodes, a Wurlitzer, and a Hammond B-3. How have your influences and playing style changed over time? I'm 15, so they haven't changed a lot. Billy Joel and Ray Manzarek are my biggest influences as a pianist. What were your best / worst performances like? I recently won $100 for a cover of Bowie's "Life on Mars?". Never had a bad performance… yet. Have you ever had any studio experience? Where at? Unfortunately, no. Do you still play? If you don't why did you stop? Still going strong. |
When did you start playing? Doing what I do now at the age of 15. But I played some instruments at a young age.
What was your first instrument? Keyboard. What were the first songs you learned? No idea, LOL! Did you take lessons and for how long? What was your teacher like? For the keyboard, yes. For the music I currently work on, no. But my producer has taught me a lot & is also one of my best friends. When was your first performance? Don't really remember. When did you start or join your first band? What did you play? How long did it last? Started working as a solo artist on my first album at 16 with my producer. Not a band but it's definitely a joint effort. How have your gear preferences changed over time? What is your favorite gear now? Not much tbh, my style has changed from the 1st album to the 2nd, and again with the 3rd album I'm working on. But it's the same kind of instruments. How much gear do you own? How much have you sold? What are you hoping to own in the future? Not a lot, LOL! I'd love to have my own studio one day. How have your influences and playing style changed over time? It's become more mature over the years. What were your best / worst performances like? I try not to focus on the bad, but I feel my best is yet to come. Have you ever had any studio experience? Where at? Of course! At my producer's home studio where I recorded my albums. Do you still play? If you don't why did you stop? Yep, working on my 3rd album right now. |
.
|
When did you start playing? What was your first instrument?
I used to fiddle around with my Grandmothers upright piano. She was an organist for her church and would always encourage my clammerings. The earliest I can remember of this was when I was about 6 or 7. Then, in 1982 I bought an Ibanez Les Paul Black Beauty knock off, which is now worth quite a bit, but I had later given it away because of some bad mojo. http://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lj...ymlo1_1280.jpg What were the first songs you learned? Iron Man, Green Manalishi, Round About, Crazy Train, The Trooper... Did you take lessons and for how long? What was your teacher like? I took one lesson in 1982. The dude was a prick, so I bought a Mel Bay book and never looked back. When was your first performance? What gear did you have? A talent show when I was in the Army in Germany in around 1987. I had my Ibanez LP, and a small Peavey amp. Me and another guy from the 60th Ord unit did a version of the Crossroads duel. If you've ever seen it, just know that our 'version' of it was very different. http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...my1988_003.jpg When did you start or join your first band? What did you play? How long did it last? In the mid nineties, I was introduced to Lloyd Doogan of the Doogan Bros band, who were well known around the south side of Chicago local scene, and we started doing 2 man guitar instrumentals around some of the bars and coffee shops. We were well received, and had a weekly spot at one of the coffee shops. Lloyd would record every time we practiced and he has probably over 100 cassette tapes of us. I grabbed some of it a while back and put some percussion to it. SoundClick artist: PRD Collaborations - page with MP3 music downloads A side project I had going around this time too, with the former singer from Zoetrope, was Monstrosity. We recorded one full album in my living room. SoundClick artist: PRDMonstrosity - page with MP3 music downloads The first actual full band that I joined, or rather formed, was in 2002. My neighbor was a drummer, so we would get together at his Mom's house (in her basement since it was huge), and jam. Here's our one and only recording of just me and Keith that I captured using a condenser mic through a hole I had drilled in the floor of my rented house to the basement where we practiced at. SoundClick artist: PRD Collaborations - page with MP3 music downloads After a few practices, we grabbed up my brother, and his bass player friend. My bro was on rhythm, I was on lead guitar duties. SoundClick artist: PRD Collaborations - page with MP3 music downloads We played Jimmy Buffets Cheeseburger In Paradise lounge, which has since moved