Hi All,

Who classes temselves to be musicians on here? What do you play? What standard? have you ever performed live? Would you like to?

Regards

Joey

I play guitar, piano and bass to a very poor level.

You know me I think. I play guitar pretty well, tho I'm not classically trained. I have played live only a coupla times but really wanna get on more stages. I play basic piano and I play didgeridoo well (I'd say Im grade 5 didgeridoo).

I have aslo dabbled in the swanny whistle and the kazoo. :D

I play clarinet to Grade 5. I taught myself to play guitar when I was 14 and just play stuff for pleasure rather than anything classical. I'll give anything a go - I apparently have a musical "ear" ( I keep it in a box lol!!) have played soprano sax and drums and all sorts in my time lol but mainly just sing and play guitar nowadays..

Have been in bands and played live but nothing major in recent years.

:)

I played Violin to city orchestra but would love to play again!
I still play guitar but was classically trained and would love to play rock etc!
Play saxophone too to a pretty good standard but not confident enough to perform!
Been taking singing lessons for the past year or so and love it would love to perform but not sure I have the confidence for that either!!
I do have a good musical ear tho - even a slightly off key note gets to me!!!

Kirky plays the fiddle to a very high standard. ;)

I have clarinet grade8 and I sing - used to do a lot of gigs back in birmingham but havent found my niche up here yet...

I used to be a rapper until about a year ago - biggest gig was opening up for Mark B and Blade at a packed out Leadmill in 2001. :D

Originally posted by Saifa
I used to be a rapper until about a year ago - biggest gig was opening up for Mark B and Blade at a packed out Leadmill in 2001. :D

What happened about a year ago? You've got us curious now...

As for me, I'm a bassist and a bit of a whore with it, having been in quite a few different bands. :hihi:

Originally posted by Bully_Beef
What happened about a year ago? You've got us curious now...


Combination of getting nowhere, being continually dissapointed with the UK scene and increasing time demands from other areas (job mainly) meant I packed it in.

No big mystery, sorry!

Originally posted by Saifa
Combination of getting nowhere, being continually dissapointed with the UK scene and increasing time demands from other areas (job mainly) meant I packed it in.

No big mystery, sorry!

Ah, so no doubt you empathise with the man Blade in his almighty rants about the frustrations of being on the UK hip-hop scene.

No need to be sorry, I was imagining you'd had some sort of horrible accident, so I'm actually quite relieved...;)

didnt teach myself, but untill recently i played the cello and a little further back i played various brass instruments.. not very cool i know!

i did learn to play the piano and guitar by myself, but im not exactly brilliant at it! would love to play bass though, double bass can sound really good to imo.

Play bass guitar, to a very high but rather erratic standard as I'm entirely self-taught and barely read music.

I played in a band in London for a long, long time (15 years on & off). Very tempted to get something started up here too. I know I'm good :) because frequently after gigs I would get excited young blokes coming up to me and praising my bass playing and the fact that I have "my own style" (nobody else plays it quite like me).

Used to love gigging, though we rarely played to very large audiences. Best gig ever was probably the night of my Grandpa's funeral, after a day of mourning I dragged my sister, who was down from Liverpool, and my cousins, over from the USA, to a gig we already had lined up. A very emotional night, which is always the best state of mind for making good music.

I also played briefly in a covers band (Blues Brothers, Commitments, that kind of thing). Not my type of music at all, but we did get much bigger more party-oriented audiences, so it was a lot of fun in that respect. We also did our first gig at Sound Republic in Leicester Square (where they used to film The Chart Show) in front of 500 people, with two cameramen filming including doing a load of backstage filming throughout the day, which was later spliced together into a sort of "Spinal Tap" style documentary. Lots of fun!

You can hear some of my old band's stuff here (http://www.sumption.org/cathyray/).

And see my bass here (http://www.sumption.org/lifeless/images/BassGuitar.jpg).

And I would love love love to have a double bass too!

im buying a guitar on thursday and going to learn how to play :)

quite a few bassists on here, i used to play bass when i was in a band, for about 3 years, realy enjoyed being on road.

I play viola.... got quite good too....

I play guitar to what I would consider an average standard.

Taught myself with some advice from friends

Played about 10 gigs in about 18 months of active 'gigging' at the boardwalk and grapes.

Guitarist, vocalist, drummer and songwriter. Yup, that's me! How good am I? Well, I'm okay....,

Played guitar since 1983, recorded in various studios since 1985, including Axis Studios on Brown Street, bang beside Phil Oakey's place (1989).

Played drums since around 1986 and this was my main instrument between then and 1998. Drummed in a couple of groups, played live a lot around 1989/1990 and even did a gig at Rock Garden, Covent Garden, London in May 1993. Only half my kit came back from that gig so I took to playing guitar more and have improved a great deal since then.

