Musicians! Your instruments!

[TheFunPolice]

I'm interested to see what kind of Musicians we have here on the Escapist, and what instruments those musicians play and what their favorite styles of music are

So, I want to hear about your whole setup, doesn't matter what it is, Guitar, Violin, Drums, Clarinet, Whatever it is, I wanna know about it and why you chose to start playing, who influences you, and how long you've been playing


As for myself, I'm a bassist

Spoiler

I play a rather beautiful Musicman Stingray 4, I love it more than anything else in the world, It sounds incredible, even when it's played through my horrible amp, (which was, presumably made by a hoover manufacturer)...Still sounds incredible

I've been playing bass for about 2 years now. I chose the bass over Guitar for the main reason that playing guitar just isn't as interesting in my eyes, and I much prefer the sound of the bass over that of the Regular Six String

As for my playing style and influences: I'd say one of my biggest influences in playing style is Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

I absolutely adore the punchy sound he gets while playing, so I've adopted the same aggressive playing that he uses to achieve his sound.

The guy who actually got me to start playing bass is Barry Fratelli from The Fratellis, Once I heard the intro to Chelsea Dagger, I remember thinking to myself "That's what I want to do"


The Musicman above is my third bass, I own A Yamaha RBX 170, which isn't actually worth mentioning and an Acoustic bass made by Cheetah which is incredibly useful at times

My amp is a shitty little thing made by Ashton, I bought it for £150, I didn't actually try it out because back then I was literally tone deaf and didn't understand how much of a difference an amp can make to one's sound.. I regret it so badly..But it get's the job done

Spoiler

So that's me! Three Basses, One Incredible, One Decent, and One utterly shit...

Now let's hear about you!


Edit: It would actually be seriously cool if people put up some recordings of their playing, if they have any footage lying around, Because there's some really interesting stuff on this thread and I'd quite like to hear lots of you guys playing if you've got any videos?

 

[Jonluw]

Spoiler: This is what I play

I love it very much.

My favourite genres are Jazz, funk and rock. I started playing when I was 16 because my dad insisted I should learn to play an instrument, so I applied for bass and trombone lessons.
I was accepted for both and started playing. The main artist who made me realize that the bass was a cool instrument was Jaco Pastorius. You might understand, then, why I play the bass I play. I'd been listening to an old Weather Report cd for years prior and was loving it.

Spoiler: Other instruments I play:

It's a Fender Kingman bass. Bought it recently because I was tired of being unable to jam with my friends because I had to drag my amp everywhere.

I also have a Yamaha rbx374 lying disassembled in my bedroom because I've been trying to convert it to a fretless. Haven't finished it yet though.

And one of these.
It's a Yamaha, but different trombone models aren't as exciting as guitar models.

Edit: Oh yeah, first two to reply are bassists.

 

[Shaved Apple]

I play bass too. I played alto sax in 5th, 6th, and 7th grade. My influences are bands like Slipknot, Chevelle, Deftones, Rammstein, Linkin Park, Rob Zombie, Korn, Tool, Three Days Grace, Primus, etc. I listen to a whole bunch of different kinds of music but rock, metal, and techno are my favorites. And I'll play bass with a pic and my fingers, both sound good to me so. Hopefully when I get better I'll have money to get some kind of thunderbird.

 

[Dragonclaw]

I've got a BC Rich Ironbird (red crackle paintjob) and a BC Rich Warlock (blue) had both since the late 80's. Need to get a new amp though...

 

[ohnoitsabear]

Let's see, I play cello. I started because, in fourth grade, it seemed like a fun thing to do. I don't regret it at all. I really need to look for ways to keep playing it now that I'm in University.

I mostly play classical music on it, which is odd, because it's completely different from the music I normally listen to.

 

[Esotera]

I play a Cort M200 guitar primarily, but I can also play the trumpet, keyboard, and a small amount of singing. I'm also pretty decent at throatbleeding, if you count vocal cord abuse as an instrument.

 

[Raven's Nest]

My main instrument is my vocal chords. I'll spare you the picture of my actual chords because I'm cheap and won't splash out on internal photography for just any mere Internet thread.

I loved Kenny Loggins first after hearing the top gun soundtrack as a child. I'm now a fan of singers like Chris Cornell, Eddie Veder, Robert Plant, Steven Tyler and so on and so forth. On a scale of 1 to 11 I'd say I'm around a 8 in terms of ability. Some days I feel pretty fantastic and might up myself to a 9 but that's rare. I should probably be more modest about my singing but fuck it, it's the only thing I can be truly proud of.

