HN Explorer

Poll: Hackers, do you play any musical instruments?

36 points by abstractbill ↗ HN
Inspired by http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1045422

61 comments

[ 5.7 ms ] story [ 138 ms ] thread
clarion
Clarinet FTW :)
thomas11
Me too! And some drums, but not proficiently.
conorgil145
I am a senior in college majoring in computer science and minoring in clarinet performance. I have been playing since 5th grade and I also play saxophone.

cool to see how many musicians are out there on HN

zbyszek
Reeds representin' -- another clarinet and sax here!
stan_rogers
One reed only! (Soprano, alto and baritone saxes -- never got along with a tenor for some reason, even with a "doubler's" mouthpiece -- and clarinet.) Or no reed (flute, piccolo, tin whistle, zampona -- even did a wee tune on an upended Royal Doulton figurine once at a gig for a lark). It's not that two reeds are fundamentally bad, but the lack of exhalation with the oboe gets real old real fast, and the twit who decided that a thumb should be the source of all power (bassoon) ought to have been shot before it was too late.
minishark
I play drums proficiently.

I also play guitar, but not so proficiently....

maxtilford
I play several, but not necessarily what I'd call proficiently.
bpyne
Yes, one, proficiently in my opinion. (drums if it's any help.)
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atrn
Semi-pro bass player but somewhat able on guitar and keys.
TheSOB88
Am I the only one on a classical instrument? I've played trombone since 4th grade (currently a senior in college).
mkodiak
Nope! Also a trombonist (played in a Symphony throughout college).

Sometimes a little Mahler goes a long way towards getting the creative juices flowing.

ashley
violin(16 yrs), cello(3), piano(5), and miscellaneous bowed string instruments on the shoulder (viola, rebec, vielle).

for me, it's Bach and Dvorak to get in my creative sphere

missizii
Violin, wanted to go pro when I was a teen.
zipstudio
In order of proficiency: Bass, guitar, drums ..... voice
electromagnetic
My talents followed a similar progression, but having been separated from my Bass by the atlantic ocean for several years, my abilities have somewhat dried up. I'm still able when I pick up a bass, I'm now completely unable when I touch a guitar, and I believe I'm criminal with the drums. As for voice, I believe there's legislation in place that requires I be shot if I'm heard singing in a public place . . .
edw519
Piano.

My workspace is u-shaped, internet on the right, dev in the center, and small electric piano on the left.

When I'm having trouble drawing inspiration from my customers, myself, or you guys, I turn to Chopin. Seems to fit right in.

aaronblohowiak
Oh man, Polanaise-Fantasie is the most beautiful piece of music in the history of ever, it contains the struggles and joys of life and flows so freely between them.
yan
Not but I have been dying to learn to play the piano..
ericclemmons
In order of proficiency: Drums, Acoustic, Electric, Saxophone, Piano, Voice.
TallGuyShort
I've actually been looking at music with a hacker mentality for some time. In high school I did a big research project into what made music sound good, and aside from a detailed study on cultural and emotional ties, ended up learning a lot about the mathematical structures that are always found in something that we says sounds "good". Fascinating stuff..
peregrine
I've wanted to learn an instrument forever, but with school, internships and side projects it has been an after thought.
bbgm
Checked "Yes, not very well" cause I do play keyboards, albeit so so. However, if programming synthesizers and sound design counts then I could go up one level.