In 1989 our group shot a video and recorded a single to promote Meadowhall Shopping Centre. The video was an utter joke, and I have been reliably informed the whole thing cost £14,000. I could have done better with a tenner!

Still do the occasional gig, mainly in The Bull's Head at Ranmoor where I host open-mic night every other month. Record my own songs at home and still write.

Nothing serious these days. I rely on the following equipment:

Takamine, Boss, Gibson, Epiphone, Peavey, Yamaha, Sure, Vox and Stella.

guitar

not great

cant do a solo for toffee

:D

I play piano, bit of guitar but sing and write mainly. Be it bands, solo, covers or originals. I do annoying ringtones and radio jingles and soundalike work as well as backing vox for various record companys.
Fully fledged media whore........that's me!:thumbsup:

I play piano but only lighlty ie. can read music and play tunes but never a very high standard. Grade 3 perhaps.

I play viola to Grade 5 standard but never took an exam as I thought it would stress me out too much and take the enjoyment away.

I love playing viola it's such a great instrument!

I've played in bannerdale orchestra for a while (can't remember how long) and many concerts as St Marks, Broomhill.

I've also played for the music group at my local church for a long time.

That's it really, tried guitar, never got the hang of it, tried harmonica and can play certain things by ear but don't know how the hell it works!

Apparently I have a good musical ear and music teachers have told me that I would make a great singer if I had lessons but I hate my singing voice, and can't control my breathing well at all! Singing lessons would simply embarass me!

I sing.....but no-one who hears me believes me! :shakes:

I have played guitar for - hang on - twenty-five years! I was going to learn bass, but was persuaded to learn guitar by my friend, Tom. I won't reveal the advice he gave me regarding this change as it may offend the bass players.

A year ago I couldn't read a note of music and knew very little about musical theory. I am still convinced it is entirely unnecessary to know anything about music (except the names of the notes and chords you are playing). The evidence shows again and again it is possible to be a legendary musician and/or songwriter without reading a note or knowing what a plagal cadence is.

About four years ago, I gave up my 'I want to stay pure' ethic (that's 'ethic' - relax, Mr James), and taught myself the basics of jazz guitar from a book. I can manage a 32-bar solo, but it is 90% bluff. Chord progressions and turnarounds are no problem, however. It's surprising how easy it becomes after the first three weeks and looks really cool (in the sense that, it sounds like you are shifting all over the place, yet your hands hardly move).

Inspired (and slightly amazed by) my ability to learn something new and 'difficult' in my middle years, I began tinkering with piano just over a year ago and started learning to read music. I passed my grade 1 exam a few weeks ago and will be taking grade 2 just before christmas. I am aiming for grade 5 before I am forty-five, at which point I can look myself in the eye and say, 'Sparky, you can play the piano'. I've been in and out of bands for years, but much prefer playing with friends these days.

My only regret is I did not learn piano twenty-five years ago; I love guitar - it's a great percussive instrument, but piano seems to make much more sense to me and is much easier to 'work out'.

Like most guitarists, I am an intuitive genius on a drum kit.

I can do one or two bluesy 'licks' on a harmonica.

I can knock out a few easy songs on the banjo/uke.

I once managed to do that 'bom, bom, bom, bom' marching thing on a trombone.

I always get to play sleigh bells at school christmas concerts.

I am grate at tambourine and cheese triangles.

I love girls bottoms....

I have been playing bass for 25 years, have a Grade 2 on the Violin which I dearly cherish, can play the guitar, piano (all self taught) and am trying to teach myself to play the saxophone.

I teach my church choir gospel music, I have decided to study music theory purely to get a deeper understanding, improve my sight reading all round.
I have played in a few bands in Sheffield, the main one was a Gospel /Soul band called Eliakim in the mid 80's early 90's.
We did everything Tv, Video, played everywhere from Edinburgh to Wembly with rave reviews as one of the best live acts. We had record companies interest but alas they would not sign us. GUTTED!!!!!
£500,00 possible contract on offer and then they just would not sign us. Hey ho. They still import alot of Gospel music rather than promote the Britsh scene. They are missing out on millions, literally miliions.
But that has not stopped me from doing what I love the most and that is playing every Sunday live in church and at meetings.

