How many of us here are musicians? [Archive]

clifton

March 5th, 2003, 11:13 PM

I played tenor sax professionally in the early to mid 1980's but I'm now seriously disabled with a spinal/neurological disorder and haven't played at all since 1990 or so. Yes I still miss it. Food for thought: Does being a musician affect how you listen? For me it sure as hell does but the effect is more complex and subtle than one might think.

AfricaBrass

March 5th, 2003, 11:40 PM

Originally posted by clifton
I played tenor sax professionally in the early to mid 1980's but I'm now seriously disabled with a spinal/neurological disorder and haven't played at all since 1990 or so. Yes I still miss it. Food for thought: Does being a musician affect how you listen? For me it sure as hell does but the effect is more complex and subtle than one might think.

I'm sorry to hear that you can't play anymore. That is a great fear of mine. You have my sympathies.

To answer your question: Yes, being a musician affects how I listen. I find that I often listen to pieces in different ways. Sometimes I focus on one instrument. Other times I listen to how the different instruments work together. It seems as if there are endless ways to listen to music. One thing, when I wasn't a musician, music had a certain magic to it. Since I can analyse it, it doesn't seem to have the same magic.

I'm a pretty good musician. I'm not great, but I can usually get the sounds I want. This has made me reluctant to analyse music and I would have a hard time if asked to write a review. I realize that I know enough about music to know that I don't know enough about music. I know I probably sound crazy, but this really is the case for me.

A little more food for thought: Does being a musician affect what you listen to? I find that a lot of music that I really enjoy from a purely musical standpoint is torture to my non-musician friends and family.

DWBass

March 6th, 2003, 06:54 AM

Semi-Pro (formerly Pro) Bassist of 30 years!

BeRiGaN

March 6th, 2003, 07:13 AM

Well, I picked up a trumpet around Christmas time....then....I put it down.....I have "practiced" on and off (mostly off) since then...is it normal for cats to cry?:confused:

Robert J

March 6th, 2003, 07:15 AM

Jazz and blues piano.

Muskrat Ramble

March 6th, 2003, 07:16 AM

I play electric guitar, or at least try to :) I'm hoping to start bass and then maybe drums in the future. So far, I mainly play metal/hard rock/alternative rock.

Playing has definitely changed the way I listen to music. It's true that you can lose some of that magic of just picking up on the gestalt of a tune the way I imagine most casual listeners do. But you can gain so much. I now hear all kinds of details that I likely would have missed before. I come to recognize stylistic quirks of different bands more readily. I pay much more attention to musical structure, harmony, instrumental interplay--you name it.

And it's a lot of fun to listen to a rock or pop song and not merely hear the guitar parts, but actually have a good idea what techniques and equipment are being used to get that particular sound or play that passage. "OK, he's downtuned, probably to C. He's using pinch harmonics there. That's a series of double pull-offs." It's fun to put that new-found knowledge to work.

Since I'm still a relative beginner, I also listen with an ear out for tunes that I could learn to play: is it something my skills could potentially handle, could I find tab for it, is my gear sufficient to get that kind of sound, etc. ?

Anyone reading this who doesn't play but has thought about it, all I can say is, go for it! Now!

Muskrat Ramble

March 6th, 2003, 07:19 AM

"practiced" on and off (mostly off) since then

Fwiw, one thing I've learned: practice every day whether you really want to or not. It doesn't have to be a lot--don't torture yourself by turning what should be fun into drudge work--but at least play a little everday. And try to get into playing "actual" music and not just scales and exercises as soon as you can. At the same time, remember that scales and exercises are ultimately music too and can be "musical-sounding" if you learn to play them well. Forget the supposed dividing line between "practicing" and "playing." It's all good.

And just goof around some every time you practice, too! Just make any old sounds or noises. You'd be surprised at what you can come up with or learn that way.

Lazy Lew

March 6th, 2003, 07:24 AM

harmonica

semi-pro for some years - nowadays I play ONLY for pleasure

3pointdeli

March 6th, 2003, 08:17 AM

started on trumpet, switched to drums. i've picked up some ability on guitar over the years, but drums remain my primary instrument. mainly i play rock, but i'm learning jazz...slowly. i'm sure the learning process would go infinitely faster if i had other musicians to (attempt to) play jazz with.

musicians hear music differently than non-musicians. it's a small price to pay.

Pete B

March 6th, 2003, 08:21 AM

Upright bass.

My first post here - hi ya'll

AfricaBrass

March 6th, 2003, 09:36 AM

Welcome Pete!

