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Lanceglas
02-27-2006, 20:07
Do any of you carry musical instruments? If so what? and is there a Gee-tar well recommended for the trail?

2Questions
02-27-2006, 20:40
I like to take my harmonica.

Doctari
02-27-2006, 20:44
I carry a PVC transverse flute (the kind you blow from the side) with 6 finger holes.

There are at least 2 backpackers geetars on the market.

Sam Ash carries a backpackers Mandolin.

A Recorder (flute like whistle) is easy to play & lightweight.

Even lighter is a tin whistle, cheeper too.

Learn to play BEFORE you hit the trail.

Doctari.

Tin Man
02-27-2006, 20:46
Learn to play BEFORE you hit the trail.

Doctari.

And ask before you play.

grassyknoll44
02-27-2006, 22:28
Unfortunately I have no musical talent, but if I did I would definitely bring something, probably a harmonica because that seems the most fitting. For those that do have talent, I would love to listen to your music along the trail.

luckliver
02-27-2006, 22:56
Curious.....
Has anyone seen someone turn a hiking pole into a transverse flute? I can see how it could be done, but was just wondering if it would compromise the strength of the pole.

TJ aka Teej
02-27-2006, 23:23
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?&c=&i=1701 (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?&c=&i=1701)
Loser & T-Bird carried their guitars the whole way. I wrote down somewhere exactly what kind her's was.

xXIndyXx
02-28-2006, 00:32
Cool, you guys can be my minstrels and I'll clack coconut shells while we hike.:rolleyes:

Tinker
02-28-2006, 00:37
I carry this guitar, but usually only on weekend hikes where I don't expect much rain.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/253492996/1253563662059664855oPfgzx

If and when I do a thru, I'll probably carry a guitar, but only after the weather warms above freezing.

Doctari
02-28-2006, 11:04
Curious.....
Has anyone seen someone turn a hiking pole into a transverse flute? I can see how it could be done, but was just wondering if it would compromise the strength of the pole.

I have seen bamboo walking sticks that had 3 different flutes "built in" They were about 39" long, with 3 segments, the builder drilled each section for a flute. Each "flute" has 8 holes: The Embrosher (mouth hole) 6 finger holes & the opening at the end. The final hole was by far the largest & possibly a weak point to be concerned about. I want one, but would indeed be concerned about breakage, especially under the stress of a long hike.

I have 2 of "Flute guy's" flutes, they sound wonderful.

Some sites that may help if you want to try:
http://www.cwo.com/~ph_kosel/designs.html
http://www1.ocn.ne.jp/~tuner/esyaku8.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~rdmiller3/flutes/flutesteps.html
http://www.motherearthnews.com/library/1983_January_February/Homegrown_Music
http://www.motherearthnews.com/library/1982_November_December/Homegrown_Music__Make_a_Bamboo_Flute
http://www.phy.mtu.edu/~suits/pvcflute.html

Bear in mind that where the instructions say "(far) end of flute" you will need to drill one large, 2 small hole(s) with its proxmal edge at where the end should be. If memory serves, the "exit" hole was 1.5 x the size of the embrocher hole on flute guy's walking sticks. ie: .25" mouth piece hole means .375" end opening.

Some sheet music sites I like:
http://www.kitchenmusician.net/pages/kmmusicbyorigin.html
http://www.tinwhistler.com/music/
http://www.viperpiper.org/
http://sca.uwaterloo.ca/~praetzel/melodies/


Doctari

RockyTrail
02-28-2006, 11:14
My son and I have carried at various times a banjo and mandolin, or even a guitar (don't worry, he's pretty darn good on that banjo:) ). It's fun for a while, but it can be a hassle in the long run to take care of the instrument and haul it around.

The thing is, most musicians cringe (and rightly so) about taking a good instrument out in the woods; moisture, temp changes, and banging around would definitely do some damage. Martin makes a compact backpacker guitar that is fairly cheap (especially used) although the sound is so-so in my opinion.