We have a meeting on at the bottom of Prince of Wales Road from 2-8 of August and all are welcome.
To all the forum musicians keep it real and LIVE!!!!
Maybe we should ALL arrange a get together and have an almighty JAM!!!!!

hi everyone ,

pretty new to this forum , i play and teach guitar . was just wondering if any of you folk play or know of any one who plays the following ,

Sax , Trumpet ( any brass really )
Harmonica
Drums ( percusion )
Backing singers ( a gospel choir would be nice)

My old band Highway child is reforming and looking for new musicans , we play 60's / 70's covers including the likes of Hendrix , Clapton , Booker t , Steve winwood - the aim is to try an build a big Blues Brothers style band . currently we have lead vox, , bass, guitar , drums , keys . We sound pretty cool and it's gonna a be a great band so if you would like more info send us an email .

went_craig@hotmail.com

cheers craig

p.s available for guitar lessons ( plug )

http://members.lycos.co.uk/wentcraig/

Hi, I am new in Sheffield. I play and teach piano. Would do accompaniment or play in a chamber music group, or some solo recital as well. Just classical!
I won some small competitions and have my postgraduate degrees in piano in Sydney Conservatorium and Weimar Music College (Musikhochschule)Germany.
I would like to know if someone is interested in learning piano, I can do some teaching at home or may as well consider travelling to students homes.
As I said I am totally new here and would appreciate it if anyone can help as I want to get back to my music life here after having my baby.
Cheeers to all

I play guitar, piano, flute and sing.

I got to grade 5 on piano, but rarely play these days so I'm poor now.

My guitar is not bad but nowhere near up to professional level. I'm getting an electric for my birthday (on Monday, don't forget folks!).

I got to grade 6 on flute, but rarely pick it up these days.

I sing bass in my local church choir.

I try to play the guitar, no good at it though, im working on it

Are you all registered with MusicTag? I just registered all my saxes and even got a discount!

Not only do you get a snazzy sticker for each case, but you also get an official registration certificate, a bit like a log book for a car, that proves you are the legitimate owner. The idea seems to be that whenever someone wants to buy a second-hand instrument, they should do a quick check on the musictag website to see whether the instrument is legit.

If the legit owner has lost it, or its been stolen, they mark up the instrument as stolen, so when you check the instrument serial number on the site, you know you're about to buy off some dodgy geeza!!!

I'd definitely recommend all UK players to tell all their musician mates about it, especially when they come to buy second-hand instruments!

Sounds like a good idea Manz, but £20 is a bit steep!

I've played guitar in bands of various standards since 1968. Started off with a few friends, then joined "The Atlantics" at 14 doing the locals clubs.

Been at it ever since really, currently playing in a Blues Bros tribute band.

Hi, I know what you mean I thought that at first but when I read it I realised that its a lifetime membership theres no annual fee its just a one off payment and you can use their services for along as you have that instrument. Compared to what it costs to insure every single year I think £20 is reasonable

If you have more than one instrument you get the discount which is what I got. I received a log book for each instrument and a snazzy sticker for each of my cases.

I think its the best money ive spent in a while. The more people who join the better as we can raise the awareness of the service and stop dodgy selling on of stolen instruments.

i play piano, drums and bass and have played in a lot of bands.....

if you would like to know which ones, click the link, but beware of the rude words! :)

http://sheffieldarchives.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

Going back to MusicTag www.musictag.co.uk Ive just been back and logged into my account and noticed that the registration cost has been lowered to £15 for the first instrument, £12 for the 2nd and then £8 for each one after that.

check it out

I used to be really quite good on viola (national and county youth orchestras, university orchestra) and have grade 8 viola, tuba and music theory, and played fiddle, mandolin and whistle in a ceilidh band (and in Fagan's, in return for free dinner sometimes) until I got ill and the surgery stopped my bowing arm working, so that was the end of my glittering music career.

im the co-lead guitarist in my band that will be starting up soon, got a lot of stuff recorded ready for rehearsing.

probably starting properly early next year, when im finished building my new guitar!!!

I have done grade 8 on the violin, and grade 6 piano.
I am looking into electric violin, so any bands looking for an electric violinist, or anyone knowing where I can buy cheap parts...

anyone play keyboard on this forum . me band is looking for a new keyboard player to complete it's line up . must be able to play blues style and improv the odd solo or two .

pm / email me if your interested . 18 + for giging reasons .

we play blues / soul covers .

cheers craig .

dont check this forum that much so please dont reply on this thread as i prob wont read it .

Originally posted by craig_w
hi everyone ,

pretty new to this forum , i play and teach guitar . was just wondering if any of you folk play or know of any one who plays the following ,

Sax , Trumpet ( any brass really )
Harmonica
Drums ( percusion )
Backing singers ( a gospel choir would be nice)

My old band Highway child is reforming and looking for new musicans , we play 60's / 70's covers including the likes of Hendrix , Clapton , Booker t , Steve winwood - the aim is to try an build a big Blues Brothers style band . currently we have lead vox, , bass, guitar , drums , keys . We sound pretty cool and it's gonna a be a great band so if you would like more info send us an email .

went_craig@hotmail.com

cheers craig

p.s available for guitar lessons ( plug )

http://members.lycos.co.uk/wentcraig/

I can kinda play drums. I was in a marching band for a few years, and played the kit on the side. Im not very good though. My skills lie in the technical side, mixing, and connecting up wires and stuff, as well as playing with disco lights, fog machiens etc! Let me know if you need someone in that area and ill see what i can do!?