out of Illinois, and had a horrible show due to putting all the amps in front of the drummer, so basically he couldn't hear the rest of us, and turned every song into speed metal. After that we gained Tommy Treje from the local band Beggars Day. We had one practice before he died of a heart attack. So, we disbanded, but Keith and me kept on jamming and eventually found our way into Koncrete Pillo. We were steady gigging for a few years, playing with the likes of LYNT (Brian Corbin of Convoy's first band), Chaos Theory, and Machine Gun Kelly. http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f.../New_Good3.gif SoundClick artist: Koncrete Pillo - page with MP3 music downloads Eventually, I had had enough of our other guitar players unprofessional behavior and left to join Beyond The Z, which has since disbanded, but was probably the most fun playing in a band I've ever had. We played all over the south side of Chicago for quite a few years. SoundClick artist: Beyond The Z - page with MP3 music downloads I found myself in a side project playing a few shows with a singer/songwriter for a while. We just called it the K|S|P Project, and made a few recordings, and played with the likes of Eric Mantel. SoundClick artist: PRD Collaborations - page with MP3 music downloads One other side project that was started, and never gained any ground was Loud Mouth Dog. Something that was in essence a studio only type of thing, since it was just me and a singer: You're Not To Blame Now days, I'm happy to just sit at home and strum away. How have your gear preferences changed over time? What is your favorite gear now? Just give me a string on a plank and I'm a happy camper. I just picked up a cheap strat though. It's been my knock around guitar for a few weeks, and I'm getting accustomed to it's nuances. How much gear do you own? How much have you sold? What are you hoping to own in the future? I have 12 planks right now, 4 amps and a multi-effects pedal. http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psrrwvkqa7.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psvebm8op9.jpg I really don't sell anything, but I'll give things away if it's for a good cause. I've been wanting a good Telecaster, and eventually I'll snag a good Schecter with a Floyd Rose trem system. Probably a Hellraiser. How have your influences and playing style changed over time? I'm constantly influenced by incredible guitar players, especially the one's you find on the DIY sites like Soundcloud. My playing style really hasn't changed much in the 30+ years I've been at it. If anything, I feel I'm getting worse. What were your best / worst performances like? Best: Playing for a crowd of about 300 at a secluded location in the woods. I was on fire that day, really feeling it, and milking some tone out of my PRS, and there were some people trying to get to me on stage that had to be intercepted by my huge ex-con friend was there as my roadie. Worst: Heading out in a snowstorm to play at the Penny Road Pub, I got a call from my daughter who informed me that her grandmother died, and there was nothing I could do. We were already halfway there, and it was a blizzard. I felt helpless, and stayed on the phone with her for a few hours until it was our set. Have you ever had any studio experience? Where at? For my personal stuff, no. However I was there for the entire recording of Zoetropes final album at Streeterville Recording Studio, which was Johnny Winter's favorite place to record. I was basically there as a creative consultant, but really I was just the driver for Pete, since he had no wheels. Do you still play? If you don't why did you stop? I'll play until my fingers can't do it anymore, which is realistically not too far off if I think about it, which I try not to. |
When did you start playing? What was your first instrument?
My first instrument was a $5 beat up and damn near destroyed fiddle that I got from a yard sale that I restored and is currently valued at $400. What were the first songs you learned? Something to do with bluegrass, I'm sure Did you take lessons and for how long? What was your teacher like? Never really private lessons from an actual teacher but I did orchestra & band in school. When was your first performance? What gear did you have? Uh...middle school concert?? When did you start or join your first band? What did you play? How long did it last? When I was 12, as far as I know they are still going strong but I have since moved away; fiddle Do you still play? If you don't why did you stop? I still play, there's a group on post I play with. Cool bunch of dudes, I reckon. |
When did you start playing? What was your first instrument?
