What Instrument Do You Play?
That question isn’t answered as simply as you think. A music instrument amazes me everytime I hear it. Someone actually had the time to discover a way to create physical sound. And all of it in a system that works together with others.
You should know your instrument well. Ask yourself some questions:
- How does my instrument create sound?
- What action by me is required to create a sound? Compare with other instruments.
- Why did you choose this instrument? If it’s a variant (like tenor-sax or alto-sax), why this variant?
- What styles use this instrument? What styles do I like?
- Are there other instruments that work simlarly? Could I learn them?
- What defines the tone of a violin (or anything) compared to my instrument? Why does a saxophone sound “sexy?”
- What is the history of this instrument? What was it’s original use?
Familiarize with what you’re playing. Because every time you take a guitar in your hand, Kenny Burrell and Jimi Hendrix are playing with you, because it’s what people like them did with the instrument that defines what you do with it.
This exercise will help your identification with the instrument. Once you realise that an instrument is more to you than just a medium to music, but much rather a part of your identity, it will reflect in your playing.
1 Comment
I think the most important task for any musician is to find their instrument. I played guitar for many years in many different styles searching for something that felt right. It wasn’t until I started playing the ukulele that everything fell into place.
If someone had told me I’d end up playing the uke when I first started on guitar, I would have laughed in their face.