by Hanley! » Aug 17, '14, 6:12 am
I can play a few instruments. I'm of the opinion that once you get good at one, you'll be able to become decent at another in a much shorter period of time. The theory is all transferable, it's just the technique that you have to learn on the new instrument. Nobody showcased this better than my Dad - you could give him an instrument he'd never played before and five minutes later after he'd adjusted to it, he'd be playing songs no problem.
The house I grew up in has musical instruments plastered on every wall. There are several guitars, a piano, a bouzouki, a mandolin, a banjo, a clarinet, a few harmonicas and tin whistles, bongo drums ... I think there's an accordion stowed away in the attic at the moment. There's plenty to play with.
I started playing piano and keyboard when I was about 4 years old. When I was 14 years old, I started playing the guitar (electric and acoustic). Those are the instruments I really focused on. Guitar is the instrument I most enjoy playing and the one that I'm most skilled at. I own three of them myself and I'm always playing and learning new stuff. I'd like to play the piano a bit more, but there isn't room for one in my apartment and I don't have the money to spend on it in any case. So I only get to play piano now when I go home to see my Mum for the weekend.
I played in pub bands from age 16 to about 20, but haven't done it now in years. It's something I've often thought about trying to start up again, but I don't think I really have the time to commit to it right now. When I was playing in the band, I used to trade out with the others and play bass guitar or drums a little, but mostly I was on guitar and vocals.
I used to give guitar lessons to make some money when I was in college too. To be honest, I think I probably sucked at it. I knew what I was doing on the guitar, but I'm not sure I was so good at the teaching part at that point. I reckon I'd probably be a lot better at that now, so it's something I could always start up again in future if I was in desperate need of some extra cash.