Questions about an instrument itself, rather than how to play it.
8
votes
3answers
325 views
Is a very cheap drum kit an impediment to learning?
A national discount chain is offering an adult drumkit for £50 (about US$80).
I've often fancied getting my hand in as a drummer. I don't ever expect drums to be my main instrument, but I would like ...
0
votes
1answer
75 views
How can I tab by ear a song played on another instrument to guitar?
Is it theoretically possible to tab any song/piece from another instrument to the guitar? For example, this song I want to tab("A Kiss From An Old Flame" by Mercury Rev) uses 'flamenco', I think.
I ...
18
votes
15answers
5k views
What instruments are inexpensive, portable and not too loud?
I'm a college student, and I'd really like to start playing an instrument. But I want to find something that is:
Inexpensive
Small / portable in a backpack
Quiet enough to practice in my dorm room
...
4
votes
5answers
2k views
Realistic Virtual Piano
I recently started playing around with my MIDI keyboard and Garageband. However, I noticed the default "Grand Piano" etc. in Garageband have very poor sound and expression capability.
Is there a free ...
5
votes
2answers
465 views
Adjusting clarinet or saxophone reeds
How do various techniques and equipments for adjusting reeds compare? e.g.
...
6
votes
2answers
159 views
What factors to consider when inventing a new (lab) instrument?
I have the idea for a new instrument which doesn't work with wind/blowing, hitting, or keystroked, but rather pressure.
What factors should an instrument have? Is there a checklist that I can check ...
4
votes
5answers
151 views
Is it better to tune an instrument by procedure, or while playing?
I'm an amateur Guitar player. When I want to tune my Guitar, I follow this formula:
Use a diapason to tune the A note on the third string, second fret
Tune the second string by help of the B on the ...
2
votes
1answer
156 views
Bass Clarinet: Rubber vs Plastic Mouthpiece?
I play Bass Clarinet for a school band, and may have to buy my own mouthpiece. I'm wondering what the difference in tone quality is between a plastic and rubber mouthpiece, and if a rubber one is more ...
2
votes
1answer
485 views
What are the pros/cons of the “tuning-in-slide” method of trombone design?
Almost all American-made trombones are tuned using a tuning slide in the crook of the bell section. However, some European instrument makers sell trombones designed with a one-piece crook and a ...
9
votes
1answer
332 views
What are some qualities to consider when purchasing a cello?
My wife is a Suzuki-method violinist but wants to dabble with some cello pieces. I'm a rock guitarist--so I have absolutely no clue what to look for in a cello. It's clearly not a Les Paul so any ...
5
votes
3answers
458 views
What defines the loudness of an acoustic guitar?
I would like a loud sound without any amplification (purely acoustic sound), which types (or brands) of guitar are like that?
I assume that guitars with heavier strings and bigger body are usually ...
11
votes
4answers
689 views
Trumpet low C# and D
Most trumpets' low C# and D are too low, and need correcting by pulling the 1st of 3rd valve.
My first understanding was that the distance between tones in the lower register is larger than between ...
12
votes
4answers
921 views
Is there any difference between a soprano trombone and a slide trumpet?
Occasionally, I will see people arguing about whether an instrument should be called a "soprano trombone" or a "slide trumpet" yet I have never seen any instrument designated as one as being any ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
What does the distance between a pickup and strings do for the sound?
What does the distance between a pickup and strings do for the sound? Should active and passive pickups be treated differently?
7
votes
4answers
279 views
Do cold/hot drinks have any effect on woodwinds and brass performers?
Hey, I saw this question and I immediately remembered one or two teachers that kept saying that drinking cold/hot drinks before and/or during playing any woodwind or brass instrument was a bad thing, ...
11
votes
3answers
771 views
Why do standard modern pianos have 88 keys?
I know that the piano contains 7 octaves plus a 4th. I also know that it accommodates the full circle of fifths (from C and back to C). But since a fifth contains 7 semitones, it only
"needs" 7X12 = ...
10
votes
3answers
314 views
Will my wind instrument be damaged if I leave it assembled?
Almost every teacher, expert, and book has informed me that I should disassemble my (clarinet / recorder / saxophone) each time after I practice.
However, it is difficult for me to see how this would ...
7
votes
1answer
244 views
Naming convention for trumpet mouthpiece size
Different brands of mouthpiece manufacturers have different ways of naming the size of their mouthpieces. Is there some kind of common convention, like letters being the depth, small numbers meaning ...
8
votes
5answers
836 views
Building an electric guitar from scratch
I want to make an electric guitar by myself from scratch. How can I do this?
5
votes
3answers
133 views
How do I assess the value of a guitar when I'm preparing to sell it?
How do I go about researching the value of my instrument before I put it up for sale? I'd like to feel like I've done a proper amount of due diligence before I put it on the used market so I can both ...
2
votes
3answers
75 views
Information about selling my guitars [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How do I assess the value of a guitar when I'm preparing to sell it?
So I have three guitars that I want to sell. After this, I want to buy a pretty nice acoustic to ...
7
votes
2answers
196 views
What is this guitar?
A few years back, I came across a guitar in the staging area of a pawn shop. I saw it, played it briefly, and bought it immediately after. I know nothing about it, but I'm hoping to gain some more ...
9
votes
5answers
2k views
What are the objective differences between the guitar and the piano?
The guitar and the piano are two of the most popular instruments which allow multiple notes to be played simultaneously.
The acoustic quality of the two instruments are, of course, different, but ...
19
votes
3answers
12k views
What is the Difference between Maple and Rosewood Fretboards
Is there a difference that's based on feel or sound - why are they the two most widely used choices?
4
votes
1answer
362 views
Where/When did the modern guitar originate?
I keep thinking of Greeks playing Lyres - there had to be a point where someone added strings and the modern shape...
5
votes
2answers
553 views
Is a guitar body made out of mahogany generally lighter than a body made out of alder ?
I know that each piece of wood is different and two similar pieces of a same essence will have different weight.
But in general, for the same body shape and size which wood essence will tend to give ...
10
votes
3answers
663 views
What's the difference between the “smooth” strings and the “rough” strings?
On my acoustic, the first 4 strings are "rough" - that is they are covered in a type of metal corkscrew. The last 2 strings though are completely smooth, and don't have a corkscrew finish.
Why are ...
11
votes
2answers
1k views
How do Pre War Martin Guitars Differ From Modern Ones?
Pre-war Martin guitars are revered because of their sound. What differences are there between the construction of pre-war Martin guitars, and Martin guitars made now.
And are there any companies ...
