Musical ADD

[telerib]

If I had infinite time and money, I'd learn to play:

* Spanish guitar
* Harpsichord
* Bassoon
* 'Cello? Probably 'cello.

And my latest "ooh, shiny!" moment came during "Improv for Melody Instruments," which I taught at Atlantian University last Saturday. One gentle brought his wooden alto recorder. It sounded so rich and sweet!

I may make a deal with myself that, if I can reach some level of proficiency on the soprano Yahama that I already have, I will be permitted to spend money on an alto or tenor. If my fingers can even cover a tenor!

Plastic or wood? They say really good things about the Yamaha 300 series... hey, giddysinger, are those what you have? Before I go and spend any money, can I blow your whistle sometime?

Comments

[telerib.livejournal.com]

Yes, I have a wooden pennywhistle and it's a piece of crap. I wouldn't go wood just to have it - I'd probably want a Moeck or some other respectable name. But I've definitely heard that the good plastics sound just fine and, although it's been ages since I've heard you or Giddy on yours, I seem to recall that they sounded good. Given the amount of time I don't have to put into practicing, it seems like a much better idea to get a top-notch plastic than a good wood.

The alto's an F instrument, aye? I'm not sure how badly that'll mess with my head. I'm hoping to cope. :) I literally want to get my hands on a tenor before I buy one, just to make sure my fingers can reach all the holes. Um, if I buy one. Because I need to learn on the instrument I have before blowing more money on new stuff. Yup.

Guitar *definitely* messes with my head. There is more than one note per string! And you can play the same note on different strings! More practically, though, I need fingernails for my wire harp, and the guitar needs not-fingernails (on one hand anyway). :(

[aemccurry.livejournal.com]

Ya, alto and bass (and 'nino and great bass) are F fingering - you either transpose in your head or you learn a second set of fingering and try not to get confused switching back and forth. A tenor without keys can be a bit of a stretch if you have short fingers. If you see me before you see Giddy, you can certainly play with mine.

[telerib.livejournal.com]

Thanks!