Why Don't More People Into Music Reproduction At Home Play Around With Musical Instruments
millercarbon ... the reality of musical instruments are they take skill and practice, practice, practice, without which they are pretty much noise. Really loud, obnoxiously loud, noise. Practice however takes time, patience, commitment, and perseverance.That’s exactly correct. In my youth, I developed a fair competence on the horn and a few other brass instruments. Such skill requires playing daily for hours. Professional musicians may make playing their instruments appear easy, but that’s just showbiz. Like the ice skaters on the Olympics, that apparent ease is just an illusion. When I’m asked now if I play an instrument, I answer "no." That’s because if you don’t play every day, you’re not a player. Music education was once common in public schools, but not so much any more. Scarce resources are more likely to be directed to athletics. |
I started with piano in grade school. Parents made me take accordion lessons. Played French Horn in Jr High band. In High School band picked up trumpet, baritone, sax, and clarinet. Well once you can read music and develop the embouchure its down to fingerings. But this was not "playing around" this was playing music. Anyone can hit a key or get a sax or clarinet to screech and squawk. Musical instruments are by nature quite loud. As much skill as it takes to play one well it takes even more to play one well and at low volume. In truth, its pretty much impossible to play one at really low volume. Yet it takes real skill to play one at a level anyone really wants to hear. So the reality of musical instruments are they take skill and practice, practice, practice, without which they are pretty much noise. Really loud, obnoxiously loud, noise. Practice however takes time, patience, commitment, and perseverance. Now you understand why more people don't do it. |
I agree with your premise that there is a lot to be gained by playing musical instruments. I think that the two reasons why more people don’t play instruments are the time and money needed. “Playing around” with an instrument is completely different than playing an instrument. Honestly, guitars and keyboards are probably the only instruments that can sound good when being “played around” with. They are also probably the only instruments that sound good when bought for <$100. If you bring a $100 violin to a violin teacher, they will ask you where you got your VSO (violin shaped object). All that isn’t to say that people shouldn’t learn how to play instruments. It’s just that most people don’t fully understand how much of a investment of time and money it is. Once you realize that, it certainly is well worth it! |
I have “played around with guitars” since I was quite young. My parents even purchased lessons. My teacher suddenly died of a heart attack and I felt responsible because I could not improve. Result was a deep respect for how talented real musicians are. My Son graduated from Temple Summa Cum Laude. He quit academics and went to luthier school. He has gifted me several guitars and vintage amps that are set up and at the ready. I don’t play them. I look at them in frustration. I love music, but have absolutely no talent. I even have trouble tuning the damn things. So my favorite instrument became the high fidelity stereo, and I can’t master that either. |
Interesting idea that seems to have some merit. I happen to be a savage beast and a music lover. Due to a stroke, however, my left side extremities are paralyzed and I only have complete control over my right side extremities. As a result, I'm a bit concerned that the limited chords and sounds I'd manage to produce, regardless of the musical instrument played, may drive all with good hearing from the room, including myself. Maybe a didgeridoo, a harmonica or, I got it!.... a cow bell? Tim |
