when i was 9, i got a stand-up piano for my birthday. i played it for about 9 years until i started going to university. i was not very good but i liked to play.
now i've moved and that piano is my little brother's now, it is technically still mine, but there is no way it would fit in this apartment or even the elevator to take it up here. it's just too big to bother with.
i'd like to pick up a new instrument now and i need some suggestions. HOWEVER, i have a few conditions. i'm specifically interested in a stringed instrument, but i DO NOT want to play the guitar or any classical instrument (violin, viola, etc). i'm very interested in eastern instruments like the erhu, guzheng and koto. but i know there are many instruments like them, and i'm having trouble picking out one that has my favorite sound. i'm also worried about the learning curve of the instrment. i dont have time for lessons and will have to be self-taught, but i want something that i can pick up easily and learn steadily.
so if you have any suggestions for me that would be great. or just post an instrument you think i might not know that you like the sound of.
mandolin maybe? i dunno if you'd count that as a guitar (i think its technically a lute, but it might be too similar to a guitar if you're after something more exotic). it has a cool sound though.
the mayuri is pretty cool, it's indian i think:
(https://thebackalleys.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.metmuseum.org%2Ftoah%2Fimages%2Fh2%2Fh2_89.4.163.jpg&hash=1c4e02957d40ff24fa1ac57d74e1dff8d5ba542f)
(https://thebackalleys.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fb%2Fbe%2FShamisen_compare.JPG&hash=cc01f71e53049f466ca3d9b0bd8383694c2ca599)
the shamisen?? it is still a very guitar-like instrument
I have a friend that makes electric dulcimers out of cigar boxes.
(https://thebackalleys.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chickenbonejohn.com%2FUSERIMAGES%2FIMG_0015.JPG&hash=c76771b45e55d86e103dec443cb28c5f85887066)
I've actually also been looking into starting an instrument for a while, but I've been far too busy. However, i've always had a great interest in world instruments (particularly nordic and celtic). Either way, this is a great website to browse through for ideas
http://www.larkinam.com/ (http://www.larkinam.com/)
They sell all kinds of crazy stuff you probably haven't heard of, and a lot of them have sound samples too. There's a huge string section as well, just check the tab at the top
Good hunting
i know you said no guitars but
http://www.misadigital.com/index.php?target=kitara&lang=en (http://www.misadigital.com/index.php?target=kitara&lang=en)
this looks really neat and ive been looking into getting one for a while
this too
http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/guitars/electric/6-string-solid-body/mb-1-standard-matt-bellamy-signature-guitar-230329/review (http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/guitars/electric/6-string-solid-body/mb-1-standard-matt-bellamy-signature-guitar-230329/review)
I think erhu is a nice choice.
A friend of mine actually plays the erhu and apparently you can learn it autonomously. It is a special and uncommon instrument and I find it to be a nicely sounding one as well.
However, you should keep in mind that the deepest tone on an erhu is the D and you might have some trouble playing most pieces in a convenient position or playing them in the original key. It also is a very high pitched instrument that is hardly used in combination with singing and it stands out extremely, making it a great instrument for solo parts or actual erhu songs but it can be kind of hard to use in a standard formation or a band.
Additionally it probably isn't the easiest instrument to learn and it definitely is quite a limited one at that.
The erhu usually has a range of 3 octaves but the starter instruments don't sound too well on the really high tones and you will have a hard time striking these as a beginner anyway so I'm not sure if I would recommend to go for a really expensive one from the start... first of all - providing that you're still interested - I would start with a beginner instrument which start in the price range of 200 to 400$.
All in all, it definitely would be an interesting and nice choice but definitely not an easy or common one...
i was just saying that its sound is something i like and that it's a type of instrument i would be interested in, not that i was intending to buy one. i dont think i would buy an instrument with only a single string
Quote from: Hey guys, look! I'm finally a parkour master! on February 26, 2012 12:51 AM
i know you said no guitars but
http://www.misadigital.com/index.php?target=kitara&lang=en (http://www.misadigital.com/index.php?target=kitara&lang=en)
this looks really neat and ive been looking into getting one for a while
this too
http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/guitars/electric/6-string-solid-body/mb-1-standard-matt-bellamy-signature-guitar-230329/review (http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/guitars/electric/6-string-solid-body/mb-1-standard-matt-bellamy-signature-guitar-230329/review)
yeah, no guitars.. i'd also prefer a non-digital, non-electric instrument. i also don't think a $3k+ instrument is in my price range either
have you considered a sitar?
