chromatic isnstrument under $130

Mack.Hoover · Post by **Mack.Hoover** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 8:53 am

...or one of these:

http://musikmuseum.dk/1XYL1.HTM

I've seen and coveted a briefcase size one.

Flyingcursor · Post by **Flyingcursor** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 11:16 am

Doesn't look like the spindly legs will hold it up well.

I notice they refer to the bamboo flutes as "toy" "bamboo recorders".
Maybe they need someone else as curator.

tomcat · Post by **tomcat** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 12:04 pm

How about a thumb piano or kalimba as they are sometimes called. Usually they have only one octave - but some go beyond to 2 and 1/2. I've got one out of a gourd that's pretty awesome. I bought it at an "earth friendly" store in Austin for $40.

The sound is cool. Kinda of a poor man's set of vibes. And the harmony is fun.

Patrick · Post by **Patrick** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 12:13 pm

Y'know, most tenor recorders have keys for the bottom holes. That means you don't need to feel those little holes, just the keys. Yamaha makes a tenor recorder that gets good reviews and goes for about $70.

As mentioned, entry-level guitars and ukes can be had for under $100.

There are some cheapie fiddles on the market for that price range, too. If you buy new, you'll get a fiddle made in China. Some people have nothing but contempt for these, others consider them viable entry-level instruments. Mine is German, purchased at a garage sale for $60.

For $400 or a little more, there is a "piano dulcimer" that is actually chromatic.

Bowed psalteries go for about $150 each.

I guess you could figure out what sort of instrument you really want to play, then ask if anyone is selling one. That would probably help a lot of us figure out what to suggest. A fair number of instruments out there are chromatic, so it would be nice to have it narrowed down a bit.

-Patrick

Post by **Nanohedron** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 12:19 pm

You can't get much more chromatic than a slide whistle. And the price is right.

tomcat · Post by **tomcat** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 12:21 pm

I've never tried a nose whistle . . . maybe its chromatic . . . then again it may depend on your nose.

Post by **Nanohedron** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 12:26 pm

Seriously, though, Cran: you're young yet...why not try to get a used fiddle? Unless your hand/wrist problems would dictate otherwise...

Jayhawk · Post by **Jayhawk** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 12:35 pm

My son has a nose whistle. He's 4, and when he saw one in the music store he had to have it (this is a side effect of 4 - anything that's played with the nose is instantly cool

).

Technically, it's chromatic, but I can't seem to ever reproduce the same sound twice (then again, I have not really tried hard).

They're kind of spooky - my son likes to jump out at guests and blast a note at them with the nose whistle. He looks abit like a musical Hannibal Lecter...you have to see one being played to understand.

They do have some positives - no fingers needed, costs less than $2, and it comes in several colors.

Eric

french · Post by **french** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 1:23 pm

man-do-lin!

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 5:06 pm

I never thought to check a pawn shop. There are 4 (I think) near me. I'm going to try to call them tomorrow.

I had an electronic keyboard, but I gave it away because one key wouldn't produce sound. After I started learning whistle and got to wanting to play other types of music I wish I hadn't given it away.

I had a violin when I was in 6th grade but I never played it. I thought you needed a pinky to play?

I also have a guitar, but it scares me.

I'm still leaning toward those big xylophones on stands...because they'd be relatively easy. But I think I should wait a few weeks then see if I still want one, because the way my mind works, I probably won't. I don't want to impulse buy something and let it sit in the kor•ner.

Zubivka · Post by **Zubivka** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 6:29 pm

Nanohedron wrote:You can't get much more chromatic than a slide whistle. And the price is right.

So true!
Slide trombones are more expensive. But they're great in a car, esp. from the back seat. If a front airbag pops open you get that kwool slur, then that great cavernous mute

The remaining problem is the dentist's bill after such jams. Better stick to the slide whistle. Aka the poor man's slide melodica.

Tony · Post by **Tony** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 8:04 pm

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... egory=1289

Jeferson · Post by **Jeferson** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 9:20 pm

OK, Tony, at least we know the seller ain't messing around:

"WE ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO ACCEPT BIDS FROM UNHAPPY MISERABLE JERKS THAT TREAT THEIR FELLOW EBAYER AS IF THEY WERE LESS THAN HUMAN. IF YOU ARE NOT A NICE PERSON, GO BID SOMEWHERE ELSE!"

Jef

Zubivka · Post by **Zubivka** » Sat Jun 14, 2003 10:07 am

Tony, thanks for the link:
I never knew melodicas came with a schnorkel.
I might bid. I want one! Not sure I'm a "nice person", but I'll try to qualify. Then add a camping mattress foot-operated inflator, squeeze it under me armpit and patent the first CUPS, i.e.
Chromatic Uillean Parlor Squeezebox !

Now, just imagine it on a tandem's bike driver's backback (aka Camelback), while blown by the same driver. Behind, the stoker can both pedal and press the keyboard. Now you got the first

Tandemeolochromatohooliganopedalodeon or T&H for short

Tony · Post by **Tony** » Sat Jun 14, 2003 10:48 am

What's really wierd is... I live less than 2 miles from that music store.