JSngry

March 6th, 2003, 09:46 AM

I've been playing tenor professionally for nearly 25 years. All styles, but just enough "regular" stuff to support my jazz (mostly of the "freer" type) work financially. DO dig playing blues, REAL blues, not the frat-boy yayhoo type, very much, though, and a good funk (REAL funk, etc....) groove will not go unappreciated or unjammed on.

AfricaBrass

March 6th, 2003, 09:58 AM

JSngry,
I've been playing guitar for almost 20 years, but I wish that I would have picked up the tenor sax instead of the guitar. Don't get me wrong, I love playing guitar, but I love the tenor sax. At least the guitar is good for playing REAL blues too!

bombastic

March 6th, 2003, 10:01 AM

learning tenor saxophonist. taking lessons for 2 years so far.

Jim Dye

March 6th, 2003, 10:03 AM

Tenor Sax. Haven't played much in recent years.

JSngry

March 6th, 2003, 10:04 AM

Hey, AB - one of several things guitar and tenor have in common is that players of each usually develop into ULTRA geeks about their instruments and it's players. You're talking to a self-professed Tenor Geek here, lemme tell ya'! Warne Marsh's THE ART OF IMPROVISATION, Volumes 1 & 2? Nothin' but the tenor solos, not even heads? PERFECT RECORD! :D :D:D:D

AfricaBrass

March 6th, 2003, 10:14 AM

Noj

March 6th, 2003, 10:18 AM

http://www.musicaconcarne.com/biography.html

:D

JSngry

March 6th, 2003, 10:35 AM

Originally posted by AfricaBrass
I'd love to hear the Warne Marsh. I've really been getting into Tristano and those guys. I'll keep an eye out for it.

Easier said than done, unfortuantely. It was only out on Revelation LP in the 70s. But you can hear some of the full performances on the Lee Konitz Half Note thing on Verve. Check it out - it's totally happening!

JSngry

March 6th, 2003, 10:40 AM

Originally posted by Noj
Someone's got to do the spamming for JSngry...

http://www.musicaconcarne.com/biography.html

:D

Thanks, man. I've asked the boardmaster for permission to post here about the group mentioned at the above link, but have yet to receive word one way or the other.

I appreciate the consideration.

AfricaBrass

March 6th, 2003, 10:44 AM

Originally posted by JSngry

Easier said than done, unfortuantely. It was only out on Revelation LP in the 70s. But you can hear some of the full performances on the Lee Konitz Half Note thing on Verve. Check it out - it's totally happening!

I'll do that - Thanks!

Phil Kelly

March 6th, 2003, 10:58 AM

Hi:

Semi -retired composer / arranger / drummer here ..now living in NW WA state after 40 years in the business ( mostly in TV and Film stuff ) .

However , I've written some jazz stuff for the Bill Watrous NY band and the old Tonight show bunch back in the 70s/80s ..also played on a bunch of road bands back in the 60s ( Si Zentner, Claude Thornhill, Elgart, Neal Hefti, etc. ) when there were such things .

Still am writing some things for publication and doing occasional jazz clinics to keep my hand in ..:D

Be interesting to see how many players turn up in the recent influx of BNBB folks ....:o

ZT Blues

March 6th, 2003, 11:41 AM

I play guitar and piano

Giant Steps

March 6th, 2003, 01:59 PM

I study jazz guitar and classical violin, although violin was ruined for me by a number of very bad classical teachers.

Good Cheese,
-GS-

Robert J

March 6th, 2003, 07:53 PM

Who's in for a musician's forum, something like at the old place but better?

I promise to stick around and attend to these threads if anyone else is willing.

Theory, chord changes, solos, practice methods, etc etc.

Let's do it:D

Phil Kelly

March 6th, 2003, 08:18 PM

Originally posted by Robert J
Who's in for a musician's forum, something like at the old place but better?

I promise to stick around and attend to these threads if anyone else is willing.

Theory, chord changes, solos, practice methods, etc etc.

Let's do it:D

Good idea ,Robert:

If I can help in any way with what experiences I've had, I'm more thasn willing to share ... that's what the internet's for, IMO :)

Joel

March 6th, 2003, 08:25 PM

The Pikasso air Guitar
:D

but any jazz guitarist here gets my vote:cool:

DWBass

March 6th, 2003, 08:44 PM

I'm in! :cool:

Phil Kelly

March 6th, 2003, 10:00 PM

Originally posted by DWBass
I'm in! :cool:

.. but drummers either beat off a lot ..or continually worry about how good their left hand is ....:D

bad drummer humor ...

DWBass

March 7th, 2003, 05:15 AM

Originally posted by Phil Kelly

.. but drummers either beat off a lot ..or continually worry about how good their left hand is ....:D

bad drummer humor ... Huh?? :confused:

;)

Robert J

March 7th, 2003, 07:34 AM

Thanks for the thumbs up. I guess we need to wait until the forum is subcategorized?

