Who here plays an instrument? Anyone ever tried writing songs?

[Sanfran327]

I've been playing guitar since I was 15 or so, but I am not as good as I could or should be at this point. I haven't played with any consistency for the last 10 years, but I still love it. It's just hard to play in an apartment without feeling guilty about bothering neighbors.

I've always wanted to try to write songs, but I get overwhelmed pretty quickly when I try to think of lyrics and a melody to go along with them.

[glenn__davis]

I can play just about any clarinet or saxophone. Played bass clarinet through junior year of HS, and once you learn one, the others are pretty easy to pick-up. I also was teaching myself to play trumpet for a while, but then my friend wanted his trumpet back so that pretty much ended that.

As far as instruments for a band, my parents bought me a guitar for my 21st birthday, which I've played on and off for almost 10 years now. Honestly, it has pretty much kicked my butt. I feel like I can play almost any wind instrument, but I struggle with the guitar. I've been told by multiple people that you just need to stick with it and that one day it will just click, but I just haven't been able to stick with it long enough. And I now have 3 kids under 5, so yeah, not much time for hobbies right now.

As far as songwriting, I've tried once or twice, but I always feel like my lyrics come out super-cheesy. I can write a mean parody if so inspired, though.

[Goop]

I play the drums. I played consistently from the time I was 12 until about 20. Since then I've been off and on but still play every now and then.

[Stotle]

I've written a lot of guitar stuff. My brother is a solid composer (sold some stuff) and has helped fill in percussion and keyboard in several instances. He does orchestral, jazz, pops, etc., in addition to some electronic stuff and more traditional piano/guitar. I have no idea how he does it.

Re: apartment, buy an electric and get some headphones. There's tons of good recording equipment nowadays -- I had a crappy 4-track but really enjoyed putting stuff down.

[Sanfran327]

I've written a lot of guitar stuff. My brother is a solid composer (sold some stuff) and has helped fill in percussion and keyboard in several instances. He does orchestral, jazz, pops, etc., in addition to some electronic stuff and more traditional piano/guitar. I have no idea how he does it.

Re: apartment, buy an electric and get some headphones. There's tons of good recording equipment nowadays -- I had a crappy 4-track but really enjoyed putting stuff down.

That's awesome. I have much respect for those that can put words and music together and make it sound like art instead of a two year old banging on pots and pans.

I have an electric (MexiStrat) and two amps (Peavey Bandit and Spider Line 6), but I get my kicks from craking up some GNR and wailing away with them. Like I said, not really apartment friendly.

I will try that though. I have a nice set of headphones, and should see if I like it.

[ShaneDawg85]

I've been playing guitar since I was about 15, and in a past life I tried writing some songs. I really can't say I finished writing anything, since it was just guitar and lyrics, or at least a few of them. More often than not I could only write what I thought was passable lyrics, because I couldn't really come up with guitar parts, rhythm or lead.

As far as guitar playing itself I honestly think my skills have gone down over the years, as my consistent playing has waned. I've always been more of a rhythm player, as outside of a few great leads that I learned I've been good at learning or thinking up solo's.

[Miller192]

I've been playing guitar for about 6 years now. I don't get to really practice much but I'll play a song or two a night after the kids are in bed. I'd like to do an open mic night once, that would be cool.

[SrMeowMeow]

I've been playing guitar for about ten years now and am currently an aspiring musician/songwriter.

If you don't already know...it's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll.

[Sanfran327]

I've been playing guitar for about ten years now and am currently an aspiring musician/songwriter.

If you don't already know...it's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll.

"'Cause if you're big-star bound, let me warn you, it's a long, hard ride."

[sbauer]

Started playing the violin in middle school. I just play existing music.

[SurhoffRules]

I'm kind of a utility infielder when in comes to music, play a variety of things pretty well but never really dedicated to any one thing. Started playing brass (trombone at first) back in elementary school then got the piano and then into your more traditional rock instruments. I was in a band in college and we recorded/played out a little. We never really broke up because we're all pretty good friends. We just got busy with life for a bit. We actually started playing again consistently a few months back and have been writing a bunch of new material. No real goal in mind, it's fun to make noise again.

It's funny though, thinking back we never really did anything but originals. A cover here or there maybe. I used to really be terrified of lyrics. I was always worried about trying to write 'good' lyrics. I hated most everything I came up with. I'm quite a bit more comfortable now since I decided to just stop caring about the perceived 'quality' of the words. I don't know if they've gotten any better but I sure enjoy writing and singing them a lot more. I think the big thing for me was to just stop taking the process so seriously and enjoy the music for what it was.

[OrangeJerseys]

I've played guitar for over 20 years now. In my early twenties I played in gigging band and got to the point where it was my job. We partied like we were rock stars and it didn't last long. I've just started picking it up and practicing more lately.

[gallden]

I play the drums, been doing so consistently for about 12 years, I play mainly at my church and some friends of mine and I are getting a blues, jonny lang style band together, with an extraordinary singer, who is honestly way out of our league. I was also blessed with a chance to record an album in Nashville with a band I played in for about 4 years. Oh and no writing for me I leave that to the musicians.

[scOtt]

I took guitar lessons when I was 5, played on an off since. After I got divorced ('85) I played a LOT. Got pretty good I guess. Played a mean Star Spangled Banner.

Like SanFran said, coming up with my own songs was nearly impossible. Always sounded like some song that already existed.

[olehippi]

I've been playing guitar since I was 15 or so, but I am not as good as I could or should be at this point. I haven't played with any consistency for the last 10 years, but I still love it. It's just hard to play in an apartment without feeling guilty about bothering neighbors.

I've always wanted to try to write songs, but I get overwhelmed pretty quickly when I try to think of lyrics and a melody to go along with them.

I've played guitar since I was about 12 yrs old.....that's 57 years now In 1960, I helped form a band in high school and off/on for the next 30 years played with some configuration of the band.

I got interested in writing songs in the mid-70's, and by the mid-80's was serious about it. I joined NSAI, and spent a lot of time in Nashville making the rounds of publishers and record companies. It was a grueling and eye-opening experience. There are lots of starving songwriters and musicians in Nashville. A couple of my songs garnered some interest, including from the now defunct Lyric Street Records. Dann Huff, the producer for SheDaisy, liked one of my songs, but ultimately, it didn't make the cut.

I still write, and sometimes dabble around in a friend's recording studio, but arthritis in my hands has taken a toll on my playing. I recently wrote a song for my 50th class reunion. It will be used on a DVD with a power-point photo presentation of the reunion.