Your best bet is to go to a flea market and hunt around until you find a cheap guitar that you can afford to literally throw away. Then when you get tired of it or it gets soaked or you fall on it, drop it in the next trash can when you stop to re-supply...And like the previous poster said, be polite to others, make sure you know how to play first, and don't overdo it. If you're half-decent, most folks will actually ask you to pick something, that's way preferred over getting hit with rotten tomatos:)

Gray Blazer
02-28-2006, 12:33
Bring your instruments to the Thru-hiker feed/jam session on Rocky Bald, Nantahalas, NC on Mar 25-26. I'll be bringing my flute, guitar and claves.
Doc Tari, an embouchure is the way you form your mouth, lips, etc. to play a wind instrument,. My Funk and Waganalls defines an embrasure as a window or door recess or an opening for a gun in a wall or parapet (Oh no, here we go with guns again). I have never heard of an embrosher until now.

irritable_badger
02-28-2006, 13:01
I was considering bringing my harmonica along but I was concerned about annoying others. It's sort of hard to play a harmonica at low volumes (especially in the woods). I suck at playing it but I do enjoy it. Are "Trail Bards" scorned, especially if they suck, or are they pretty much ignored?

Gray Blazer
02-28-2006, 13:10
You are supposed to suck when playing the harmonica as well as blow.

irritable_badger
02-28-2006, 13:14
You are supposed to suck when playing the harmonica as well as blow.
hahaha. Then consider me the best harmonica player ever.

Lanceglas
02-28-2006, 14:45
Thanks for the response. I am not learning how to play, however, I am learning how to sing. If I keep my mouth shut, I'll likely not bother anybody, and I don't intend to pick one up untill about a quarter of the way, when the crowd had thinned and the weather has warmed. I also play a didge, but unless I find some bamboo along the way I probably won't bother with one.

As a foot note, The Martin bacpacker is a bit pricey and sounds like crap.

Lanceglas
02-28-2006, 14:50
Looks sweet, How mch does it weigh? (I know it shouldn't really matter). Can I pick one up along the trail, or do I have to plan ahead?

Lump76
02-28-2006, 16:53
Here's a link to the Martin Backpacker. I think it sounds ok... but not like a full-bodied guitar. Then again, you shouldn't buy a backpacking guitar expecting it to sound like a dreadnought.

http://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/choosing/guitars.php?p=m&m=Steel%20String%20Backpacker%20Guitar

And here's a company that makes backpacking guitars that weigh under 3 lbs...

http://www.go-guitars.com/guitars.html

Besides playing guitar, I also play Pennywhistle. Pennywhistles are inexpensive, easy to learn, and they weigh next to nothing. They sound great by themselves or accompanied by guitar, banjo, mandoline, ukelele, whatever. Most often, they're played by Irish or Bluegrass musicians. You can pick one up for less than $10... so if you don't like it or can't learn to play, you can just toss it.

RockyTrail
02-28-2006, 19:07
Hey take a look at this!
Don't know how it sounds, but I've heard others say it's not too bad...take a look at the ingenuity of this design.
If I ever get time it would be fun to build one someday.

http://www.mimf.com/archives/cookietin_banjo.htm

Tinker
02-28-2006, 19:30
The Martin Backpacker guitar has a neck like a redwood trunk and sounds like a plastic ukelele. I was fortunate enough to have a friend who is a guitar instructor who did some research and found my little guitar for me. It sounds much, much, better than the Martin and is easier to play. It is, however, a bit heavier and bulkier. I'm always on the lookout for a nicer instrument, and have seen several in the $200.00+ range, but that's too much for an instrument destined to a hard life of barometric extremes.

Random
02-28-2006, 19:45
I carry a Mountain Ocarina, it's a kind of indian flute, and it fits in my pocket.

TogetherinParis
03-01-2006, 02:24
I'm thinking of carrying a piccolo, but I'm definitely bringing my whistle!

ZEKE #2
03-01-2006, 08:58
I carry this guitar, but usually only on weekend hikes where I don't expect much rain.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/253492996/1253563662059664855oPfgzx

If and when I do a thru, I'll probably carry a guitar, but only after the weather warms above freezing.

That looks like a much smaller guitar than the "Backpacker". Is there a website that I can find out more information on the guitar?

dje97001
03-01-2006, 10:26
Does an mp3 player count? ;)

Brock
03-01-2006, 10:34
Does an mp3 player count? ;)

Of course it does. I bring a musical instrument called an iPod. It plays all different kinds of music and the best part of it all is that it has headphones so I won't disturb all the other hikers.