There should be enough musicians here. Roughly how many (pre-BN exiles) musicians posted in AAJ's forums?

clifton

March 7th, 2003, 08:04 AM

AfricaBrass: Thanks for the kind words. My particular disorder is very rare so try not to worry. Music still has the magic for me. The best jazz musicians deal in far more than technique and theory. The art of note placement, nuance, having your own sound, how you develop and sustain swing, this is where the magic is.

Phil Kelly

March 7th, 2003, 10:40 AM

There should be enough musicians here. Roughly how many (pre-BN exiles) musicians posted in AAJ's forums? [/B][/QUOTE]

I occasionally posted on BNBB, but not on a heavy basis ..( I tend to spend time on another jazz site that hasn't been mentioned often here ..) It seems there were a few on BNBB ..

BTW: the bad gag in the previous post was a reaction to the bass guys signature ( which wouldn't copy or quote for some reason )

Phil Kelly

March 7th, 2003, 10:42 AM

sorry ..double post !!

:rolleyes:

markvi

March 7th, 2003, 12:15 PM

anyone with the user name markvi must be a sax man. i play alto, tenor, soprano,clarinet and flute(when i have to). my main gig is sax guitar duo and trio with drum added, but also play in a big band and free lance. alto is my main horn but soprano is quickly becoming more important to me. i play tenor sparingly on gigs just to give the duo a different sound once in a while.

clifton

March 15th, 2003, 02:34 PM

When I played, my band was usually a trio with me on tenor and an electric bassist and a drummer. Sometimes we added a guitar or a piano, depending on who was available. Our repertoire was very inclusive, largely straight-ahead but we dipped into fusion and we had two Wayne Shorter tunes in our book. (Witch Hunt and Fall). We didn't get many gigs. This was the early 1980's in New York and I was just one of many, many competent saxophonists. But damn, we had fun. Our book also included Monk (challenging stuff, it demands creativity unless you're content to just run the changes), Duke, Bird (more challenges, you need to get the accents right), and some originals. What did/do you guys play in terms of repertoire? And how did the nature of your audience change what you play and how you play it?

Finger Poppin'

March 15th, 2003, 06:57 PM

I played guitar and piano for 20 plus years. It took that long to realize I suck.

RogerFarbey

May 16th, 2003, 02:34 AM

I play electric violin, guitar and bass but not necessarily in that order of proficiency. I aspire to play jazz or at least to find musicians who want to play jazz (not professionally...yet). In fact I aspire to find many folks in the UK who like listening to jazz! There are a few, just a few. I am really a rock / blues player hence am nervous about playing with real jazz musicians (or real musicians as I call them). I went to a jazz summer school in Wales a long time ago and that taught me how much I don't know about jazz - so to paraphrase Donald Rumsfeld, there are known unknowns, and things we know we don't know and I know I don't know much about playing jazz. I wish I could though. Just been listening to some Kevin Eubanks and he makes me feel humiliated. That guy is good. Even Allan Holdsworth's violin playing is better than mine. Still, one day... Any Brits out there who play jazz and want a jazz session in the Central or South London area just let me know. I could just about manage 'Autumn Leaves' or 'Summertime' (in D-).

bluesman

May 16th, 2003, 07:39 AM

I play double bass and I am currently playing in a group that has two bass players, drums, sax = ( bass clarinet, tenor, soprano )

I also play blues harp and sing in a blues band.

Great to see with have many fellow players on the site.!

sal

May 16th, 2003, 11:44 AM

I play drums. Been on and off for alot of years, but have been consistantly & seriously studying jazz for the past 9 months. Nothing makes me happier!

solarjazzband

May 16th, 2003, 01:34 PM

I'm guitarist, check my band at www.solarjazzband.com or http://forums.allaboutjazz.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1151

El Gaucho

May 16th, 2003, 09:06 PM

Sup playaz, i play jazz guitar, but am one of those guitarists(a la grant green) who only really listen to other instruments.

There has definatly not been enough great jazz guitarists. Hopefully i can help fix the problem.

El Gaucho

May 16th, 2003, 09:06 PM

PiousBionicus

September 21st, 2003, 12:06 PM

Originally posted by RogerFarbey
I play electric violin, guitar and bass but not necessarily in that order of proficiency. I aspire to play jazz or at least to find musicians who want to play jazz (not professionally...yet). In fact I aspire to find many folks in the UK who like listening to jazz! Any Brits out there who play jazz and want a jazz session in the Central or South London area just let me know.

If you are ever up in Cheshire, come and have a jam, I am in the same situation as you, I can't find many people to play with. I'm in a tenor sax/piano/drums trio at the moment and other than a guitarist we occasionally ask to play with us, there are no other jazz musicians for us to play with -- especially a double bass player, so if you can play one please come and join us.

