Instrument Players - Come and chat (Part II)

[CoteDAzur]

Previous thread is here.

We filled one thread, so here’s another

I find scales much, much easier on piano than flute. But doing them on piano helps with the flute because it helps to visualize the keyboard.

How are scales on a string instrument? Maybe it's a bit more natural to do by ear and/or positional memory because it's more of a spatial finger position - a bit more like the piano? On a woodwind instrument it's a finger combination, so I wonder if that's sort of harder (well for me anyway!) Not sure if I'm making any sense here - already had had my first Friday glass of wine.

I find string instrument players very impressive because of the skill in playing in tune - you could put your fingers anywhere but you get the right note! I only play instruments that are "press button = get note".

I'm finding the sax interesting from that perspective, as the tuning is so variable depending on mouth position.

How are scales on a string instrument?

Well, they're easy on the guitar, because you only have to learn the shape and you can transpose it to any key, without knowing anything about the number of sharps/flats you are playing.

Tbh I tend to think in the same way on piano now - about tones and semitones and not sharps and flats. I've done a lot of exercises involving transposing in the last year and I am finding that my fingers increasingly go automatically to the right notes.

Well, thanks for the replies. I think I do need to shift my negative attitude to scales.

They are difficult as intonation is so important and you can hide behind vibrato. I find the shifts trickier in scales than during a piece. Also the spaces between notes are physically much smaller when your up very high so your fingers are very close together.
Not sure my brain could process the finger combinations on a wind instrument. How many octaves? Do you have to slur loads of notes? As for the piano, I've been trying to learn forever and just find it so difficult to use two hands.
Had no idea the mouth position affected tuning on the sax!

I meant you can't hide behind vibrato!

Really love my new flute. Playing with open keys is taking a bit of getting used to - changing my hand position to fully cover the holes - but the tone is gorgeous.

Went to see Billy Joel on Saturday and Eagles on Sunday, 2 amazing concerts. Am now lusting after several rare guitars that I’d never be able to afford even if I could find them, haha!

There's nothing like live music to get a bit of inspiration!

Just had another thought about scales - I find it makes it more fun to play them along to some kind of accompaniment. I have this one which I use all the time: www.musicroom.com/product/aeb24cd/aebersold-vol-24-major-and-minor.aspx

I guess playing with a backing track also helps with keeping the tempo consistent.

I appear to have acquired some second-hand bongos. Been watching some tutorials on YouTube to pick up the basics and throwing in a bit of improvisation, it’s good fun and almost meditative once you get into the rhythm. Don’t think I’m going to be too popular with the neighbours though (house next door has just gone up for sale, but not bongo related, lol!).

Hi all, just jumping in on the thread as I've just been to my son's ukulele perfermance, he's amazing!! At last years one I enjoyed it so much I went out and bought my own uke, but sadly I never seem to find the time to practice. He's had lessons at school for 3 years now (only the latter half of each year as the music teacher is stretched v thin) and I'm amazed at how quick his chord changes are! I give up at any chord which requires 3 fingers so he's way ahead of me. He starts senior school next year and is hoping to do guitar lessons then. I must find the time to practice more!

Not sure if this has already been asked but I want to start my dd on the harp and have no idea what I’m doing?! Can anyone help me please?

netflux You might try this thread - people are knowledgeable about all kinds of instruments and kids lessons.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/extra_curricular_activities/3548346-Summer-term-2019-music

All I know about harps is that there's the small one and there's the big one and you need a pick-up truck if you have the big one.

@NeverEverAnythingEver thank you!

Oops nc fail, ok that’s what dh said how on earth do you fit a harp in a 4x4.
How often do you have to transport it? Could we make do hiring a van initially on the odd occasion or am I being super naive

Haha. I don't know. I think people take their welsh harps around and only hire a pick-up truck for the concert harp if there are concerts.

But I really don't know.

Oh I see you've posted on the other thread.

Amazing range of expertise over there!

How is everyone doing? Pianists - do you find keeping time difficult? I'm trying to play a piano duet and find it rather complicated to keep up. You'll learn rhythm, they say. Hah.

I find keeping time on the piano ok - but I learned the flute first so maybe it's ingrained from that.

I'm not terrible at rhythm but not brilliant. Kids are better. Both are good guitarists and have rock solid timing. Think your first instrument is a factor here.

I use a metronome as I find it's good discipline. Not that I'm doing much at the moment as it's too bloody hot.

I listened to a podcast about rhythm from a drummer last week and her main recommendation was to dance.

My piano teacher suggested playing on keyboard sometimes so you can put a beat on. I guess it depends what style of music you are playing though...

Maybe it helps to regularly play with others, so perhaps there is more practice with an orchestral / ensemble instrument - hadn't really thought about that before.

Hi everyone. I lost this thread and it took me a while to find it again. How is everyone? We are on a long holiday and I have no keyboard to play So it's singing exercises (lyric! ) and Bach cantatas that people around me are learning to appreciate or not

Oh no - it's not nice to be without your instrument. It is a great thing that you always have your voice with you though!

I'm trying out having some Kodaly musicianship lessons - via skype! So far so good. (Lots of singing.) Has anyone else ever tried skype music lessons for anything?

I'm very interested in singing lessons. What is Kodak's about?

Kodaly!