Do you play an instrument?

[Luke Baewer]

didjeridoo, guitar, turntables, vocals, bass, and piano....the didjeridoo is my all time favorite

[Sharmaji]

play and teach drumset, tabla, dhol... percussion in general. Studied piano all through jr. high and high school, which i don't t hink i could recommend more. extremely helpful.

I keep a guitar around, as it's fun to pluck melodies on a completely different interface than a keyboard (same deal as using an mpd to do melodies), but am not a guitarist by any means. though tune it down to dropped D and i'll play you a mean "Spoonman"

[Mad_EP]

Knowing the theory definitely helps in writing songs, but sometimes I feel like it's a curse as well.

This might be one of the stupidest things I have ever heard. I have at *least* as much (if not more) theory training as any one else on this board, but it has never been a hindrance in writing or enjoying music.

[narcissus]

lol. i learned theory now i'm working on forgetting it.

[CBK81]

I played the trombone for years. I played very little piano when I was younger and I have recently started practicing scales and chords every night.

[TEKN]

Played guitar in a Deathcore band for about 10 yrs i still use pretty much the same techniques when writing dubstep so yeah definately think its helped me get started

[punkydub]

I have never learned to play any instrument but im ok on drums and keybords.

My dad is a drummer and when i was 13 he thought me how to make simple hip hop beat and i just went from there.

[bRRRz]

Bass, what else.^^

[standard-proceduremusic]

i play drums guitar and keyboard, but understanding the theory behind keyboard (chords scales modes e.t.c) defiantly helped with production, also as a drummer when i'm making beats i find that i can hear grooves and fills in my head more easily? still wether you play a instrument or not your ears are the most important thing when it comes to making music, i know people that don't play any instruments at all but can make amazing compositions on a computer program and the end of the day musical talent is musical talent.

[Mortal]

oh, and i occaisionaly tap on various parts of an object while im bored...usually a table
then once ive got a nice kick and snare sound going, i try and come up with a new beat

[narcissus]

the entire universe is the instrument i play...

[Mortal]

the entire universe is the instrument i play...

i find myself becoming a drumkit most of the time too...chest thud = kick, belly slap = snare

[narcissus]

two of my favorite sounds! also like tapping shoes for high percussion..
then humming basslines and various vocal effects too at the same timme

[viberous]

Been playing bassoon for about 6 years. Gonna record a riff sometime and postprocess the hell out of it

[Technosaurus]

Knowing the theory definitely helps in writing songs, but sometimes I feel like it's a curse as well.

This might be one of the stupidest things I have ever heard. I have at *least* as much (if not more) theory training as any one else on this board, but it has never been a hindrance in writing or enjoying music.

I guess everyone's different.

[Shekul]

I can play the guitar.........hero.

I'll show myself out.

[egoless]

yes, instruments are my first love... can play guitar, drums, bass, keyboards, some percussions, started learning tabla until i wrecked it Hope I'll get sitar someday, and hang drum also...

[egoless]

Knowing the theory definitely helps in writing songs, but sometimes I feel like it's a curse as well.

This might be one of the stupidest things I have ever heard. I have at *least* as much (if not more) theory training as any one else on this board, but it has never been a hindrance in writing or enjoying music.

I guess everyone's different.

I can understand the statement. I guess it is possible that theory limits you... But only if your imagination is limited also

[Mad_EP]

Knowing the theory definitely helps in writing songs, but sometimes I feel like it's a curse as well.

This might be one of the stupidest things I have ever heard. I have at *least* as much (if not more) theory training as any one else on this board, but it has never been a hindrance in writing or enjoying music.

I guess everyone's different.

Well, first of all... apologies for sounding like a dick. The meaning remains the same, but I could have said it nicer.

I seriously can't think of a single time when I felt my musical training was any kind of hindrance or obstacle at all. Especially in EDM... I mean, we are talking about music that doesn't tend to be that complex musically anyway... complex production-wise, sure... but not really that much musically. The few times I have used theory - wasn't even to decide what chords to progress to or anything like that... but for voice leading, because it sounded nicer to not use parallel motion. Or if I started in any given key.. I automatically knew what notes were within the key... however, that never prevented me from using "accidentals" or feeling I needed to adhere to any set of rules as some sort of binding structure.

[DJ Crackle]

I didn't mean to say that theory limited me at all...
It's just that with more things to listen for, and with me being such an ADD-fuck, sometimes it's hard to just fall into the contour of music with my mind going nuts of me.
Like I said. I do enjoy my active ear 99% of the time.
It's just that every now and then, I just wanna be absorbed by the music, not absorb the music myself.

But I agree. It's never been a hinderance at all production-wise.