After I saw The Beatles on TV in 1964 I wanted a guitar. My Grandfather gave me his guitar, it was a 1940 something Kay Kraft Florentine. What were the first songs you learned? I guess the first impressionable song I learned was the G, Em, C, D progression. Did you take lessons and for how long? What was your teacher like? No. When was your first performance? What gear did you have? My first performance was at an old run down Catholic church. A friend of mine let me use his Fender Jaguar. Ventures and "Keep On Dancing" were the songs. When did you start or join your first band? What did you play? How long did it last? See above. How have your gear preferences changed over time? What is your favorite gear now? After going through nearly all available brands I found out who made guitars for Lindsey Buckingham. I've settled on Rick Turner guitars ever since. How much gear do you own? How much have you sold? What are you hoping to own in the future? I've sold more guitars than most people own. I have over 60 guitars or basses now. Many amps, PA systems and recording equipment. How have your influences and playing style changed over time? I play finger style acoustic now for the most part but I also play bass, banjo, violin, mandolin, drums and piano. I think my playing style developed through learning how to play the banjo. Have you ever had any studio experience? Where at? I have two recording studios but I have recorded in other studios. |
When did you start playing? What was your first instrument?
I started playing when I was five years old when I got a cheap keyboard for Christmas and I just messed around and taught myself notes and chords. What were the first songs you learned? Hot Cross Buns and the such in band, but I had written stuff before I got in 5th grade. Did you take lessons and for how long? What was your teacher like? I took lessons for guitar for three years from 12-15 and my teacher was very flexible and let me learn what I wanted most of the time I still think he's the reason I wasn't afraid to experiment with my instruments later on. When was your first performance? What gear did you have? Technically at a park last summer where I played some really early Machine+ songs and a bunch of AJJ covers. But officially at the talent show this year where I played a Mac DeMarco song. When did you start or join your first band? What did you play? How long did it last? I started my first and only band in 2013 called Stone Down Sunshine with my friend, I played guitar, keyboard, and sang and it lasted until mid-2014 when we quit in the middle of recording an EP. How have your gear preferences changed over time? What is your favorite gear now? Not really as I don't have a ton of gear, but right now my Flashback Digital Delay pedal is absolutely amazing and gets a suprisingly amount of sounds out of it for just one pedal. How much gear do you own? How much have you sold? What are you hoping to own in the future? My Line 6 amp, custom Tele, Flashback delay that's it. I really want more pedals mainly idc about the amps. How have your influences and playing style changed over time? I used to play straight rock and metal I moved on sometime late 2013 to the style I have now which is more drone/punk/noise orientated (and folk on the acoustic). What were your best / worst performances like? They've both been pretty alright nothing noteworthy I have to find places to play at. Have you ever had any studio experience? Where at? Not at all. Do you still play? If you don't why did you stop? Every single ****ing day no matter what I'm always playing.and I write songs quite frequently too. |
in just 7 months I have become a self-proclaimed god of noise.
First full song I learned on guitar (my primary instrument, I suppose) was Disarm by the Smashing Pumpkins. It's really only four chords that are all really close together, weird ones though. |
When did you start playing? What was your first instrument?
I started as a drummer when i was 13 or so but eventually moved up to the guitar What were the first songs you learned? on drums it was Drain you and on guitar it was about a girl, both Nirvana songs Did you take lessons and for how long? What was your teacher like? my teacher was my friend Giovanni, he teached me basic guitar stuff like how to do a power chord, on drums i had no teacher except dave grohl When was your first performance? What gear did you have? our first gig was on a public school talent show were 90% of the kids were into rap, i remember it well cause it went horribly we practiced Alec eiffel by the pixies to perfection but what we didnt do was equalize our instruments for the perfomance lol When did you start or join your first band? What did you play? How long did it last? i played the drums mostly but also played bass, me and gio started a band as i was learning how to play so before i even knew how to play i was in a band How have your gear preferences changed over time? What is your favorite gear now? im not a gear guy, ive never learned much about the quality of instruments and brands and all that sh*t i have a basic knowledge about the brands but thats about it How much gear do you own? How much have you sold? What are you hoping to own in the future? never sold any gear, i have an electric and a acoustic guitar and for a little while i had piano. I lost my piano when i moved to another house, idk what happened to it but in the future i plan on buying one. How have your influences and playing style changed over time? well, i started with very simple compositions heavily influenced by Nirvana then i discovered Guided by voices and the pixies and they redefined my guitar playing, later i discovered Deerhoof and Django which again has redefined how i play, my biggest influence atm is Django, i discovered him too late in life but to me he represents the kind of guitar player i want to be. What were your best / worst performances like? my worst was my first gig (the one i mentioned earlier at the public school) my best was in a local bar where we played with a bomba & plena group at the end. At the end of the show all the bands joined in for a plena song and it looked like a carnaval. Everybody was dancing with smiles on their faces, it was f*ckin great. Have you ever had any studio experience? Where at? no, all my experiences have been in amateur home studios Do you still play? If you don't why did you stop? Yes. I play my guitar everyday but i havent played in a band in years |
When did you start playing? What was your first instrument?
