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Instruments on the cheap

Instruments on the cheap

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I bought a few items at Wal-Mart on the way home today. I noticed they had a shelf of boxes of musical instruments, probably aimed at the back-to-school crowd. In particular, they had flute, trumpet and clarinet for $200 each. On the way to the car, I was wondering if I ought to get one next time I am there.

My inner musician would like to goof around with one of these--maybe the trumpet--but I am wondering if it would be an exercise in frustration. Even if I have the latent talent of Herb Alpert, would I be setting myself up for a load of frustration by buying a student instrument? Or can one get good sound from a 200-dollar trumpet? Maybe extra hundreds of dollars just go into a fancier finish, with no better sound quality and no easier playing?

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Originally posted by Paul Dirac
I bought a few items at Wal-Mart on the way home today. I noticed they had a shelf of boxes of musical instruments, probably aimed at the back-to-school crowd. In particular, they had flute, trumpet and clarinet for $200 each. On the way to the car, I was wondering if I ought to get one next time I am there.

My inner musician would like to goof around ...[text shortened]... ds of dollars just go into a fancier finish, with no better sound quality and no easier playing?
I dont know about their wind instruments, But I know their string instruments are junk, but good for a begginner,

And about talent, IMO anyone can do it, it dont take somone with talent, you just gotta stick with it, even when you get to the boring parts of learning it. and you gotta have confidence, I had one student who I gave some lessons to, but he was already whipped before he started playing, he thought it sounded to hard, and he never did get anywhere

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Originally posted by Paul Dirac
I bought a few items at Wal-Mart on the way home today. I noticed they had a shelf of boxes of musical instruments, probably aimed at the back-to-school crowd. In particular, they had flute, trumpet and clarinet for $200 each. On the way to the car, I was wondering if I ought to get one next time I am there.

My inner musician would like to goof around ...[text shortened]... ds of dollars just go into a fancier finish, with no better sound quality and no easier playing?
Any instrument bought at Wal-Mart will be cursed. Buy one somewhere else. Anywhere else.

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Originally posted by rwingett
Any instrument bought at Wal-Mart will be cursed. Buy one somewhere else. Anywhere else.
Hi rwing, we are in the middle of clan games. Are you a musician?
I play guitar expert level fingerpicking. I saw the guitars at Kmart
and for a beginner they aren't bad, only 100 bucks or so, both
acoustic and electric.
I saw some higher quality ones same kind of deal, at an optical
shop in the Lehigh Valley Mall near where I live and another deal
at Sam Goodies CD shop. These cheap but relatively good guitars
are springing up all over it seems. I don't know about brass but
the acoustic models running around are ok for beginners.
A better buy might be had at a local hock shop, there always seems
to be brass or guitars hanging around, chances are they are better
quality than the mall rat guitars even if they are used. If you want
to take a chance, your best bet might be on Ebay. Also the local
music shops like the Guitar Villa or Sam Ashe or dave Phillips
always has good deals as well as a hell of a lot more variety.

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Originally posted by sonhouse
Hi rwing, we are in the middle of clan games. Are you a musician?
I play guitar expert level fingerpicking. I saw the guitars at Kmart
and for a beginner they aren't bad, only 100 bucks or so, both
acoustic and electric.
I saw some higher quality ones same kind of deal, at an optical
shop in the Lehigh Valley Mall near where I live and another deal
...[text shortened]... lla or Sam Ashe or dave Phillips
always has good deals as well as a hell of a lot more variety.
I know nothing about music. My objection to buying an instrument at Wal-Mart has nothing to do with their perceived lack of quality. My objection, rather, stems from the fact that Wal-Mart is evil. Pure evil. I would not buy even a pack of gum from such a vile place. Wal-Mart should be shunned and the Walton family should be sent to the guillotine.

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Thanks for the advice, all.

I heard on the news a few weeks back that one of Sam Walton's billionaire sons died in the crash of an ultralight airplane. It seems like an odd toy for one so wealthy.

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Originally posted by Paul Dirac
Thanks for the advice, all.

I heard on the news a few weeks back that one of Sam Walton's billionaire sons died in the crash of an ultralight airplane. It seems like an odd toy for one so wealthy.
It wasnt an ultralight though, just a small expermintal plane. (The media dont know the difference) He crashed in the mountians close to where I live, I heard he had a couple planes including a jet or 2

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Originally posted by flyUnity
...just a small expermintal plane...
I guess that sort of aircraft is more suited to flying low and slow over the terrain, to get a better feel for the lay of the land and maybe spot some flora and fauna.

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Originally posted by Paul Dirac
I bought a few items at Wal-Mart on the way home today. I noticed they had a shelf of boxes of musical instruments, probably aimed at the back-to-school crowd. In particular, they had flute, trumpet and clarinet for $200 each. On the way to the car, I was wondering if I ought to get one next time I am there.

My inner musician would like to goof around ...[text shortened]... ds of dollars just go into a fancier finish, with no better sound quality and no easier playing?
buy a $50 used electric guitar, learn 3 chords and you're away - it worked for The Ramones...

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Originally posted by dfm65
buy a $50 used electric guitar, learn 3 chords and you're away - it worked for The Ramones...
Yeah, I've got the git-tar and I know a few chords. Expect y'all will be hearin' from me some day.

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I would buy a flute as I already have elec guitar & synthesizers. So no need for them.. I'm saving up atm for a guitar, either getting a yamaha fg or tanglewood guitar (acoustic) and starting a 30 week guitar course in september. Then more 15 week advanced courses after. I would say have a look around for yamaha guitar because they're really good for the price.
these are the new models for 2005

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/ModelSeriesDetail/0,,CNTID%253D36996%2526CTID%253D221000,00.html

I think the cheapo ones start at $100

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Here's a deal...

Only $2400 for a '71 Country Gent in mint condition.

http://www.capsulemusic.com/retail/detail.asp?ID=2183

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