anybody here play a musical instrument?

[DC_DEEP]

I started out on cornet, switched early on to the euphonium - was all-state every year. My freshman year of college, I switched to Horn, on which I majored, and I minored on Piano.

I have played piccolo, flute, clarinet, tenor sax, Horn, and string bass professionally. I have done public (but not necessarily professional) performances on all of the above, plus slide trombone and English horn. And I have a working knowledge of the oboe, bassoon, trumpet, tuba, viola, and 'cello. As far as guitar goes, I know about 10 basic chords, but no real talent for that instrument.

I taught music for a few years, but I grew weary of the bullshit/red tape of the public school systems, I felt more like an underpaid babysitter than a teacher.

For those of you who know about music, I am currently working on a flute transcription of "24 Caprices for Violin alone" by Nicolo Paganini. For those of you who don't know, music difficulty is divided into grades 1 through 6, with 6 being the most difficult. The Caprices are definitely grade 6. When he first performed them in public, Paganini was accused of selling his soul to the devil to acquire the skill and technique to play them.

 

[taven]

Jules Herman transcribed 24 Caprices of Paganini . They're published by Editions Choudens Paris /38, rue Jean-Mermoz, USA copyright 1902.

Yes, I play flute and have played these a lot. I am not familiar enough with the violin repetoire to know if these are the same ones you are transcribing. If they are, I'd be interested in your approach.

 

[dcwrestlefan]

used to play a trombone in junior high and high school. in those juvenile days, we referred to it as a "bonerphone".

a goal in life is to learn the guitar or piano.

 

[jonb]

Originally posted by dcwrestlefan@Jun 26 2005, 05:01 PM
used to play a trombone in junior high and high school. in those juvenile days, we referred to it as a "bonerphone".

a goal in life is to learn the guitar or piano.

[post=324231]Quoted post[/post]​

So you're a tromboner?

 

[ashlar]

Damn .. can't believe I missed this thread.

I started playing flute when I was in 4th grade ... so .. a REALLY LONG TIME AGO *LOL* After that I started piccolo in 6th grade and also learned the oboe. I switched between the three for concerts. A few years later I picked up Tenor Sax and was told I was really good at that *shrugs* FOr the past 4 or 5 years i've been studying violin privately. Fall semester I start my piano classes at university, and I've recently aquired a Cello that I've got to find time to learn to play *LOL*

I have an audition for a small community orchestra, on violin, this fall. Wish me luck.

 

[prepstudinsc]

Originally posted by DC_DEEP@Jun 26 2005, 04:48 PM
For those of you who know about music, I am currently working on a flute transcription of "24 Caprices for Violin alone" by Nicolo Paganini. For those of you who don't know, music difficulty is divided into grades 1 through 6, with 6 being the most difficult. The Caprices are definitely grade 6. When he first performed them in public, Paganini was accused of selling his soul to the devil to acquire the skill and technique to play them.

[post=324214]Quoted post[/post]​

One of the pieces I sometimes play in organ recitals is a set of variations for pedal solo written by George Thalben-Ball based on one of the Paganini caprices. There are many interesting stories about Paganini floating around, but based on these pedal variations, one must have incredible technique and stamina to play a 10+ minute work for just two feet, often in four part harmony.

 

[DC_DEEP]

Originally posted by taven+Jun 26 2005, 05:28 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(taven &#064; Jun 26 2005, 05:28 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>Jules Herman transcribed 24 Caprices of Paganini . They&#39;re published by Editions Choudens Paris /38, rue Jean-Mermoz, USA copyright 1902.

Yes, I play flute and have played these a lot. I am not familiar enough with the violin repetoire to know if these are the same ones you are transcribing. If they are, I&#39;d be interested in your approach.

[post=324222]Quoted post[/post]​

[/b]

Taven, if I read your post correctly, no, I am not writing a transcription. I am practicing the Jules Herman transcription, edited by John Wummer. As for other transcriptions, when I write them, I just decide what instrument would work well with a particular piece, and then try to keep it as true as possible to the original, while infusing the character of the "new" instrument.

Originally posted by ashlar@Jun 27 2005, 02:25 AM
Damn .. can&#39;t believe I missed this thread.