First instrument I played was the piano when I was 7, played for several years but wanted to play the guitar which I finally did when I was 12, got an Ibanez Roadstar II for Christmas that year What were the first songs you learned? On guitar I learned the usual - Smoke On The Water, Iron Man, and We're Not Gonna Take It - all just the root notes lmao Did you take lessons and for how long? What was your teacher like? I took piano lessons for about 5 years, great teacher and super nice guy - took guitar lessons for about a year and quit due to my instructor who was a jerk When was your first performance? What gear did you have? Never performed outside of a few jams in my friend's garage in front of a few people When did you start or join your first band? What did you play? How long did it last? I joined a punk band for all of two weeks when I was in 9th grade How have your gear preferences changed over time? What is your favorite gear now? I started playing again a little over three years ago, still love the Jacksons and old BC Rich Warlocks I did back when I was a kid, can't stand the low-end stuff BC Rich is putting-out now, though but the US made stuff is great, the custom guitars are amazing but pricey as hell How much gear do you own? How much have you sold? What are you hoping to own in the future? At the moment I only have two guitars, a Schecter Blackjack ATX-C1 and a Jackson Soloist. I'm saving-up for a new Jackson Rhoads at the moment and a Mesa or 5150 head How have your influences and playing style changed over time? Not really, still a big fan of all my old heroes, still into metal after all of these years What were your best / worst performances like? No stage experience to speak of Have you ever had any studio experience? Where at? None. Do you still play? If you don't why did you stop? Every day, try to get three hours of practice in a day which is hard but I make the time |
When did you start playing? What was your first instrument?
When I was about 8, my mum's Hoffner acoustic - the neck was so warped the action was over an inch high. Almost impossible to play, but I just assumed that's what guitars were like. What were the first songs you learned? I played along to Hendrix and Zeppelin records and worked out my own (bad) versions of them. Did you take lessons and for how long? What was your teacher like? I've taken a lot of lessons - at 16 I started getting serious about classical guitar, then soon after flamenco guitar. I spent 2 years in Spain studying with a lot of people. When was your first performance? What gear did you have? Would have been school performance evenings - can't remember what guitar. When did you start or join your first band? What did you play? How long did it last? I joined two bands about 10 years ago - both fairly inactive now. One I played bass in, all Russian gypsy music. They wanted me to play bass Balalaika, but when I saw the instrument I said maybe not - I was only a guitarist pretending to be a bass player for fun, that thing would have taken up more time than I had. The other band was mostly latin jazz - I'm not a great jazz player but have always dabbled. How have your gear preferences changed over time? What is your favorite gear now? I use to play steel string acoustic and electric a lot more, now I mostly play flamenco and classical instruments. How much gear do you own? How much have you sold? What are you hoping to own in the future? I have 3 classical guitars, 3 flamenco guitars, 2 bases, 1 electric, for gigs I use an AER amp, a couple of JBL speakers if I need more volume, a Neumann km184 mic, and a miniflex 3 mic for places the Neumann is unsuitable. How have your influences and playing style changed over time? Now I play mostly classical and flamenco, with bits of other stuff. What were your best / worst performances like? Best performance - probably Adelaide International Guitar Festival last year. I had the budget to hire the backing musos I wanted and the house sound system was great. Worst - when I do weddings work I often have to put together solo guitar arrangements of songs the couple like for the bridal entrance. Usually This is good fun, but once I had to do a Savage Garden song, so I had to listen to it over and over to get a good arrangement going - I'm still suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Have you ever had any studio experience? Where at? I've done 2 of my own albums at a friend's home studio, a TV advert for a new housing estate at a professional studio, and some work for LTP publishing's guitar tuition books. Do you still play? If you don't why did you stop? Playing is my whole income (has been for 20 years), so absolutely yes. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
When did you start playing? What was your first instrument?
