Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 59

Thread: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

  1. #1
    Registered User Ranald's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    1,733

    Default instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    There's been plenty of discussion here about which musical instrument is the worst -- banjo, accordion, bagpipes being the prime contenders, and banjolin not far behind. (I love 'em all.) Still, legal issues seldom arise, although, a few years back, a busking piper in Ottawa's Bytown Market claimed to be the victim of discrimination against Scots after merchants complained about him. I think volume and proximity were the issues -- Scots-Canadians can hardly claim to be an oppressed minority. However, this news story tells us that one musical instrument is considered "an offensive weapon" by Canadian law. I hope its players aren't offended.

    https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thund...rest-1.5412764
    Last edited by Ranald; Oct-02-2020 at 3:54pm.
    Robert Johnson's mother, describing blues musicians:
    "I never did have no trouble with him until he got big enough to be round with bigger boys and off from home. Then he used to follow all these harp blowers, mandoleen (sic) and guitar players."
    Lomax, Alan, The Land where The Blues Began, NY: Pantheon, 1993, p.14.

  2. #2

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    I used to think banjo jokes were the viola jokes of the folk/bluegrass (or otherwise non-classical) world. i.e. exaggerated concepts as a lever for humor. Then I discovered Rhiannon Giddens and now I think banjo jokes are blasphemy. Maybe you just have to be a beautiful singer to cover it up - idk - but I love her.

  3. The following members say thank you to Heady for this post:

    Ranald 

  4. #3
    working musician Jim Bevan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Limache, Chile
    Posts
    809

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    I'll keep the story short, but when the Gainesville University of Florida murders were happening many years ago (and I had three young daughters to protect), a '57 mandocaster was my defensive weapon of choice.
    mando scales
    technical exercises for rock blues & fusion mandolinists
    mp4 backing tracks & free downloadable pdfs


    jimbevan.com

  5. The following members say thank you to Jim Bevan for this post:

    Ranald 

  6. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Brooklyn, NY, USA
    Posts
    1,249

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    My electric bass haas defended me from more than one drunk trying to climb up on stage and sing.

  7. The following members say thank you to Nevin for this post:

    Ranald 

  8. #5
    '`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`' Jacob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Posts
    1,130

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    My 1970's apartment lease in Atlanta, Georgia, prohibited the loud playing of "musical instruments or saxophones".

  9. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Jacob For This Useful Post:


  10. #6
    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    North CA
    Posts
    5,020

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    Some of my Lark camp buddies wanted to make an "offensive" band - their idea of an instrumentation was 5 string banjo, bagpipes (several types), hurdy-gurdy, accordions, steel drums, very loud rock guitar, zurna, theremin, steel guitar, etc.

  11. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to DavidKOS For This Useful Post:


  12. #7
    Registered User Ranald's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    1,733

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidKOS View Post
    Some of my Lark camp buddies wanted to make an "offensive" band - their idea of an instrumentation was 5 string banjo, bagpipes (several types), hurdy-gurdy, accordions, steel drums, very loud rock guitar, zurna, theremin, steel guitar, etc.
    But harmonica was going too far?
    Robert Johnson's mother, describing blues musicians:
    "I never did have no trouble with him until he got big enough to be round with bigger boys and off from home. Then he used to follow all these harp blowers, mandoleen (sic) and guitar players."
    Lomax, Alan, The Land where The Blues Began, NY: Pantheon, 1993, p.14.

  13. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Ranald For This Useful Post:


  14. #8
    Pittsburgh Bill
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    PA
    Posts
    1,067
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    When our youngest (now 30) was in the third grade he was trying to select an instrument to learn. My wife quickly put her foot down and said,"No" when he suggested trumpet. For trumpet fans don't take this wrong as I have heard some beautiful music from a trumpet, but she knew neither of us were ready to hear the noise that could come from an 8 year old trying to learn trumpet. He chose cello to the relief of both his mother and me.
    I'm certain that had he chose trumpet it would now sound just as beautiful as he now does on cello or mandolin, but the early cello years were much easier on our ears.
    Big Muddy EM8 solid body (Mike Dulak's final EM8 build)
    Kentucky KM-950
    Weber Gallatin A Mandola "D hole"
    Rogue 100A (current campfire tool & emergency canoe paddle)

  15. The following members say thank you to Pittsburgh Bill for this post:

    Ranald 

  16. #9

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    I think maybe now with the advent of new CPAP cleaners i might just try the pipes. . . . . Naw

  17. The following members say thank you to farmerjones for this post:

    Ranald 

  18. #10
    Registered User John Flynn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Richmond, VA
    Posts
    8,076

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    I got pulled out of the TSA line at an airport once for a manual bag search. They searched, found nothing, then put the bag through the x-ray again. They pulled the bag out again and did a manual search. I asked what they were looking for, but they said they couldn't tell me. Finally, they found my harmonica in a side pocket. The TSA supervisor told me that on x-ray, it looked like the magazine for a .22 auto pistol. Anyone who knows anything about guns will know how ridiculous that is. Then he scolded me that I should have put it in the bin. I had carried that harmonica in my luggage for dozens of flights, but that never happened before. I kept carrying it that way and it never happened since. Go figure...

