[elohiym]

Welcome to the musician's lounge. If you're a musician, or aspiring musician, have a drink and let's talk shop.

Feel free to stop by whenever you want to talk about playing music. I'm interested to know what you play and what you dream of playing. We're all on a journey; maybe we can share some of it here.



I'm a beginning percussionist, so I play a variety of instruments. My favorite instruments to play is the conga. The Arabic tabla comes in second. I also enjoy playing shakers and tambourine. Recently, I've been dedicating a lot of practice time to drum rudiments because I am planning to get an electronic drum kit soon, maybe an acoustic kit, too.

If you want to see the level of conga playing I aspire to, watch this video of one of my favorite conga players, Samuel Torres:

Samuel Torres on seven congas - rocks!

I'm thinking it will take me ten years at four hours a day practice to reach that level, maybe less.

[zippy2006]

What electronic sets are you looking at elo?

[elohiym]

I like the Hart Dynamics drums because they look like acoustic drums and the heads feel real, but they cost an arm and a leg. Since I don't have a spare arm or leg at this time, I'm thinking going with a Roland-TD.

What do you play, Zippy? Drums, too?

[zippy2006]

Originally Posted by elohiym

I like the Hart Dynamics drums because they look like acoustic drums and the heads feel real, but they cost an arm and a leg. Since I don't have a spare arm or leg at this time, I'm thinking going with a Roland-TD.

What do you play, Zippy? Drums, too?

ha, nice. I have a friend looking for an electronic set, but his budget is low.

I grew up playing piano, picked up a guitar 8 years ago, and now play bass in a band for about the last year. Bass has been a fun change. I can play with my fingers but when things get technical or we need to be especially tight I usually grab a pick; I'd like to get better with my fingers.

Other than that I run a tele through a Fender tube amp to get a nice "hot" tube sound. That setup is getting dusty though I did get a small feel for drums when I let my friend store his acoustic set in my garage a few summers ago. Messed around on that kit quite a bit, though I'm sure I wasn't very good. I'll head over to a friend's house tonight to play tunes with 4-5 others.

[elohiym]

Piano? Awesome. I'm hoping to start piano lessons soon.

Who are your favorite bass players and what style are you playing?

[zippy2006]

Piano is a great instrument. I have a keyboard in my apartment but it's not hammer weighted. I play more when I get home to the folk's place on an actual upright.

Victor Wooten is definitely up there, I also like Chris Wood and Christian McBride. Actually I was just informed about Chris Wood's family band, some good stuff:

When I was Young

That percussionist reminds me of "Future man," who coincidentally plays with Bela Fleck and Wooten a lot. Ever heard of him? I used to live with a drummer and he got a kick out of that.

Our band plays a lot of older music: Beatles, Dylan, CSNY, The Who, The Band, Clapton, Zeppelin, Stones, etc, although now we are moving away from covers a bit. I play picked electric bass, lots of different styles I suppose. Our bluesy, funky, jammy improv originals are my favorites, and they tend to showcase the bass a bit more. But sitting back and hitting your 1's and 5's is alright once in awhile too (bluegrass tunes, etc.). I've really gained a new appreciation for how bass can shape the music, especially in absence. It makes me pay much more attention to the drummer too.

[elohiym]

Originally Posted by zippy2006

Piano is a great instrument. I have a keyboard in my apartment but it's not hammer weighted. I play more when I get home to the folk's place on an actual upright.

Have you considered upgrading your keyboard? Last Christmas I bought a Casio electric piano/keyboard that has an action close to a real piano. It cost me around $400.

Originally Posted by zippy2006

Victor Wooten is definitely up there, I also like Chris Wood and Christian McBride. Actually I was just informed about Chris Wood's family band, some good stuff:

Nice. Do you play standup bass, too?

Originally Posted by zippy2006

That percussionist reminds me of "Future man," who coincidentally plays with Bela Fleck and Wooten a lot. Ever heard of him? I used to live with a drummer and he got a kick out of that.

Had not heard of Future Man until now. Yeah, the wood brother playing the drums reminds me of an acoustic version of FM.

FM has an interesting act, to say the least. Here he is doing a solo live, while explaining how his instrument works:

Future Man

Originally Posted by zippy2006

Our band plays a lot of older music: Beatles, Dylan, CSNY, The Who, The Band, Clapton, Zeppelin, Stones, etc, although now we are moving away from covers a bit. I play picked electric bass, lots of different styles I suppose. Our bluesy, funky, jammy improv originals are my favorites, and they tend to showcase the bass a bit more. But sitting back and hitting your 1's and 5's is alright once in awhile too (bluegrass tunes, etc.). I've really gained a new appreciation for how bass can shape the music, especially in absence. It makes me pay much more attention to the drummer too.

Cool. Like your taste in covers. If you ever record some of your jamming and post it to YouTube, please post the video here, too.

[zippy2006]

Originally Posted by elohiym

Have you considered upgrading your keyboard? Last Christmas I bought a Casio electric piano/keyboard that has an action close to a real piano. It cost me around $400.

