When I am recording in my studio, I often use digital samples for instruments that I don't actually have access to or I am not able to play.
However there is a down side to this...... If I find I actually like the sound of an instrument, I get tempted to dump the digital samples and go out and buy the real analogue version of the instrument and learn to play it. It don't get any more analogue than that does it.
This has however lead to me acquiring an ever growing collection of odd and interesting instruments. Including an Egyptian Oud, an Ehu, a balalaika, a clarinet, a piano accordion a huge collection of guitars, basses, mandolins, mandolas, Irish bouzoukis, a lute guitar, a beautiful Victorian upright piano, recorders, flutes, penny whistles, a violin, harmonicas, concertinas, drums, cymbals, gongs, shakers rattlers and things that go twang and boing..... and even a rubber chicken that squeaks. I did stop short of buying a set of bagpipes as my goodly pirate wench Kitty considers such an action to be serious grounds for divorce.
The hardest of all these instruments to master has been these two Anglo Concertinas. While learning to play them, there have been times when they came very close to being drop kicked into Mevagissey harbour. However having finally come to grips with them, they have become two of my favourite instruments. Very useful for sea shanties.
Anyone who has been following my entries into the analogapril-15 challenge will probably be coming to the conclusion that I'm a bit olde school in my outlook. Analogue Man in fact.
I may have to get a super hero outfit..... made from wool and cotton of course, rather that this new fangled lycra all the other super heros are obsessed with.
@dmcoile I always say that your first instrument is the hardest to learn. You not only have to learn how the mechanics of how the instrument works and develop the manual dexterity and speed, you also have to learn all about timing and scales and music theory.
Any subsequent instrument is easy as you only need to work out the instruments mechanics. You already have all the rest. :)
@sgtpepper I much prefer the Irish version - The uilleann pipes are far more melodic and somewhat less jarring...... Sadly, they are ridiculously expensive even for a cheap practice set.
Any subsequent instrument is easy as you only need to work out the instruments mechanics. You already have all the rest. :)