I'm not making this up. Since you engage me in conversation rife with subtle, though double meaning, I assumed you would know that I am somewhat competent in this area.
-> Then this conversation will have some interest value.
So I see.
->
Funny you ask. But yes I am. Although piano is fun, the stringed instruments make such hauntingly beautiful music, and are portable besides. You can play them virtually anywhere. On the beach, in the car, the front porch, all it takes is imagination and for the mood to strike. Much more convenient than the piano. Not to mention, the piano requires years of lessons. I don't know about you, but I picked up the ability to play a stringed instrument in no time at all. Soon enough, I got requests and rave reviews and even today there's nothing more satisfying that seeing an appreciative look in the eyes of a loved one after a particularly stirring concert. And I always encourage people to sing along too.
I'm amusing myself too much.
-> You learn to play some string instruments quite quickly.. if you are willing to accept being mediocre. Eric Johnson said "you should always be a student of the guitar". He was correct. An exceptional ability on guitar/bass takes years, especially jazz and classical. On a violin=even longer.
-> You can become an ok piano player in a year or two by loads of intelligent practice. For jazz + classical: U better practice a bit longer. If U know theory and have technique + practicing skills from other instruments, becoming proficient at teh piano = a lot easier + quicker. -> An example: If you know the harmonization of scales and all the different arpeggios that can be derived + the turnarounds, learning these on a key instrument will be a pure technical thing (and here it helps if you know how to practice for optimal technique from another instrument). If you do not know about arpeggios, you must first learn about scales, then arps, then start to practice the arps on teh keys. Same with scales. This will demand a lot more effort + time.
-> Gary Busey supports Debusseys quest to improve its knowledge of music theory and Debusseys instrument skills. Under Garys mentoring Debussey = learnt a lot. The more you learn, teh more you see that you do not know shit = every day, Debussey understand that it does not know a lot. That is teh nature of the universe.
KABOOM.