I use to play keyboards (years ago). Im now learning to play the fiddle, maybe intermediate level or low intermediate..dunno really, Ive been playing just over a year but Ive picked it up real quick apparently, its def my instrument. I reckon it will take 2 more years before I can begin to let rip with it though.

Anyhow I would love to get together and play with other musicians (folk), I think Id learn a lot and it would be fun. Playing with other fiddle players would be fantastic..of all levels. So anyone interested or got ideas let us know (not up to playing in folk sessions yet)

I can play a few Guitar chords (unlike my girlfriend) who's a classically trained Guitarist at Grade 8 :thumbsup:

I am a singer / lyricist & usually write with just the melody in my head. However I've always been pretty reluctant to class myself as a "musician". My girlfriend keeps telling me I am, but I feel more comfortable with "songwriter, poet etc".

I'm planning to take piano lessons before the end of the year. Then, I may feel comfortable classing myself as a musician.

i am a grade 8 bassist currently studying music

well, the clue is in the name really...... (what, Shaun?)
(no, Sharpsinger, dink!)

I've been singing in various bands since 1990, started with rock covers, then did original stuff ( 2 til 10, sikorski), played the Leadmill, Boardwalk, a few gigs in Leeds and Manchester and did the university gigs here in Sheffield.
hung up my mic for 3 years at one point but really missed the buzz, and so when I got a chance to join the sharp cuts I jumped at it, and have been with them for four years now, we play mainly parties, weddings, corporate events etc, and we have been touring every year in Austria, switzerland and Italy.
biggest gigs we have played were a harley davidson festival in Innsbruck in front of about 2000 people, and then twice we played for cowes week on the isle of wight, playing in front of about 5000 people on the marina.
also written and recorded an album of original material with my friend Jim, we're called 'The Koenig'.
I'm often complimented on my voice and my talent as a frontman, but being of a generally self deprecating nature, I tend to blush and say aww shucks :D

Hello

I play the drum. I've never really thought of performing, I just love it. It's so good for you! It takes me off to a special place......

My hubbie makes them so I'm really lucky cus I get to play them all! If you're interested you can see some of his drums here:

http://www.theandreatouch.com/johns_handmade_drums.htm

I play flute and sax mainly, also play the whistle and I'm trying to learn violin for folky purposes (I'm still at the earplugs-needed stage!). I've just got a piano too :-)

I'm a bass player, my link is below :)

I play sax in the uni big band; I'm good enough to do below-average solos. I also play the piano to Grade VI level, which again is good but not great. I'd like to get the fabled eighth grade in something sometime in the next few years, we'll see how that pans out!

I used to play the piano, but as you can now get computer software to play better than any musician I use that instead.

This year I'm celebrating a quarter of a century of playing the guitar with more enthusiasm than ability

I hesitate to call myself a singer but I've done lots of, er, vocalising over the years.

I'm currently trying to develop my piano skills for my own ends.

I've been in lots of pop/punk/garage/cutiepop/electronica bands over the years and managed to avoid getting in any way famous or successful. My old band did record a session for John Peel's show though which was my only childhood ambition.

My new band, The Parallelograms are especially lovely 'cos I don't sing with them :)

I play sax in the uni big band; I'm good enough to do below-average solos. I also play the piano to Grade VI level, which again is good but not great. I'd like to get the fabled eighth grade in something sometime in the next few years, we'll see how that pans out!

Ah, how is the old Big Band? Fond memories... I never had the confidence to do any improv :)

Hi, I Play In The Rlpo Since 1981 And Its Often Very Hard Work, Tiring But Has Rewards When You Meet Star Musicians.

Been playing the bass for about 18 years. Not in a band.

Also just started to play the euphonium again after a break of 13 years.

Can also play the piano/keyboards and double bass.

Tinker with the didjeridoo and just bought a trombone which I'd like to start learning properly. Also compose my own music (orchestral type stuff) when I can get my PC to work.

Any brass tutors out there???

hi i play banjo /guitar mouth organ im purdy good on all three been playing years on guitar :rant:

Saxophone and Singing, well. Piano, Guitar, Recorder, badly.

Done a bit of busking, Jamming, and played in a couple of bands. One of which is HIGHWAY CHILD! I will promote them 'till the death.

I studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London and play Clarinet, Flute and piano.

I teach clarinet and am currently given lessons to a SF member who is doing great:)

I played the violin as a child... the last couple of years, I've been learning to play the piano, I started with one teacher, but she decided to go back to Ireland (was I really that bad???!!! :hihi: ) It took a while to find another teacher, but now the regular lessons and practice are starting to pay off..... :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

I played bassoon until I passed my music o level, then never touched it again (25+ years). There didn't seem much call for bassoonists so I put it in a cupboard and forgot about it until I read this.:(

I suppose I ought to try and sell it, to enable someone else to get the pleasure I had from playing it.

Hi, I am a musician and play drums (good). guitars (fair and keyboard(just a bout). I also help run Open Mic nights at Burton Street which we hold once a month in a large hall - next one is 18th Aug. We welcome musicians of all styles and instruments from trad folk to metal. If you want a venue to stut your stuff please come along. We are a friendly bunch and attract a wide variety of players - eg last weekends open mic we had sitting-in musicians as diverse as Chris Treebeard with his balilika and Ben Surteees from Little Man Tate doing some solo numbers.

Nice to see there's players of all sorts here - I was expecting three pages of guitarists.

I play bluegrass/melodic banjo, guitar, mandolin, cavaquinho, ukulele, berimbau and a few other little bits and bobs.

I play cornet in Hepworth Brass Band - ranked 12th in the world I'll have you know!

Might as well sign myself up here too.

I'm a guitarist of 11 years (i'm 24), selft taught. Can play lead/rythmn etc etc and got all my own gear.

Really into classic rock, blues.

Used to play in a blues/rock band in uni for a couple of years - great time and would love to get gigging again.

Oh, and i can play "Mr Frog is Full of Hops" on the Piano. - i'm just destined for fame!!

I have played music since the 70s when I played the recorder in infants, I played larger brass instruments at comprehensive school, then on leaving I played in Local brass bands for many years and also a local wind band called the Sheffield Youth Festival Band. I studied music at school and read music at that time to a very high standard.

During the 1980s and 1990s I played Mainly bass guitar in lots of bands based in sheffield and rotherham. From 1996 I owned and ran a mobile PA system and at that time I met hundreds of local musicians and became a well known face in the local live music scene. I gave this up after about 5 years because the hours were too long for me in addition to my day job.

Since then I have played rock organ/ electric piano/ rhythm piano in 2 bands, and developed my lead vocals talents too. I also became a Karaoke DJ, for a couple of years, which involved a lot of lead singing and gave me a big repertoir. I have recently left all my commitments and I am chewing over what I want to do next, possibly Bass or Hammond organ in a SCA band, while I write and record a few tracks to keep me interested at home.

One of the things I am very good at is helping self taught guitarists with the details of musical theory, which most of them have lots of questions about!. I understand much of both sides of music and am able to put the two sides together, being both a classically trained musician and also a "self taught" rock musician. With this in mind I am good at working out backing vocals and more interesing chords and arrangements.

One of the things I am very good at is helping self taught guitarists with the details of musical theory, which most of them have lots of questions about!. I understand much of both sides of music and am able to put the two sides together, being both a classically trained musician and also a "self taught" rock musician. With this in mind I am good at working out backing vocals and more interesing chords and arrangements.

i've failed on a few attempts to get my head around music theory, it kills me! I bought (apparantly) the best book on the subject, but it bored me silly and i really couldnt get thru it!.. wish i knew more (well more then nothing!) but it just doesnt seem to stick.. i've been in 3 bands and written loads of songs and such..but ask me to play a scale and i know 1, ask me what chord would be good to follow Cm... havent a clue!

dammit! should have learned when i was a nipper then it could have been beaten into me

It doesn't help if you only play guitar because it is a modal instrument, and guitar theory tends to be a very small part of what you would probably like to know.
If you have a musical keyboard to mess about with, it would make far more sense when working out the secrets of harmony and musical theory, because you can clearly see the notes in order across the piano keys. And it makes more sense what the difference between key signatures, related keys and other things.
You don't even need to bother with learning to read musical notation.

It doesn't help if you only play guitar because it is a modal instrument, and guitar theory tends to be a very small part of what you would probably like to know.
If you have a musical keyboard to mess about with, it would make far more sense when working out the secrets of harmony and musical theory, because you can clearly see the notes in order across the piano keys. And it makes more sense what the difference between key signatures, related keys and other things.
You don't even need to bother with learning to read musical notation.

I did buy a keyboard with this in mind (also to learn a few basic chords to maybe write songs) but i bought a right stinker... ok it was bout £30 so what do i expect haha.. ah well... i get by :cool:

You get the Idea MT,
the thing is that many guitar chords are impossible on a piano keyboard as the string spacings on a guitar can lead to two seperate voicings of the same pitch. And a chord which uses all six strings is often impossible to stretch on the piano.