Technically I first started playing music at around 10/11, when I had piano lessons and played oboe in orchestra- oboe was my first instrument. Recently I've started playing bass and guitar and I really like them both. What were the first songs you learned? I played a lot of MCR/FOB covers at first. Did you take lessons and for how long? What was your teacher like? Nope, after piano lessons when I was young everything else after that was self taught. When was your first performance? What gear did you have? Never performed actually. I do a lot of solo covers, and write my own stuff, but I'd like to be able to show them some day. When did you start or join your first band? What did you play? How long did it last? Never was in a band (see above). Except for orchestra in primary school...does that count? How have your gear preferences changed over time? What is your favorite gear now? My gear preferences haven't really changed. I've been using more or less the same stuff. How much gear do you own? How much have you sold? What are you hoping to own in the future? Bass amp, acoustic guitar, recording equipment (microphone, interface, headphones), my bass...I want to get some pedals soon. How have your influences and playing style changed over time? Not that much. Still into pretty alternative/rock stuff. But now some indie, more acoustic, and pop songs too. More or less. What were your best / worst performances like? // Have you ever had any studio experience? Where at? Nope. I'd like to though. Do you still play? If you don't why did you stop? Yes, as much as I can. And write/compose. |
When did you start playing? What was your first instrument?
First started learning the guitar in roughly March of 2014. I'm still quite green, though I've progressed a lot and have been told by many that I'm really good, I have a long way to go. What were the first songs you learned? The first two songs I learned (courtesy of Rocksmith 2014, which I abandoned as a learning tool shortly after) were Blitzkrieg Bop by the Ramones and Sore Tummy by PAWS. Did you take lessons and for how long? What was your teacher like? I mostly used Rocksmith 2014 to learn the basics and then switched it out for tabs, technique videos, and just analyzing my favorite players but listening to them and watching them perform via YouTube. When was your first performance? What gear did you have? I haven't really performed live yet, save for being a douchebag and playing my acoustic at parties. (and not even really playing anything, just improvising) When did you start or join your first band? What did you play? How long did it last? I'm trying to start a band currently, but know of no drummers that have the free time to do so... How have your gear preferences changed over time? What is your favorite gear now? I mostly prefer cheaper gear, in all honesty. I prefer to craft my tone with my hands rather than top-notch gear. Currently one of my favorite pieces of gear is my beat up Teisco Spectrum 2 that was picked up last December for the whopping price of $40. It feeds back beautifully and can be controlled easily, which makes for some amazing and fun use. How much gear do you own? How much have you sold? What are you hoping to own in the future? 4 Electric Guitars 1 Acoustic Guitar 4 Effects Pedals 1 Amp 1 Cabinet 1 Kimball Organ 1 Cheap 80s Casio synth 1 Auto-Harp 1 Hohner Marine Band Harmonica How have your influences and playing style changed over time? They really haven't. I've incorporated some Rap & Hip Hop influences into lyrics, and some heavier influences in playing, but overall all my previous influences stand and can still be heard. What were your best / worst performances like? As I said before, haven't really performed live yet. Though my worst "performance" I must say was a few months after beginning. I was sitting outside with some people and one was playing his guitar. He asked if I played and I said yes, then he asked if I wanted to play his guitar and I declined. Then my crush asked me to play and I got overly cocky and decided I should do so. Grabbed his guitar to find the strings covered in an absolutely disgusting coating of green of crystallized sweat. I sort of threw his guitar back at him and immediately went for hand sanitizer, plus washed my hands roughly five times. My crush kept apologizing about the experience, which I found kind of adorable. Sadly I haven't seen her since :( Kind of glad I never played though, as I was just beginning and really sucked. Have you ever had any studio experience? Where at? Sadly no. Do you still play? If you don't why did you stop? I do still play. I try to at least strum a few chords every day, if not truly play. |
Quote:
|
When did you start playing? What was your first instrument?
