Instruments Aboard And Music

[HandyBilly]

I play keyboard instruments but I'm thinking about picking up a woodwind instrument or maybe the guitar so that I can play something aboard that doesn't require electricity.

What sort of instruments do experienced cruisers find easy to keep and use while cruising?

Thanks!

[Aquaria]

On a flea marked we saw a half size guitar and bought it for €5, new strings for €15 and now we have alot of fun!

Much more convenient than having a full size western guitar in a hard case on board of a 32ft boat.

Then I love (irish) tin whistles... but some fellow sailors believe that whisteling on a sailboat is bringing bad luck : sudden storm, freak waves, running aground, fog, sinking, never ending calms, mast coming down, mob,... or all that together.

Uwe

SY Aquaria

[JeanneP]

Bagpipes. I think they're cool.

[linnupesa]

Yes, I heard those pipes can can even scare the barnacles right off the prop too, as well as the pirates.

I myself keep a guitar and a harmonica aboard, for dis-chord and dat-chord..

Ivo

[redbopeep]

I just learned that you can purchase entire SETS of harmonicas--one for each key it seems. Another sailor has a box set of them to play.

[Aquaria]

Originally Posted by JeanneP

Bagpipes. I think they're cool.

Very nice!

and playing a tune for everyone on the anchorage or in the marina right at sunset!

Or a trumpet played at sunset. Very traditional. Reminds everyone to take down his national flag for the night (a tradition still done especially in northern european waters).

Uwe

SY Aquaria

[chiroeurope]

Brenda,

Depending on whether you want to go the diatonic or chromatic route (diatonic are 10 holes, tuned to a key in what is called the Richter scale and chromatics are tuned to a Key for the chords present in solo tuning usually and have all notes present). If you are ever looking for some let me know. I work on them and know more then a few dealers out your way as the harp world is a small one.

Michael.

[caddyspanker]

I will incline to using a guitar. It is always a lot of fun when you all gather around for some fun making up guitar music.

[babylonlarry]

Guitar has the advantage of being a familiar chord playing instrument, making it great for singing around a cockpit, campfire, bar table.... and lots of people can take turns playing.

Bagpipes, pennywhistles and a whole slew of single note instruments do not have that going.

[Janet H]

How about a harmonium? Perfect for a keyboard player and very portable. A harmonium sounds a bit like a small organ and has a manual bellow. It's about the size of a suitcase and no electricity needed. Awesome for sing-a-longs.

Here's a link to video: Battle Hymn of the Republic - YouTube

[HandyBilly]

A neighboring boat here has a guitar. So, I'm getting some time with it to see if that's what I'd like. My natural tendency is still towards something like a flute, recorder or such though.

That harmonium looks good for sing-alongs but not for just playing, me thinks.

[babylonlarry]

Melodica might be of interest as it is a wind driven keyboard. If I remember correctly, it will also play chords.

[jazzz]

I agree, with a guitar anybody can relate when it comes to chords, you can compose s song in no time

[JimKane]

I keep a diatonic concertina aboard and the wife plays her accordian on the boat.

[Janet H]

Originally Posted by JimKane

I keep a diatonic concertina aboard and the wife plays her accordian on the boat.

So tempting to insert an accordion joke here ..

Do you have trouble with or concerns about salt air oxidizing the reeds or doing other harm to your instruments?

[haiqu]

Originally Posted by JimKane

I keep a diatonic concertina aboard and the wife plays her accordian on the boat.

I can hear the sea shanties already. Although it is said that the definition of good taste is knowing how to play a squeezebox and refraining from doing so.

Then again, I'm a guitarist and hang around with way too many cynical musicians. If you enjoy it, that's all that matters.

Rob

[redbopeep]

Hubby has a clarinet that he plays aboard the boat. He really enjoys it. He also uses our computer to have play alongs with midi and mp3 files.

[haiqu]

"Stranger on the Shore" ? :-)

Rob

[Joe Hill IV]

Hv onboard a guitar, mandolin, ukulele, mouthharps, irish tin whistles among other looking to buy a jews harp, kalimba, concertina, harmonium and trumpet as its nice to play a muted taps at sunset (not reveille) bridge opening fun and foghorn useful