My primary instrument is the drums, but I started out on clarinet and I play harmonica and a bit of piano as well. I also manage to bluff my way through playing the bass (double and electric) and the guitar.

Wombat Seedcake

September 26th, 2003, 01:02 AM

I play acoustic guitar, mainly fingerstyle - celtic, folk-blues.. - electric guitar - country, rock and jazz - fretted and fretless basses, Irish bouzouki, bluegrass banjo, bodhran, doumbek, caixa, timbales, djembe, tablas and congas. Currently I'm playing in a samba group, a ceilidh band and a backing group for a bellydancing troupe. I do have a proper day job though.:cool:

SignsofRain

October 3rd, 2003, 05:01 AM

Im a bassist of 25 years. Currently play with Signs of Rain in New York. http://www.signsofrain.com

Bass is the center of the universe!

The Analog Kid

October 5th, 2003, 09:26 AM

I'm taking up drums presently. Had a few lessons, new kit on order.

I like the idea of a theory catagory. I'll bet there is a ton of knowledge on this forum...

The Analog Kid

lowend

October 6th, 2003, 06:11 PM

Currently play: electric double bass,fretless and fretted bass guitar
Mess around on:classical guitar,Hammond M101
Currently screeching on:electric violin
Making a little progress on: electric cello

Drummer22

April 1st, 2007, 04:56 PM

I play drums as my name implies. I have played sax, oboe, percussion and clarinet in my past.

thekid

April 1st, 2007, 09:07 PM

Alto and Soprano Saxophone

also drums, piano, guitar, bass, and whatever else I can get my hands on

SirGarrote

April 1st, 2007, 10:05 PM

First instrument was classical piano...then taught myself guitar before beginning classical lessons on it. I've also picked up drum set, electric bass, cello, and violin, but I'm just "ok" on those.

Jazz is a very recent goal of mine.

-G

jazzlearner

April 2nd, 2007, 07:24 AM

I am learning jazz guitar, I love the way the chords and melody fit together.~pimp:

jefe

April 2nd, 2007, 03:51 PM

one of the oldest thread reivivals I've ever seen....April fools?

engelbach

April 2nd, 2007, 04:33 PM

Since this is the Musician-to-Musician section of the Forum, I thought we all were ...

lorenzini

April 3rd, 2007, 01:05 AM

piano and bass.

StringIsKing

April 3rd, 2007, 05:41 AM

It's all about guitar man~pimp:

erling

April 4th, 2007, 01:37 AM

Jazz trombonist, composer, arranger, band leader. Professionally since age 18 (1961) - makes me old in years, but jazz keeps me young, physically and mentally. Hip, no?

Steve Grover

April 6th, 2007, 02:09 PM

Drums, some piano, composer, teacher for quite a while now. Attempting to make a living for some 30 years.

Steve

www.stevegrover.com

justin_fraser

April 6th, 2007, 09:16 PM

I play guitar, bass guitar, upright bass, trumpet, and sing. And playing jazz is the best with everything. When playing jazz with other musicians, its like nothing else in the world matters. You just have your instrument, and there are no boundaries.

Thespheremon

April 6th, 2007, 10:59 PM

I'm definitely a musician! I'm only 17, so I'm representing the "future of jazz" :D if such a thing exists. The only problem that I have is that there is NOBODY to study with in my area, so everything I learn comes from books or recordings :(

My jazz instrument is the piano(As well as the blank staff paper), and then I play the trombone in our school band, and I play guitar, bass, mandolin in various other bands or in my spare time.(And my brother started band this year, so I've been doing a bit of dabbling on his trumpet also :D)

~Thespheremon ~pimp:

doublebass387

April 8th, 2007, 08:30 PM

i play double bass and keys

swingking

April 12th, 2007, 03:00 PM

JSngry,
You called it! The other forums I frequent are guitar forums, and I a lot of my taste in music is driven by the guitar geek in me. My favorite guitar geek music is my Jimmy Bryant/Speedy West box set on Bear Family. This was mostly recorded in the fifties and Jimmy Bryant blows my mind. I dream of playing that well.

I'd love to hear the Warne Marsh. I've really been getting into Tristano and those guys. I'll keep an eye out for it.

Jimmy Bryant.......yeah man!! also primarily a Tele player.that guy could swing & had a distinct tone.my roots as a musician are country/western swing & cats like JB along with Hank Garland, Leon Rhodes, Thumbs Carlisle etc. have always been my idols....I played pro 20+ yrs. but now drive a train for a living ....fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bass.I play an occasional gig & sometimes do studio work, which I really enjoy!