My first experience ever playing an instrument was when I was something like 6 years old and my brother showed me how to play some easy chords on our dad's acoustic nylon Epiphone. What were the first songs you learned? That would be Knocking On Heaven's Door, which is what my brother taught me :D Did you take lessons and for how long? What was your teacher like? I took piano lessons for about 12 years at the local music school, then switched to classical vocals after not being able to sing along with Nightwish. Been studying that ever since. If I don't experience a nervous breakdown, I just might get my bachelor's degree in classical vocals next year. I've had a lot of teachers, most of them were good but some have been truly awesome. The lady who taught me about volume here in Italy was more than helpful. When was your first performance? What gear did you have? In elementary school they figured I could sing so they made me do it. They may have done me a huge favor there. When did you start or join your first band? What did you play? How long did it last? I founded an almost-acoustic group playing Irish folk tunes somewhere around 2009, I did vocals, tin whistle and occasional guitars. We played and gigged together until I moved to Italy. How have your gear preferences changed over time? What is your favorite gear now? Well the real difference is now I actually have my own gear - You don't need a microphone for singing opera - I'm loving my Shure beta 58A mic, it does a nice job on dynamics and colour. How much gear do you own? How much have you sold? What are you hoping to own in the future? I have a Korg x50, incredibly portable, an Ibanez acoustic guitar which has an unfortunate preamp too Chinese to work properly, a mandolin, some tin whistles. And a nice stage piano. I've never sold anything really, trying to be really picky when buying stuff (especially after the ChIbaneeze guitar which I was unable to sell when I didn't like it. Turns out I wasn't the only one). Hoping to renew the piano one day as it's gotten a bit dented from travelling. Need to do loads of gigs first. If one day I would wake up with a huge amount of cash I'd probably go check the Vpiano by Roland out immediately. They say it has harmonics. How have your influences and playing style changed over time? My first "influences" came from listening to my brothers listening to Metallica and Offspring in the other room :) As for vocals, the more I study classical the more I tend towards a kind of Nightwhish-y gentle use of the voice. It will fit in with the music I'm writing, eventually. What were your best / worst performances like? Best performance: An acoustic set with Irish tunes. I made half of them cry. It was awesome. The worst: A gig with a big band when I had a bad fever and by rights shouldn't have even left the house. The saxophones were tuned differently from everybody else and I had a really hard time convincing everybody that we were all having a good time. Especially when I was murdering Aretha Franklin. Have you ever had any studio experience? Where at? I occasionally work in a studio in Rome as technical support for keyboards and general assistance. Did record some demos there when trying to find gigs with the Irish songs. Do you still play? If you don't why did you stop? I play/sing because I somehow feel like I can't keep myself from doing it. Like Montserrat Caballé said, "if I don't sing, it's like I don't exist". The worst times in my life this far have all been occasions when my voice just wouldn't work. Happens a lot less here in the south it seems! |
When did you start playing?