Also play guitar and bass, a little drums and harmonica too. I'm getting to be quite reasonable on the guitar, favouring an acoustic finger picking style when not laying down some basic rhythm on an electric. I'd judge myself to be 6/11.

On bass, i used to be pretty tasty but I'm a bit out of practice after switching to full time vocals but I would say 7/11.

I can't point at any particular musicians to explain my love for music but it was the intro to money for nothing by dire straits that made me sit up and notice how awesome guitars are... And yes I can now play it like a bossss

 

[Dangit2019]

I play a Mexican-made Fender Strat with a Vox amp (one of the 2010 valvetronix models. They aren't instruments to laud, but they certainly do the trick no matter what genre I'm playing.

 

[Colour Scientist]

I have an upside-down Yamaha acoustic guitar. Not the most impressive instrument but I've had it for about 10 years and I love it. I don't pick it up as often as I should anymore though.

Shame.

 

[Pfheonix]

I have a PRS SE with 22 Frets, an Epiphone LP Special 2, also with 22, a 20 fret Fender Cutaway acoustic-electric, CD-140SCE, and that's it.

I also have several floppy disk drives...

It becomes obvious when you watch this video.

 

[Fiz_The_Toaster]

Let's see, I play cello. I started because, in fourth grade, it seemed like a fun thing to do. I don't regret it at all. I really need to look for ways to keep playing it now that I'm in University.

I mostly play classical music on it, which is odd, because it's completely different from the music I normally listen to.

I bought a cello not too long ago and a friend of mine is helping me learn it. I play in an orchestra already and I plan on switching from violin to cello soon.

It's a fun one to learn.

 

[Aris Khandr]

I played a trombone in middle school and high school. Haven't touched one since. I really only played because it got me out of PE. Frak that class.

I'd like to learn to play the flute or guitar, just haven't gotten around to it. I almost got a bass when my brother got bored of his, but I didn't want an instrument that just went *thump thump thump*, mostly because a bass is really dull by itself.

 

[Plinglebob]

Tuba (BBb), Euphonium (4 valve) and Trombone (Tenor) with the Euphonium being the easiest to play by a long shot. The tuba has a great sound and some great parts (especially playing Pop/Rock songs re-arranged for wind band), but its a bugger to hold and the valves need a surprising amount of force to use. The trombone is by far the most fun as you end up playing so many layers (some times bass line, sometimes melody etc) and nothing says comedy like a well timed gliss. Its also bloody tiring when you have a piece which is a repeated set of 5 notes each in a different slide position. The Euphonium has the nicest sound, occupying the same range as a trombone, but sounds no-where near as harsh, and being a valve instrument means its easier to get the hang of compared to the trombone.

I'm also currently saving up for a banjo because I the sound and my street cred is still slightly above non-existant and that needs correcting.

 

[SckizoBoy]

I was a violinist (and by extension, viola player) and pianist (and by extension, harpsichord player and organist... stow it!). Also a tenor/some time baritone, when by balls couldn't make up their mind how low they wanted to go and very casual drummer.

Those were what I generally enjoyed, though I'm frightened of ever touching an instrument again because I know I'll be shit (or at least sound shit) at it. I don't even like casually karaoke-ing to songs these days...

 

[GiantRaven]

I play Bass but currently I mostly just write songs using LSDJ on a Gameboy.

 

[w9496]

I play some bass as well. I'm pretty new though, but I'm getting the hang of it.

I've also played the French Horn for the past 6 1/2 years. I was pretty good in my high school band, but the person I played with sounded a lot better.

I play the drums too, and that's been on/off for the past 3 years.

 

[Ruedyn]

Keyboard!

Used to have a piano, but its fate is too grisly for me too post without crying. So, yeah. Yay for cheap replacements!

 

[Padwolf]

I play Piano, have done for about 12 years now. I play a huge variety of music but my favourite to play is jazz. However, and I am about to start crying over it right now by thinking of it, my piano has died, and I have not been able to play for months. Playing piano met a lot to me. A heck of a lot to me. I can't even get a replacement. I can't get it fixed. I can't even get a cheap small keyboard. Gods I can't bear it! I need a piano.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

Tuba.

Because. You know. Low brass makes the ladies switch their underwear. And the tuba community is the life of a band.

First chair, got accepted into a youth wind orchestra.