Quote from: rtil on February 26, 2012 01:18 AM
i was just saying that its sound is something i like and that it's a type of instrument i would be interested in, not that i was intending to buy one. i dont think i would buy an instrument with only a single string
Nope... an erhu has 2 strings and the bow hair is in between those two strings which is what makes this instrument so special. However, you grab both of them simultaneously... and the way you expressed it, it actually sounded like you might also be interested in acquiring one of the listed instruments and I simply wanted to share my knowledge as it might actually be your thing...
(https://thebackalleys.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2F4%2F46%2FTafelbergliam.jpg%2F800px-Tafelbergliam.jpg&hash=0d85acd7ed7609111ab4fd99f21fc363aaf9115a) Electric Zithar
Quote from: Kott on February 26, 2012 01:38 AM
Quote from: rtil on February 26, 2012 01:18 AM
i was just saying that its sound is something i like and that it's a type of instrument i would be interested in, not that i was intending to buy one. i dont think i would buy an instrument with only a single string
Nope... an erhu has 2 strings and the bow hair is in between those two strings which is what makes this instrument so special. However, you grab both of them simultaneously... and the way you expressed it, it actually sounded like you might also be interested in acquiring one of the listed instruments and I simply wanted to share my knowledge as it might actually be your thing...
oh it is. i didnt know it had 2 strings. i guess what i mean is, you cant play chords with it, it can only make one sound at a time. while i've heard some beautiful songs with the erhu, i think i would prefer something that has more than one note at a time. i suppose i'm spoiled by the piano.
co-sign with lenko on the mandolin
(https://thebackalleys.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.musicforaccordion.com%2Finform%2Fgmorin%2Fgraphics%2Fgary_portrait1.jpg&hash=0900ceb6e37b9595f37fc17f31e8e082787ec9e9)
this could be you, commander-chan!
i've always wanted to learn the trumpet or the flute. both of those instruments from what i remember from band were fairly cheap in comparison to other instruments.
also, tin whistles have a very unique sound that i wish was in every song ever created. also fiddles or violins. i really like irish and americana music that utilize both of these.
Being the BEST TUBA PLAYER in my school, I could always give you pointers
learn the accordion
Quote from: systech on February 26, 2012 02:33 AM
co-sign with lenko on the mandolin
Mandolins have quite a nice sound - dude on my corridor has one and its really fun to listen to him play it.
Also seeing the other things in this thread has reminded me that I used to play the Zithar in primary school (I'm not sure why we had one) and want to learn to play the accordian too...
guqin prehaps they're cool
Guqin - Guiqulaici - Returning home (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt6oSDqdjws#ws)
or the erhu prehaps
The Erhu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhic2cE57iM#ws)
fuck now i really want to play an erhu
Abdel Wahab Song, on Oud عود: يا مسافر وحدك- محمد عبد الوهاب (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzGNcYnVUIE#)
for that authentic arabian sound
Ok, let's see... accordion is pretty nice, I got one lying around here as well... so do I have an erhu lying around in my room but I never actually got to play it as it's way easier and quicker to start some quick jam session with one of my guitars.
Another instrument that has always fascinated me is the bagpipe. Amazing sound and with its multiple pipes you can play chords and single tones simultaneously. The first thing people think of when thinking about the bagpipe would be Amazing Grace but there actually are some modern bands which use bagpipes quite successfully in their pieces and it sounds great.
The following video is not really a performance by a popular band but I have chosen it because it includes both, an accordion and a bagpipe.
Floating Cloud Acoustic Band ~ 紅魔館で踊りましょう (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpNvGNRlFaE#ws)
ye, and because it's fuckin Touhou. Yes, U. N. Owen
I did keep in mind, that you said you would prefer a string instrument. Now, one of my friends - the same one who plays the erhu - recently got really obsessed with the cello, as it is an instrument with a beautiful sound and a really wide range that can be played in several different ways.
Carol of the Bells (for 12 cellos) - Steven Sharp Nelson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9GtPX6c_kg#ws)
This one's nice to see some different playing techniques
Coldplay - Paradise (Peponi) African Style (Piano/Cello) Cover - The Piano Guys ft. Alex Boye (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgovv8jWETM#ws)
And this one sounds pretty awesome in general.
Finally, I'd like to add that there have been a bunch of nice suggestions so far but none of these suggestions would actually be an easy or cheap choice so if you still haven't been able to pick up any further interest, you might reconsider your demands... It is, for instance, true that fairly many people play the guitar and that it seems to be nothing special nowadays but it still is a great instrument to learn that isn't too expensive, there is a great range of techniques and styles to play it, it fits into pretty much any kind of ensemble and it is way easier to learn, especially autonomously. Don't be spoiled by that urge to feel special and think about the advantages...
Oh, and as you mentioned the elevator you indirectly implied something else...
don't forget that you probably need an instrument that can be played at a low volume if you don't want your neighbors to go mad...
