Optimum Number of Instruments played?

[Charlie C Chowder]

As you know I play with way too many and read music for less. But I will never be any good on any. But That is my thing.
I think one should play at least two, one of which will help you learn cords and how they are related to your other choice. I taught myself how to play classical guitar. But not though a method book. I just bought an "Everybody's Favorites" and worked it out. Then I was asked to help teach a guitar class. How Much I Did Not Know! I knew the finger positions, but I did not know their names. So, I would get there early to learn what we would be going over and sounded like I knew what I was doing during class. The teacher was beautiful and happy for the help. I was happy to help her.

CCC

[Snake Charmer]

The next instrument is always easier to learn! Somewhere I read that learning an instrument keeps young, so I try to add a new one from time to time. Meanwhile I am getting kiddish . I play a lot of different things, but keep away from woodwinds and bows...

[Charlie C Chowder]

Going from guitar to cello would be easy if you did not have to learn how to use the "Hairy Stick". Must take lessons for that, too much to reinvent. Let someone lead you though the ways of the Bow.

CCC

[WC8KCY]

My first instrument was a 12-chord Magnus chord organ, which I received at the age of 5 and actually wore out by the time I was 7. It trained my ear to listen for the chords accompanying melodies.

This was replaced by a 96-chord Hammond chord organ, which could be played in any key, and thus expanded my ear training to include augmented, diminished, 6th, 7th, 9th, and minor 7th chords. It also made me intimately familiar with the circle of fifths, as that's how the chord buttons are arranged on chord organs and accordions.

Included with the Hammond was a stash of Pointer System music books, which had the chord fingerings diagrammed at the outer margins of the music. It wasn't long before I could play the chords on the keyboard instead of using the chord buttons, and I was now in business when it came to approaching the piano.

When I picked up the electric bass for Jazz Band in Grade 8, I was all set. I already could pick the chords out of the air, knew what the chord triads and I-IV-V chords were, and didn't really need the charts. All thanks to two chord organs that set my parents back a grand total of $110.

[Mary Ann]

Some of us are not really suited, happiness-wise, to stick to just one instrument. We like figuring them out and actually reach a point of boredom when we get to a certain level. along with not being all that fond of the demands of high level performing. So we take up another instrument, which allows us to keep playing in the fun groups that we "outgrew" on the previous instrument. I'd much rather be scrambling on a certain level, playing in a group the would have me tearing my hair out if I were to play an instrument in it that I had reached a very high level on. So I don't play violin in community orchestras. Concertmaster is not my idea of a good time.

[Dan Tuba]

I've really enjoyed learning new instruments over the years. I played trumpet in middle school through my sophomore year of high school, picked up Euphonium my junior year (made All - State ). I moved to Texas before my senior year, band director said he could really use a bass trombone, so I picked it up (made all region, area, orchestra/band), went to UNT as a bass trombone player, I picked up tuba as a double my freshman year. My parents told me to get a job, so I auditioned for the Army band program on bass trombone. I auditioned for a tuba slot my second year on active duty and officially switched to tuba. During this time I auditioned and made the live round for the "Pershing's Own" Ceremonial band and the Field band's "Jazz Ambassadors." My first assignment was close to Colonial Williamsburg and I had the opportunity to hear a fife and drum corps for the first time, so I decided to learn the fife. My sixth year on active duty, I hurt my back, couldn't play tuba for a while, my wife played french horn, so I learned the French horn. I auditioned and qualified to be a French horn player. I did my next two assignments as a french horn player. During that time, I also auditioned twice for the Old Guard Fife and drum corps, and made the "live" audition, both days. I continued playing bass trombone, Euphonium, tuba in different ensembles during that time as well. I switched back to tuba my 10th year on active duty, and I have remained a tuba player since then (just crossed 20years of service on active duty). During year 14, I had my wisdom teeth removed, but I still had jobs during that time, so I picked up electric bass. I played several jobs on bass while my mouth healed up. I have continued playing all of the instruments off and on over the years. Not sure if I ever achieved the optimum number of instruments, lol I mostly just play tuba these days with an occasional fife, and bass trombone job here and there. Good times,

[bloke]

There’s little doubt that Dan has a tremendous talent. I’ve heard him live.

As far as the thread about posting videos as a student is concerned, I believe that he tends to view others’ abilities as equal to his own, which is rarely the case.