Last year about 5 of us were hanging out at a shelter quietly listening to someones radio. Then Warren Doyles group comes along and demands that the radio be turned off. We wouldn't have minded so much, it was just the attitude of going right up to the radio and turning it off without asking us about it and then saying "I prefer the silence of the woods to the stuff you were listening too". We just sat there stunned and waited for them to leave.

So, beware of infringing on other peoples space and solitude.

RockyTrail
03-01-2006, 10:35
The Martin Backpacker guitar has a neck like a redwood trunk and sounds like a plastic ukelele. I was fortunate enough to have a friend who is a guitar instructor who did some research and found my little guitar for me. It sounds much, much, better than the Martin and is easier to play. It is, however, a bit heavier and bulkier. I'm always on the lookout for a nicer instrument, and have seen several in the $200.00+ range, but that's too much for an instrument destined to a hard life of barometric extremes.

That's great...we wanna know what it is! :D

irritable_badger
03-01-2006, 10:42
Of course it does. I bring a musical instrument called an iPod. It plays all different kinds of music and the best part of it all is that it has headphones so I won't disturb all the other hikers.

Last year about 5 of us were hanging out at a shelter quietly listening to someones radio. Then Warren Doyles group comes along and demands that the radio be turned off. We wouldn't have minded so much, it was just the attitude of going right up to the radio and turning it off without asking us about it and then saying "I prefer the silence of the woods to the stuff you were listening too". We just sat there stunned and waited for them to leave.

So, beware of infringing on other peoples space and solitude.
Do you mean to say that this Warren Doyle dude came up and actually turned your radio off? Or did he ask/demand that it be turned off?

Tinker
03-01-2006, 10:57
That looks like a much smaller guitar than the "Backpacker". Is there a website that I can find out more information on the guitar?

Here's another link to the guitar that I own.

http://www.maxwellplace.demon.co.uk/pandemonium/guitars.html

I'll continue to search for the distributor in the US.

Tinker
03-01-2006, 11:00
That's great...we wanna know what it is! :D

The link is posted above, but here it is again.http://community.webshots.com/photo/253492996/1253563662059664855oPfgzx

I haven't Googled the name of the guitar, but I will try it to see if I can find out where my guitar teacher friend ordered it.

Tinker
03-01-2006, 11:08
Do you mean to say that this Warren Doyle dude came up and actually turned your radio off? Or did he ask/demand that it be turned off?

I would hope that Warren himself didn't turn off your iPod. I've heard that his ego is limitless, and have seen footage of him giving a talk on lightweight hiking, which seems to bear this out. He is, however, apparantly truly concerned in making sure that his groups experience a close relationship with the natural world surrounding the AT. He seems to posess great intelligence............

But ego can make an intelligent man appear a fool.

Only he knows the heart behind his actions. (The same holds true of all of us).

Tinker
03-01-2006, 11:12
To finish the above statement, and make it more balanced,

If you are listening to, or playing a musical device, be it an instrument or a recording/playback device, please do it away from other hikers, if possible (use of headphones by individuals is, of course recommended, and most often thoughtfully observed).

Loud conversation in small groups is included in this category.

irritable_badger
03-01-2006, 11:20
I would hope that Warren himself didn't turn off your iPod. I've heard that his ego is limitless, and have seen footage of him giving a talk on lightweight hiking, which seems to bear this out. He is, however, apparantly truly concerned in making sure that his groups experience a close relationship with the natural world surrounding the AT. He seems to posess great intelligence............

But ego can make an intelligent man appear a fool.

