Instruments I wish I could play - Part 2
After the fiddle, another instrument I've always wanted to play is the . I tried them once. Mick Doonan from got me a practice set. I took it out of the box and in the privacy of my own home, strapped it on. I gave a few tentative pumps of the elbow bellows and filled the bag with air.
Immediately the thing started to growl and snarl at me like a pit bull with a thistle up its bum. I persevered and pumped more air in while trying to finger some notes. It was like trying to make love to an unwilling adenoidal octopus and after an hour the neighbours were banging on the walls and threatening to call the police.
So it was back to the banjo and the blues harp and instead of a virtuoso version of the 'King Of The Fairies' it was 'Sammy Shuttleworth's Party' and 'The Hole In The Elephant's Bottom'. Irish piping's loss may have been comedy's gain - that's not for me to say - but Finbar Furey and Liam O'Flynn can certainly rest easy.
I wonder how many other people in the folk world wish sometimes they were doing something other than what they now do. Does Joan Baez, I wonder, ever wish that she'd taken up the spoons? Does Martin Simpson ever wish he'd been a folk comedian? I could always teach him 'The Hole In The Elephant's Bottom' if he fancied doing a stint wearing the red nose.
So, what have you always wanted to play... and why? Let me know below...
Immediately the thing started to growl and snarl at me like a pit bull with a thistle up its bum. I persevered and pumped more air in while trying to finger some notes. It was like trying to make love to an unwilling adenoidal octopus and after an hour the neighbours were banging on the walls and threatening to call the police.
So it was back to the banjo and the blues harp and instead of a virtuoso version of the 'King Of The Fairies' it was 'Sammy Shuttleworth's Party' and 'The Hole In The Elephant's Bottom'. Irish piping's loss may have been comedy's gain - that's not for me to say - but Finbar Furey and Liam O'Flynn can certainly rest easy.
I wonder how many other people in the folk world wish sometimes they were doing something other than what they now do. Does Joan Baez, I wonder, ever wish that she'd taken up the spoons? Does Martin Simpson ever wish he'd been a folk comedian? I could always teach him 'The Hole In The Elephant's Bottom' if he fancied doing a stint wearing the red nose.
So, what have you always wanted to play... and why? Let me know below...
Comment number 1.
At 25th Jun 2010, jonbanjo wrote:I well respect the Ulean Pipes but have never tried them or seen me as playing them.
Probably another wish for me is the Aglo concertina. While I love banjo (wish I was Barney...) would chose fiddle as before... Noel Hill's playing on this is just fantastic.
Have even had my hands on a really nice quick Jeffries but all I can work is a slow morris dance say Princess Royal at 1/2 pace.
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Comment number 2.
At 25th Jun 2010, jonbanjo wrote:Pipes more for me would be the Northumbrian Small pipes. I love the Pauline Cato playing. Never tried them though.
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Comment number 3.
At 25th Jun 2010, jonbanjo wrote:Oh and we have the mystery one. It would not be my main instrument but I have had skilled flute players hold and angle one. I still can not produce a note.
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Comment number 4.
At 25th Jun 2010, jonbanjo wrote:Sorry to add yet another post but we could add an old B/C paulo soprani button accordion. I just love the sound of the ones I have heard. I do have the Honer with the black button but can not get my head round B/C
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Comment number 5.
At 26th Jun 2010, jonbanjo wrote:Being stupid here but just mention Aiken Drum on the forum. Would you know how to play on a ladle or even what might sound like?
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Yet another totally defeats me is the bodhran. It is great in good hands - Andy Wells, a local is superb - up with any I have heard but me I'd be your session nightmare. My timing is not bad but hitting one of these or any drums does not work for me.
I suppose where I'm leading to is that in a sense, I would love to be virtuoso on all! 2 bearably/session get by, raising that up if pulled along and on a good day is the limit I have to accept though.
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Comment number 6.
At 28th Jun 2010, Matt wrote:Well, by a strange coincidence I rather fancy fiddle and uilleann pipes myself. I've tried Northumbrian smallpipes, but I found them to be... well... too small. I have quite big fingers.
I also really fancy learning button accordion, because it can do melody and backing all in one, and it's great for singing along with too. I firmly resist the idea of learning the guitar, because it's too common. Not to disparage any guitar players out there, but that's just not how I operate.
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Comment number 7.
At 30th Jun 2010, dannylerudd wrote:Hi,
I write in despair as someone who was sent to piano lessons from the age of 8 to 16? I got to London College of music grade 6? I passed the theory exams OK and just scraped through the playing exams. I can read music OK but I long to have some natural talent which I guess you guys(and gals?) do. Give me some sheet music and long enough to practice it and I can probably do OK but ask me to play something by ear and its not possible. Can you go to lessons for this sort of thing(it didnt work for me) or are you just born with the ability?
On the positive side I pay money to go to concerts to listen to artisis who do have ability,so my loss is their gain. I have just brought my daughters keyboard down from the loft and dusted it off and it still works so maybe I'll try again - watch out Sam Lakemen here I come!
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