musicians and model trains

I still play my viola occasionally. Started on a violin early in grade school and switched to a viola as I got older.

I still play Trumpet and back up Piano in a Community Band.

Just a back-room musician these days.

Gave up playing out on the road 30+ years ago, bass, guitar & vocals in Country/Folk-Rock bands.

Still have my first guitar a '64 Gibson B-15, Xmas present '64.

If it could talk, what a tale it could tell...

 

Dave

 

I have 3 keyboards that I have configured to use with the modular...a Manikin Memotron, Moog Voyager, and a Synthesizers.com keyboard.  Modular synths in the size of the old Moog modules (known as MU size for Moog Unit) have made a tremendous comeback in the past 10-15 years.  I have modules from at least 10 different companies, but you can see that they all follow the original Moog modular format and black color.

 

In your comments to Frank about not selling the drums, I agree completely.  I don't play mine much anymore, but I couldn't bring myself to sell them.  It would be admitting than I'm old.   The drums are Ludwig from the early 80's and all Zildjian cymbals...I'm still using my first 2 cymbals I bought in 1969.   All drums have May/EA mikes in them.

 

This thread about model trains and musicians is very interesting.  There also seems to be a high correlation between musicians and IT people...the intangible concepts of computer programming and music seem to be similar.   Maybe we need another thread on model trains and IT?

A lot of drummers here.  When I was playing frequently, I used simple equipment (ie. Gretsch set like the one Max Roach used, 2 rides, and hi-hat).  Now that I don't play professionally, I also have a Tama Starclassic Maple and Pearl Export set, 4 more rides, 2 Chinas, 4 splashes, and 3 crashes)--go figure....I guess once you have enough money later in life, you can indulge any hobby--trains or drums.  Actually, I even practice more now than I did when actively playing--isn't that ironic?  What I don't miss about playing is having to help pick up that unwieldy Hammond B-3 organ and Leslie speaker.  You guys with the Farfisa had it made!

Not ironic at all.  You probably play better now than ever.

 

Thing about the B-3 is it actually sounds good, whereas the Farfisa sounds like poo, IMO.  We had one and it sounded like poo as I recall, very sixties though.

 

Pete

I didn't want to be too critical about the Farfisa, but you are correct.  Nothing beats the sound of an original B-3 with those draw bars.  But that Leslie speaker ruined my hearing.  The jazz group I played with was able to eliminate the bass player because the organist played the bass notes with the full pedals of the B-3.  That was an advantage when it came to pricing the band--instead of a five piece, we could do it with four.

I am a retired professional percussionist with a Bach of Music and 2 Masters one in Percussion Performance and the other in Music History.  Taught music and lessons at George Washington University in Wash. DC for 29 years.  Had a wonderful career in Washington DC. for 32 years. Played lots of drum set gigs and shows in all the major theaters .  US Navy Band in DC brought me there.  Got out and just played and taught.  Never had a "real job". Played all percussion instruments last 20 years did mostly symphony, opera, ballet.  Can't play much now because of terrible arthritis in my hands. Have lots of instruments for sale if anyone is interested.

 

Paul Edgar

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Gibson SG guitar player since I was in high school.  While seniors in high school, our band recorded a 45 in NYC, and had a float in Ct's biggest parade!  Had a Danelectro double neck back then, switched to my Gibson SG Custom in college.  Played in bands for about 25 years, then other things got in the way.

 

Now retired, I take out the 'ol SG, plug it into my new Fender G-DEC3 and jam with the band tracks that are built in!

 

Ed

I play the piano. I play weekly at my church, and play for a lot of weddings, funerals, and also some gigs with a band I play with from time to time. I also played the trumpet through college (my degree is in Music Ed). 

Most Sunday mornings I lead the praise band at church on keyboards, and about once a month I join the Americana Troupe (gospel, folk, oldies, traditional) on accordion.

I played violin from when I was in 4th grade through the time I graduated high school, but haven't had much time to keep up with it lately.  I do pull it out and play it occasionally when I'm bored though.  I also took a couple years of piano lessons in High school, so lately I've been tinkering with that a little in my spare time.

Started out on drums in my early teens then got into bass. When my brother came home with Alice's Restaurant and played it over and over I knew all the words so I had a buddy teach me some guitar. Played in a bunch of garage bands, various instruments, and later on coffee house trios. I love doing harmonies, lots of CSN, Beatles, ...

 

Now I just play at church on Sundays. I like throwing in a little lick from the past and see who is listening. My arthritis is starting to get in the way so I don't know how much more I'll do.

Thanks Vince!

 

 

Wow, a lot of talented train guys. I am a self taught guitarist/bassist who started at about age 12. I was in a band for a brief period in my early teens, but our lead singer was killed in a violent car crash, and that ended the band. I joined the service, and kept up with my playing. After I got out, I got involved with another band doing covers and original music, but I dropped out because of heavy drinking and drug use by some of the other guys. I wanted to be serious, but the other guys seemed happy to just jam and party.

My mother was a percussionist in an orchestra, and both of my brothers are drummers. My only play time now is at weekly Mass where I play guitar and percussion. I am a finger style guy too, as I taught myself bass on acoustic guitar, until I was able to buy a bass.

