Questions tagged [instruments]
For questions about generalities about instruments or groups of instruments.
10
votes
2answers
147 views
How does the use of silver influence the quality of a flute?
Flutes are made from a variety of materials. Student flutes are normally made from silver-plated nickel, while better quality flutes (sometimes the body and the head and sometimes only the head) are ...
2
votes
1answer
16 views
Self-built reeds for Blues Harp
A reed of my C blues harp went broken and I don't have the opportunity to replace the harp or the reed board until I need it.
As a improvised solution, I thought of cutting a reed-shaped piece out of ...
0
votes
0answers
26 views
In FL Studio, I can hear the guitar both before AND after processing
I have my guitar cord plugged directly into my sound card. I've seen the tutorials and gotten FL Studio to "hear" my input, but when I add, let say, Chorus to the sound, I can hear the processed, ...
4
votes
2answers
560 views
What instrument is an “alto” string part in a score?
In the music score below, the bottom five parts seem to be string parts. We think the first two are violins, the last is string bass, and the second-last is cello. But what is the third-last? Is it a ...
0
votes
2answers
52 views
What instrument/synth or effect is this? [closed]
What instrument or effect is the helicopter like sound? it is playing during the whole song, but is the only thing playing after everything else stops (9 seconds).
I'...
5
votes
1answer
58 views
What's this instrument shown in 1-Nenokkadine?
In 1: Nenokkadine, there is a musical instrument shown prominently. Here is a snapshot of that instrument.
Link to that movie
This device plays some sort of piano ...
0
votes
1answer
73 views
After Apple nerfed GarageBand (10.3.2), how do you add or import other instrument libraries?
I noticed that GarageBand appears to have lost the ability to import other instruments or libraries. Is there a way to import third party instruments into GarageBand in 10.3? Along those lines, ...
20
votes
5answers
2k views
Why do lower pitched string instruments have a larger body?
I know that increasing the length of the string will decrease the pitch, but that doesn't explain why the body of a cello is larger than a violin, only longer.
What would be the "problem" with ...
2
votes
4answers
205 views
Can I produce music with code and without instruments?
I'm so curious about music, and I also tried to learn to play some instruments, but due to some personal reasons I can't continue with it. Now I'm a software developer, which is my passion, but my ...
0
votes
0answers
27 views
How do I keep my spit out of my harmonica? [duplicate]
I've been fooling with my new set of harmonicas, but I'm having trouble with them because they are filling up with spit. What can I do to prevent this problem?
0
votes
1answer
45 views
Find the proper sound / instrument for background (layer)?
I'm currently trying to compose some dungeon synth song. I like them and most of the time they use (very) simple melodies, so I thought this would be a perfect way to practice and develop my skills.
...
2
votes
1answer
42 views
What is this rattle-like instrument seen from an Indian music festival?
I am wondering what instrument is this? It produces a sound like sands, and the performer seems to rotate the upper part of it to make sounds.
I also find it on an Indian music instrument ...
7
votes
4answers
894 views
How is speed change notated
This is a very beginner question as I am a complete beginner. How is change in speed during a song notated in standard notation? Is it done by changing the time signature for each measure that has a ...
2
votes
1answer
82 views
Realistic jazzy sound with VST
I've been quite impressed with the orchestral sound of Nina Simone's "I put a spell on you". The part which interested me can be heard at first 17 seconds. So is it possible to simulate such warm and ...
7
votes
1answer
118 views
Why can a vuvuzela only play one pitch, while a non-valved bugle can play many?
According to our collective nightmares from the 2010 World Cup Wikipedia, the vuvuzela is a monotone instrument; it famously plays (roughly) the B♭ below middle C.
Why is the vuvuzela restricted to ...
2
votes
3answers
132 views
Mnemonic or memory aid for Xylophone, Glockenspiel, Marimba, and Vibraphone
I am a choral director who has been transplanted to concert band. I know the differences between the percussion keyboards in theory, but in practice I still need to do an internet search to remember ...
1
vote
0answers
72 views
How much louder than an upright is a small grand piano?
