HN Explorer

Ask HN: Musicians?

20 points by lincolnq ↗ HN
What instrument(s) do you play, and what's your level of involvement?

The Jargon File's entry on music (http://catb.org/~esr/jargon/html/M/music.html) suggests that music is a "common extracurricular" among hackers. Is this still true?

70 comments

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lincolnq
I have played violin since I was very young, and more recently viola. I've been interested recently in electric violin/viola, but I haven't gotten to try them yet.
graywh
Playing an instrument has a good correlation with higher intelligence. And it's no secret that hackers are some of the smartest.
[dead] somnambulist
I agree with you.

Did you know that even Albert Einstein used to play the violin?

Also the characteristics of the periodic table, that is, every 7th element resembles the characteristicts of the previous 7th element (example 1,7,14,21........n) is similar to the harmonic scale of music.... (do re mi fa so la ti do).....

I am not quite sure.. but I think this correlation was derived from the harmonic scale....

cperciva
I play violin; I'm currently the concertmaster in the best non-professional orchestra in Vancouver.
cheez80
drumset since middle school, orchestral percussion since about then too, and mallet percussion (and drumline stuff) since high school. wait, that sounds a bit misleading, since i don't do the orchestral, mallet, or drumline stuff anymore.

i also played piano since like 6. stopped when i hit high school.

brianto2010
I can play both violin and Bb clarinet; I started both in elementary school. However, I only play violin now in high school.

From your link: "music: n. A common extracurricular interest of hackers..."

This definition is not just limited to just playing an instrument, though. It also talks about music appreciation and genres of music.

To strictly follow that definition, try asking if we are significantly involved with music in some way.

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LogicHoleFlaw
I played woodwind instruments all through middle and high school. I started on the clarinet, then the alto and tenor saxophones, and the bassoon as well. I was quite proficient and seriously considered majoring in bassoon performance in college but I decided to pursue CS instead. Unfortunately I haven't played seriously since I graduated high school and I miss it dearly. I really should find a used Tenor somewhere and pick it up again.
rms
I played various combinations of drums through high school. Right now I'm taking a tabla class.
iloveyouocean
I play the Dumbek. Mostly middle-eastern style.
[dead] somnambulist
I play the guitar (amatuer), keyboard and the harmonica.

Basically I am a keyboardist.

Watch me and my band playing in one our college concerts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqvS4RuDKXg

I am the one playing the keyboard.

It's a Nepali song, but well you might just like the melody, for music knows no language, it surpasses all....

timothyandrew
I play bass. Used to play the piano.
dag
Same, but played trumpet in between (I find that bassists have often played trumpet in the past).
timothyandrew
Well, it's always easier to learn a second instrument if you have a firm grasp on basic music theory. I hated playing the piano, but in retrospect, it's really helped me pick up the bass faster/better.
defunkt
I've played guitar for a while. I try to practice at least three times a week for 1 - 4 hours each sitting.
DTrejo
I used to play clarinet in middle school and elementary.

I racked up ~5 years before quitting.

I also have a Bb r13 clarinet for sale.

shutter
Piano, mostly. Actually, I'm graduating this year with a decree in both CS and music.
joshsharp
I've played guitar for years, not bad but I'll never be great. Just a bit of a hobby, something manual to pick up and play with when I'm not coding.
kaens
I actively play guitar, bass, and drums. Have been playing guitar all my life.

I can play piano and violin.

I like playing around with sequencers, I have some very quickly made tracks up at http://last.fm/music/kaens , probably some stuff with more time put into it up in a few weeks.

Erf
I compose electronic music. Attempted to learn to play keyboard at a late age, but progressed unsatisfyingly slowly.

I would agree that a disproportionate number of programmers I know are musically inclined.

krepsj
I play harmonica. Not at very good level but good enough to be able to jam with my friends guitar.
[dead] somnambulist
if you are able to jam with your friends.. that's enough.. music is about enjoying.. jamming..

:)

Zsolt
Right there with you. I picked it up only a few months ago so I'm an amateur at best.

I always keep my harmonica within the reach of my hands, so whenever I'm tired of coding I lean back and play a little.

paul7986
Piano & guitar - hobby songwriter
zkarcher
Electronic music producer, here.

The unofficial rule is: if you're a Flash programmer, you also create electronic music.

dmpayton
I've always wanted to play the guitar, and bought an electric (LP-style) when I turned 18. Tried teaching myself to play, but life happened. Sadly, it's bow collecting dust by my bedside.

When I'm not working 50 hours a week with several side projects on top of my responsibilities as a husband and father, I'd like to pick it back up.

brianr
Piano, guitar, bass, clarinet, viola. Haven't played the last three much in the last few years though.
axod
I mess around on the piano, which I bought this last year. Love it to death, it's great to just play when you need a break. (BTW I cannot recommend the Yamaha GT2 enough).

I'm absolutely terrible at reading music, but I can play anything by ear, I wonder if that's usual for hacker types.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=y6UPJJqwc1k

Flemlord
> I can play anything by ear, I wonder if that's usual for hacker types.

I think it has more to do with how you learned the instrument. Most classically trained pianists I know couldn't sound out a Doors tune to save their life. On the other hand, once I started playing in bands, just about everybody I met could listen to a song and have it figured out within an hour.

I (a hacker type) was better than most classically trained types at sounding out music, but still had difficulties compared to most people in the band circuit. I usually couldn't really nail a part unless I found the music in a magazine somewhere. (this was pre-Internet, today this wouldn't be an issue)

xiaoma
I have very little training myself, but my grandmother is a "classically trained type". She was a cellist at Oberlin Conservatory and has perfect pitch. I can send her into another room while I hit six keys on a piano and she can name all the notes. I can kick a metal garbage can and she can say what notes the resulting sound are closest to. While I was studying piano for a short time myself, I tested her abilities pretty thoroughly. Writing out (or just playing) a pop song is trivial for someone like that.

From what she's said to me, those skills weren't that exceptional. Many good strings players have perfect pitch, and even those who don't or those who play other instruments have excellent relative pitch. I don't see how a classically trained pianist would have problems with a Doors tune, especially considering how few chord progressions pop songs use.

asdf333
played violin since age 2.

played in various national and all-state hs orchestras.

stopped playing in college though and haven't played since