The wonderful thing which the average guitar based songwriter finds out when he starts to dabble with chords on a keyboard is the power of the bass chord. The ability to voice an octave chord on your left hand against a normal chord on your right hand is good, but when you realise that you are not restricted to the route note, you learn that you can make normal chords far more expressive and interesting.
To get the same effects on a six string guitar is very hard and usually the best way is to retune the lowest E string.

Have a look at some stevie wonder chords in some of his old classics, he does it better than anybody.

I play the gutiar at grade 4 :-) i can play stuff like wonder wall and i've played in front of 200 people (225 to be exact)

=)

p.s this is giddygoats son and im 12 lol

I play...Acoustic guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboard, Piano, Flute and I also sing...

The only ones I am trained with properley are Piano, Keyboard and Singing
and i have sung live infront of people loads
although my music reading skills are pathetic lol, i learn from hearing things and playing them back

i play flute, piccolo and saxophone at grade 8 level. I have performed live many times but not for a while

Hello musical people! Another flute & piccolo player here, did a diploma at college after school, played in lots of youth/ amateur/ semi-professional orchestras etc but then moved on to other things and not done much for a few years... stumbled across this thread whilst searching for amateur orchestras/ groups as I was thinking of getting into playing again. I also play the piano to the sort of passable standard you have to when you do music at college and need to play a "second instrument", and can sing reasonably.

I had piano lessons as a kid, my father was a pro musician who played and taught piano/ organ. I started with drums in my early teens( early 60's) and played semi-pro until the late 80's.Now play around with Korg workstation for my own amusement. I believe more kids would learn if music teachers had the first clue how to teach. My father taught privately and his pupils did really well. His secret was to teach them to play a simple pop song within the first few lessons, the kids then were hooked and wanted to learn more.Trouble with music teachers in my experience, is that you are expected to develop an interest in the classics too early. After all you wouldn't start hammering kids with classical literature as soon as they could read a few words. Kids will get hooked on reading with KIDS books and may go on to heavier reading later. All kids like pop music and most of it is technically quite simple. If music teachers taught kids to play pop music,this thread would be bursting with muso's, and the classical musicians would develop from there, if they were so inclined. Phew! sorry about that, its just one of my 'hobby horses'

I play guitar (for the last 23 years or so), took a swathe of exams a few years back & finally got through to grade 8 - currently studying theory & what-not for a diploma some time in the next couple of years.

I sing a bit too (well, when no-one's listening anyway), and write 'stuff' when the fancy takes me (go to www.myspace.com/thenunsofalemibim if you're interested).

It doesn't help if you only play guitar because it is a modal instrument

You're right about music theory being easier on the piano but this has to do more with the guitar having several places to play one note, whereas on the keyboard they're all lined up in a row. It's one of the perennial problems of trying to learn to read music when you play the guitar - you not only have to read it, you have to also decide whereabouts on the fretboard you're going to play it. Piano players face technical difficulties for sure, but deciding where to play middle-C isn't one of them.

Anyway, the guitar isn't any more or less modal than any other instrument and you can play both modal and non-modal music on it.

Modality per se is a bit of a slippery beast to define because the word has changed its meaning over time, but on the whole it consists of a lack of a definite key centre (unlike tonal music) and the use of "White Note" scales (some of which are identical to the major and minor scales used in tonal music), like the Locrian & Lydian. </tedious bore>

Hi. I’ve been playing guitar for 35 years on and off. Had brief go at recorder at infant school, and then went back to guitar for a couple of years. Played harmonica for a few years after that, then played trumpet for four years until not being able to practice properly (my neighbours hated me!!!) got to me and I went back to guitar. At least you could practice quietly!! Was one of those people that thought you didn’t need lessons for a long while until I heard some music I couldn’t even begin to work out on my own. Wandering around one of the guitar shows in London I heard someone playing some of this impossible stuff. I followed the noise and found Phil Hilborne demo’ing guitars. Had 8 lessons from him which saved me:
A : from giving up altogether.
B : about 5 years of struggle if I had continued playing on my own.
Played nothing but guitar and occasionally bass since then really. Been teaching for about 20 years since then. Been in a few bands, biggest one was The Faith Band, now called soulsec ( www.soulsec.com ). Played rhythm and BV’s for my niece Caroline Alexander (www.carolinealexander.co.uk ) I’m currently in Seventh Son and The Kray’s and am quite enjoying being in Sheffield .Thinking of learning to read music at last, did read when I played trumpet, but only to grade 4.