I now have a kawai upright (height 135cm) and I'd like to upgrade to a small grand piano (around 170 cm I think). I'm wondering how much louder it will be. I don't really need a louder piano, my ...
3
votes
1answer
35 views
Tubulum Construction: How does including elbows affect the pitch?
I am considering building a tubulum out of 2" PVC pipes. (Like Blue Man Group) There are some specs on the internet for making the notes, but no one really says when inserting an elbow into the length,...
1
vote
1answer
39 views
Identify a drum in a song [closed]
I need help identifying a drum in YelaWolf's 'Till It's Gone'.
Can anyone help me? It's the cracking whip drum in that track, you'll hear it quite often
here is a URL
4
votes
1answer
43 views
Harmonica for pop music chords
Are there harmonica types out there that play the chords most frequently used in pop music—the 1, 4, 5 and 6 minor, or in the key if C, they chords of C, F, G and Am?
A standard blues harp harmonica ...
0
votes
3answers
95 views
Keyboard sounds which begin before the audible beat: are they playable?
I often hear sounds and think "boy, would that be a cool sound for playing a tune on a keyboard." But, often the sounds begin substantially before where the understood "downbeat" would be.
An example ...
1
vote
1answer
59 views
Designing the home audio setup with musical instruments in mind
I'm trying to plan my new living room from the audio point of view and because it's a small living room, I'm trying to figure out if it's possible to use my musical instruments for jamming with ...
6
votes
3answers
414 views
Xaphoon: Which key, C or Bb?
I have been thinking about buying a xaphoon for a while. I have no experience with wind instruments of any kind (well, I can play the sweetflute) so I don't know whether to pick the C key or the Bb ...
4
votes
3answers
241 views
What instrument is used to create this kind of music?
Today I came across a song and (esp the beginning) it left me in an euphoric state.
Here is the song:
What instrument is used to create this kind of angelic sounds? ...
0
votes
1answer
111 views
What is the name of this type of bell?
I'm looking for some keywords I can search for samples similar to the bells in the background of link 1, and also 1:03 of link 2. I bought FLStudio Producer Edition which comes with Sytrus, but none ...
8
votes
2answers
165 views
What is this Antique Brass Instrument on display at the Musical Instrument Museum in Brussels, Belgium?
Does anyone know what type of instrument this is? It looks like some type of Euphonium, but obviously very different.
2
votes
3answers
142 views
Portable non-electronic keyboard instrument that is not an accordion? [closed]
Do you know of any rare musical instrument that is
Portable enough to carry around all day.
Keyboard or similar, so that some of my piano skills do transfer.
Not completely electronic(not a ...
3
votes
0answers
41 views
Did the rain stick originate independently in multiple continents?
There is a traditional rain stick (percussion instrument) in African, Latin America, and I believe in Australia as well. Was it invented separately, or did one culture influence another?
Here is a ...
6
votes
3answers
250 views
GuitarPro: Change to Eb, but keep notation in E
I just downloaded GuitarPro 7.5. I used to use GuitarPro quite a bit, but it's been a while.
I like to tune down and play in Eb. I want to change a song to sound 1/2 step lower, but want to keep ...
1
vote
1answer
40 views
When to use sub-brackets for similar instruments within a section?
In some scores, especially printed sheet music, “like” instruments in larger sections will be grouped together with sub-brackets, such as piccolos with flutes, oboes with English horns, clarinets and ...
8
votes
4answers
2k views
Loudness of A Contrabass
I was watching a play called The Contrabass and the actor stated that "the contrabass is different from other instruments in that, it is heard better as one moves further from it" (please note that ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Is Learning Guitar and Ukulele side by side a good idea?
I'm trying to decide whether it's a good idea to learn playing the guitar while I am also learning the ukulele.
I've been playing ukulele since about six months and I'm making really good progress. ...
0
votes
1answer
102 views
How do East Asian instruments (Shamisen, pipa, etc.) get their unique sound?
Is it because of the tuning of the strings, what the strings are made of, or the shape of it? Or something completely else? Would it be possible to replicate the sound with a regular guitar?