Only he knows the heart behind his actions. (The same holds true of all of us).
I really don't know who the Warren Doyle guy is. I Googled him just a second ago to see what he's about. I have seen him bashed pretty good on this site a few times and I generally ignore stuff like that as personal attacks have no business being made public but the story from Brock really got my goat. This is exactly the attitude that people leave "the city" to get away from. It should not be tolerated by anyone, it certainly doesn't have to be. Why doesn't someone adjust his attitude? A public service to benefit the hiker community. It seems like fixing his attitude would be far better than sitting around whining about it. Famous hiker personality or not his ego most certainly has limits, someone just needs to show him where they are.

fiddlehead
03-01-2006, 22:15
I used the AT as well as many other long distance trails to hone my music skills and now i am a professional musician here in Phuket, Thailand. I carried a Martin Backpacker and almost always do. I do have a rule: if i'm carrying it, i'm using it! Every day. This was the single most reason that i am now good enough to play in big rock clubs and 5 star hotels here. I say go for it! I only played at shelters if all the hikers inside where up for some music, I haven't northbounded the AT since 95 so, don't know if the crowds have gotten so big that they don't want to hear music anymore. But i mainly stealth camped anyway, and would recommend the southbound hike on the AT. Lots less people.

Crafty
03-01-2006, 23:42
I do plan on hiking southbound and I do plan on carrying a musical instrument, as my logon name indicates (a smallish travel mandolin). I find that the rhythm of walking really gets my creative juices flowing. Hopefully the months away from TV, radio, and other media will help clear my mind of outside musical influences a little, and help me develop some more original ideas (as well as become a much more proficient mandolin player). My plan is to work up enough original material over the coarse of the hike to be able to create a CD or something when I get back to civilization. Kind of a muscial version of travel writing, or something. Are there other people currently doing this type of thing?

gilmour14
03-02-2006, 10:11
I've actually had very similar ideas as you Mike... Heading SOBO in June and almost definitely bringing a backpacking guitar (I have a martin backpacker, and just ordered a Montana backpacker). It's been hard to find as much time to play as I would like these days, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to re-hone my skills as well as start writing some music (which I've dabbled in but not too much). My girlfriend (who I'm hiking with) has a great voice too, so who knows... maybe we'll emerge a sucessful duet! Either way, playing is something I love and its well worth the extra 2.5 lbs for me.

Of course I realize that not everyone loves music in the woods as much as I do and I plan to be respectful of other hikers when they're around.
That said, hope to see (and hear) you all out there!

Doctari
03-02-2006, 14:27
Of course it does. I bring a musical instrument called an iPod. It plays all different kinds of music and the best part of it all is that it has headphones so I won't disturb all the other hikers.

Last year about 5 of us were hanging out at a shelter quietly listening to someones radio. Then Warren Doyles group comes along and demands that the radio be turned off. We wouldn't have minded so much, it was just the attitude of going right up to the radio and turning it off without asking us about it and then saying "I prefer the silence of the woods to the stuff you were listening too". We just sat there stunned and waited for them to leave.

So, beware of infringing on other peoples space and solitude.


Sounds like THEY were infringing on YOUR space. First come first serve. I imagine if the roles were reversed & they were listning to music when you came up , , , , , ,

I too many times prefer quiet. But at times like that, I would either: join in or continue on. There are a few forms of music I seriously dilike, so without thought, I would move on.

Mr Doyle, or ANYONE else were to do that to me / the group I was with, I would get up, turn the radio (or whatever) back on, just a bit louder & say: I prefer this to the sound of your voice, don't like it, move on, we were here first!

But that is just me.

Doctari.

irritable_badger
03-02-2006, 14:35
Sounds like THEY were infringing on YOUR space. First come first serve. I imagine if the roles were reversed & they were listning to music when you came up , , , , , ,

I too many times prefer quiet. But at times like that, I would either: join in or continue on. There are a few forms of music I seriously dilike, so without thought, I would move on.

Mr Doyle, or ANYONE else were to do that to me / the group I was with, I would get up, turn the radio (or whatever) back on, just a bit louder & say: I prefer this to the sound of your voice, don't like it, move on, we were here first!

But that is just me.

Doctari.
Yea!!!! Someone else not blinded by the light of a "celebrity personality".

lostjohn
03-03-2006, 14:12
If the reeds on a harmonica are gapped to about a .001 of an inch it can be played quite softly. I use the little strip of metal that is in the shoplifting prevention thing that stores put on film boxes, etc. It makes a nice 0.001 feeler gage. Cracker Barrel sells a harp for about 4 or 5 dollars and everyone I test on the meter is in tune, but they need to have the reeds gapped to play softly.

While I was learning to play, the wife complained so much that I learned to play softly.