When I was six years old. That was the late 60s. What was your first instrument? Drums. What were the first songs you learned? The Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" was the first song I played along with from start to finish. "Paint It Black" was second. My mom was (and still is) a huge Stones fan from the beginning, and I soon became (and still am) one, too. So that's why I was focused on the Stones for my first couple songs. Did you take lessons and for how long? Yes, I took drum lessons, then added piano lessons when I was eleven. I also play bass and a bit of guitar. I taught myself bass starting when I was fifteen, although I've had some bass lessons occasionally--usually pretty informally. I kept up with drum and piano lessons through music school, so I had about eighteen years of drum lessons, and about thirteen years of piano lessons. What was your teacher like? I had many different teachers, with all sorts of different personalities, specialties, skill levels, etc. When was your first performance? What gear did you have? My first public performances were when I was eight or nine. I started gigging for money when I was twelve. First kit I performed on was basically the same as Ringo's--also a Ludwig, black oyster pearl finish, etc. When did you start or join your first band? What did you play? How long did it last? That's the band I started gigging with when I was twelve. The rest of the guys were sixteen-seventeen. I played drums. That band lasted for about three years. How have your gear preferences changed over time? What is your favorite gear now? Like my music tastes, my gear tastes have pretty much just expanded. How much gear do you own? Too much, especially since I play three different categories of instruments professionally. How much have you sold? Very little. I almost always give gear away when I'm ready or need to part with it. I've given away a lot of stuff. What are you hoping to own in the future? Again, way too much. I think at last glance my Sweetwater wish list had over 100 items, and I know the total was over $50k, haha. How have your influences and playing style changed over time? It's too much to go into a lot of detail about this, but in a nutshell, I've gotten "looser" and a bit more experimental-minded over time. What were your best / worst performances like? Best--somewhere between a group orgasm and a religious experience, where we seemed to have telepathic communication and some sort of transcendental connection between us (and the audience). One of the worst was one of the first: I was in elementary school, and in the middle of a tune, I was featured for a drum solo. In the middle of the solo, one of my sticks went flying out of my hand. I had to stop and run across the stage to pick it up, then run back to my drums and start soloing again. That's how I figured out that you need to always have extra sticks handy. ;-) Playing when you're sick as a dog is never fun, either. Have you ever had any studio experience? Where at? Yes, tons. And that's the primary way I've been making a living for the last few years. Where? All over, but I work in/around NY often. I live in NY, too, by the way. Do you still play? Yes. I've made a living as a musician, composer and arranger for over 35 years now. |
Quote:
Anyway, here it is. Excuse the mess, please. http://i.imgur.com/qzI50vQ.jpg |
When did you start playing? What was your first instrument?
Round 3 or 4 yo; started on a synth followed by an accordion. What were the first songs you learned? I honestly can't remember. Did you take lessons and for how long? What was your teacher like? Had accordion, guitar, piano and singing lessons... I have to say I have only had rly good teachers, ones I could look up to and am still in contact with. When was your first performance? What gear did you have? Probably in music school. When did you start or join your first band? What did you play? How long did it last? I started my band at the age of 16 and I played a guitar. In some way it never stopped, tho the band members are now mostly different...We have changed a few genres and styles tho. How have your gear preferences changed over time? What is your favorite gear now? I am totally satisfied with my ECsignature stran via Fender HR deluxe. Lately i'm rly gettin into pedals, even tho i didn't like them for many, many years... How much gear do you own? How much have you sold? What are you hoping to own in the future? Have not sold anything, everything has an emotional value : ) A couple of electric guitars, a couple of clasical guitars, an acoustic guitar, couple of amps and an electrical piano. How have your influences and playing style changed over time? I've gone from pop and "national" music to rock and blues and lately tryin to get into jazz. What were your best / worst performances like? I hope my best performance is yet to come... My worst performance... ahrd to say, cuz of time passing and with it my playing is getting better. Have you ever had any studio experience? Where at? I've recorded some guitar parts for some slovenian pop singers, otherwise am pretty new to it. Do you still play? If you don't why did you stop? Gonna play till I die! |
Quote:
|
When did you start playing? What was your first instrument?
My very first instrument was piano. What were the first songs you learned? Some various Christmas songs for a piano recital :P Did you take lessons and for how long? What was your teacher like? I took lessons in piano and drums. I took piano for 2 years, and played drums in the school band for around 5. When was your first performance? What gear did you have? Again, piano recital. I was only 7 or 8. When did you start or join your first band? What did you play? How long did it last? I was in a metal band as a vocalist (throat singing, believe it or not) for about a year, but it never really went anywhere. How have your gear preferences changed over time? What is your favorite gear now? I've mostly just switched instruments over time, and have had some pretty good times with all of them. My favorite is my morin khuur, though. How have your influences and playing style changed over time? I used to be mostly influenced by the bands I listened to as kids, stuff like Bullet For My Valentine, Slipknot, the usual. Now I have a lot more influence from traditional music and folk music. Do you still play? If you don't why did you stop? All the time :) |
When did you start playing?
