An entire universe of music awaits those willing to learn the art. Whether for self-expression, stress relief, or just plain fun, music pervades all cultures and yields uncountable genres. The one thing all music holds in common is the instrument: a crafted device that enables a person to make a musical sound.
When deciding to enter into the world of music it’s important to find the correct instrument to start with. Too many students have quit their musical studies because they chose an instrument that didn’t suit their tastes or character. An instrument can be your best friend and a tool for self-expression. To choose correctly, one should understand the different kinds of instruments available.
In the early 20th century, all musical instruments were classified as belonging to one of four following groups: idiophones, membranophones, aerophones, and chordophones.
The idiophone is any instrument that is itself a vibrating body that is struck. Bells are examples of idiophones, as are gongs and the triangle. One gong or one bell only provides one pitch when struck. The xylophone is a collection of metal slabs all tuned to a pitch and arranged much like the keys of a piano, making an idiophonic melody instrument, which are used in the Western classical tradition, as well as folk music like the marimba in some Hispanic music.
Membranophones constitute a membrane stretched over a hollow body struck with either hands or sticks. Obviously, these are drums. From the ancient drums of Africa, to the timpani drum used in orchestras, or the collection of membranophone drums and idiophone cymbals that make up the standard rock drum kit, these instruments are the rhythmic engines of any ensemble.
Aerophones are simply anything air is blown through to produce a sound. Most beginning music classes start the students with a plastic or wooden recorder with various holes covered by the fingers to control the pitch. Other examples include brass and woodwind instruments, or even the bagpipes. These instruments produce sounds specific to what the instrument is made of and its size and always require breath control.
Chordophones are instruments that employ strings stretched between two fixed points that are bowed, plucked, or struck. Violins, violas, cellos, and basses are all chordophones that have strings stretched across a fretless fingerboard to be played with a bow. Guitars, mandolins, banjos, and ukuleles have strings stretched across a fretted fingerboard to be plucked. Even pianos fall under the category of chordophones because many strings are stretched in the body of the instrument, each being struck by a hammer when a key is pressed.
This may be a lot of information to absorb, but it will give anyone interested in learning an instrument the information he or she needs to make the right decision. Other things to consider, of course, are musical taste and personality. If you enjoy classic rock ‘n’ roll, it would perhaps be wiser to go for an electric guitar over a cello. If you’re more prone to listening to the beat of a song than the melody, go for the drums.
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Another thing to consider is the physical requirements and boundaries of each instrument. Every instrument requires hand-eye coordination, but some require more than others. Violins and other bowed instruments are more difficult to play than fretted instruments because they require a honed muscle memory of where proper pitches are on the fingerboard, as well as the coordination of proper bowing technique. Most chordophones require a buildup of calluses on fingers to properly depress a string to produce a clear note. A piano, on the other hand, only requires a hand that has the strength to depress a key (hardly any strength and no calluses required).
And the most important thing to consider when entering the realm of music is purpose. Why do you want to play? If you want to compose your own music and understand musical theory, the piano is your best bet. If you want to perform classical repertoire with the Santa Maria Philharmonic Orchestra, check the roster of instruments used in the ensemble and pick one that pleases your ear the best. If you want to use music for stress relief and spiritual balance, there’s a long history of idiophones used for meditation. And if you want to just have fun jamming songs with friends, grab a folk instrument that’s easily transportable, such as the guitar, mandolin, violin, hand drum, or any other instrument that belongs to your favorite genre.
The Central Coast is home to a huge musical community with several retail businesses that sell instruments of all shapes and sizes, as well as a few artisans who make their own. And for every instrument, there is a teacher; nothing promises success in learning an instrument like a good teacher and a willingness to practice. And if you don’t have the funds for an instrument, you can always use the built-in aerophone that is your voice and sing.
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Music at the Maverick
The Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez presents the country music of Randy Emmett and the Sideshow Nov. 11 at 8:30 p.m., followed by DJPJ at 11:30 p.m. Concert on the Deck is Nov. 12 at 3 p.m. Randy Emmett and the Sideshow perform country music at 8:30 p.m., followed by DJPJ at 11:30 p.m. Tickets are available at 688-0383 or talesfromthetavern.com.
Strike up the band
The Allan Hancock College Concert Band features guest conductors Forrest Stoll and Glen Newcomb as part of its upcoming concert featuring selections from James Swearingen, William Walton, Elliot Del Borgo, William Rhodes, Stan Applebaum, and others on Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 2970 Santa Maria Way, Santa Maria. More info: 922-6966, Ext. 3252, soglesby@hancockcollege.edu, or hancockcollege.edu.
Showing appreciation
“My Spirit Be Joyful, a Concert of Appreciation” is a free concert in honor of American veterans, featuring instrumentalists Kathy Dollahon on viola, Larry Hill on trumpet, and Rose Knoles playing piano and organ, featuring music by J.S. Bach, Leopold Mozart, Ernst Bloch, John Cheetham, and the world premier performance of “Digital Glitch” by Brett Kroening on Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Saint Marks in-the-Valley Episcopal Church, 2901 Nojoqui Ave., Los Olivos. Free. More info: randallday@mac.com or smitv.org.
Tunes and brews
The Santa Maria Brewing Co. presents guitarist and singer Patrick Montgomery performing covers from various artists and styles on Wednesdays through November, including Nov. 16 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Santa Maria Brewing Co., 112 Cuyama Lane, Nipomo. No cover. More info: 349-2090 or davidsnyder561@comcast.net.
Contact Calendar Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Nov 10-17, 2011.