Hi everyone,

Really interesting hearing about all the bassists posting on this forum! My band, The Spires have just parted with our bassist, who has been gigging and writing with us over the past 2 years, due to him having a kid. We are now on the search for a talented, commited bass player to join us. This will consist of learning the current set of ~ 14 songs, practicing regularly and of course, gigging, writing and recording. We are working with a management company who we will soon be signing an agreement with and we will be starting to increase gigging outside of sheffield as well as in the city. If anyone wants to listen to our stuff, you can find us at:

www . myspace . com / thespiresmusic

And if anyone is interested in the position, please contact me at:

thespires @ hotmail . co . uk

Thanks guys, hope to hear from you soon,

Ewan
The Spires

i'm a singer and since recording an album in london's Motion studio, i've been real busy with radio apearances, etc i'm now putting a band together in Doncaster rehearsing every thursday. my myspace has had 13,000 hits in 6 months! and now i'm looking for a lead guitarist and a bass player to join my band. i have a drummer and an acoustic/rhythm guitarist, so if any one knows of one, give me a call on 07852155376 or email me at cherylaster@hotmail.co.uk my myspace page is myspace.com/cherylaster

TRUMPET! well... technically the cornet to grade 6... cos I was rubbish at transposition... but I like to say trumpet :) i got trumpet to grade 5 anyway...

I found music theory awful. I could do cadences but that's about it. I managed to pass by about a 10th of a mark tho. Never again!

I play keyboards/piano to Grade 5 standard but i have 2 distinctions and 2 merits.
I was taught at Sheffield uni when i was 7 ( out of hours) by Danielle Salamon in the late 70s'/80's who was a concert pianist and played in competitions where i have come 2nd.
I have only just started playing again after a 20 year break and started writing my own stuff.Various people have said its good and i should write lyrics and start a band,but that wont be until i move back to Sheffield next Winter.Will be on " You Tube " in the next couple of weeks to promote it.

one banjo player here

Hi

I have been singing for 30 years (give or take) trained by my mother who was a member of the Sydney Opera. Oh the hours of singing and having my hands slapped with a ruler!!!! From there I went into theatric singing!!! (from about 7 - 14) but thankfully I found rock music just in time and started my first band "Billy and the Boll***s" I have been singing semi pro since 1990 in various bands. I have toured Europe, had radio play accross the world and even made Xmas number 1 in Latvia!!!! I have been the Lead singer with Melodic rock band Tara's Secret for 4 years. We are now writing for our 3rd album after a year break. I love singing, I wouldnt have it any other way. When people ask if I play a musical instrument I always answer yes!! I play my voice!!! It's free, I don't need to plug it in, I can play it anywhere and I am always learning!!! If you are interested in seeing Tara's Secret play or hearing new tracks log onto www.taras-secret.com Or come down to the Moorfoot Tavern this Saturday (June 28th) where we will be playing a full 2 hour set (no Bingo Breaks!!) Free door. Band starts 9pm.

Classically trained Violinist. Trained at music college. Teaching the Violin now full time, young and old, beginners or advanced and loving it!!

I also play the drum kit, and recently bought a bass guitar so i am wanting to learn that too.

i can play the bass like brother mitch

Here goes... guitar, mandolin, ukulele, piano, melodica, xylophone, drums. Oh yeah and I'm **** at all of them.

Hi All,

Who classes temselves to be musicians on here? What do you play? What standard? have you ever performed live? Would you like to?

Regards

Joey

I do.

I'm mostly a bassist but i played guitar as a teenager and piano when I was a kid...until guitar became more interesting!

I can also dabble in harmonica and digeridoo...for about 30 seconds anyway!

Bass: experienced
Guitar/keyboard: relatively competant

I've done loads of gigs, 3 of them at the Concourse suite at the Birmingham N.E.C. as part of the National Rock & Pop festival with my college band...(studied music at college/uni so yeah, I like to think I know my stuff!)

I love doing gigs! (not doing enough gigs at the moment...)

Bassist, rhythm guitarist (i.e. can't do solos), composer/midi programmer. Currently playing bass in Izzie Voodoo's live band (check her out on Facebook, MySpace and her own site: izzievoodoo.com)

I'm not particularly good at playing, never have been, but I'm getting there. Last gig was at Pink festival in Cambridge and we had a blast - we were on too early, so not much of an audience, but we went down pretty well; they liked us, they danced, they applauded, they danced some more, etc.

I also write and produce my own songs as Canard; check out the links at the bottom.

I've been a dabbler in music for a few years. Played trumpet when still in school...had a go at guitar but never stuck at it. The only thing thats really stuck has been the singing. Love to sing - would be nice to have a band to sing with but got two kids now (one only 4 weeks old) so I'm not sure there'd be any takers lol!

