Instruments you can't play and still be cool

LittleMy · Post by **LittleMy** » Tue Aug 14, 2001 7:05 pm

From the 'I saw it on the internet, so it must be true' department:

INSTRUMENTS YOU CAN'T PLAY AND STILL BE COOL

Flute

Bagpipes

Oboe

Trombone

Triangle

Kazoo

Zither

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... type=music

I don't know whether to be relieved that whistle isn't on the list, or outraged that flute and bagpipe are...

Bagpipe players are the epitome of cool.

Feadan · Post by **Feadan** » Tue Aug 14, 2001 8:12 pm

I am surprised that along with “bagpipe” they did not include the two other Instruments of Hell on the list (banjo & accordion). Looking over their list as a whole and seeing the plethora of main stream crap being touted as “cool” leaves me about as concerned as I would be reading some ditsy shallow “fashion police” article. Obviously Neva Chonin, Joel Selvin and James Sullivan have little clue as to the true meaning of “Cool”.

David (proud to be a piper) de la Barre

P.S. I mean...come on now... the band Abba is cool?!?!?! :roll:

[ This Message was edited by: Feadan on 2001-08-14 22:19 ]

Wandering_Whistler · Post by **Wandering_Whistler** » Tue Aug 14, 2001 8:50 pm

On 2001-08-14 22:12, Feadan wrote:
Obviously Neva Chonin, Joel Selvin and James Sullivan have little clue as to the true meaning of “Cool”.

These people are clueles..
They say you can't play flute and be cool.
They also say you can't play kazoo and be cool.
Yet...
Jimi Hendrix is #1 in their top 40 of cool.
But..
Jimi Hendrix played flute.

Jimi Hendrix also played kazoo :roll:
Jimi Hendrix played Glockenspiel and Harpsichord?

Evidence:
http://www.marcogiunco.com/dischi/002763.htm

[ This Message was edited by: Wandering_Whistler on 2001-08-14 22:55 ]

Post by **Dale** » Tue Aug 14, 2001 9:19 pm

With an occasional exception, the banjo makes me want to scream and tear my clothing.

Dale

Feadan · Post by **Feadan** » Tue Aug 14, 2001 9:45 pm

On 2001-08-14 23:19, DaleWisely wrote:
With an occasional exception, the banjo makes me want to scream and tear my clothing.

Dale

Yes, I suppose like any good groupie at the edge of the stage before their performing idol. Ohhhh...that clawhammer is to die for! Catch my BVDs Earl!

sorry...just kidding Dale!

[ This Message was edited by: Feadan on 2001-08-14 23:53 ]

Feadan · Post by **Feadan** » Tue Aug 14, 2001 10:28 pm

On 2001-08-14 22:12, I wrote:
I am surprised that along with “bagpipe” they did not include the two other Instruments of Hell on the list (banjo & accordion

I am moving into my new "temporary" residence in a couple of weeks thanks to the seasonal/nomadic state of the real estate scene on Cape Cod

We both had quite a chuckle about it.

P.S. Okay, Rich, how do you make an "angry razz"? The Cape Cod real estate scene is far from funny and light hearted.

[ This Message was edited by: Feadan on 2001-08-15 00:34 ]

claudine · Post by **claudine** » Wed Aug 15, 2001 1:02 am

and what is a "Theremin"???????

mike.r · Post by **mike.r** » Wed Aug 15, 2001 2:59 am

This reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where he casualy remarks,as a pick-up line,that he's the one responsible for those crop circles in England and she replies `what are crop circles?´:)Mike

Eldarion · Post by **Eldarion** » Wed Aug 15, 2001 3:38 am

Hey Korn and this Brit-rock band Travis play bagpipes too and they're kewl!

StewySmoot · Post by **StewySmoot** » Wed Aug 15, 2001 4:33 am

If I may wax technical on the Theremin...

It was invented by Russia's very own Lev Theremin, patented in 1928. It is an electronic instrument that centers around 2 ultra-sonic oscillators,one with a fixed frequency, the other variable. One varies the frequency by changing the capacitance of the tuned circuit variable oscillator by moving ones hand closer to/farther from a plate, the other side of the capacitor. The difference between the 2 frequencies is in the audible range.
Imagine someone moving his hand in front of a box with a a piece of metal sticking out of it and you have the picture.
It is possibly the only instrument that is played without touching it.
While there has been an occasional musician who has used it solo, it is mostly used for effects by Rock bands (Emerson, Lake and Palmer, I believe?).
For an excellent example of the Theremin, listen to the sound effects in any cheesy 1950s American science fiction movie, usually when the Americans first land on some strange planet.
It has that "woo-EEE-eee" sound.
I can build you one, but you really wouldnt want it.

_________________
"I doubt, therefore I dont think I am"

[ This Message was edited by: StewySmoot on 2001-08-15 08:29 ]

Feadan · Post by **Feadan** » Wed Aug 15, 2001 5:56 am

On 2001-08-15 06:33, StewySmoot wrote:

...it is mostly used for effects by Rock bands (Emerson, Lake and Palmer, I believe?).

Also used by the Beach Boys in "Good Vibrations".

StewySmoot · Post by **StewySmoot** » Wed Aug 15, 2001 6:27 am

<img SRC="http://classicalsites.net/theremin/pics ... edleon.gif">

[ This Message was edited by: StewySmoot on 2001-08-15 09:50 ]

tuaz · Post by **tuaz** » Wed Aug 15, 2001 7:42 am

I actually have a friend who plays Theremin and whistle and Irish flute.

So is he cool or uncool?

He has also played (composed?) music that involved both Theremin and whistle, if you can believe that.

If he is lurking on this board, I suspect he now knows who I am.

[ This Message was edited by: tuaz on 2001-08-15 09:44 ]

mike.r · Post by **mike.r** » Wed Aug 15, 2001 7:59 am

Hey Stewy,would you make me a low B Whistle with extra wide hole spacing as I have long dreamed of a whistle I could play by just pointing at the holes.Now this would be cool!:) Mike

NicksterNM · Post by **NicksterNM** » Wed Aug 15, 2001 8:09 am

This is a side step but it relates to decorum and playing (or not) an instrument.

My father once commented that the true definition of a gentleman was one who knows how to play the accordian, but refrains from diong so.