Can you recommend small instruments for camping

simplephysics · 07-21-2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matious

you could always practice beatboxing

or yodeling

Enter_Narne · 07-21-2008, 08:10 PM

On the topic of a small instrument that sounds like a guitar. I tried researching what makes a guitar sound like a guitar. From what I've read, please correct me if I'm wrong, a string is plucked, causing it to vibrate, this in turn resonates in a chamber. Different tones are achieved by pressing on the string to effectively shorten it and the wavelength of its vibrations. Add a few more strings and you can play many more notes.

So I started researching rudimentary instruments that use a string(s). These include the cigar box guitar, the strumstick, the musical bow. The musical bow is the one that comes the closest to what I'm looking for. But, I wonder if it can be made even more simple or smaller than a string stretched on a flexible stick.

Has anyone here ever seen someone attach a string to their shoe and then attach the other end of the string to a mouthpiece and then inserted the mouthpiece into their mouth? The mouthpiece would allow for the musician to adjust the shape of his/her mouth to change the sound of the vibrating string. In effect, the musician's mouth becomes the resonance chamber and the rest of their body becomes the neck of a "guitar."

Seltzer · 07-21-2008, 10:30 PM

Maybe Boo Boo might know? He had a thread a while back about unconventional instruments... drop him a PM.

boo boo · 07-21-2008, 11:19 PM

I don't think theres such a thing as a guitar smaller than a deck of cards.

But if you're looking for a smaller instrument similar to the guitar you could go for a Mandolin or Ukelele, I'm sure you can find one at your nearest pawn shop.

Or you could get a lap harp.

It's a folk instrument, a modernized version of a Psaltery, which is an ancient Zither that was popular in Medieval Europe . I got one for Christmas, it has a very nice sound and it's extremely easy to play, and cheap too.

Enter_Narne · 07-21-2008, 11:58 PM

Thanks for getting back to me so fast boo boo. I'm looking into your suggestions. Thanks

sleepy jack · 07-22-2008, 12:02 AM

If you don't mind going larger, Ukulele's are nice.

BlckDeth · 07-22-2008, 12:21 AM

I usually just bang on pans with drumsticks.

But then again, I'm a Neanderthal.

07-21-2008, 10:30 PM	#13 (permalink)
Seltzer Fish in the percolator! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hobbit Land NZ Posts: 2,870	Maybe Boo Boo might know? He had a thread a while back about unconventional instruments... drop him a PM. __________________ In the Court of King Crimson \| Last.fm \| RYM

07-21-2008, 08:10 PM	#12 (permalink)
Enter_Narne Groupie Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 6	On the topic of a small instrument that sounds like a guitar. I tried researching what makes a guitar sound like a guitar. From what I've read, please correct me if I'm wrong, a string is plucked, causing it to vibrate, this in turn resonates in a chamber. Different tones are achieved by pressing on the string to effectively shorten it and the wavelength of its vibrations. Add a few more strings and you can play many more notes. So I started researching rudimentary instruments that use a string(s). These include the cigar box guitar, the strumstick, the musical bow. The musical bow is the one that comes the closest to what I'm looking for. But, I wonder if it can be made even more simple or smaller than a string stretched on a flexible stick. Has anyone here ever seen someone attach a string to their shoe and then attach the other end of the string to a mouthpiece and then inserted the mouthpiece into their mouth? The mouthpiece would allow for the musician to adjust the shape of his/her mouth to change the sound of the vibrating string. In effect, the musician's mouth becomes the resonance chamber and the rest of their body becomes the neck of a "guitar."

07-21-2008, 11:58 PM	#15 (permalink)
Enter_Narne Groupie Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 6	Thanks for getting back to me so fast boo boo. I'm looking into your suggestions. Thanks

07-22-2008, 12:21 AM	#17 (permalink)
BlckDeth Groupie Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington Posts: 12	I usually just bang on pans with drumsticks. But then again, I'm a Neanderthal.