You top 10 favorite instruments!

[btriangle]

There are thousands of instruments in the world, whether it be electronic or natural, theres a certain sound that everyone can relate to, which is why they choose to use the instrument persistently.

So heres my top 10 list. 1 as being most favorite.

1. Pan Flute -The sound of this instrument is so incredible to me. Its this feeling of natural beauty, untouched by the creation of man. Very spiritual instrument.
2. Cello -just a great instrument
3. Erhu - Defines Japanese and Chinese culture, which is what i love.
4. Hang Drum - limited, but incredible instrument. If this drum were not limited, it would be my favorite.
5. ContraBassoon/Bassoon -I always loved Bassoon, it can be playful and funny, and yet at the same time, have
6. Celesta -a mysterious sound that i really enjoy.
7. Lute - My favorite form of guitar, such rich sound.
8. Timpani -A drum that has pitch, and can play chords and possibly more? yes please.
9. Bells -Nothing catches your attention more, than a bell. Gotta love em.
10. Piano -It would be a crime not to mention the Piano. Its a great instrument, but to me lacks what these instruments posses.

[nathanallenpinard]

I can't believe you didn't name the Duduk in any of those. Duduk is my top. One of the most expressive and unique.

[Phyrnna]

At 11/29/09 03:28 AM, btriangle wrote: 3. Erhu - Defines Japanese and Chinese culture, which is what i love.

Errr.... How does it define Japanese culture? It's a purely Chinese instrument, and I don't think the Japanese really ever use it in their music.

As for my list:

Harp
A wonderful instrument that makes for spectacular arpeggios and also for great solos. A soft sounding instrument that can sound magical when played just right.

Glockenspiel
This chordophonic instrument has such a lovely sound and there is so much that can be done with it. The sound isn't wooden like the marimba or quite as reverberating as Tubular bells, and is lighter and gentler than the xylophone. Certainly one of my favorites.

Guzheng
An underappreciated instrument from the past of China that is still used today. Incredibly flexible in it's range and capabilities, this instrument has been a symbol of Chinese music for centuries. Nowadays the Japanese koto, a derivative instrument, is much more recognized because of it's popularization through Western culture, yet the Guzheng still remains my favorite plucking instrument.

Pipe Organ
Synonymous with music of the Gothic period and of the Renaissance, the pipe organ has been well used in old choir and religious pieces. It's sound resonates heavily and conveys a feeling unmatched by any other reed instrument. Used in modern music, it could be used to convey ambience or used for builds in music.

Clavicembalo col Piano e Forte
Okay okay... it's just the piano. Lol. The original Italian name for it when it was first made. But really, how can this instrument NOT be on my list? I'm a piano player for one, that and the range of music that can be made by a piano is amazing. From the gentlest pieces, to the comical ones, to the heaviest ones. It's just one of those Jack-of-all-trades things.

[nathanallenpinard]

Actually other than Duduk, I'd probably for sure say Ullean Pipes. Yes, overused at times, but beautiful.

[jossospro]

1. Gun
2. Nun-chuck
3. See-saw
4. Spiderweb
5. Blankets
6. Baldness
7. Cape
8. www.google.com
9. vase

AND

10. the miniture harmonica

[eatmeatleet]

1. Square wave - Always been my favorite one. I use to make all kinds of basses, apply distortion for sick sounds, etc
2. Ride Bell - whoever invented it was a genius
3. Wobble - wob wob wob
4. Timpani - the only thing you need that will make your song orchestral and professional
5. Acid lead w/ portamento
6. Simple reese
7. Amen crash
8. Drama Strings
9. Bassy Horns
10. Ambient Pad

[Calamaistr]

1: PIano - best instrument in the world, cant help it.. i just love it.
2: Analog synths - great for everything retro.
3: Organ - majestic sound and reminds me of better days.
4: Typical electric guitar - not the rock type, the soothing type, i dont really use this myself, atleast not yet.
5: Bell flute - pretty much my own invention tweaking a flute to a bell shape, pretty much sounds close to something like a recorder with a hit to it.
6: Rhode bell - there is no better bell than a rhode bell.
7: German flute (transverse) - its a beautiful sound.
8: Clarinet - likewise, its a beautiful sound.
9: shakuhachi flute - brings you at ease, allways.
10: strings. - i prefer not to overly use them myself.

well thats my list.

[Usernamemyarse]

1. guitar
2. Piano
3. Cello
4. Kazoo (how can you disagree?)
5. Violin
6: Electric bass
7: teh drumz (lolz)
8. Bagpipe (yeah, just roll whit it...)
9. contrabass
10 guitar hero controler (becaouz irz a realz inztrumentz....)

