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13-11-2017, 07:41
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#16
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: halifax, nova scotia
Boat: Searunner 37
Posts: 689
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Re: Choose musical instrument for cruising
i am fixing up an older student model flute to take with me - i don't want to risk my Haynes and a guitar that my wife found in the trash, that i have repaired.
jon
__________________
Astronomy says we will find a coded signal from outer space. Then we'll KNOW that life exists there, for coded signals aren't by chance. Biology says there are coded genetic signals in every cell, but we KNOW that no intelligence created life. VE0XYZ
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13-11-2017, 07:51
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#17
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2017
Boat: Lagoon 400S2
Posts: 3,724
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Re: Choose musical instrument for cruising
Electronic instruments are superior when it comes to rehearsing without disturbing your surroundings, you always can use headphones.
So a keyboard or electric guitar with a plug-in mini VOX headphones amp are your crew's and neighbors best friend. You can play and hear loud what you are doing and no one else gets bothered. Best for beginners anyway, and kids like the sound too.
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13-11-2017, 07:57
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#18
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: On the Boat
Boat: Fortuna, Island Spirit 400, 40ft. Catamaran - S/V One White Tree
Posts: 179
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Re: Choose musical instrument for cruising
We have two Ovation guitars in cases. They've held up well in six years aboard.
__________________
"And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over."
John Masefield
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13-11-2017, 08:14
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#19
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: North Charleston, SC
Boat: Camano Troll
Posts: 5,067
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Re: Choose musical instrument for cruising
Quote:
Originally Posted by martinworswick
How about bagpipes.......
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You know why the guy playing the bagpipes is always walking as he plays?
He is trying to get away from the noise!
Seriously, as a favor to others on your boat and anchorage and slip neighbors, bring an electronic instrument that can be used with headphones. Not everybody within earshot is going to appreciate your efforts at trying to learn the trumpet or saxophone.
__________________
Ron
HIGH COTTON
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13-11-2017, 08:30
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#20
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Maryland, USA
Boat: 58' Sedan Bridge
Posts: 4,929
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Re: Choose musical instrument for cruising
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shrew
I'm also a trumpet player, but again......who wants to listen to a solo trumpet in an anchorage, essentially practicing for 1-2 hours?
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Yeah... maybe a sax or a clarinet, instead...
-Chris
__________________
Chesapeake Bay, USA.
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13-11-2017, 08:34
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#21
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Geargia
Boat: 1979 Endeavour 32
Posts: 5
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Re: Choose musical instrument for cruising
Squeeze box ?
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13-11-2017, 08:39
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#22
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2017
Boat: Lagoon 400S2
Posts: 3,724
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Re: Choose musical instrument for cruising
Beat box. You need only your mouth...
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13-11-2017, 09:31
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#23
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2017
Boat: CSY 44 Pilothouse Ketch
Posts: 11
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Re: Choose musical instrument for cruising
Bob -
Harmonicas would be a good choice. You'll need more than one if you want to make music with anyone else. You can blow Camptown Races and Shenandoah on any major key harp easily enuff but if you want to play blues with the guitar boys at anchor or at the marina bar, you'll be playing cross harp, mostly drawing & not blowing. When your guitar player states the key he's playing in, you will use a harp on the 3rd. Ex: The band is playing Sweet Home Chicago in the key of E, you will want to use a G harp to get the blues licks.
I suggest something like the Silver Creek 7 Pack that will give you the opportunity to sit in with about any key in a blues jam:
Silver Creek 7 Pack of Blues Style Harmonicas | Musician's Friend
Were I you, I wouldn't be so hasty in eliminating your primary instrument from consideration. Keyboards are inexpensive & pretty durable these days and the sound qualities of small battery powered amps have improved greatly in recent years. Instruments are tools. Just pick the best ones for your intended application.
Good luck. I'll look forward to jamming with you if our paths cross!
Bodega Bob
https://www.facebook.com/bodega.bob
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13-11-2017, 09:49
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#24
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Reno / Bodega Harbor
Boat: Bruce Roberts Offshore 44
Posts: 301
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Re: Choose musical instrument for cruising
Irish penny whistle.
__________________
Rick
S/V Blind Faith
Bodega Bay, CA USA
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13-11-2017, 09:56
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#25
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Manila, California
Boat: Cape George pilothouse 36 and a Cape Dory 25
Posts: 609
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Re: Choose musical instrument for cruising
I went with a Hofner. Not a harmonica, but a Hofner travel, electric guitar, with a small battery powered Crate amp, headphones and a small Zoom processor.
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13-11-2017, 09:59
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#26
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: San Francisco Bay
Boat: Chung Hwa Boat Builders, Magellan 36
Posts: 425
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Re: Choose musical instrument for cruising
The humidity of onboard environment worried me also but I found an Ovation guitar with a plastic body, polyurethane neck with aluminum fret board. The top is spruce but after one year it seems impervious to the humidity
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13-11-2017, 10:03
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#27
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 347
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Re: Choose musical instrument for cruising
Quote:
Originally Posted by martinworswick
How about bagpipes.......
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Oh I could just imagine hearing the pipes play in an anchorage out in the islands. ...I'd travel a few miles for sure,not sure which,closer if they were good & definitely farther away if not!
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13-11-2017, 10:07
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#28
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Moderator

Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Pacific NW, USA
Boat: Cape Dory 27
Posts: 8,070
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Re: Choose musical instrument for cruising
Blackbird makes a really nice carbon fiber ukulele that would be awesome.
If strings are not your thing... a second vote for a concertina... but the reeds in concertinas may be susceptible to humidity issues over time. There are 3 distinct fingering/key layouts so do your homework prior to purchase about which one might be best for you. English, Anglo and several duet systems. Info here: Fingering Charts for Concertinas
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13-11-2017, 10:14
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#29
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Vancouver Island
Boat: Hullmaster 27
Posts: 854
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Re: Choose musical instrument for cruising
I have found that on a 27ft boat there are surprisingly few places with enough space to swing a violin bow without snagging some rigging or hitting a fixture. A heavy mute helps protect the neighbours' ears if I'm sharing an anchorage.
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13-11-2017, 10:33
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#30
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: PA, sail Chesapeake
Boat: Lots of boats.
Posts: 390
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Re: Choose musical instrument for cruising
Quote:
Originally Posted by SFS
They hold ok in sand (decent number of flukes), but aren't much good in any other bottom. Hard to attach the rode as well.
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I roared when I read this! Lots of movies have poked fun at the bagpipes (EX: Longest Day). My brother in law plays them fairly well (and yes, wears a kilt). And with our family being Scotch/Irish (with German), the bagpipes and accordion are favorite family instruments. But to play either means a good portion of the population will cross the street to avoid those haunting sounds (right up there with the pan flute). But in some circles you will be bigger than the Beatles! LOL
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