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This is the first in a two post series where I defend gear acquisition syndrome, and those who pursue multiple instruments.
Here I hope to demonstrate that every instrument has a strength that you can embrace. Every instrument, no matter how simple, can contribute something to your sonic pallet. Lets consider a few.
The harmonica is a miniature organ. You can think of it as an accordion without the bellows. And it is such a powerful little instrument. You can give a child a violin and consistently get the sound of a cat traveling through a meat grinder, yet a harmonica is diatonic. On a harmonica there are no wrong notes. To make a chord on a harmonica you blow through a few holes right next to each other. It is simplicity itself.
In summary, a polyphonic and diatonic instrument that fits in your pocket. A fantastic instrument that everyone should try.
The piano is a giant harp that knocks strings with hammers. You can hold down the sustain pedal and reel off a chord 30 notes wide. I can think of no other instrument that can give a chord voicing so wide. Additionally the span of the chords can be many octaves. The piano easily inverts and extends chords into oblivion. I really love cocktail piano.
A strum stick is a dulcimer that is held like a guitar. Personally, I own a Seagull Merlin but there are many others.
The dulcimer is an Appalachian instrument and, similar to the five string banjo, makes extensive use of drone strings. It is a diatonic instrument that nearly anyone can pick up and play. You can easily find the melody and chords to most songs just noodling around on your porch. Its diminutive size and haunting voice are welcome on any excursion into the woods. The dulcimer is the ultimate backpacking instrument.
The tuning of the guitar is a work of genius. Not only are chords easily arranged in thousands of voicings all over the neck, but scales follow a predictable pattern that is easily transposed between keys. The guitar is such a wonderful instrument to solo with. It's ability to glide between notes and sing with pitch bend and tremolo is truly singular.
It is also worth noting that the cost to own a guitar is much less than most other instruments. Even owning a piano requires annual service costs of a few hundred dollars. By contrast a guitar requires neck adjustment and re-stringing. Both are procedures you can learn to do yourself. The guitar is very economical.
Lost somewhere between being a guitar and being a dulcimer we find the very confused banjo. All joking aside the banjo has a strength in that it is much more percussive than a guitar. The banjo really is a band all in itself.
When we look at the playing style of Appalachian claw hammer banjo we see that the player plucks out both the melody and the backing chords and a percussive drone string all at the same time. It is truly unique.
Of all of the instruments I learned to play Appalachian claw hammer banjo is by far and away the most difficult. And I have to say that I have no regrets.
If you are considering trying an instrument I say go for it. I've never regretted any instrument. They are all amazing and they all can teach us so much about music.