[thecoreman]

1. Electric Guitar
2. Classical Guitar
3. Bass guitar
4. Drums
5. Singing (not an instrument really, but I love singing)
6. Hurdy-Gurdy
7. Piano
8. Violin
9. Harp
10. Harpsichord

[DJ-Chilvan]

1. Piano
2. Saxophone
3. Violin
4. French Horn
5. Pan Flute and Acoustic Guitar (they tied)
6. Upright Bass
7. Trumpet
8. Oboe
9. Tubular Bells
10. Timpani and Bass Drum (they tied)

Runner Up - Saw waveform

[btriangle]

At 11/29/09 03:38 AM, nathanallenpinard wrote: I can't believe you didn't name the Duduk in any of those. Duduk is my top. One of the most expressive and unique.

Lol make a list man, and I never heard of Duduk. What culture does it originate from? I noticed you liked to use a lot of european instruments.

[JackRocker]

At 11/29/09 03:28 AM, btriangle wrote:

3. Erhu - Defines Japanese and Chinese culture, which is what i love.

so, can you recommend any links where i could find a VST of that instrument? that would be really cool.

[nathanallenpinard]

Lol make a list man, and I never heard of Duduk. What culture does it originate from? I noticed you liked to use a lot of european instruments.

Duduk is that instrument primarily featured in BSG or Gladiator. It's overused at this point, but the instrument itself has historic value. It's one of the few artifacts to survive the Armenian Genocide. I have one, but yet to really learn how to play it well. It takes a great deal of pressure and circular breathing.

1. Duduk
2. Ullean Pipes
3. Low Irish Whistle
4. Cello
5. Pipe Organ
6. French Horn
7. Guitar
8. Fender Rhodes
9. Saxophone
10. Clarinet (first instrument I learned)

[Daddy-L-Jackson]

1. Sitar
2. Piano
3. Glockenspiel
4. Drums
5. Sine Wave (For basslines)
6. Acoustic Guitar
7. TB-303 Acid Lines
8. Saxophone
9. Flute
10. Electric Bass Guitar

[Step]

1.) Piano - Duh... It can be used in almost every genre, has the largest note range, sounds really awesome by itself AND together with other instruments, fits in calm, happy, sad, angry, and practically any emotion you can come up with, is considered the 'father' of all instruments, and you can play as many notes as you want at the same time. Not to mention the fact that it sounds just so darn awesome XD. As btriangle said, it's a crime not to mention it, and since I'm also a piano player myself, I can't sleep at night without piano as my top fave.

2.) Pan-Flute - You really have to love the sound of a pan-flute. It sounds just so awsomeA pan-flute IMO sounds way better than a normal flute. It sounds nice in loads of genres, including electronic (Lolz, F-777 XD) and makes a nice tribal sound too. Also, with quite a bit of reverb, a good pan-flute sample, and a catchy fast-paced melody, you won't believe what you can make.

3.) String Ensemble - OK, it's more than one instrument, but if Usernamemyarse is allowed to mention drums, I'm allowed to mention sections of an orchestra XD. Anyway, epic classical is one of my favourite genres, and no epic classical is epic without a string ensemble, so this goes for 3rd place :).

4.) Pizzicato Strings - Wow, I never really knew how much I liked pizzicatos before I made my first proper classical song :D. They can make such awesome basslines, and a melody sounds better on pizzicato strings than it does on a bass, IMO XD. Pizzicato strings at 4th!

5.) Congas, Bongoes, and practically any tribal percussion - I really enjoy songs which manage to implement shakers, congas, bongoes and tribal stuff into an electronic song; they give out such an awesome feel, and if combined well enough with the electronic synths, they could sound great. Plus, I seem to be pretty good at inventing conga/bongo beats, and I even made 3 jungle songs out of congas, bongoes, shakers, etc.

6.) Square Wave - Something electronic now :D. I actually prefer square waves more than saw waves. They have a very good VG-ish theme to them, can make really awesome leads/background accompaniment, and aren't as rough and overused as saw waves. Plus, they sound awesome when they have a ridiculous amount delay on them.

7.) Orchestral Drums - Yeah, timpanis, gongs, bass drums, cymbals, triangles, snares, etc. As I already said, I'm a huge fan of epic classical, and these are the icing to the cake in an epic classical song.

8.) Windows Sound Effects - Click here to get what I mean :P. (No intention of advertising).

9.) Flute - Although a flute fits more in calmer pieces, and I usually don't enjoy anything too calm for a long time, a flute can sound really good with the proper sample, a proper background accompaniment, and a good melody.

10.) Umm... Duduk - Never heard it before, and I barely know what it exactly is (except for the brief explanation of nathanallenpinard) but what can I say, I ran out of instruments XD.