Doctari
03-23-2006, 13:18
I just found the web site for 2 of the flutes I have!

http://www.earthtoneinstruments.com/

It was linked from the Ohio Ren fest site ( http://www.renfestival.com/ ).

Great stuff, I'm thinking of getting one of the cane flutes, imagine, 3 different flutes AND a walking stick all in one. That's FOUR uses all in one item.

Doctari.

LIhikers
03-23-2006, 21:59
My wife has me replacing the casters on her piano with all terrain wheels so we can bring it along on our next sction hike on the AT :)

myrhh
03-26-2006, 14:07
This summer I plan on doing the Vermont and New Hampshire section of the trail. I was wondering, to those who bring the backpacking guitars, is where do you keep the guitar while hiking? Is it inside your pack or strapped to the outside? I would really like to bring a guitar on the trail but I'm a bit concerned that it would be encumbersome or difficult to manage with, but I also think that the trail would inspire some great tunes. Take care all

tiamalle
03-26-2006, 17:07
My wife has me replacing the casters on her piano with all terrain wheels so we can bring it along on our next sction hike on the AT :)Mar 30th starts 2006 April Fool Hiker Bash in Franklin.We are having
different bands,but if hiker musicians come thru and would like to entertain also.Let us know I have banjos,guitars,mandolins and fiddles. It was susuggested maybe a hiker talent show Sat.afternoon.have a talent let us know and we can try it.Looking forward to see all of you,Ron
http://sapphireinn.net or http://havensbudgetinn.com

Doctari
03-26-2006, 17:51
My wife has me replacing the casters on her piano with all terrain wheels so we can bring it along on our next sction hike on the AT :)

You may want to consider spending the extra bucks & get the wheels with brakes, at least on 2 of them. Will you be taking the bench or getting a stool for it? Also may want to take along some sort of weatherproofing, a tarp or something similar. :p

Myshkin
05-08-2006, 03:11
I'm buying the Martin Backpacker's Guitar and carrying it on my SOBO.

Sarge
05-08-2006, 06:35
I was just up in the Georgia / NC section last month during spring break and camped with a couple of NOBOs who were carrying guitars. One guy's name was Journey and he was carrying a small standard acoustic and played it all 3 nights I camped with him. I don't know the other guy's name, but he was carrying a Martin Backpacker. They have got to be past Damascus by now.

spittinpigeon
05-16-2006, 14:47
This summer I plan on doing the Vermont and New Hampshire section of the trail. I was wondering, to those who bring the backpacking guitars, is where do you keep the guitar while hiking? Is it inside your pack or strapped to the outside? I would really like to bring a guitar on the trail but I'm a bit concerned that it would be encumbersome or difficult to manage with, but I also think that the trail would inspire some great tunes. Take care all


I carried my Martin Backpacker in the side compression straps on the outside. We sidetracked just a wee bit on the NYC commuter rail, and the guitar was subsequently stolen while I slept on the sidewalk with all the heroin addicts outside Tompkins Sq. Park. Good times!
I have since acquired a new one, but I'm unsure if I'll bring it.

Uncle Silly
05-25-2006, 23:07
DON'T DO IT!!!

Go get yourself a 1/4- or 1/2-sized (ie, kid-size) dreadnought. It'll sound and play more like a real guitar than that Martin wedge. Even new these'll cost far less than a Martin Backpacker, and you won't be kicking yourself when (if) something happens to it.

Same thing for mandolin fans -- go buy a beginner's A-style mando. Especially stay away from the Martin Backpacker Mandolin -- if you have to plunk down $300 for a travel-mando, look at the Weber SweetPea. The Martin has a very wide, heavy neck, unlike real mandolins; and the body shape kills the sound -- so the instrument is unbalanced (compared to a real mando) and sounds like carp.

Don't spend more than $100 --- and try to spend less than $50 if you can find it. At that price, you can afford to toss it in the campfire and buy a replacement if you fall on it.



I do plan on hiking southbound and I do plan on carrying a musical instrument, as my logon name indicates (a smallish travel mandolin). I find that the rhythm of walking really gets my creative juices flowing. Hopefully the months away from TV, radio, and other media will help clear my mind of outside musical influences a little, and help me develop some more original ideas (as well as become a much more proficient mandolin player). My plan is to work up enough original material over the coarse of the hike to be able to create a CD or something when I get back to civilization. Kind of a muscial version of travel writing, or something. Are there other people currently doing this type of thing?

