A day for practicing music

[caeman]

Today was a rare day for me, as I stayed home ALL day. It was just me and the boys. A day filled with music instrument practice! Prepare for Short-Attention Span Music Theater. The idea was to give each instrument 15 minutes of focused practice. The 15 minutes sometimes becomes 20 or more, as my focus permits.

*Diatonic Harmonica (C was the randomly chosen model this time)
Scales, arpeggios and various rhythms to reinforce going from hole to hold and blow to draw cleanly. Finished with the blues scale and bending practice.

*Banjo
G major scale, arpeggios, basic claw hammer rhythm and a few songs.

*Balalaika
This instrument is new to me, so focused mainly on learning the strumming technique used (index finger) in various rhythms, and some basic chords. The Balalaika is different for me due to the required use of the thumb to help form the chords. The strings are tuned EEA.

*Tinwhistle
This session involved the High D and Low D. D major scale, then a few songs: Foggy Dew, Leaving of Liverpool, Star of the County Down, Amazing Grace.

*Fiddle
I started the Suzuki Violin Method today. I figured a formal study program could not hurt. Started with the bowing exercises and patterns, then played [1] Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star using all of the rhythms from the bowing exercises. Finished with [2] Lightly Row.

*Mandolin
G major scale, fast tremolo over a string, some chords, then Foggy Dew and Suo Gan to finish up the session.

*Guitar
No method book to follow, so I just plucked my way through about 10 gospel, bluegrass and irish songs I like. I do not specifically have any plans to play guitar outside of my house, but the instrument experience is still fun to have.

*Bass
Bass Method exercises 64-69. Kept repeating them over and over until I got it right once through. Did some Bass Fitness exercises and finished off with Minuet in G.

*Bodhran
Different rhythm patterns, from the simple quarter note, to the triplet using the top of the tipper, and various speeds. Drum solo!

*Kazoo
It was sitting there on my desk. I figured for completeness, why not! Amazing Grace has never sounded so...interesting...

And there concludes my day of music.

[MalcolmAmos]

Your hobby budget is larger than mine.

[caeman]

The harmonicas and tinwhistles are fairly cheap. The mandolin, balalaika and fiddle were gifts from friends. The guitar and banjo cost me $50 each. The bass is the single most expensive item at $200.