Calling All DBR Musicians!

[EarlJam]

As some of you may know, I play guitar and sing a little. I was just curious to know the musical talents, great and small, of anyone else on this board.

Please post whatever experience you might have. I've heard from singers and a couple of guitarists on this board, but no drummers. Sound off!

-EarlJam - novice singer and guitarist by reality, international rock star by imagination

P.S. If you don't currently play an instrument, but are interested in learning, please post that desire as well.

[hc5duke]

* Played the clarinet since 7th grade, was in DUMB for 3 years.
* I have a guitar, but that doesn't necessarily mean I can play it well. I also have a banjo, ditto about playing it well.
* Took piano lessons ages 5-11, but that's what I get for having Asian parents.:)

[EarlJam]

* Played the clarinet since 7th grade, was in DUMB for 3 years.
* I have a guitar, but that doesn't necessarily mean I can play it well. I also have a banjo, ditto about playing it well.
* Took piano lessons ages 5-11, but that's what I get for having Asian parents.:)

I'd LOVE to learn how to play the banjo! In fact, if yours is dormant (sp?), I'll offer to purchase yours from you. That's a great instrument.

Do you still play the clarinet??

[dukemomLA]

Juilliard trained pianist. Sing (recorded for producer John Hammond way back when -- with a group that went nowhere).

Lots of musicals, like Godspell, Sound of Music, Oliver, Grease, etc.

My sister was a concert violinist (and now teaches), and my dad was a bassplayer and featured vocalist during the Swing Era. (played with Dorsey, Johnny Richards, Basie, Ellington, etc.) My brother is a guitarist who plays with a band in S.C. -- and repairs stringed instruments and guitars for more $$ than he earns playing gigs.

[JBDuke]

I sing, mostly in the shower or the car, but also with a community theater group here in NOVA. I'm a baritone. My best songs: "New York, New York" and "Bless Your Beautiful Hide". If I get drunk, I'll go falsetto and sing A-Ha's "Take On Me" :-)

[DukeUsul]

Well, after DukemomLA's impressive resume, my skills just pale in comparison....

Hacked on the piano since I was 7. Mainly played the saxophone from middle school through college (yay DUMB!). These days I'm back on the piano. My wife and I perform at local coffee shops around the Triangle. She sings, I accompany on the keys and sing some harmony. We've been doing a lot of Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, Kelly Clarkson, Evanescence. I think I'll be whipping out some Beatles, McCartney, Peter Gabriel and some others soon....

[DevilAlumna]

If I get drunk, I'll go falsetto and sing A-Ha's "Take On Me" :-)

Now, if that statue out in front of the chapel starts doing a falsetto "Take On Me," I'm really gonna have to cut back on whatever I've been drinking at the time.... :D


I used to play piano (2nd grade - 12th grade); am biding my time until I can get one into my current house. Tried violin, didn't really do so well with it. Loved to sing as a child, used to perform in community theater musicals (including "Annie" as an orphan); outgrew that as I got older and more introverted. Now I just sing unabashedly in the car....

My brother ended up with all the musical talent in the family -- he can play almost any instrument he picks up, including woodwinds, brass, keyboards and guitars/bass, and can pick out most tunes by ear. No sibling jealousy here, no sir...

The significant other also has some mad musical skills, which for some reason is quite an attractive feature (to me, at least.) He played french horn and the mello in the UW marching band. He can sing very well, but doesn't do so unless at church.

[dukemomLA]

You should let us know what name(s) you perform under, so when we're in town -- or for those you live close -- we can come and hear you!

[Lavabe]

I sing, mostly in the shower or the car, but also with a community theater group here in NOVA. I'm a baritone. My best songs: "New York, New York" and "Bless Your Beautiful Hide". If I get drunk, I'll go falsetto and sing A-Ha's "Take On Me" :-)

Based off this article (http://www.newser.com/story/8221.html), stay away from A-HA! :D

My wife sang alto many years with Chapel Choir, and then sang it with St. Louis Symphony Chorus. I wonder if the Duke of the North folks investigated whether men dig the female low voice too!

Both my wife and I grew up playing oboe. Our 11-yr-old daughter is singing soprano, and has just started oboe.

Cheers,
Lavabe

[devil84]

I took piano lessons from K-6. In fourth grade, I added the violin, which I studied until senior year of high school. I changed school districts, and without a strings program in high school, I wound up playing for the Durham Symphony while in high school. Somewhere in there, I picked up acoustic guitar, too.

I put down musical instruments when I got to Duke. I wish I would have continued, but I don't know what I'd have given up to free up time to play!

I married a drummer, who also didn't keep up much past high school. I'm now a band parent: my daughter plays flute (and not doing anything with it in college), and my son is a snare player who will be adding mallet instruments next semester. My son will likely study music as a major, and hopes to march DCI corps.

