Anyone bring Musical Instruments on the AT??

[imaginateer]

I'm starting in March thru hiking for the first time. Music is my meditation, or medication, haha. I know i'm going to be singing and whistlng the whole way and I'm definately bringing my harmonica. But i also reeeeeeaaallly want to bring my violin. I don't know if I can stand to be separated from her for five or six months. The dampness would probably ruin her though, but has anyone brought any other instruments on the AT other than a harmonica? Ukulele perhaps? ANYTHING?

[swjohnsey]

Someone had a cello last year.

[Storm]

I know I couldn't bring anything that took any wind to blow.

[sbhikes]

I knew a cellist who had a list of people along the trail he could visit to play their cello. I think his wife would bring his cello when she came to visit. He had to keep practicing because he was a professional and didn't want to lose his callouses. If you are just a casual player, you really don't need your violin. It seems like a good idea now, but honestly you won't really have enough time to play it. You'll be too busy hiking, dealing with daily chores, hanging out and talking with people, getting your town chores done. Even if you did have time, you might feel that you don't want to break the silence or alter the mood or put the spotlight on yourself that way.

[Mike2012]

Someone tried a SOBO with a tuba one year.

[max patch]

The only instrument that should be brought and played on the AT is the air guitar.

[Slo-go'en]

Someone had a cello last year.

And never made it out of Georgia with it. If you had seen it and the amp which went with it, you'd know why.

Guitar's, banjo's, ukulele's, mandalin's, seen and heard them all. Some good, most bad. Haven't really seen or heard many harmonicas or other wind insturments like a tin whisle or recorder, which would seem to be a natural.

Violin, I think that would be a first. But even if your really good at it, I'm not sure I'd want to be around a solo violin. They work better as part of a blue grass band.

Seeing some one with a string insturment on thier back near Springer is not uncommon. To see them still carrying it half way through NC is very uncommon.

[Theosus]

Bagpipes! Crowded shelter? Whip them out....Especially if you don't play well.

[Gray Blazer]

I carry my claves in my back pocket and whip them out for any jam session.

[Nick&Bruce]

Consider how many hiker make a concentrated effort to shave ounces off the gear they NEED to make it to from GA to ME and consider how many pounds you'd be adding. Also keep in mind that many stringed instruments have metal strings and wood necks and bodies which don't like high humidity much less getting rained on. I've been considering a bamboo ukulele from Cordoba that my store has on clearance but even then replacement string would be a pain and the glues used to hold the instrument together aren't going to be immune even if the woods are. Then you have other hikers to consider and how much energy you have left by the time you make it where you are going. I've been a musician for 14 of my 26 years including the last 8 years which I've been working with the same music instrument retailer. My 2012 NOBO will be my first time away from my gear for over 2 weeks since I picked up the stuff but I don't imagine I'll be away from music for too long. Between weekend hikers and guitars in hostels I'm sure I'll have plenty of chances to strum a few chords. Maybe the break from music willbe refreshing to me, but I doubt I'll go so long between run ins with fellow axemen that it'll be an issue. Just my thoughts.

[P-Train]

I wouldn't really want to hear anything, personally. I guess it depends on the situation.

[vamelungeon]

Everything you have is going to get soaking wet, and I don't think that is going to do any musical instrument any good. Personally, I don't want to listen to music while I'm out in the woods, I'd rather hear the sounds provided by nature.

[Buffalo Skipper]

...I'm definately bringing my harmonica.

A wise man once told me that the only time a harmonica has perfect pitch is the sound it makes hitting the bottom of a dumpster.

Bagpipes!

Really, the bagpipes are a greatly misunderstood instrument. For instance did you know that the Scots got the bagpipes as a gift from the Irish. All these centuries later, and they still haven't gotten the joke.

[HiKen2011]

I fart a lot, music enough for me

[Gray Blazer]

A wise man once told me that the only time a harmonica has perfect pitch is the sound it makes hitting the bottom of a dumpster.

I heard that perfect pitch is when you throw the banjo and don't hit the sides of the garbage can.

[The Weasel]

Bagpipes! Crowded shelter? Whip them out....Especially if you don't play well.

Ye dinna need to worry. Nae but a Scot will knae if ye play the pipes well, and he will forgive a Sassenach who tries.

TW

[Harpua]

bring the violin! i think itd be awesome to hear out there!!. im noboing next year. hope to hear you someday

[generoll]

someone has painted in a guitar with a bar through it on the sign at Blue Ridge Gap in GA. kinda sums up most peoples opinions of instruments in shelters. nothing quite like someone who can't play, but insists on doing so anyway around the campfire.

[Wise Old Owl]

Ye dinna need to worry. Nae but a Scot will knae if ye play the pipes well, and he will forgive a Sassenach who tries.

TW

AYE!

[Gray Blazer]

Ye dinna need to worry. Nae but a Scot will knae if ye play the pipes well, and he will forgive a Sassenach who tries.

TW

Captain! The dilthium crystals can't handle warp 8 much longer. The ship's going to blow any minute now!