0
votes
2answers
64 views
How do I turn a regular instrument into electric (with aux port, etc)
Once I get a waterphone I was wondering if I would be able to get a kit or something that would let me plug it into my PC to record it. Would this be feasible for someone who has no experience with ...
3
votes
2answers
255 views
Are bass clarinet and tenor sax notations played an octave lower? [duplicate]
I am totally blind, and I read music Braille. I also use a MIDI keyboard to make musical tracks using a sequencer.
Recently, I had a piece, October by Eric Whitacre, transcribed into Braille music.
...
30
votes
10answers
8k views
Why don't “classical” stringed instruments mark their note positions?
So, I understand why classical strings (violins, cellos etc.) aren't fretted, because of the change this makes in the tone. I've often wondered though, why the note positions aren't marked on the neck ...
1
vote
5answers
490 views
Between a guitar and a ukulele what should one consider when choosing a new instrument to learn?
I really want to learn to play a musical instrument. Ever since my "keyboard" lessons as a kid 3 decades ago - I have been put off.
I learned songs on keyboard by "rote" i.e., the instructor ...
14
votes
6answers
4k views
Why do music directors use keyboard (or similar) instruments for composing music?
I have seen that most of the film music directors use keyed music instruments for composing music. I hardly saw directors use other instruments like strings or wind instruments for the same. What ...
3
votes
2answers
102 views
How young could a child start learning an instrument?
I play the guitar and have always tried to include my son in the fun when I play. He's 9 months old and seems to always like listening to it so far. Recently he has become very curious about the ...
5
votes
3answers
649 views
Can I play an English horn part with a viola?
I want to perform music in class for a Shakespeare play. Can I play an English horn part with a viola?
2
votes
0answers
37 views
Computer-controlled portable reed organ?
The "Melauton" is an automatic, computer-controlled reed organ built from a melodica. Is there any record of similar instruments being built? It looks like a very interesting project.
17
votes
3answers
3k views
Are musical floppy drives tone wheel instruments?
So I'm doing a project involving classifying electrophones according to MIMO's Hornbostel-Sachs system (see here) and I'm looking at musical floppy disk drives specifically (see here).
The drives ...
1
vote
3answers
570 views
Is it possible to play Novation Launchkey Midi controller without computer
I am planning to buy Novation Launchkey midi controller. But I am wondering if I can play this keyboard just like other ordinary keyboard by just connected to power ? Is it mandatory that it to be ...
6
votes
1answer
161 views
How did the harmonium and violin become an integral part of Hindustani music?
The Harmonium hails from Germany and it is not an Indian instrument. Also, it is a equal tempered instrument. But the harmonium is a very common accompanying instrument in Hidustani Classical and ...
35
votes
9answers
10k views
Can wind instruments be played out of tune?
I believed that the trombone stands almost alone among wind instruments, in that it allows to play a continuous pitch range. The rest have a discrete set of possible notes (pitches), hence things are ...
2
votes
2answers
142 views
What is the name of the technique where the pitch of the instrumental or vocal line slides smoothly between notes?
Okay, I have been trying to find the word for this vocal trick/note trick for so freaking long. I don't even know if there's a word for it but it's in so many songs spanning the history of recorded ...
1
vote
1answer
187 views
What's the name of the instrument that is blown into, that has a lid that lifts up?
In cartoons, especially in processions, there's an instrument that I think is reminiscent of a tuba. When blown into, the lid lifts off.
What's this instrument called?
2
votes
2answers
119 views
What is the length of water and the length of air in a glass needed to produce different pitches in a glass harp?
I want to create in my house a simple glass harp using household glasses. (It will not be used for performance on stage in front of people, it will be used for my own entertainment). I want to know ...
1
vote
1answer
707 views
Loudness of instruments - musician's viewpoint [closed]
I have been wondering how loud seem instruments to musicians that play them. Let's say that you put an instrument in a room with average acoustics and measure loudness that musician hears and loudness ...
5
votes
2answers
613 views
Musical that requires changing the keyboard MIDI sounds quickly [closed]
Within the score for our school production the keyboard part has to change voice every other page and there isn't time to change the voice manually.
Rather than having 6 different keyboards in the ...