- della

[JStuart]

Clarinet in high school (all-state orch & band) & college (pep band director)
Somehow never found time for playing it in Med School,
started 'cello after passing my boards (felt the need to have something to make me inferior!) and after 20+ years of sporadic playing, my wife allows as how I can HOLD the instrument correctly...
So, Della, do you still play violin and are you still in the triangle area? We have a string group that practices 'weakly' in Durham, and could use more folks.
See ya,
JStuart

[DukieInKansas]

Growing up, I played a mean stereo! Now I sing in the church choir and play handbells. I have a piano but can only pick out notes to practice singing. I need to find time to take piano lessons.

[tecumseh]

I am as my kids say "tonally challenged" but all my kids started Suzuki violin at a very young age and still play although one switched to bass a few years back and my 16 yr old spends more time playing his guitar than his violin these days.

It's kind of funny going to recitals and music programs. My older two have always been concert masters/mistresses and had solos and what not but I have no clue if they are playing well or poorly. It's kind of like the woman who doesn't understand football at all watching her son on the gridiron. I have become a big fan of music education through it all though.

[Tommac]

Does Air Guitar count?

[edensquad]

I play guitar & a little piano-by-ear.... I've been a professional songwriter in Nashville since 1986 (though I now live in N.C.).

[TillyGalore]

Played piano growing up, then the flute - still play occasionally. Tried the oboe for a year. And my senior year in high school I played the xylophone and other percussion instruments in the concert and marching bands, and the orchestra.

The most musical I get these days is singing in the car, where thankfully no one can hear me. :D

[Chard]

I've played drums since 6th grade. I learned how to play percussion instruments all through high school. I played in jam sessions frequently. In college I was in a couple of bands that did nothing but jam. Someone stole my set so I am currently in between sets. Maybe once the other priorities of life get taken care of, I can get another one. When I lived in Wilmington, NC I used to go down to the Tuesday night blues jams and just sign up on a blackboard. The various instruments would get signed up for and then go up and play whatever. That is a lot of fun. I haven't been able to find anything like that here in Asheville. At least I still own a couple of pairs of sticks. I can still read sheet music but my skills have gone south in that respect.

Oh, I sang in a high school band. We had a great time playing in the yearly talent show. We didn't win. We were the bad boys of our school and politics dictated the winners. Plus, metal just didn't go over well with the voters / teachers. The crowd loved us though! Nah, I'm not bitter. :)


**p.s. I wouldn't mind learning guitar and banjo. I love me some bluegrass nowadays!**

[DukeUsul]

I've played drums since 6th grade. I learned how to play percussion instruments all through high school. I played in jam sessions frequently. In college I was in a couple of bands that did nothing but jam. Someone stole my set so I am currently in between sets. Maybe once the other priorities of life get taken care of, I can get another one. When I lived in Wilmington, NC I used to go down to the Tuesday night blues jams and just sign up on a blackboard. The various instruments would get signed up for and then go up and play whatever. That is a lot of fun. I haven't been able to find anything like that here in Asheville. At least I still own a couple of pairs of sticks. I can still read sheet music but my skills have gone south in that respect.

Oh, I sang in a high school band. We had a great time playing in the yearly talent show. We didn't win. We were the bad boys of our school and politics dictated the winners. Plus, metal just didn't go over well with the voters / teachers. The crowd loved us though! Nah, I'm not bitter. :)


**p.s. I wouldn't mind learning guitar and banjo. I love me some bluegrass nowadays!**

Hey chard, I thought the original poster was asking about musicians..... ba-dump-ching!

Hey how do you get a drummer to drool out of both sides of his mouth......?

Make sure the stage is level. :p

[captmojo]

Hey chard, I thought the original poster was asking about musicians..... ba-dump-ching!

Hey how do you get a drummer to drool out of both sides of his mouth......?

Make sure the stage is level. :p

Don't know about Chard, but I resemble this remark.
Drummers of the world, UNITE!
Pickers-"If you pick it...it won't heal!"
Oh, I toot a C harp but never know what key it's in.
The voices in my head keep me from singing.:rolleyes:

[Chard]

Hey chard, I thought the original poster was asking about musicians..... ba-dump-ching!

Hey how do you get a drummer to drool out of both sides of his mouth......?

Make sure the stage is level. :p


You must be a tuba player.

[DukeUsul]

You must be a tuba player.

Sax player.

In all fairness here's another one:

How do you get a baritone sax and a lawnmower to play in tune with each other?.........

Tune the lawnmower.

[hc5duke]

Sax player.

In all fairness here's another one:

How do you get a baritone sax and a lawnmower to play in tune with each other?.........

Tune the lawnmower.
While we're at it...

Q: How do you get two piccolos to play in tune?
A: Shoot one of them.

