Quote Originally Posted by Earl View Post
Yup you and your friend have it much worse than I do. How long have you been playing?
Oh no, I'd not classify it as 'better' or 'worse'. In my experience, every musician cares passionately about their instrument, and financial burdeons notwithstanding (which I understand is what you were referring to), they are all equally beautiful in their own unique ways. If only they could be equally priced! I could not compare the beauty of a harp to the elegance of a well crafted guitar, or piano, or the harpsichord.

A friend of mine has a hand crafted mahogany electric guitar - it is quite stunning, and makes me wish I could make it sing. I believe that, aesthetics aside, this is the magic within any well crafted instrument that was created with love; it has the power to inspire the soul just by looking at it.

To answer your question, I started in August 2006. Prior to this I had not touched an instrument, or read a note of sheet music. However, I am currently playing Grade 6 pieces and I am in training for my Grade 4 certificate from the Royal Conservatory of Music. My parents were kind enough to offer music lessons on several occasions when I was a child, piano and flute as well as a few others, but I refused because I was terribly shy. Oh if only I had a time machine!

Here is a video of Deborah Hanson-Concert playing "The Nightingale", the first full instrumental piece I learned. She wrote it for her mother after her passing. She is playing an Electric Harp, (I thought you'd get a kick outta that!) and is a great performer... 'the Nightingale' starts at 2:20 in if you don't want to listen to the background story/song.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2Dz4noAEwwU&feature=related

Quote Originally Posted by Argentra View Post
My favorite instrument, the harpsichord. That one is from the 1600's: Yale Ruckers 1640 harpsichord... and, since I know two people right now who have built their own, it shouldn't be too hard to get one once I have the monetary means. Mine would be a deep red wood, though, with Celtic engravings.
Very sweet! I've always loved J.S. Bach's Allegro I. from Brandenburg Concerto No. 5. The harpsichord is clearly audible throughout and it features a 3min solo toward the end. Great stuff!