Any musicians here suffer from GAS?

[NightLad]

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

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!

[Earl]

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.

I meant the GAS pains. I hang out with alot of players and usually the more expensive an item is, the more we want it, the harder it is to buy, the worse the GAS. It's all in how we refer to it. Sorry I didn't mean to throw you off.

[NightLad]

Oh, well then, now that we have the terminology hammered out... I agree!

[Earl]

That's some really cool stuff. I wish I knew more about other instruments so I could appreciate how hard it is to learn and play them. I'm just a crazy metal head

I've got about 23 years of fret time give or take. God that makes me feel old.

[Argentra]

Hehe... don't. I have about 25 or more years of piano time, and 20 of recorder. I only play both for fun or to figure out the notes of a song, so I'm in no way at performance level with them, but that's how long I've been a musician.

My performance level instrument is my voice...FYI. The only one that doesn't take a ton of money to upkeep.

[Earl]

I only play both for fun or to figure out the notes of a song

That's all I do with music is enjoy myself. My band days are long over.