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Posted By: musiclover Most versatile musical instrument? - 09/15/10 09:09 PM
Its probably a question where everyone has their own opinions on and heres mine. It has to be the guitar for the following reasons.

1 not too difficult to learn.
2 portability.
3 will give others a lot of pleasure as well as you can back their singing.
4 starts at a reasonable price for a fairly decent instrument.

any ideas on what instrument you consdier?

Musiclover
Posted By: rharv Re: Most versatile musical instrument? - 09/15/10 09:13 PM
Keyboards-

No harder to learn than guitar (actually easier for me)
Can play a lot of instrument sounds fairly well
Can create new unique sounds
Can control multiple sound sources
MIDI control
Can play more than six notes at once over wider range
one hand play bass, the other chording

AND when I sit at the regular (real) piano everyone else tunes to me!
The acoustic guitar is easily the most versatile instrument of all. And there's no need to give the reasons why. The list is obvious and too numerous to mention.

If the question were "what is the grandest instrument", then the answer would definitely be the piano.

If you change the question to "what is your favorite instrument", then all answers would be correct.

If you can't carry it in one hand, without any amplifiers, computers, or effects in the other hand, then it ain't versatile.

If you can't simulate a quasi full band sound with only one acoustic instrument, it ain't versatile.

If there's no electricity..............................etc.
Posted By: rharv Re: Most versatile musical instrument? - 09/15/10 11:55 PM
A guitar can "simulate a quasi full band sound" ?

I know of a few multi-timbral synths that can run on battery when there is no electricity.. and can easily be carried in one hand.
They have drum kits, bass, synth and piano sounds readily available. And speakers.
I think they fit the 'versatile' category even by your description.

Just a different opinion. I will agree that just sitting down and playing an acoustic in an intimate setting is really nice.. but don't think it's as versatile as a synth. Not for every genre anyway.
Posted By: MarioD Re: Most versatile musical instrument? - 09/16/10 12:36 AM
My main instrument is the guitar so my obvious answer would be the keyboard. Why? Well just reread rharv’s messages.
rharv,

I guess I should clarify a little.

An instrument is just ONE device. Acoustic only. No electricity, no battery. An acoustic piano is an instrument. An electric piano is a piano with effects, an amplifier, etc. It can be made to sound like anything. An electric guitar fits the same description.

Don't get me wrong. I play and love the the sound of an electric guitar. But it's not an instrument. It's an instrument with effects and amplification. That's two or more things. It's not versatile, because without the amp, electricity and effects, you can't even HEAR it.

That takes it out of the realm of an instrument and moves it into the realm of a "system"! If you can't play it in your backyard, campground, backwoods, or on a rowboat, it's not an instrument, it's a system!

Now obviously it would be hard to get an acoustic piano on a rowboat, but if you did, you could play it, (providing you could play it before you put it on a rowboat). And if you had REALLY good balance!

An instrument has to stand alone. Otherwise, it's a musical system. Not an instrument.

I hope this clarifies what I said before. Acoustic = instrument. Electric = musical "system" or device.
Posted By: gibson Re: Most versatile musical instrument? - 09/16/10 11:18 AM
The voice is the most versatile musical instrument of all.
from bass to soprano
from Gregorian chants to Castrati <shudder>
solo or with others
no amplication needed
any musical genre
and with or without beer!!

even throat singing or overtone singing Amazing Grace How does he do that???

Alyn
Posted By: jford Re: Most versatile musical instrument? - 09/16/10 11:30 AM
Hi, Alyn -

Here's another pretty cool example - Mongolian Throat Singing
Posted By: DrDan Re: Most versatile musical instrument? - 09/16/10 12:40 PM
Quote:



The voice is the most versatile musical instrument of all.

Alyn




Yes, of course. Sometime the obvious answer in right in front of our face.
Posted By: MarioD Re: Most versatile musical instrument? - 09/16/10 05:17 PM
Quote:

The voice is the most versatile musical instrument of all.
from bass to soprano
from Gregorian chants to Castrati <shudder>
solo or with others
no amplication needed
any musical genre
and with or without beer!!

Alyn




Holy Cow!

You can sing without beer
Posted By: jazzband Re: Most versatile musical instrument? - 09/16/10 05:52 PM
Hi
,
The Banjo is my most versatile instrument so many ways and styles and the most musician jokes and if your a beer drinker any instrument you can play one handed or with your feet (not the banjo by the way) i always wondered why the Piano player always got drunk first

regards Dave
Posted By: Danny C. Re: Most versatile musical instrument? - 09/16/10 05:54 PM
Quote:

Quote:

The voice is the most versatile musical instrument of all.
from bass to soprano
from Gregorian chants to Castrati <shudder>
solo or with others
no amplication needed
any musical genre
and with or without beer!!

Alyn




Holy Cow!

You can sing without beer




Alas . . . there in lies my problem and the solution as well!
Posted By: rharv Re: Most versatile musical instrument? - 09/16/10 07:10 PM
Alcohol- the cause of (and solution to) all of life's problems..
- Homer
(as in Simpson)
Posted By: jford Re: Most versatile musical instrument? - 09/16/10 07:58 PM
Quote:

Alcohol- the cause of (and solution to) all of life's problems..




I'll drink to that!
Posted By: Rob Helms Re: Most versatile musical instrument? - 09/16/10 08:34 PM
Alquehaul - da cawse of {and solrushun to] aaaalllllllll of lifff's probalemziz!

Don't tellll Mom we hada riddle drinkypoo! 'Kay Johnny!?!?
Posted By: jford Re: Most versatile musical instrument? - 09/16/10 08:36 PM
Two trumpet players walk past a bar...


Hey, it could happen!

Posted By: Shastastan Re: Most versatile musical instrument? - 09/19/10 05:29 PM
I believe that it's the guitar. However, I sure don't think it's the easiest instrument to learn. I'm just starting lessons on it now and as a trumpet player, learning the trumpet is child's play compared to learning the guitar. I would rate the keyboard as a close 2nd. I'm not qualified to say anything about Voice.

Stan
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