[Mrmilkcarton]

1. Piano
2. Cello
3. Synthesizer of some sort (IE: Virus or Nord)
4. Theremin (cause they are hilarious)
5. Violin
6. Guitar (electric and acoustic)
7. Bass (Same as guitar)
8. Oboe
9. French Horn
10. Nose flute (Fillerz)

[nathanallenpinard]

Duduk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEDboHDSU 50

Ullean Pipes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSjmvU_8x LY

[btriangle]

At 11/29/09 03:54 PM, nathanallenpinard wrote: Duduk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEDboHDSU 50

Ullean Pipes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSjmvU_8x LY

Wow truly outstanding instruments. The guy who's playing the Duduk looks like hes playing a friggen Tuba lol. It really must be difficult to play that instrument, he's great at it though.

I know what you mean when you say an instrument is overused, and its annoying as a composer when you find something great and you love it, but it turns out to be just an overused instrument.

But I think its better to just use what you love, because how else can you enjoy the music you are creating, you know?

[joshhunsaker]

1. Shakuhachi
2. Piano
3. English Horn
4. French Horn
5. Clavichord
6. Timpani
7. Violin
8. Acoustic Guitar
9. Organ
10. Harpsichord

[nathanallenpinard]

I know what you mean when you say an instrument is overused, and its annoying as a composer when you find something great and you love it, but it turns out to be just an overused instrument.

Actually the main reason why in the film/game world duduk and various other ethnic instruments are overused, are because of East West.

However, getting a real player, is a whole new fresh experience.

[Glib]

the hang drum u fucking pussies

[SineRider]

At 11/29/09 10:40 PM, Glib wrote: the hang drum u fucking pussies

I soooo want one

[Glib]

yea, they are so gnarly, the company in switzerland that makes them has to deem u worthy before even thinking of selling u one. to do that u have to write them an essay and send in a resume, haha.

[SineRider]

At 11/29/09 10:53 PM, Glib wrote: yea, they are so gnarly, the company in switzerland that makes them has to deem u worthy before even thinking of selling u one. to do that u have to write them an essay and send in a resume, haha.

even then it's gunan cost you quite a bit of money. But I can always dream :)

[jarrydn]

In alphabetical order, because it's the fairest :P:

Ensoniq ESQ-1
Korg DW-8000/EX-8000
Roland Alpha Juno/MKS-50
Roland Jupiter 6
Roland Jupiter 8
Roland JX-3P
Roland SH-101
Roland W-30
Waldorf Microwave 1
Yamaha AN1X

[nathanallenpinard]

At 11/30/09 02:12 AM, jarrydn wrote: In alphabetical order, because it's the fairest :P:

Ensoniq ESQ-1
Korg DW-8000/EX-8000
Roland Alpha Juno/MKS-50
Roland Jupiter 6
Roland Jupiter 8
Roland JX-3P
Roland SH-101
Roland W-30
Waldorf Microwave 1
Yamaha AN1X

wtf, no minimoog?

[jarrydn]

At 11/30/09 03:06 AM, nathanallenpinard wrote:

At 11/30/09 02:12 AM, jarrydn wrote: In alphabetical order, because it's the fairest :P:

Ensoniq ESQ-1
Korg DW-8000/EX-8000
Roland Alpha Juno/MKS-50
Roland Jupiter 6
Roland Jupiter 8
Roland JX-3P
Roland SH-101
Roland W-30
Waldorf Microwave 1
Yamaha AN1X

wtf, no minimoog?

Not a massive fan to tell you the truth. I mean, I wouldn't say no if I found one at a really good price, but I can certainly live without it. I prefer the slightly colder and harsh sound of Japanese synths to the big in-your-face phatness of American synths.

[Nayhan]

Guitar - Pipa - Bansuri - Violin - Dizi - Santoor - Cello - Ocarina - Trombone - Piano - Drums
Check out the links!!! XD I'm assuming everyone knows what the unlinked ones are.

[Reaper93]

Love organs and timpanis and pianos... I mean I guess a "synth" isn't very specific for an instrument, but some of the sounds you can get out of them for leads is just absotively nastalicious.

Plus bells are good, various kinds of cymbals, and different strings for different things, if you get my idea.

Plus three more. Uh... harp is great.... um... ..........

Metal spoons? Hell I got nothin' left. Unaugmented human voice is ok but not my favorite.

[KrisSumara]

1. NEXUS
2. NEXUS
3. NEXUS
4. NEXUS
5. Soundgoodizer
6. MORE SOUNDGOODIZER
7. Vanguard
7.V-Station
8. Sylenth1
9. FL Keys
10. Soundgoodizer

Its what the pros use.