[edensquad]

Q. What's one thing ya never hear?

A. Say, isn't that the banjo player's Mercedes?? :D

[hc5duke]

I'd LOVE to learn how to play the banjo! In fact, if yours is dormant (sp?), I'll offer to purchase yours from you. That's a great instrument.

Sorry, mine is a student banjo, and the cost of shipping just may exceed the value of the banjo :) I bought it from musician's friend (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/), but I hear pawn shops are usually a good place to get good starter banjo (especially in the south I guess).

[captmojo]

Sorry, mine is a student banjo, and the cost of shipping just may exceed the value of the banjo :)

Or, if you come from Alabama, you would have it on your knee.:p

[devil84]

So, Della, do you still play violin and are you still in the triangle area? We have a string group that practices 'weakly' in Durham, and could use more folks.

Still play violin? Well...I could pick it back up. If you practice "weakly," that sounds like my kinda group! And yeah, I'm still in the triangle. Check your PM.

- della

[EarlJam]

Or, if you come from Alabama, you would have it on your knee.:p

Hey Captain Mojo! Don't you cry for me!

-EarlJamabama

P.S. I'm loving the responses here. Hell, we could have a full band and then some in a heartbeat.

[DevilAlumna]

Hey Captain Mojo! Don't you cry for me!

-EarlJamabama

P.S. I'm loving the responses here. Hell, we could have a full band and then some in a heartbeat.


But nobody's mentioned playing cowbell yet. :(

It's gotta have more cowbell!

[EarlJam]

But nobody's mentioned playing cowbell yet. :(

It's gotta have more cowbell!

I own a cowbell, and sometimes play it with passion.....seriously.

-EarlJammification

[mapei]

I was a part-time singer-songwriter for about 25 years, dating back to early high school. I played for church socials and the like in high school, and then small bar and concert venues in Atlanta and DC, mostly on my own but a couple of times for a few years each as lead singer and rhythm guitarist in bands. We had a very loyal following and set attendance records at some of the clubs we played.

I'd say my best skill was songwriting (think Lyle Lovett), followed by singing, rhythm (acoustic) guitar, then lead guitar. I also play OK banjo and elementary lap dulcimer. Some of my songs were recognized in songwriting competitions and four or five have been recorded by others, but to say they never became hits would be to overstate their commercial success, not that I ever cared about that part.

I don't really play in public anymore - it took a huge amount of time and effort, and other interests eventually began to compete for my creative energy. But I keep a guitar handy and noodle on it occasionally. And I remain a voracious consumer of music made by others.

p.s. In my next musical life, I want to be a drummer.

[hc5duke]

But nobody's mentioned playing cowbell yet. :(

It's gotta have more cowbell!

I got a fever, and the only prescription... is more cowbell!

[EarlJam]

I was a part-time singer-songwriter for about 25 years, dating back to early high school. I played for church socials and the like in high school, and then small bar and concert venues in Atlanta and DC, mostly on my own but a couple of times for a few years each as lead singer and rhythm guitarist in bands. We had a very loyal following and set attendance records at some of the clubs we played.

I'd say my best skill was songwriting (think Lyle Lovett), followed by singing, rhythm (acoustic) guitar, then lead guitar. I also play OK banjo and elementary lap dulcimer. Some of my songs were recognized in songwriting competitions and four or five have been recorded by others, but to say they never became hits would be to overstate their commercial success, not that I ever cared about that part.

I don't really play in public anymore - it took a huge amount of time and effort, and other interests eventually began to compete for my creative energy. But I keep a guitar handy and noodle on it occasionally. And I remain a voracious consumer of music made by others.

p.s. In my next musical life, I want to be a drummer.

Wow! That's an incredible resume! Cool. What venues would you play in Atlanta?

I was in a two-man guitar act for about two years. Everything was great. Practices (at each other's houses) were fun, easy and the time just seem to zip by. We played originals and covers. Then, we came up with the great idea of getting a full band together.

While it WAS cool having a beat behind us, with the bass and drums, the whole band thing just killed us. We had to find a place to practice. More money, scheduling became a nightmare and the next thing I know, I was hating it. I gained a whole new level of respect for people who can keep bands together.

Anyway, I also still have my guitar and play it quite a bit on my own and occassionaly with my old guitar mate. And I too want to be a drummer in my next life!

-EarlJam

[mapei]

PM coming up soon, EarlJam.

[dukemomLA]

I also own a cowbell. Amazingly, one of my nephews (at age 5) picked it out himself to give to me for my birthday. That was too-many-years-ago-than-I-like-to-think-about, but....I still cherish my 'bell and smile everytime I ring it.

[tecumseh]

Some people want their kids to go to Duke or be the captain of the basketball team. One of my ambitions for my kids was to have a garage band...I always thought that was way cool. Not sure it will happen even though we have a carriage house that would be perfect for practice and my one son sings and can play anything with strings and the other one plays the bass and their buddy two doors down plays the drums, there is also one of the girls they pal around with is a great singer.