I like to keep an eye on this forum just in case anything pops up. Impressed with the amount of musicians in Sheffield though.

hi there i play a alto sax (self tought) although i neva had a opertunity to be able to be graded lol i also play a bit of piano again i havent got a grade lol

geetar for me

I am 21 years old and have done all this, i started playing the snare drum in a sheffield marching band called concord drum and bugle corps from 2001 til 2003, with this band we won (Drum Corps United Kingdom) cadet class 2001 and junior class 2003 www.concord.org.uk

After all this i decided to up my game and become a member of a higher standard drum corps called forgemen the other side of sheffield 2004 til 2005 where we broke a world record in a tesco's superstore for drumming 126 hours non-stop!!!!

Since then i taught myself the drum kit and threw myself into the deepend by joining a indie tribute band called "The Killing Times", we are still gigging around the country at places such as Oxford University and also Manchester University and so on...

While at the same time doing northern star marching band based in leeds we won (british youth band championships) "BYBA" and coming second on percussion in (Drum Corps Europe) "DCE".

My present project is with a local band " Fearless Linda ". we write our own music and we all met at rotherham college of arts and technology where i studied the national diploma for music and technology.
www.myspace.com/fearlesslinda21

I also sing and play the bass guitar as a hobby..... so i would class myself as some sorta musician lol.
even though ive never actually took any instrument grades!!! :-)

dan87_fofe@hotmail.co.uk

Hello. I'm Jingely and I'm 18 this year.

I am a song composer and I play the guitar, piano and flute.

I have tried the drums and violins, but my interest does not thoroughly fall on those two instruments.

I used to be in my School's orchestra as a flautist.

My main two intruments are guitar and piano. I currently don't have a piano with me in Sheffield, so I use my guitar for my song writing.

I have a passion for music, I started playing the piano when I was 6 or 7.

I write my own songs and I am currently practising on my singing as I know I have room for improvement, in order to do well with my songs.

I have posted up a few videos of my own songs and you can check it here.

I'd love to meet people that, although may be straightforward, but tell me straight to the point where my flaws are and whether my songs should have a broader touch to it, etc.

And I'd love to meet people that are interested in what ever genres of music.

Yours Truly,

Jingely.

www.youtube.com/user/jingely

I play viola grd 8 and drums. The best combination there is =)
Is anyone interested in forming an electric quartet? xD

I'm serious.

Just discovered this thread - wot a lot of musicians!

My main instrument is cello - I studied it at Trinity College of Music, London. I also used to play classical piano, but haven't for years. Just jazz and blues these days. The blues runs deep, in my opinion. I teach both instruments privately.

I also sing, and front a jazz/swing band called Seven Shades of Blue. We're gigging at the Cremorne at 9 on 1st March, so come and see!

Talking of singing, I'm starting a singer's workshop on 20th April, at The Thackery Room, Walkley Parish Hall, 1:00 - 2:45. PM me for more details, or email: message4jon@gmail.com, or phone: 07854 566 495.

I'm a self taught jazz flautist. In other words, I've sussed most of the scales, but my embouchure leaves a lot to be desired . . .

Jonathan

Im in a band playing bass guitar
i can play guitar but only at a basic/intermdediate level but i can hold my own as a rythem guitarist lol
i have lpayed live for 3 years now as a bass player but im not classically trained i just taught myself and same for guitar

im buying a guitar on thursday and going to learn how to play :)

First of all try learning basic chords such as D, A, and E. You can go a long way with these.

Keith

I play classical piano to grade 8, i have a grade 5 singing certificate (ABRSM), i have my grade 5 theory, i did my grade 5 pedal harp and grade 8 on the lever harp. i enjoy teaching music and also singing with sheffield philharmonic chorus at the moment.

violin grade 6 here , been a while since i took lessons , been playing it for 14 years now.

i'm actually looking for a strings band to jam and play music.

I play guitar and the electric triangle.

I want to learn bagpipes, although I imagine bagpipers eventually get bored playing in the same key over and over again.

I have a guitar lessons site *shameless plug coming up* - fretjam.com

Take a look.

First of all try learning basic chords such as D, A, and E. You can go a long way with these.

I'd hope she's progressed a bit further than that by now.....

I play guitar and the electric triangle.

I want to learn bagpipes, although I imagine bagpipers eventually get bored playing in the same key over and over again.



In very simple terms, bagpipes can play in two major keys and the two relative minor keys.

Major Keys: A Major and D Major
Minor Keys: F# Minor and B Minor

So go on have a go :-)

My main instrument is cello..... piano .... I also sing.... ....I'm a self taught jazz flautist.

You missed one. I saw you playing Bass tonight.....