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Why Don't More People Into Music Reproduction At Home Play Around With Musical Instruments

 In the pursuit of music reproduction in the home it is my firm belief that you must listen to live music every now & again so that you know & understand how real music,with real instruments,in real physical spaces sounds...
 With that as a foundation I used in judging equipment's "voice" I also believe that playing around with a musical instrument is an excellent way to gain first hand experience with musical sound...EVERY person that reads this can learn a few musical notes,on ANY musical instrument on the planet..For instance I play around with electric guitar.NO I can NOT play,but I can play the notes EFG,on first string & BCD on the second string...Now  I know those few notes & easily recognize them in any song..I am just this coming week going to start playing around with an electric keyboard....So I wonder,why don't more audiophiles simply play around with real instruments as part of their pursuit of honest reproduction in the home?Surely the education in reality is worth the $100.00 it takes to get an entry level guitar,keyboard,horn etc...
freediver
saintsaens_op61's avatar
saintsaens_op61
59 posts
 
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!
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
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.
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cleeds
5,983 posts
 
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.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,903 posts
 
It's difficult and requires lots of practice and patience. 

I hope you're not implying that it's necessary or this will turn into that other thread that took a wrong turn at Albuquerque. 

All the best,
Nonoise
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa
4,867 posts
 
"You can tell a true music lover by the fact that they always try to make their own music. They may be atrocious at it, but they try." ___ H.L. Menken

For me, it’s the harmonica.

When played well, this is what a "tin sandwich" can sound like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5zGvLJwkqM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T10dDr35hck

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmL4RM7IA7A

And for the technically minded, there's this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbGdFlpqMGc&t=213s


Frank
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