I started playing flute when I was in 4th grade ... so .. a REALLY LONG TIME AGO *LOL* After that I started piccolo in 6th grade and also learned the oboe. I switched between the three for concerts. A few years later I picked up Tenor Sax and was told I was really good at that *shrugs* FOr the past 4 or 5 years i&#39;ve been studying violin privately. Fall semester I start my piano classes at university, and I&#39;ve recently aquired a Cello that I&#39;ve got to find time to learn to play *LOL*

I have an audition for a small community orchestra, on violin, this fall. Wish me luck.

[post=324293]Quoted post[/post]​

Ashlar, best of luck to you. I am not currently active, but I played for two years with DC&#39;s Different Drummers, a primarily LGBT community band here in DC. It is an incredible experience.

Originally posted by prepstudinsc@Jun 27 2005, 02:30 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-DC_DEEP

@Jun 26 2005, 04:48 PM

[post=324214]Quoted post[/post]​

One of the pieces I sometimes play in organ recitals is a set of variations for pedal solo written by George Thalben-Ball based on one of the Paganini caprices. There are many interesting stories about Paganini floating around, but based on these pedal variations, one must have incredible technique and stamina to play a 10+ minute work for just two feet, often in four part harmony.

[post=324294]Quoted post[/post]​

[/quote]
Prepstudinsc, many composers have transcribed the entire work, or bits & pieces for various instruments over the years. That&#39;s one of the reasons this piece has passed the test of time. Yes, the variations for organ pedals solo is a difficult and tiring piece. Most people who have never played something like this, or non-musicians, just don&#39;t comprehend how tiring it can be. The funny thing about the Caprices is, when it is transcribed for keyboard instruments, the composer has to fill in the implied harmonies. When transcribed for a wind instrument, the composer has to subtract notes, and imply some of the harmonies. When Paganini wrote the original, he used techniques unknown to his contemporaries. At that time, due to the arched arrangement of the violin strings, the violinist could play one or two notes at the same time; chords of 3 or 4 notes were arpeggiated. Paganini violated this tradition by sheer strength, pressing the bow much harder against the strings, both flattening the arch of the strings and wrapping the bow hair around the strings, playing 3 and 4 note chords. Apparently, your Thalben-Ball transcription requires the use of the heel and toe simultaneously. Regardless of the instrument for which transcriptions are written, it remains an incredibly difficult and exhausting piece.

 

[Pecker]

Reading the original Paganini must be similar to trying to learn to run a computer by studying only the manual.

I&#39;m exhausted just reading the previous post. -_-

 

[Pappy]

Durmmer here, have been for longer than I want to remember, something like 40 years. I also play piano/organ and I am learning the Bass.

 

[intheloop]

omg yes&#33;

I play the synths and piano. and a little accordion. the buttons one, not the keyboard one.

And good luck to Ashlar on the audition&#33;

 

[ashlar]

Thank you guys&#33;
*love*

 

[Dr Rock]

I thought it was like just a given that everybody sings. I mean, I can&#39;t imagine being able to play an instrument but NOT being able to sing ... that would be so weird :crazy:

 

[major_7]

Guitar here.

I have a whole notebook of chords and lyrics, and my dog (Lab/Great Dane) is my best fan. He sits on the sofa with his head in my lap and lets the vibration from the guitar rattle -er- soothe his brain. He&#39;s a great dog to put up with it&#33;

Most recent accomplishments ~
All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera
Incomplete by the Backstreet Boys

 

[major_7]

Maybe we could all get together and play at Woody&#39;s this weekend&#33;

 

[SpiceboyMJ]

I play a bunch of percussion instruments, a little piano and guitar as well.


Oh yeah, I play the organ too&#33;

 

[taven]

Originally posted by DC_DEEP+Jun 27 2005, 04:15 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DC_DEEP &#064; Jun 27 2005, 04:15 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'>

Originally posted by taven@Jun 26 2005, 05:28 PM
Jules Herman transcribed 24 Caprices of Paganini . They&#39;re published by Editions Choudens Paris /38, rue Jean-Mermoz, USA copyright 1902.

Yes, I play flute and have played these a lot. I am not familiar enough with the violin repetoire to know if these are the same ones you are transcribing.  If they are, I&#39;d be interested in your approach.

[post=324222]Quoted post[/post]​

Taven, if I read your post correctly, no, I am not writing a transcription. I am practicing the Jules Herman transcription, edited by John Wummer. As for other transcriptions, when I write them, I just decide what instrument would work well with a particular piece, and then try to keep it as true as possible to the original, while infusing the character of the "new" instrument.