I have! I have to sort out a few things first, but if all goes well I should get around to it eventually.

Nice. Do you play standup bass, too?

I don't. Funny you should say that though, because a friend mentioned it to me the other day. I think he's crazy and don't think I would be able to learn it well enough given the time I have and whatnot, but I snooped around on Craigslist. $900 was the cheapest, not sure about quality

Had not heard of Future Man until now. Yeah, the wood brother playing the drums reminds me of an acoustic version of FM.

FM has an interesting act, to say the least. Here he is doing a solo live, while explaining how his instrument works:

Yeah, he's a pretty crazy dude. Actually that whole band is pretty crazy.

Cool. Like your taste in covers. If you ever record some of your jamming and post it to YouTube, please post the video here, too.

Will do. We are working on a more advanced recording set up in our practice space. Right now it consists of either an iPhone or a condenser mic, not exactly amazing.

[Vaquero45]

Originally Posted by zippy2006

Piano is a great instrument. I have a keyboard in my apartment but it's not hammer weighted. I play more when I get home to the folk's place on an actual upright.

Victor Wooten is definitely up there, I also like Chris Wood and Christian McBride. Actually I was just informed about Chris Wood's family band, some good stuff:



That percussionist reminds me of "Future man," who coincidentally plays with Bela Fleck and Wooten a lot. Ever heard of him? I used to live with a drummer and he got a kick out of that.

Our band plays a lot of older music: Beatles, Dylan, CSNY, The Who, The Band, Clapton, Zeppelin, Stones, etc, although now we are moving away from covers a bit. I play picked electric bass, lots of different styles I suppose. Our bluesy, funky, jammy improv originals are my favorites, and they tend to showcase the bass a bit more. But sitting back and hitting your 1's and 5's is alright once in awhile too (bluegrass tunes, etc.). I've really gained a new appreciation for how bass can shape the music, especially in absence. It makes me pay much more attention to the drummer too.

Cool zippy, i love bass, Victor Wooten is coming to a music store near my house on the 4th to put on a bass clinic. I plan to be there, should be really cool. I've been learning bass, been trying to copy Steve Harris/Iron Maiden stuff among other things. lol I can play The Trooper, but I dont quite match up to Mr Harris yet

Elohyim, I love the conga video, hand percussion stuff is great. I have a djembe that is fun, Im not very good on it so far tho.

Calling myself a musician would be a stretch, but my favorite instruments are electric bass, classical guitar, harmonica, native american flute, and hand drums.

[elohiym]

Originally Posted by Vaquero45

Elohyim, I love the conga video, hand percussion stuff is great.

Samuel Torres is a great percussionist, in my opinion. He inspired my interest in shakers with this video:

Samuel Torres on Columbian Maracas

And I've been looking for a set of Columbian maracas ever since.

I've been enjoying my egg shakers and these cool shakers called finger shots. Here's another Samuel Torres conga solo where he uses the finger shots:

Finger Shots

I love playing the congas with my finger shots.

Originally Posted by Vaquero45

I have a djembe that is fun, Im not very good on it so far tho.

Very cool! A fellow hand drummer.

I had the opportunity to play a djembe at the music store recently. Wonderful sound. I was tempted to acquire one, but I'm trying to focus on a particular core group of instruments.

Are you learning djembe rhythms? Taking lessons?

Originally Posted by Vaquero45

Calling myself a musician would be a stretch, but my favorite instruments are electric bass, classical guitar, harmonica, native american flute, and hand drums.

Well, you are certainly an aspiring musician, in my opinion.

What are your goals with you music? What is your motivation to play?

I'm probably going to ask that question a lot on this thread because I am very interested in people's motivations for playing an instrument.

[Vaquero45]

Originally Posted by elohiym

Samuel Torres is a great percussionist, in my opinion. He inspired my interest in shakers with this video:



And I've been looking for a set of Columbian maracas ever since.

I've been enjoying my egg shakers and these cool shakers called finger shots. Here's another Samuel Torres conga solo where he uses the finger shots:



I love playing the congas with my finger shots.

That maraca video is ridiculous, I've never heard anything like it, that looks like it would be fun to try, really cool! The cajon hasnt really grown on me too much, seen some nice videos tho'.

Very cool! A fellow hand drummer.

I had the opportunity to play a djembe at the music store recently. Wonderful sound. I was tempted to acquire one, but I'm trying to focus on a particular core group of instruments.

Are you learning djembe rhythms? Taking lessons?

...and, I've mostly just practiced trying to be consistent and versitile switching the bass, tone, and slap sounds with both hands, takes some new coordination. There is a traditional rhythm called kuku, (sp?) that seems to be a common place to start, I've learned/copied it from youtube videos, I get it memorized and then forget it again. Its really fun, also really loud, my family gets tired of me when they are watching tv or a movie. I love congas too, but I think I'm best off with the one kind for now.

Well, you are certainly an aspiring musician, in my opinion.

What are your goals with you music? What is your motivation to play?

My main goal is getting good on my bass. Its really fun, I wish I had gotten started a long time ago. I like to play metal songs, Geezer Butler, Steve Harris, Rob Trujillo, and others are the ones I'd love to be able to mimic. Its fun to just plink around and come up with stuff that sounds cool on my own too.

