how many instruments you've got?

I was mulling over the fact that someone had recently admitted to their other half that they'd acquired another recorder. And someone else brought a new violin home from a forums concert without their other half noticing. And then there was a mention some time ago on the parents' forum by a mum whose daughter seemed to have more (and more varied) instruments to play than just those she'd been involved in obtaining....

Is that part of our music-addiction - the secret acquisition of more instruments or more sheet music?

I tested this theory out by asking MisterJay how many instruments he thought I'd got. "Half a dozen" he guessed. As you'll have seen from the thread on this board, that's a considerable under-estimate, and I think he was genuinely surprised at how many recorders had made their way into the house. Not that I'd been smuggling them in or anything.....honest!

And then there's the growing pile of cardboard packaging waiting to go to the recycling skip - all from Musicroom or the like....surely I haven't bought THAT many different music books?

So own up, folks. Are you obtaining music and/or instruments on the quiet to feed your addiction too? Or does your Significant Other know what you're up to?

Well, if I could afford it, I am sure I'd be buying more than I currently do *grins*, and I am sure my parents don't actually know the amount of music I do have.

Instruments are a bit harder to hide though

I think my other half would notice if I tried to smuggle a piano into the house!
But I have been making 'extremely regular' purchases of music books and CDs which I occasionally try to keep under wraps - but I always get found out eventually...
My pile of cardboard packaging is quite impressive too!

My other half doesn't know that my piano is being delivered tomorrow. He insists that we don't have enough room for me to have a piano so I'm going to prove him wrong, because strangely there's always enough room for the things he wants.

Watch this space ....

My other half doesn't exist. (Still.)

Therefore there's no problem...

Fantastic! Go for it Allanah!

That's great!! Good luck

i dont have that problem...both of my parents being msic teachers means that we have a huuge amount of music and instruments...at least 16 recorders at last count...and then each of us five play at least an instrument each...so thats...3 violins, 1 clarinet, 1 trumpet, 1 cornet, 2 guitars, then we all play the piano, so we have one, and a horrible keyboard...its decidedly crazy. at least voices dont take up too much space! therefore in my house...everyone knows exactly how much we have! i dont think any of us are "aquiring instruments" though... xxx

Excellent!

I don't have a significant other & don't share my house with anyone at the moment, but I know there's at least one instrument in the house (which I have just realised didn't make it onto my list) that my mum has not been formally introduced to , I'm fairly certain none of my friends know how many I have, my new treble stayed a secret for quite some time (I already had one, so it took a while for it to be noticed ), and not even I have a firm handel (typo, but was appropriate so I left it ) on how much sheet music I have - I certainly buy more than anyone in my life would credit

Hmm... 7 recorders, 2 harmonicas, 2 keyboards, a piano, 2 violins, 4 guitars, a mandolin, various percussion instruments... I dread to think how much sheet music!

Fortunately for me, my other half has an equally expensive hobby (photography), so every time he drops into conversation that he can't live without this wide-aperture lens, or that hot-synching flash gun, or a lightweight, flexible, water-repellant, polka-dotted tripod with four legs for extra stability, I use that as justification to buy music, or music related items And I think we egg each other on in this little game.

It was mainly his purchase of a digital SLR monster that prompted me to upgrade my flute at Xmas

And it was his purchase of a £50 plastic gizmo that can only be described as a glorified Tupperware container, that is supposed to better diffuse the light from said flash gun (why wasn't it designed properly in the first place??) that caused me to buy a microphone to connect to the computer, although unfortunately I am still waiting for him to sort out installing the software on the laptop as it really belongs to his work

And I like to think my flute playing is better than his photography But then I do practice more than he does.

I asked him if he had any hidden purchases, or had ever fibbed about the cost of any of them, and he looked horrified at the mere thought of it I'm pretty sure he is aware of all of mine (although I *think* I may have failed to mention the cost of postage on some Ebay purchases when explaining what a bargain I just got).

Wonder what he is going to have to buy to enable me to get my piano? He always wanted a darkroom, but these days they're old hat - any suggestions?

Hazel

My husband doesn't mind really, though he's a bit when I admit to having got something new and expensive - but he sees my instrument-and-music buying compulsions as being a valid reason for his buying Scalextric cars and bicycling gear (and bikes, two of which are resident in the kitchen to match the two pianos in the music room!).

Piano, unfortunately, isn't the easiest instrument to hide (or afford to purchase). So yes, they know I have only 1.

My mum tends to know about all mine except the triangle that i acquired. I was gonna keep the piccolo that i'm planning to get hidden as well, but practicing it might be a bit obvious - especially seems she likes the lower notes on flute.

One of these?

http://www.0-one.co.uk/kodak-6850printer-p...tml?ref=9f567r2

Not really. I've got my piccolo, wooden tenor/alto recorders and a few books without mum knowing. Bar that I don't think she really cares. I tend to splash out more on travel and going out

Been there. Unfortunately I was out when aforementioned item did arrive, and he had to take the porch door off its hinges to let it in, having not known it was coming in the first place...

My other half really does not mind what I 'smuggle' into the house because he's very supportive of my music. Just getting a little worried because he says he might smuggle something in related to his hobby - a race horse!!!!!!

What a thought!!

hillyb

if the surfeit of instruments represents different kinds (rather than, say, a dozen recorders) then it must demonstrate that the owner finds it difficult to commit to and succeed with one discipline. they therefore roam across differing disciplines obtaining moderate success rather than truly excelling at one. must be a function of low self-esteem i guess...

.........or it demonstrates, simply, that the owner just wants to have lots of different instruments to play. I've got more clarinets than anything else (now there's a surprise ), but I'm also the proud owner of a flute, alto saxophone, a small selection of recorders, a keyboard and hopefully soon a viola or a violin (I don't expect big things from my viola/violin playing, but it'll be fun having a go!). In the woodwind world, often you need to double on other woodwinds.

And I love all my instruments!

i have no money to buy anything to smggle into the house, so my mum knows about my flute (she payed) and the 3 pianos (one in garage in bits) and the harpsichord (my dad made) wouldbe interesting to see what she said if i saved up went out and bought a piccolo though... may try that!!


although actually... i did buy an electric tuner while out with friends...

It's so ugly!

At least a piano is a thing of beauty in itself, even if it is not played beautifully

Hazel

Cost more than our piano though .

Well the piano has been delivered and is safely installed in the dining room. My other half has grudgingly admitted that he was 'wrong', but I can see that far-away look in his eyes that says I'm about to be stitched up. I dread to think what he's planning to buy!

A top quality A3 printer and a 300 mm lens?

Although I'mn not sure they would make the cost of a new piano... a second hand one perhaps?

I don't seem to have many instruments, but the amount of sheet music I buy (and carry on the 3 mile round trip to school!) is a regular joke with my friends!

Nice one Allannah! What's his hobby?

it wasn't till I moved, i noticed how the piles of music floating around my room had multiplied! my parents hadn't noticed either...they nearly fainted when they saw the removal men carrying 4 huge crates down the stairs!! and they were shocked when it took all of the back seats of one of the cars to fit all of my instruments in!!



eeek!!!

I think he planning to buy a video/DVD editing suite - he's making a film of local people.