Originally posted by ashlar@Jun 27 2005, 02:25 AM
Damn .. can&#39;t believe I missed this thread.

I started playing flute when I was in 4th grade ... so .. a REALLY LONG TIME AGO *LOL* After that I started piccolo in 6th grade and also learned the oboe. I switched between the three for concerts. A few years later I picked up Tenor Sax and was told I was really good at that *shrugs* FOr the past 4 or 5 years i&#39;ve been studying violin privately. Fall semester I start my piano classes at university, and I&#39;ve recently aquired a Cello that I&#39;ve got to find time to learn to play *LOL*

I have an audition for a small community orchestra, on violin, this fall. Wish me luck.

[post=324293]Quoted post[/post]​

Ashlar, best of luck to you. I am not currently active, but I played for two years with DC&#39;s Different Drummers, a primarily LGBT community band here in DC. It is an incredible experience.

Originally posted by prepstudinsc@Jun 27 2005, 02:30 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-DC_DEEP

@Jun 26 2005, 04:48 PM

[post=324214]Quoted post[/post]​

One of the pieces I sometimes play in organ recitals is a set of variations for pedal solo written by George Thalben-Ball based on one of the Paganini caprices. There are many interesting stories about Paganini floating around, but based on these pedal variations, one must have incredible technique and stamina to play a 10+ minute work for just two feet, often in four part harmony.

[post=324294]Quoted post[/post]​

Prepstudinsc, many composers have transcribed the entire work, or bits & pieces for various instruments over the years. That&#39;s one of the reasons this piece has passed the test of time. Yes, the variations for organ pedals solo is a difficult and tiring piece. Most people who have never played something like this, or non-musicians, just don&#39;t comprehend how tiring it can be. The funny thing about the Caprices is, when it is transcribed for keyboard instruments, the composer has to fill in the implied harmonies. When transcribed for a wind instrument, the composer has to subtract notes, and imply some of the harmonies. When Paganini wrote the original, he used techniques unknown to his contemporaries. At that time, due to the arched arrangement of the violin strings, the violinist could play one or two notes at the same time; chords of 3 or 4 notes were arpeggiated. Paganini violated this tradition by sheer strength, pressing the bow much harder against the strings, both flattening the arch of the strings and wrapping the bow hair around the strings, playing 3 and 4 note chords. Apparently, your Thalben-Ball transcription requires the use of the heel and toe simultaneously. Regardless of the instrument for which transcriptions are written, it remains an incredibly difficult and exhausting piece.

[post=324312]Quoted post[/post]​

[/b][/quote]
I seem to be able to misinterpret lots of things people say. The other day a couple of swimmers told me they had been gone for a few weeks because they were taking a spinning class. I immediately thought they meant spinning yarn from wool, but they meant the exercise type. Oh well, good luck with the Paganini. They certainly can be fun.

 

[ashlar]

Originally posted by Dr Rock@Jun 27 2005, 03:07 PM
I thought it was like just a given that everybody sings. I mean, I can&#39;t imagine being able to play an instrument but NOT being able to sing ... that would be so weird :crazy:

[post=324424]Quoted post[/post]​

Remind me to sing for you the next time we have one of our chats.

 

[DC_DEEP]

Originally posted by Dr Rock@Jun 27 2005, 04:07 PM
I thought it was like just a given that everybody sings.  I mean, I can&#39;t imagine being able to play an instrument but NOT being able to sing ... that would be so weird  :crazy:

[post=324424]Quoted post[/post]​

I guess that would depend upon how you define "singing." I would imagine that almost anyone can vocalize/sing, but not everyone should (at least not when others can hear them.) I am a very accomplished instrumental musician, have perfect pitch, and I can sing on pitch, but I don&#39;t have a great vocal tone quality. I make a much better ensemble singer than a soloist, and I rarely inflict my singing upon innocent bystanders.

 

[naughty]

Dr.Rock,

I have to agree with some of the previous posters. Not everyone can carry a tune they may sing in the shower but it might not be something you would wish to hear out side the privacy of that room.

naughty

 

[B_DoubleMeatWhopper]

Originally posted by DC_DEEP@Jun 28 2005, 12:22 PM
I would imagine that almost anyone can vocalize/sing, but not everyone should (at least not when others can hear them.)

Think of Edith Bunker in All In the Family. Archie&#39;s quote about her: "She sings like a hinge."