Questions about an instrument itself, rather than how to play it.
2
votes
3answers
56 views
Ambidextrous instruments
Looking at a recent question, my thoughts turned to instruments which can be played left- or right-handed, without alteration. Given that approx. 85% of us are right-handed, it's hardly surprising ...
2
votes
3answers
95 views
Piano Maintenance
What should be done to maintain an upright piano?
I am not asking about tuning it, but what can be done so it does not have to be tuned as often?
I heard someone once say about a particular piano ...
0
votes
2answers
31 views
Game Digital music instrumentation? [closed]
I want to know what/how many different type of instruments used in composing modern game music?
Example:
https://soundcloud.com/woong-ki-jeon/secret-wish-pangya-soundtrack
0
votes
0answers
33 views
Where to download music covers for songs (without lyrics)? [duplicate]
I don't know if the title of my question is correct, feel free to edit it.
This video: a guy plays if tomorrow never comes on harmonica, while a musical cover for the song is playing in the ...
-1
votes
1answer
80 views
What guitar company makes this Guitar? [closed]
Can't really read the name. Any ideas? I put the picture up on my blog http://averablog.blogspot.com/
And i mean the logo on the point of the guitar not the watermark in the background.
Thanks
...
2
votes
2answers
69 views
Instrument Register tone and quality chart
I have been looking for some time now, for a chart of all the different register tone qualities of all the instruments played in an orchestra. If you have a hard time understanding what I mean by ...
-4
votes
0answers
40 views
Which instrument is more suitable for playing a romantic song? [closed]
I would like to know which instrument is more suitable for playing a romantic or melody song. I mean for a solo melody..
For example : Trumpet, Piano, Violin, Guitar(different types), Flute etc.
3
votes
3answers
211 views
Difference between Baritone and Euphonium
What is the difference between a baritone and a euphonium, and how can you tell? My band director sometimes uses them interchangeably, but I am pretty sure that is not correct. All I know is that this ...
7
votes
3answers
208 views
Is a violin's shape (particularly the f-holes) necessary or is it just for aesthetics?
Violins have a rather beautiful design.
... is such design necessary? Is a violin's natural sound only achieved when it has this specific shape?
I have a particular interest in the f-holes. Are they ...
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 ...
4
votes
3answers
110 views
Getting my Daughter Started in Music
My daughter is currently 3, she has a very keen interest in music. She sings a lot and "composes" her own little "songs" to her own tunes. She has apparently has a keen ear for music, she inserts her ...
5
votes
3answers
221 views
Saxophone sometimes out of tune by nearly a fourth
Our band's saxophonist has a bizzare intermittent fault with his soprano sax (so normally uses his tenor or alto sax).
Sometimes it's fine and sings beautifully, but other times it'll be out of tune ...
1
vote
2answers
50 views
creating a simple instrument tuned to a specific frequency
I would like to create a very simple percussion instrument that would match the resonant frequency of an echo-y cave I occasionally visit. Currently I am thinking of using a metal bar, but I don't ...
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
9answers
397 views
What instrument can an old guy learn if the main goal is to write music
At this old age I began, two years ago learning to write music. I write it using Sibelius and let the computer play it for me.
I have been strongly recommended to learn to play an instrument. I have ...
5
votes
3answers
122 views
English Horn Etymology
Why is the English Horn called a horn when it is a woodwind instrument, basically a lower oboe?
When compared to other horns, such as the French Horn and the Flugelhorn, it seems to be a misnomer.
9
votes
6answers
294 views
What kind of effect does practicing on difficult to play instruments have?
To clarify the title, I'm not asking if it helps your mandolin skills to play violin (or vice versa, whichever you feel is "more difficult").
Let's say you are a guitarist: Does it help or hurt to ...
5
votes
4answers
218 views
Why do F#6 and higher notes ring more than F6 and lower notes?
I learned Overworld Theme 2 from Super Mario Bros. 3 a few years ago, which features the nice bright high notes of A6, G6, and F6:
I noticed on my 80 year old upright piano that the A and G rang ...
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
...
3
votes
1answer
103 views
Whose idea was it to put three pedals on a piano?
Who ever decided to put foot pedals on a piano? Do we know who did it, or do we only know the general period that this happened? I would like to know who did this and when did it happen?
2
votes
4answers
80 views
Are there limits for the possible pieces for different violins?
I don't know anything about violins. No, actually, I don't know anything about music, so this is rather basic:
Despite it looking terribly hard, I decided to learn to play the violin nonetheless. I ...
2
votes
3answers
878 views
Starting piano - which instrument to choose?
I've been playing guitar for a couple of years now, and I want to try my hand at piano - so to speak.
I'm a little stumped as to what the best instrument for me to choose is, as I've been looking at ...
5
votes
2answers
468 views
Adjusting clarinet or saxophone reeds
How do various techniques and equipments for adjusting reeds compare? e.g.
...
1
vote
2answers
199 views
Why do trumpet valves shift down and not up?
I understand how trumpets work - valves open to force the air through crooks, which lengthens the pathway the air must travel, thus decreasing the resonant frequency.
The question is, why are ...
