h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Now that is a wonderful invention, true - but is a fairly modern one. Not as modern as the electric didgeredoo (sp?), but still modern.
I'd say the piano has had a greater influence over the world of music.

Actually, the harpsicord is the originator of the keyboard, and that became the piano which eventually evolved into our modern synthesizers.......the ultimate weapon in music!

NM

ummmmm... I think that you will find it was the dulcimer and the virginals before the harpsichord NM The main difference of course was that these three all relied on being *plucked* like a lute... whereas, of course, the piano was *struck* like a drum thereby enabling true variation in tone according to the strength or gentleness of the *touch*. This was the reason it was called a pianoforte... because it was the first keyboard instrument capable of really producing a marked difference between the two! Mr Cristofiori
I salute you
shazzPRME

And you can get electric harpsicords that pluck too...
For example, on the Beatles song "Because".

Yes ... oh... I forgot the spinnet Sorry about that!
I like the harpsichord, but not too much at once... maybe a couple of Brandenburg Concerto's...
shazzPRME

My referrence to a harpsichord was to point out the keyboard element. If I'm not mistaken, it was the first "keyboard" instrument, which have revolutionised modern music.

To add to that, the instruments you mention are "stringed" instruments......the harpsichord and the "pianoforte"(sure am glad they shortened that!) are percussion instruments.

Incedentally, I agree. I love a harpsichord for about two songs.....then "somebody shoot the player"!LOL Must say, though, I'll listen to bagpipes all day long!

NM

Bagpipes - I haven't got many examples of bagpipes on CD - except in "Mull of Kintyre"... One thing that people find annoying is my like of listening to bugles and marching music. But then I play the bugle, so why shouldn't I?

Lots of Sousa then Bb
shazzPRME

Bagpipes are the true test of Scottish heritage. Find someone who enjoys the sound of bagpipes, and I promise, there's some Scottish blood in there, somewhere!......only a Scot could enjoy the sound!

NM

Maybe... or just be so Beatles/Wings biased that they'd love anything even remotely related

He-he...you may be right! I hadn't thought of that!

NM

But I must confess "Amazing Grace" sounds best on a bagpipe.
I don't think I've heard many other bagpipe tunes that I recognise...?

I've heard the "Amazing Grace" version! Absolutely inspiring!

Other tunes, I couldn't even name....but it doesn't matter. Just play *anything* on 'em, and I'm there!

NM

Anything that has a tune to it, you mean
An instrument that I HATE when played badly has to be the Recorder... I'm convinced that the Department for Education & Employment has a contract with Recorder Factories - explaining why every school child has to buy and play the dreadful things...

There is nothing which has a "tune to it" that sounds good on a recorder! I want that contract!

NM

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear! So... you both dislike the recorder do you?! Perhaps you would like to be more specific... there are at least 5 members of the recorder family, and when played well they are the most delightful instrument you can ever want to hear. I admit that a lot of hard-pressed primary school teachers (who probably cannot/do not/know not how to play the recorder properly) are persuaded to indulge in a spot of classroom recorder teaching with disastrous results... I know because I have to *tidy up* the technique later on. But I strenuously defend all recorders and recorder players who REALLY know how to play! It saddens me that, out of all instruments started when young, the recorder is picked upon and held up as an example of excrutiating non-musicality! On a Tuesday I have to endure a whole day of violin lessons going on in the next practice room and , believe me, nothing can induce a headache quicker then that! That does not mean, however, that ALL violin music is painful. The same goes for the brass lessons, which I can hear very clearly although they are quite a few rooms away... and the drum lessons... enough said. NM... I am surprised at you! I will have to educate you much better in the dulcet tones of the alto recorder... the bright sunny sounds of the descant and sopranina, the mellow moods evoked by the tenor and the haunting , bassoon-like qualities of the bass!Most music for woodwind written before 1630 was actually written for the recorder family... Telemann wrote some absolutely delightful sonatas, most Handel flute works were re-worked from the original versions for recorder as opposed to the transverse flute which, in it's early beginnings, did not enjoy half the range and tone varition to be found in the performance of a good recorder player! Have either of you ever actually bothered to listen to GOOD recorder playing by an individual or a group(consort)? I doubt it! Please open your minds a little more... go and listen to some... better still, maybe I will just have to tape you some of MY recorder groups playing a range of styles from baroque through classical, romantic, impressionist to jazz, blues, hoe downs... you name it, we play it.
OK... rant over>>>>>>>>> normal service now resumes>>>>>> just about anyway
shazzPRME

Hello Bluebottle. I am very impressed with your page too, the decor is delightful. I have to say that your suicide club is in very bad taste indeed my boy, I have a cure which will ensure suicide rates will decrease, my potion is called "CrazyHarry's infinitive laughing potion" - in my lab at the moment I am currently concocting the potion to 100% proof, take a look if you like. By the way, have YOU seen my glasses???

I said, Shazz, and I quote "An instrument that I HATE when played badly has to be the Recorder". I said "when played badly" - when it is played well, it is good - but badly, we all admit sounds like the shreiking death cries of a constipated hippopotomous in labour. And the bass recorder is a very interesting instrument... But they just aren't for school kids!
And I remember my sister's violin lessons with great pain.

I said, Shazz, and I quote "An instrument that I HATE when played badly has to be the Recorder". I said "when played badly" - when it is played well, it is good - but badly, we all admit sounds like the shreiking death cries of a constipated hippopotomous in labour. And the bass recorder is a very interesting instrument... But they just aren't for school kids!
And I remember my sister's violin lessons with great pain.

No, I must admit that I haven't, Crazy Harry...