Musical Ability Poll!

[Flangenimblick]

I've been wondering for a while now, many of the forumites love their music but how many of us can actually play something or sing? And I'm not talking shower singing or smacking a rubbish bin with a stick I'm talking seriosu musical ability.


Oh, and specify what instrument you can play /what kind of singing you do / what your band name is and what kind of music they play!


I can't sing or play at all...most I can do is make a sweet mosh pit!

[Domanskip]

I can play the piano. I did my Grade 8 exam with Trinity in matric, passed, and haven't touched it (the classical piano) since. It was nothing more than an extra subject at school. I mess around with Garage Band all the time and have massive jam session Jazz Odysseys with my friend on his guitar and me on my electric keyboard. Thats all I use that skill for....

[HolyMackerel]

I can play the piano, acoustic guitar, violin, flute. I used to import music to Fruity Loops and add effects - have stopped doing it lately. . .

[Azimuth]

I've been playing guitar for about fifteen years. I've also been a few bands around Cape Town, and the last one was actually quite successful.

I wish my parents had forced me to play the violin and piano when I was a tot, though. :/

[Higushi]

I played piano at school, only did up to grade 4, but have continued to mess around and compose random stuff here and there. I also played flute for a year, which I didn't really enjoy, so I stopped. Now I'm mostly playing guitar, love it to bits, been playing for about 3 years now and got myself a nice new acoustic with pickup last December, and I play almost everyday.

I'm looking to start a band or go solo or something in the years to come. I consider myself able to sing, but then again - I've not really put myself out there for criticism. I'm recording a few songs here and there just on PC with a standard mic, maybe I'll throw some out here sometime and see what people think ;)

[Wesley]

I can play the guitar, the piano, and the recorder. Although I haven't touched either one of them in quite some time, perhaps I should get back into the routine. I'm still looking for the sheet music for the Lugia song from the Pokemon movie as well, anyone got it?

And Azi, its never too late, you know. I mean, you've got so many other talents, why stop there? :-D

[Dizztt]

Heh, my parents did make me play violin and piano as a tot, wasn't keen on it then but am rather grateful now, all kids should play instruments.

Not to shabby with the old violin and have been a solo singer for choir and in the odd play, most terrifying thing in the world. Respect out to all singers in bands, that can't be easy.

[Cleric]

Played piano for 7 years or so, then started teaching myself guitar about 13-15 years ago. Used to be a big shredder, but now I'm more into messing with timing within prog riffs structures.

Also big into fingerstyleson my acoustic, and busy working it into my electric style.

[dammit]

I wish my parents had forced me to play the violin and piano when I was a tot, though. :/

Why? And why don't you just take it up now?

[DXeXodus]

I have been playing guitar for about 8 years now. Have never stopped since I started. I play mostly acoustic guitar. Have a pretty sweet steel-string Ibanez AW flat top. Also getting into drums quite a bit lately. Still got a fair way to go until I can be considered good on the drums though.

Have been the music leader for my church in Table View for about 5 years now and I lead-sing and play in that group. No bands apart from that for me though, but I wouldnt mind starting a mellow type "jack johnsony" band sometime. :)

I fell in love with the guitar and I honestly don't think I will ever stop playing.

Ask me to choose between giving up guitar or giving up gaming and I will be seriously torn between the two.

Why? And why don't you just take it up now?

Picking up a new instrument when you are a wee tyke is so easy. Later on in life it starts getting tougher. Just like languages, etc.

[MrDeVil_909]

Why? And why don't you just take it up now?

Because it would be better to be in your late twenties with 20 years of practice, starting late means you will probably never get to where you want to be.

Been playing guitar on and off for 13 years, just getting back into it now after a hiatus. It's heart breaking to see how badly I've slipped.

And I can sing as long as I don't try do anything to ambitious, I've got a rock voice and can do a mean Black Francis. ;)

[dammit]

Because it would be better to be in your late twenties with 20 years of practice, starting late means you will probably never get to where you want to be.

I guess so, but for me learning piano was an adventure...with no focus on getting anywhere, just better at it.

[Machine]

I've played guitar for 7 years now. I was in a band called Appleshine for 5 years but we were crap due to lack of tightness. We were a sloppy grunge/punk hybrid.

I can sing a bit, I'm not the best but I can hold a tune.

I always wanted to play some kind of metal since I started playing guitar.

I'm hoping to get a technical death metal band going early next year in the same vein as Decapitated, Nile with some weird progressive points like Opeth or The Faceless. I'm going to attempt to make something original :P

Wish me luck :D :D :D

[Higushi]

Why? And why don't you just take it up now?

One could say that piano is the best instrument to play when you are young and developing in your musical abilities, it gives you a very broad perspective over music and makes it a lot easier to latch onto other instruments later. Also, when you are younger, look at all the great composers (Beethoven, Mozart and many others) who started playing when they were very young, your brain develops much faster and is more susceptible to learning music, while when you are older, your brain's development has drastically slowed down, making it impossible learn as much as you would have if you had started young.

[SCUD]

I've been playing guitar for about fifteen years. I've also been a few bands around Cape Town, and the last one was actually quite successful.

I wish my parents had forced me to play the violin and piano when I was a tot, though. :/

Would you mind sharing the name? I might of unknowingly seen you play :P

[onona]

I've been playing guitar since I was 13 (so that makes the total 16 years now), and bass since I was 15 or 16. Bass is my main instrument and I played it in quite a few bands when I was younger. I also play drums - darabuka, djembe and regular drums too.

[Takiro]

I play in a band. Currently I do lead vocals and rythym guitar, but I can play lead too. I'm quiting that band any day now though.

[wir]

I've been playing piano for a few years now. I recently did my Grade 5 piano exam at school. My parents are military about my practice of it though, which is :/

I just love picking up nifty little tunes and teaching them to myself. I could play 'Still Alive' at one stage. Also have the main Morrowind theme memorized. \m/

[Sven]

I used to be a drummer. While I was in a band. After I was kicked out (I was actually quite happy to leave) I sort of... gave up. Nothing to play for, really.

[dammit]

One could say that piano is the best instrument to play when you are young and developing in your musical abilities, it gives you a very broad perspective over music and makes it a lot easier to latch onto other instruments later. Also, when you are younger, look at all the great composers (Beethoven, Mozart and many others) who started playing when they were very young, your brain develops much faster and is more susceptible to learning music, while when you are older, your brain's development has drastically slowed down, making it impossible learn as much as you would have if you had started young.

Yes, fair enough, but I often think its better to have grown up a bit before making decisions as to whether you'd be interested in doing any of that. Some people just aren't and yet their parents force them to take piano lessons forever and doesn't engender any love for music in the end. I'd rather have free choice to do it or not than to be a brilliant pianist (for eg) and hate every minute of it.

Though, I think I've gone completely off topic. :P