Poll: Any multi-instrumentalists with us on the escapist? + Best instrument ever! poll

[iDayman]

Oh and being a multi-instrumentalist is just an excuse for people without the drive, commitment, and passion to become truly good at one instrument. I play several instruments besides viola at a high level, but dont consider myself a multi-instrumentalist.

I don't know if I'm allowed to speak to you, without being spoken to, but here I go anyway. While I guess you could be correct, and you might have a point, I personally will always respect a person who has studied more than one instrument. Such as yourself, I guess.

Guitarists constantly fall into the trap of not understanding a single thing about anything else than playing crazy solos, and I'd assume that in classical circles, the same is true for, for example, violinists. Picking up a rhythm instrument would greatly remedy this. I also think that a person who strives to understand music in it's entirety, possesses a lot more wisdom, than a person who only wants to play the fastest solo possible.

Very good point mate. However, I'd have to argue that the guitar player who only knows "crazy solos", and violinists, etc, are the sort of person I'm talking about, who haven't the drive nor the patience to *master* an instrument. And to me, those sorts of people are a step below those who call themselves "multi-instrumentalists". If you're a master of an instrument, you understand the difference between playing lead and rhythm, when to play out and to hold back, etc.

My point is, mastering an instrument is a very complex and difficult process. It can take a lifetime to truly master an instrument, and even then, most people we consider "masters" will argue that they will never truly be finished learning. I believe it takes so much more to do that, then to dabble in several different instruments rather than attaining true mastery of one.

For instance, would you consider a doctor or surgeon or scientist at the peak of his/her selected profession, be it neuro-surgeon, rocket scientist, quantum mechanic, or what have you, to be more accomplished and successful, then for instance a general practitioner, or a high-school science teacher? Of course you would. The latter require you to study a variety of different schools within one profession, but no one would ever consider them to be more difficult than the former. Being that intensely specialized in a field requires far, far more work and focus.

That being said, I still have much respect for multi-instrumentalists, it shows clearly that someone is a enthusiast in the field of music, which of course is a great thing, but I'll always think more highly of the professionals. Considering oneself a multi-instrumentalist is a clear sign that you treat music as a hobby, however, many people who don't consider themselves a multi-instrumentalist also play other instruments, and well, just the same as the before mentioned doctors, etc. that will also have a high degree of education in other fields.

I also recognize that there are occasionally multi-instrumentalists who master several instruments (Mozart, as an example.) they are a very rare exception, in addition to the much more common mastery of similar instruments, such as violin/viola or tenor/clarinet.

Hope I dont sound like an elitist at all, I just don't like the extreme deference that non musicians give self proclaimed multi-instrumentalists, just because they don't understand what that really entails.

 

[Horticulture]

That being said, I still have much respect for multi-instrumentalists, it shows clearly that someone is a enthusiast in the field of music, which of course is a great thing, but I'll always think more highly of the professionals. Considering oneself a multi-instrumentalist is a clear sign that you treat music as a hobby, however, many people who don't consider themselves a multi-instrumentalist also play other instruments, and well, just the same as the before mentioned doctors, etc. that will also have a high degree of education in other fields.

I disagree. Among the trained musicians I know, most consider themselves musicians first and instrumentalists second. In my mind, the difference between professionals and amateurs/hobbyists is simply that the pros get paid.

 

[SultanP]

I don't play an instrument, I just came to tell you all what the best instrument is. Are you ready? Brace yourself:

Spoiler: ACCORDION

I've heard and seen people do some crazy things on these bad boys. Heard this band do an awesome rap and the accordion guy made some wicked sound effects.

Edit: I do have an electric guitar. Just never get around to practice playing it.

 

[Mikri Shogun]

I like very much cello,electric bass & guitar.In my dreams,I play guitar solos with Yngwie Malmsteen!!!

 

[George Palmer]

no drums or percussion? BOOOOOOO!!!

 

[ObsessiveSketch]

Sorry, I only play one instrument, although it has a reputation for being a hard one.

Spoiler

That's a french horn, not a trombone. I'm aware that you probably knew that already, but enough people ask in a day to make me a bit annoyed. Runners up are: "How heavy is that case?" "Is it like the trumpet?" and my personal favorite: "How many reeds does the horn need?" The answer is eight, by the way. And they're all tied together in an octagon...

I play several instruments, like the cello (foremostly), violin, viola, bass guitar and acoustic guitar,

My "glorified whistles" are just second on your poll, if you'd kindly take a look at it, and I personally happen to play French Horn, and Mellophonium (yay jazz!). And I'm a vocalist.

Horn for the win! Although I don't think you get Mellophone separately. (I thought it was for marching? Ah, never mind...)

Mellophone I don't count, but Mellophonium's such a different instrument ^_^; no such thing as a Jazz horn, but this is as close as it gets ;P

(you also receive one internet for reminding me of stupid horn questions )

ALSO: to the OP, I failed to claim your cookie, but as an instrument can't just be judged by it's ranged, I dare you to find a string instrument that reaches the decibel equivalent of my 'whistles' if you win, you shall find yourself in possession of TWO cookies.