I have played for some of the musicals at our local high school, and a few years ago, our church did Godspell. The coolest thing my son and I ever did was build an electric bass resembling a Rickenbacker 401. My son did it as a Senior project in high school. What a great sounding instrument. 

Since carpal tunnel syndrome took over, my left hand doesn't work so well anymore. even though surgery relieved the numbness and pain, the flexibility is not there anymore. The trains help me keep chugging along though. The older I get, the better I was!

Don

I tried learning the guitar in ninth grade, but couldn't cut it.

 

I do sing though, and prefer acappella doo-wop, barbershop, and musical comedy.

That was the foremost thinking when I was in garage bands on college. Since I didn't play an instrument, they wanted me out.

 

After all, anyone can sing, right?

This is certainly a great thread.....lots of great stories! I will have to dig up a picture of the organ!

 

Peter

Fellow drummer here...hence my forum name.

After many years of lessons (started at 4yrs) I enjoyed playing piano professionally in high school and college. I never really enjoyed any other type of keyboard for some reason. I continued to play until a few years ago. I was diagnosed with advanced PD. Now, all I can do is dream of those days.

 

"Pappy"

Keyboard, accordion,saxophone and singing.  I have a degree in music education and had a band in my early years.  It's know just another hobby.

I figured I would also share some photos from my earlier post regarding my part time vocation as Buddy Holly:

 

Here is a photo of me performing at the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, PA (where the theatre scene in the movie The Blob was filmed):

And this is me with Buddy Holly's band, The Crickets.  I got to jam with them a little before this photo was taken.  One of the greatest musical achievements of my life!

That's very cool, Eddie.  Nice gig!

Nothing like a Hammond B3 with a Leslie! I used to love to watch those horns spin. I especially liked when David Gilmore of Pink Floyd used one with his guitar.

I don't wanna work....I just wanna bang on the drums all day.  Or at least every chance I get.  Actually, my 16 year-old son is the musician.  He plays piano, stand-up bass, electric bass, guitar, and drums.  My 15 year-old daughter also plays the bass.

 

Rick

this really is a good thread! keep the posts flowing

trains are living rhythmic creatures. i think thats why musicians like them. they keep time. 

GG-1Fan,

Send me a email at trains@hughes.net and I'll send you a list of instruments.  I din't see one for you in your profile.

 

Paul Edgar

Another drummer here.  Pro? No way.  But remember being in a RnR band in the days when being the loudest band was most important.

Your comment really hits home for me.  One band that I was in used to practice at incredibly high volume.  One night we got so loud that I couldn't hear my own snare drum.   I only knew it was there because my sticks were bouncing off the head.  At that point we all agreed that we needed to ratchet back the volume.

 

Despite playing in bands for years and attending some very loud concerts, my hearing is not that bad.  I have occasional bouts of tinnitus, but they only last for a short period of time.  At 61, I can still hear up to about 14 kHz.

I taught myself guitar (using the internet) and play it in my free time when I'm not running trains or busy. I don't consider myself a musician, but I'm learning the theory to it, and I'm pretty fluent on the guitar.

 

Brad

Trumpet in High School, Tuba in college.  American Fender as a suburban work-a-day fool.

I have instruments and can play them, but my wife has the musical talent.

Ladies & Gentlemen,

    I guess I am the odd man out, I am a Professional Welding Engineer, PWE Metals Joining MIT, with a minor in Constitutional Law, US Army CID Special Agent.  I am completely tone deaf and married to a Professional Musician, with a Master in Performance from CMU, I am an ultra conservative, Rush Limbaugh sits to my left, and my wife is a semi-liberal Retired Musician/Music Teacher who plays in the Pittsburgh and Edgewood Symphony and also sit on the board.  When we were a young married couple, lightening bolts flashed off our home on a regular basis.  As my wife has matured, she has become more conservative and a lot smarter, she even bought me a Legacy Shay Engine for Christmas this year.  I do love professional musicians!  Well at least one.

PCRR/Dave 

Been playing guitar over 35 years.

Wow, who woulda thought that some rail nerds are cool musicians too?

I play the radio best but should add my name to the plethora of drummers.

I jam privately along to music video DVDs in the other half of my basement with a Roland V-Session set and the new Zildjian Gen 16 AE cymbals.

My tastes run from Mike Wolf to Yes and Richard Kughn to Genesis.

Great thread!

TJ

Here I am on trumpet playing with a friend at the Red Onion Saloon in Skagway Alaska.

 

 

 

 

And here I am at the New Orleans Super Dome for the 2009 Sugar Bowl, where Utah beat the pants off of Alabama.

 

 

I'm another model railroader/musician. I have had my Greek Folk Music band since 1961, and play several Greek type instruments.
Interesting topic!!

John

Tom M, I can't let a reference to the '09 Sugar Bowl go by un-noticed - fantastic game, I even bought the dvd copy and pull it out from time to time to re-watch it!

 

 

       
       

After I finished the pregame show I went to the bathroom and got something to eat. By the time I got to my seat it was 21-0. Amazing game for sure.

I played professionally in the late 60-70's in rock bands, and jazz and blues bands, made several recordings, had some hits around Australia. I play flute, sax and wind synthesizer, and still write and record music.