I was 12. What was your first instrument? It was my father's Yamaha classic guitar. I played it for one or two years, then I started to play my father's Fender. What were the first songs you learned? Simple songs, chosen by my teacher. They were Stand by me, Generale, Knockin on heaven's door, Il gatto e la volpe...those songs were not bad, but after a few songs like those, I asked to my teacher "could you let me play something by Nirvana?" So he taught me how to play Polly, Heart shaped box, Smells like teen spirit and so on. Did you take lessons and for how long? What was your teacher like? I took lessons for three years. My teacher, Dino, is one of the best guitarists in my area. His lessons weren't boring, he is a nice and funny man. When was your first performance? It was in 2011 with my first band. When did you start or join your first band? What did you play? How long did it last? I started playing with a friend of mine, Donato, in 2011, in April or May. In the same summer three other friends joined us. First we played songs like Knockin on Heaven's door, Il mio corpo che cambia by Litfiba, Happy Hour by Ligabue....after our first exhibition, two members of the band left us. Then we started to play our own songs. It lasted until october in 2012, when the singer and lead guitarist left the band because he was going to go living in Turin. Then I joined another band in 2014 and I left it in the same year. Do you still play? Yes, I'm still playing. I'm playing guitar (but also bass, sometimes) in a band with my friend Donato and another friend of us, Gabriele, who is an amazing guitarist. |
Like every aspect of my life, by musical career started with great promise but rapidly descended into one crushing defeat after another until I just wished Flanders was dead.
|
Okalee doke-arino...
diddly doodly |
Well, I was extremely sick during fifth grade, so I missed practically the first half of the school year, so I was kind of at a loss when they handed me a recorder and were like "Read this music the other kids have been taught to read and play it." so I almost instantly gave up on recorder, but I still wanted to play an instrument, so I asked my parents to buy me a harmonica.
I practiced harmonica for a few months, and entered into my school's talent show, and lost horribly because I was a horrible harmonica player, but I was having fun! That memory of having fun is what would eventually spark my musical interest. Fast forward a few years, and I am getting bored in life. I used to play video games a lot, but even at the age of thirteen I realized video games were just a time-killer (no offense to anyone who enjoys gaming, it just wasn't fulfilling to me). I thought of what I could do as a hobby that I would like, and I remembered enjoying music, and I knew my step-dad had a guitar he wasn't using, so I asked him if he could dig it out for me to use. After I learned the basic chords, I was having a blast. You can play a lot of songs with just four to six chords at your disposal. Over three years later I remembered that when I was I want to say six, maybe five, my parents had found a 61 key keyboard at a yardsale and bought for me (hoping I would be some sort of piano prodigy or something I guess, I know some young kids could play piano but I sure couldn't). I did a bit of looking, and we did indeed still have it, so that has been what has been consuming my time for the past two months, which brings us to where we are now. And to answer the questions: When did you start playing? What was your first instrument? 2009, Harmonica. What were the first songs you learned? Ode to Joy. Did you take lessons and for how long? What was your teacher like? Nope. When was your first performance? What gear did you have? 2009, school talent show, first act harmonica. When did you start or join your first band? What did you play? How long did it last? Never been in a band. How have your gear preferences changed over time? What is your favorite gear now? Well, my instrument has changed, so my gear preference has changed to guitar stuff. It may be cheap, by my silvertone guitar has done me well for a few years. How much gear do you own? How much have you sold? What are you hoping to own in the future? I own a guitar, guitar stand, keyboard, accordion, mouth harp, metronome, a few tuners, harmonica, and I haven't sold any of it. How have your influences and playing style changed over time? I used to be interested in pretty much exclusively 90's rock, so my horizons have broadened vastly. As far as playing styles go, I used to do your just basic pop four chords, but now I am much more keen on playing either jazz or blues. What were your best / worst performances like? N/A unless jamming with friends count. Have you ever had any studio experience? Where at? Nope. Do you still play? If you don't why did you stop? Yes. |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:20 PM. |
© 2003-2025 Advameg, Inc.