Re: What instruments do you have?
Well this is fun and a great example of why I like this forum. The grand pinao is sitting right next to the plastic harmonica.
Because my current collection is a bit boring - a small piano, midi keyboard, Ovation guitar, autoharp in a sawdust covered case in the garage and a Marine Band harmonica - I thought I would reminisce through my collection over time.
I had a trumpet shaped kazoo when I was very young which spoiled me for any wind instrument. Since I like to sing I can't bear to put my breath through something without using my vocal chords.
Next came the dime store guitar which I played with paper clips and pennys for a pick. It was a tough little thing upon which I learned to love the blues and minor chords. I will never forget the day I put a new set of strings on it - incredible!
Took drum lessons when I was ten and got a parade drum soon after. Received an invitation to play with a girl's marching ensemble but couldn't handle all that attention. Went to jam with some friends who had electric guitars. They played Ventures songs and there I was, keeping a beat with my parade drum, pot lids for cymbals and a wire bookstand for a high hat. We were bad. Got a Sears drum set for Christmas when I was thirteen and embarked on a 3 year stint with my buddies in a garage band... birthday parties, battle of the bands and our crowning achievement: the after-game dance at my high school, playing the usual sixties mix of the Beatles, Cream, Stones, Hendrix, and (shh) the Monkees.
Somewhere in there I taught myself to play chords on the piano. Found out that the Beatles only used chords with numbers in them and time signatures you couldn't dance to. 'Bout that time I bought myself an imitation Hofner bass with a violin body just like Paul's. I was better looking than him but not as good on the bass... right. Somewhere in there I purchased a pear wood recorder with green stamps and found out I could do a little wind work after all, learned Greensleeves anyway. Always had a 6 string guitar around too and wrote songs most people did not understand.
Then we got serious and bought a 12 string Gibson acoustic (really ugly - big head, little body). Started playing original songs with a couple of other singer songwriters and we started playing folk semi rock at churches and youth gatherings. Had an undersized Hammond organ for as short time (had to take it apart and solder in a new resistor to make it work). We filled out the ensemble with electrics and drums and I got a Fender P-Bass and we started playing larger audiences. After I moved on, those guys were able to go full time with their band called Daniel Amos. There is website by that name if you are curious.
Now I mostly plunk my little piano (it is short 4 keys on each end - strange) late in the evening to calm things down some, and in the process craft a pensive piece here and there. If I can ever get a midi file converted to wav or something, I'll post it. Guy at work says he is going to get digital samples from a 290 Bosendorfer. I asked him how fast it would go and he patiently explained it is a very expensive piano, more than my allowance. Anyone ever played one?
Kinda long-winded, hope I didn't keep you from something important.
Ken
, a trumpet
, and a tinwhistle
. And like Anna I also of cause have my voice - couldn´t amagine my life without singing!!!