-1
votes
1answer
35 views
What instruments should I play now? [closed]
I plan to know at least over 5 instruments at some point, I already play Guitar.
What I'm looking for:
Something somewhat uncommon/unusual
More ability to be usable in heavier styles such as rock
...
-2
votes
1answer
57 views
Gary Moore - As the years go passing by [closed]
What are the instruments in this song interpreted by Gary Moore?
I wondered because I cannot recognize what is the brass instrument. I looked but couldn't even find the credits of the song so I ask ...
1
vote
1answer
129 views
Learning another instrument?
I have been taking piano for about 6 years, euphonium for 4, and trombone for 1. I tried saxophone but it didn't work out. I am looking to expand my ability in brass instruments instead.
Does anyone ...
3
votes
1answer
150 views
What kind of bandoneon or concertina is appropriate for playing tango music?
I really love the sound of tango and I'd like to buy a bandoneon.
With the relationship but seeming distinct existence from the Concertina, I don't know how to identify which kind of ...
7
votes
2answers
138 views
Could B♭ instruments be built in C? Why are they in B♭ in the first place?
Why did the clarinet and trumpet get made to 'be' in B♭? Could they have been made to produce concert pitch C?
This would make a composer's life so much easier when physically writing scores. ...
4
votes
1answer
593 views
What are the touch-pad things that the guitarist and bassist of Muse use?
In concert video footage of Muse, I've seen both the guitarist and bassist use touch-pad devices integrated with their instruments.
What are these devices, and what are they designed to do?
2
votes
5answers
285 views
Silent, extremely portable instrument to learn music
I am currently off work for more or less a month, so I decided it could be a great time to learn an instrument and how to compose some simple tunes.
I am 29, never played anything meaningful in my ...
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 ...
4
votes
1answer
163 views
Jazz mouthpiece for flugelhorn?
What are some good options for a jazz flugelhorn mouthpiece? I have the Yamaha Bobby Shew and a nice 3C equivalent (for wind ensemble playing), but I want something that will help my range a bit.
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 ...
4
votes
2answers
834 views
Do weighted keys on a keyboard lead to more expressive playing?
I use an acoustic piano to learn/play classical music. I use a midi keyboard to record/produce own music. My piano has weighted keys while my midi keyboard has a very light touch. I find that I am ...
6
votes
2answers
121 views
Can I split guitar string gauges?
I want to know if I can split guitar string gauges, ie. using 12s on the bottom and 10s on the top, both for standard and drop tunings.
0
votes
1answer
72 views
How many drop tunings can I use with one set of strings?
I want to know how many drop tunings I can reasonably use with one set of strings.
Ex. can I go from E standard to drop C on 11s?
For a given size string, how many tunings will be useable, given that ...
2
votes
2answers
233 views
Switching from a short-scale bass to a 'normal' one - Tips please?
I've been playing bass in my bedroom for a while now. I have a pretty but pretty crappy 1970s Yamaha semi-acoustic (SA70, I think). I've been thinking of branching out into some new styles and ...
4
votes
1answer
968 views
What is a transposing instrument?
I've read this term many times. However, I'm not quite sure of what it exactly is. What is a transposing instrument? What would be an example of one?
1
vote
1answer
99 views
What is the “buzzing” instrument in this song from Eluveitie, “A Rose for Epona”? [closed]
In the opening of the song a few instruments can be heard. The opening one is (I think) a harp, followed by a fiddle. Together with the fiddle, a rather "buzzing" instrument is also present, but I ...
4
votes
1answer
71 views
How to remove a rusted mouthpiece?
I have an old WWI US Army-issue bugle with the mouthpiece rusted onto the body. what it the best way to get the mouthpiece off without hurting the rest of the instrument?
1
vote
1answer
104 views
Guidance in buying a tenor saxophone
I want to buy a tenor saxophone.
The thing is that I used to play a bit on a very old (& nasty) one and now I want to make an upgrade.
I was thinking of buying it from the thoman superstore ...
2
votes
0answers
280 views
What is the quality of the Ryoji Matsuoka M30 Classical Guitar
I am curious about Ryoji Matsuoka classical guitars, particularly the M30 model. Is this make intended for beginners, intermediate players, or professionals? Are there any known unique qualities or ...
0
votes
0answers
53 views
Help needed to indentify instrument used in song! [closed]
I love sound of flutes used in those songs (examples ofc):
first
second
First question. Are they Tibetian flutes, or I'm terribly wrong?Second, more important for me question. Is there a way that ...
2
votes
1answer
490 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 ...
7
votes
4answers
225 views
Acoustic pianos with weighted keys
I'm currently trying to build up my finger strength, and have found that the exercises I do are more effective if I am practising on a piano with a heavier touch, as the keys require more force to ...
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 ...
-3
votes
3answers
97 views
Which Music Instrument Have The Widest Variety of Sounds and Effects? [closed]
Can anyone let me know which instrument can be used for large number of music effects and different varieties of sounds produced.
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 ...
2
votes
2answers
200 views
What should I look for in a metal bass guitar?
I am playing bass in a humorous metal band. The idea is to make parody out of metal using as many cliches as possible (at the same time respecting the scene and having fun, of course). We have some ...