I carried a standard (tho cheap, see above) A-style mando on my trek. I was mostly woodshedding on tunes I knew already and learning new ones. I did make good use of the experience -- came back home and joined a bluegrass band. I'm more focused on learning traditional tunes than on writing my own material, but I would've had ample opportunity to do that on the trail had I chosen to.

Real Musicians(tm) do all sorts of things to find inspiration for their music, and travelling is something lots of musicians do. Good luck on the hike and on your creative endeavors -- and by all means come back and share them with us once you're done.
:sun

fiddlehead
05-25-2006, 23:29
I was wondering, to those who bring the backpacking guitars, is where do you keep the guitar while hiking? Is it inside your pack or strapped to the outside? I would really like to bring a guitar on the trail but I'm a bit concerned that it would be encumbersome or difficult to manage with, but I also think that the trail would inspire some great tunes. Take care all
I use the case it came with, cut off all the extra straps, and fold the top over and then strap it onto my side compression straps that i had to sew on my pack myself because it didn't have any. I then put a plastic heavy duty bread bag that i got a bunch of in a good bakery in NY. to go over that to help keep it dry. I wore out two backpacker guitars (martin) alreadyt and am on my 3rd one which really should be replaced. I've had lots of great memories from carrying it and wouldn't trade them for anything. (well maybe for a full size Taylor 900 series guitar.
I don't think it matters which one you decide on, just whether to carry one or not.
I believe the Backpacker is the lightest one out there, that's why i chose it. have fun.

arbor
07-08-2006, 18:03
Just got back from a 340 mile section hike through New England. I carried a Montana for a while but it started raining alot and the wood got a bit warped so I got it shipped ahead to me. It was nice having it while I did but I was often too tired to play it when after a long day. Not sure if I'll pack one on my next long distance hike but to protect it I would put a fleece hat around the body and then a giant trash bag. I was strapped to my pack and the pack cover helps for the rain to.

Tinker
07-09-2006, 00:14
Outside, upside down.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/386564943/1386617108059664855MmlbyA

Tinker
07-09-2006, 00:18
Outside, upside down.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/386564943/1386617108059664855MmlbyA

Here's the guitar:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/253492996/1253563662059664855oPfgzx

BigToe
07-09-2006, 01:46
I have seen bamboo walking sticks that had 3 different flutes "built in" They were about 39" long, with 3 segments, the builder drilled each section for a flute. Each "flute" has 8 holes: The Embrosher (mouth hole) 6 finger holes & the opening at the end. The final hole was by far the largest & possibly a weak point to be concerned about. I want one, but would indeed be concerned about breakage, especially under the stress of a long hike.

I have 2 of "Flute guy's" flutes, they sound wonderful.

Some sites that may help if you want to try:
http://www.cwo.com/~ph_kosel/designs.html
http://www1.ocn.ne.jp/~tuner/esyaku8.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~rdmiller3/flutes/flutesteps.html
http://www.motherearthnews.com/library/1983_January_February/Homegrown_Music
http://www.motherearthnews.com/library/1982_November_December/Homegrown_Music__Make_a_Bamboo_Flute
http://www.phy.mtu.edu/~suits/pvcflute.html

Bear in mind that where the instructions say "(far) end of flute" you will need to drill one large, 2 small hole(s) with its proxmal edge at where the end should be. If memory serves, the "exit" hole was 1.5 x the size of the embrocher hole on flute guy's walking sticks. ie: .25" mouth piece hole means .375" end opening.

Some sheet music sites I like:
http://www.kitchenmusician.net/pages/kmmusicbyorigin.html
http://www.tinwhistler.com/music/
http://www.viperpiper.org/
http://sca.uwaterloo.ca/~praetzel/melodies/


Doctari

Doctari,

I liked the idea of the PVC flute as it is resistant to breakage and unaffected by moisture. I found a great site:
http://www.markshep.com/flute/
for a very easy to make flute. It took me about an hour to make. Now I just have to learn how to play! Thanks for the great links.