I'm probably going to ask that question a lot on this thread because I am very interested in people's motivations for playing an instrument.

I think your conga playing ambition is great, congas sound so cool and look like a lot of fun.

Fun thread, thanks

[elohiym]

Originally Posted by Vaquero45

That maraca video is ridiculous, I've never heard anything like it, that looks like it would be fun to try, really cool! The cajon hasnt really grown on me too much, seen some nice videos tho'.

Isn't that maracas solo wild? I'm hoping my parents, who live in New York and have Columbian friends, can find me a set of Columbian maracas. I couldn't find any on the internet, or through the local music stores.

Pick up a pair of egg shakers at the music store. You'll love 'em. They're dirt cheap and you can do some cool stuff like that with practice.

Originally Posted by Vaquero45

...and, I've mostly just practiced trying to be consistent and versitile switching the bass, tone, and slap sounds with both hands, takes some new coordination. There is a traditional rhythm called kuku, (sp?) that seems to be a common place to start, I've learned/copied it from youtube videos, I get it memorized and then forget it again. Its really fun, also really loud, my family gets tired of me when they are watching tv or a movie. I love congas too, but I think I'm best off with the one kind for now.

I use YouTube, too. It's a great resource, provided the videos are being made by a legit teacher. I've seen some bad ones.

There are a bunch of djembe videos on Amazon, but I'm not sure of the quality. (If you're ever looking for an Arabic tabla video, I can recommend a couple.)

Originally Posted by Vaquero45

My main goal is getting good on my bass. Its really fun, I wish I had gotten started a long time ago. I like to play metal songs, Geezer Butler, Steve Harris, Rob Trujillo, and others are the ones I'd love to be able to mimic. Its fun to just plink around and come up with stuff that sounds cool on my own too.

That's always fun. I hope you attain your goal with the bass, and will look forward to hearing how things are going.

Originally Posted by Vaquero45

I think your conga playing ambition is great, congas sound so cool and look like a lot of fun.

They are fun, but it takes a lot of practice to get the tones and rhythms down. I've found several good conga teachers on YouTube.

Check out this monster conga player, Giovanni Hildalgo. The man claims to practice ten hours per day when he's not touring or doing studio work.

Giovanni owns the conga

[zippy2006]

Originally Posted by Vaquero45

Cool zippy, i love bass, Victor Wooten is coming to a music store near my house on the 4th to put on a bass clinic. I plan to be there, should be really cool. I've been learning bass, been trying to copy Steve Harris/Iron Maiden stuff among other things. lol I can play The Trooper, but I dont quite match up to Mr Harris yet

Wow, that's awesome Wooten is coming! How long have you been at it?

Calling myself a musician would be a stretch, but my favorite instruments are electric bass, classical guitar, harmonica, native american flute, and hand drums.

I've always wanted a classical guitar. A harmonica too. Did you just teach yourself harmonica? I'm pretty straight laced, so it's unlikely I'll end up in prison and get any good at harmonica.

[Vaquero45]

Originally Posted by zippy2006

Wow, that's awesome Wooten is coming! How long have you been at it?

Should be really fun, he's incredible, I wonder how many people will show up

I'll tell him Zippy says "hi"

I've been playing for maybe 3 months, mostly just learning songs for now, my coordination is getting better, I can play "The Trooper" passably (fairly fast Iron Maiden song with galloping bass line and some tricks thrown in) it has helped my fingers a lot. I have a few instructional videos also. Basically, Im a noob having fun.

You?

I've always wanted a classical guitar. A harmonica too. Did you just teach yourself harmonica? I'm pretty straight laced, so it's unlikely I'll end up in prison and get any good at harmonica.

I bought some blues harmonica instructional books, and learned how to bend notes. Its not very hard. I think creative improvising is the hard part. Seven Tyler (aerosmith) style,m for instance. One cool thing is you can easily practice in your car. ...or prison I suppose. Classical guitar is fun, again I just dabble, I'd never introduce myself as a classical guitarist.

[PureX]

I began playing guitar, and taking lessons when I was 9. Took lessons until I was about 15, and of course wanted to play lead guitar in a band.

I did play around with some bands in high school and college, but nothing much came of it. We opened for Jimmy Buffet, once, before he was really famous.

In college I began taking classical guitar lessons from some big shot classic guitarist that was hired by the music school. And I enjoyed it a lot. But they eventually discovered that I was not a music major and said I had to either become one, or stop taking up lesson time from the other music majors. The teacher really wanted me to switch, but I decided to stay with sculpture. So I stopped taking the lessons.

But I kept playing a sort of funky primitive/classic guitar style for many years after, mostly for my own pleasure.

Interestingly, years later I saw younger musicians like Ani DiFranco using that same kind of ad hoc mixture of blues tunings and classic finger picking. I also invented my own kind "slack key" style that I later found to be popular in the islands (like Hawaii).

Now days I rarely play. Don't know why. Sort of lost interest, I guess.