How many musicians here?

I know we have a bunch of writers here at WF, but I'm curois about musical talent (my singing thread aside).

I'm currently in a pseudo-band that plays mostly for fun, and mostly when we're drunk. I'm wondering, is there any advice anyone has on the whole 'band' thing?

Help with writing lyrics is a plus--I'm horrible at it! Mostly I get by with a n idea and fun rythms on the guitar, rather than well-constructed lyrical genuis.

How many WFers are current or future musical stars? How manuy used to play? How many of us just write songs in the shower and never sing them to anyone else?

Anyone have poetry they think passes as musical?

Piano/Keyboard & Sax. And I sing

I can hold a tune pretty well, but basically have an ugly singing voice. I am determined, however, to learn to play piano at some point in my life. I started last year, but had to quit as I couldn't afford the lessons anymore.

My experience with amateur musicians is fairly extensive though, as I worked for a foundation advising them, providing rehearsal space and organising small festivals, for 5 years. I'd say just enjoy yourself but don't expect a career and don't give up your day job Even the smallest country has thousands and thousands of amateur bands, chances of making it are minute. Chances of having a great time and making lots of friends, on the other hand, are huge. Plus, of course, if you manage to organise some gigs, you won't have to complain about female attention

Got to grade 3 flute, grade 5 piano, but had to give up because of work. I don't sing though. Learning instruments and hearing subtleties in music has made me VERY aware of when I go even slightly off key. So I dont bother, its too painful for me, and I wouldnt want to inflict it on those around me!

I used to play the oboe

Actually it was black! I can also play it's close relative, the English horn

Black?!?!

Mewa or Alphaman?

*Really tries to avoid the English Horn set up*

The English horn wasn't a set up, I did play it briefly! And aside from popular belief, it is actually longer than the oboe ... which actually made it hard for me to handle as I only have little hands and couldn't hold it properly Plus it's hard to play and you need to do breathing exercises.

I don't like the direction all of this is going in... thanks to mr.scruff I can't read any of Summerteeth's posts like they are intended. If indeed, they are intended the way I think.. or should think they were intended. If you know what I mean.

I must apologise Zenow. I come over all smutty when the lovely Ms Teeth makes a perfectly innocent post

I'll seek help for my disorder.

Carry on with the musical inquiries..

Yay for Summerteeth (always think I spelll that wrong)!!!!!

I once played the clarinet well, but the video of it I think has been destroyed. "Once" means absolutely once. And it sounded good to me.

I play acoustic guitar, african drum, whatever happens to be laying around. It's all for good fun.

We are looking for an Oboe/English Horn player actually. It's a plus you can sing too, if you're interested.

I can sing like Dean Martin! But who wants to hear that type of music anymore?

Anyone who likes a good singer, that's who!

I haven't played for about 10 years, so I am very very rusty - and I wasn't that good in the first place (got kicked out of the school band for hitting dud notes during Vandervalk).

That said though, I was looking at buying another oboe not long ago, but they're expensive and I don't think I'd play often enough to warrant the expense Plus I tend to splice my hands open when scraping the reed.

I play drums on and off, mainly in rock and blues cover bands, for fun and free booze.

That's cool.

I was in a band that met these criteria from 1980-1991...

I play the viola and Baroque viola in various orchestras and ensembles. Sometimes I get paid for it, but it's barely enough for gas money. Even teaching under the table wouldn't be enough to pay the bills, so even though I've been playing just about as long as I can remember, when I leave college and get a job I probably won't be able to keep it up.

I can also play the violin and a little bit of piano, marimba, glockenspiel, soprano recorder, but nowhere near as professionally as the viola.