Weird... I can't see my post when I view the thread... it only is visible in the post message preview...
ok, again:
Ok, let's see... accordion is pretty nice, I got one lying around here as well... so do I have an erhu lying around in my room but I never actually got to play it as it's way easier and quicker to start some quick jam session with one of my guitars.
Another instrument that has always fascinated me is the bagpipe. Amazing sound and with its multiple pipes you can play chords and single tones simultaneously. The first thing people think of when thinking about the bagpipe would be Amazing Grace but there actually are some modern bands which use bagpipes quite successfully in their pieces and it sounds great.
The following video is not really a performance by a popular band but I have chosen it because it includes both, an accordion and a bagpipe.
Floating Cloud Acoustic Band ~ 紅魔館で踊りましょう (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpNvGNRlFaE#ws)
ye, and because it's fuckin Touhou. Yes, U. N. Owen
I did keep in mind, that you said you would prefer a string instrument. Now, one of my friends - the same one who plays the erhu - recently got really obsessed with the cello, as it is an instrument with a beautiful sound and a really wide range that can be played in several different ways.
Carol of the Bells (for 12 cellos) - Steven Sharp Nelson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9GtPX6c_kg#ws)
This one's nice to see some different playing techniques
Coldplay - Paradise (Peponi) African Style (Piano/Cello) Cover - The Piano Guys ft. Alex Boye (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgovv8jWETM#ws)
And this one sounds pretty awesome in general.
Finally, I'd like to add that there have been a bunch of nice suggestions so far but none of these suggestions would actually be an easy or cheap choice so if you still haven't been able to pick up any further interest, you might reconsider your demands... It is, for instance, true that fairly many people play the guitar and that it seems to be nothing special nowadays but it still is a great instrument to learn that isn't too expensive, there is a great range of techniques and styles to play it, it fits into pretty much any kind of ensemble and it is way easier to learn, especially autonomously. Don't be spoiled by that urge to feel special and think about the advantages...
Oh, and as you mentioned the elevator you indirectly implied something else...
don't forget that you probably need an instrument that can be played at a low volume if you don't want your neighbors to go mad...
again, i'm not interested in classical instruments such as the cello, violin, viola, etc. and an accordion is too steep of a learning curve for me, and not something i'm really interested in, either, as well as other wind type instruments.
i live on the 7th floor of a building made out of concrete, so noise is not a huge concern as the walls are not the typical paper thinness of wood. sure i couldn't play a drum set or something without some complaints but i dont think a stringed instrument is going to cause any trouble.
lastly, (i dont want to have to say this again) i have absolutely zero interest in the acoustic guitar or any variation of it. i dont know where you get the idea that i cannot afford anything except an acoustic guitar - most of the instruments mentioned in this thread run around the same price as a standard acoustic guitar. i am willing to spend up to $1,000 on a new instrument, i think that should suffice for just about any half decent stringed instrument that i'm looking for.
Here's something special and nice; a so-called hang:
Well Hang (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rXcdcDB2S8#)
Apparently it doesn't require too much training to play it in order to produce some interesting sounds and it definitely is a rarity as the producing company is a monopoly regarding this instrument.
I can't really tell you anything regarding the exact price or the acqisition of the hang and the company that produces it doesn't even have it's own website despite the instrument's apparent popularity on youtube but I think it's around 1,200€ and you have to contact the manufacturers directly but it definitely seems to be an interesting acquisition...
Other than that, maybe a pipa would be nice...
Lydia Plays The Pipa-Chinese Stringed Instrument. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDMQXy7XZug#)
the pipa is very nice , i'll add it it to my list.
there's only one true instrument in the world, and it's the otamatone.
otamatone Greensleeves オタマトーン グリーンスリーブス (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxLB70G-tRY#)
i also really do like the mandolin and the sitar
Quote from: sev on February 26, 2012 09:00 PM
otamatone Greensleeves オタマトーン グリーンスリーブス (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxLB70G-tRY#)
this is the best and worst thing
【弾いてみた】タマタマにしてあげる♪【オタマトーン】 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipVE0nqlfnc#)
Become an instrument by learning opera! It'll give you the excuse to wear a Viking helmet!
i'm a terrible, terrible singer -_-
I'm kinda curious as to how you play the piano. I've got no suggestions as to what instruments you could though.
what do you mean, like my style of playing? i always wanted to play jazz piano but by the time i was starting to learn i had to give it up. i played mostly classical pieces and traditional chord progressions, i also played a lot for my church back when i actually went to church (i'll never step a foot in one again so long as i live)
Quote from: rtil on February 27, 2012 12:38 AM
i'm a terrible, terrible singer -_-
well, since you can already play the piano, it wouldn't be that hard to get better at singing if you wanted to try!