 

[Horticulture]

ALSO: to the OP, I failed to claim your cookie, but as an instrument can't just be judged by it's ranged, I dare you to find a string instrument that reaches the decibel equivalent of my 'whistles' if you win, you shall find yourself in possession of TWO cookies.

 

[teisjm]

Your poll... it needs more cowbell.

 

[BabySinclair]

Best instruments: accordion, cowbell (as mentioned above), bagpipe, and double reeds (oboe and bassoon)

Why? Because sax's, trumpets, guitars, and even piano, while with their entertainment value are far too common and have lost their ability to captivate expect while in the hands of a music master.

As for being multi-instrumentally inclined, I can play both the double reeds, a smattering of piano, and even an ocarina (and I'm looking for a good bagpipe to start learning)

 

[FinalHeart95]

Sorry, I only play one instrument, although it has a reputation for being a hard one.

Spoiler

That's a french horn, not a trombone. I'm aware that you probably knew that already, but enough people ask in a day to make me a bit annoyed. Runners up are: "How heavy is that case?" "Is it like the trumpet?" and my personal favorite: "How many reeds does the horn need?" The answer is eight, by the way. And they're all tied together in an octagon...

That last question made me laugh in real life. Congratulations.

I think brass instruments in general are pretty difficult. I mean, I have no clue how you guys remember the different lip positions. Don't get me started on trombone, because that damn slider would make me go cross-eyed.

Also, just out of curiosity, what is it about the french horn that makes it so difficult?

 

[Marble Dragon]

Sorry, I only play one instrument, although it has a reputation for being a hard one.

Spoiler

That's a french horn, not a trombone. I'm aware that you probably knew that already, but enough people ask in a day to make me a bit annoyed. Runners up are: "How heavy is that case?" "Is it like the trumpet?" and my personal favorite: "How many reeds does the horn need?" The answer is eight, by the way. And they're all tied together in an octagon...

That last question made me laugh in real life. Congratulations.

I think brass instruments in general are pretty difficult. I mean, I have no clue how you guys remember the different lip positions. Don't get me started on trombone, because that damn slider would make me go cross-eyed.

Also, just out of curiosity, what is it about the french horn that makes it so difficult?

Have you ever tried making eight reeds vibrate correctly?

Seriously, it's not that hard. (Although I don't really have anything to compare it to...) That reputation is one that still lingers on from the time when horns had no valves at all. That mystical time when you had to make every note with your lips only, no keys to help you out. It must have sucked. I guess a lot of people have tried it and still think it's hard. I couldn't tell you why...(of course, that's easy for a horn player to say.)

I'm constantly arguing with the string players I know about which kind of instrument is hard. They always say "those lip positions would be so confusing!" But I don't think I could ever remember exactly where to put my fingers. Then you have to move the bow just right and...uggh. I'd screech like a dying cat. So they think playing the horn would be some sort of terrible hard thing to do, and I think that I wouldn't be able to play a violin correctly even after months of practice. It's really quite amusing...

 

[iDayman]

I disagree. Among the trained musicians I know, most consider themselves musicians first and instrumentalists second. In my mind, the difference between professionals and amateurs/hobbyists is simply that the pros get paid.

Well that is sorta the definition of professional, believe it or not...it means that it is your profession. I merely said that was a sign of a professional, rather than a hobbyist.

And also, being a extensively trained, professional musician myself, I do also consider myself to first be a musician, and then an instrumentalist...more specifically, a violist. However, even though i can play violin, piano, guitar, etc. more proficiently than 90 percent of people who are not professional musicians, I still would never consider myself a multi-instrumentalist, because I know people who actually play these instruments - that is, play them well, aka not a hobbyist, etc - can play them better than I could ever accomplish, without the same amount of focus and dedication, and most importantly, time.

I know I, and any one of my friends, almost all of which are very accomplished musicians, would agree that the first thing we would think when someone labels themselves a "multi-instrumentalist", is to automatically assume them to be a poor musician. Its a pride thing - and people who've that sort of musical ability understand that.

 

[Edward Elgar's BFF]

Cello! F**k yeah!!!

 

[Sacman]

But I play classical guitar...

 

[PlainTwo]

Why isn't drums on the poll?

But yeah, I play a few instruments. Drums for about 4 years, bass for around the same amount of time. Electric guitar on and off for 5 years, and I've recently taking up screaming vocals.

 

[DarkxReaper56]

This post needs more cowbell...

But seriously I play Bass guitar

 

[Ziadaine_v1legacy]

@ Edward, Please don't grave dig topics from 6 months ago :|

 

[Eumersian]

Trombone, guitar, baritone horn, a little bass, and a little piano.

 

[Infinatex]

I can play Reason and Pro Tools. Digital music FTW!

 

[Berethond]

Oh gods what's with the necro threads. It's like a zombie invasion of my old posts. Stop it already!