  19. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to John Flynn For This Useful Post:


  20. #11
    Registered User Ranald's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    1,733

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    Quote Originally Posted by John Flynn View Post
    I got pulled out of the TSA line at an airport once for a manual bag search. They searched, found nothing, then put the bag through the x-ray again. They pulled the bag out again and did a manual search. I asked what they were looking for, but they said they couldn't tell me. Finally, they found my harmonica in a side pocket. The TSA supervisor told me that on x-ray, it looked like the magazine for a .22 auto pistol. Anyone who knows anything about guns will know how ridiculous that is. Then he scolded me that I should have put it in the bin. I had carried that harmonica in my luggage for dozens of flights, but that never happened before. I kept carrying it that way and it never happened since. Go figure...
    I enjoy it when I introduce a topic that really interests people.

    Regarding John's story: a American buddy told me that one time he was returning to the States and had to put his flute together, with a customs officer warily watching him, then play a tune before the officer was convinced it wasn't a weapon. As with John, it only happened once. (And, as the old fellas say, If it's a lie, it's a lie that was told to me. Oops, I am an old fella.)
    Robert Johnson's mother, describing blues musicians:
    "I never did have no trouble with him until he got big enough to be round with bigger boys and off from home. Then he used to follow all these harp blowers, mandoleen (sic) and guitar players."
    Lomax, Alan, The Land where The Blues Began, NY: Pantheon, 1993, p.14.

  21. #12
    Registered User Louise NM's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    826

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidKOS View Post
    Some of my Lark camp buddies wanted to make an "offensive" band - their idea of an instrumentation was 5 string banjo, bagpipes (several types), hurdy-gurdy, accordions, steel drums, very loud rock guitar, zurna, theremin, steel guitar, etc.
    You need a didgeridoo in there somewhere.

  22. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Louise NM For This Useful Post:


  23. #13
    Registered User John Flynn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Richmond, VA
    Posts
    8,076

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    Quote Originally Posted by Ranald View Post
    I enjoy it when I introduce a topic that really interests people.

    Regarding John's story: a American buddy told me that one time he was returning to the States and had to put his flute together, with a customs officer warily watching him, then play a tune before the officer was convinced it wasn't a weapon. As with John, it only happened once. (And, as the old fellas say, If it's a lie, it's a lie that was told to me. Oops, I am an old fella.)
    LOL. I had to do that with a Mederios travel mandolin once at the St. Louis airport. They made me play it. It was all out of tune, so when I went to play, it sounded terrible, and of course dozens of people where watching and listening. I tried to tune it real quick, but the TSA guy said, "That's enough, move on." He just wanted to hear notes come out of it. That was embarrassing. That only happened once also, and I must have carried that mandolin on a hundred flights.

  24. The following members say thank you to John Flynn for this post:

    Ranald 

  25. #14
    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    North CA
    Posts
    5,020

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    Quote Originally Posted by Louise NM View Post
    You need a didgeridoo in there somewhere.
    It wouldn't be loud enough to compete!

  26. The following members say thank you to DavidKOS for this post:

    Ranald 

  27. #15
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Sugar Grove,PA
    Posts
    3,371
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    You want an offensive weapon-you should hear me play fiddle! Now if that don't get the point across I sure don't know what will!

  28. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to William Smith For This Useful Post:

    ajhGunnarRanald 

  29. #16
    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    St. Paul, MN
    Posts
    2,045

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    A late friend, who was one of the best old-time harmonica players ever, used to say - harmonica, the only instrument that both sucks and blows.

    Interesting on the offensive band - I appreciate most of those instruments, although it's tough listening to pipers in a smaller enclosed space. Same probably could be said for a good hurdy gurdy. Probably could add the bodhran to the list just to be safe.
    Brentrup Model 23, Boeh A5 #37, Gibson A Jr., Big Muddy M-11, Coombe Classical flattop, Strad-O-Lin
    https://www.facebook.com/LauluAika/
    https://www.lauluaika.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/Longtine-Am...14404553312723

  30. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Eric Platt For This Useful Post:


  31. #17
    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    North CA
    Posts
    5,020

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    Quote Originally Posted by Eric Platt View Post
    A late friend, who was one of the best old-time harmonica players ever, used to say - harmonica, the only instrument that both sucks and blows.

    Interesting on the offensive band - I appreciate most of those instruments, although it's tough listening to pipers in a smaller enclosed space. Same probably could be said for a good hurdy gurdy. Probably could add the bodhran to the list just to be safe.
    That's a good suggestion.

    BTW, we had players available for all those instruments at Lark camp...and could have added a brass section if needed.

  32. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to DavidKOS For This Useful Post:


  33. #18
    working musician Jim Bevan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Limache, Chile
    Posts
    809

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    Adding the bodhran to the list says more about the lack of rhythmic feel in most US Irish sessions than it does about the instrument.
    mando scales
    technical exercises for rock blues & fusion mandolinists
    mp4 backing tracks & free downloadable pdfs


    jimbevan.com

  34. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Jim Bevan For This Useful Post:


  35. #19
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    St Paul, Minn
    Posts
    569

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    A number of years ago I had picked up a banjolin.....a buddy called it "The Mother Of All Evil". He would only let me play it with him on "When I'm 64". It was a "remarkable" instrument.

  36. The following members say thank you to ajh for this post:

    Ranald 

  37. #20
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,753

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    At one of our local jams one of our regulars is an excellent harmonica player. We did a few outdoor sessions but he wasn’t invited because of Covid guidelines.
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  38. The following members say thank you to Jim Garber for this post:

    Ranald 

  39. #21

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    I love my octave banjolin. I think it sounds nice. I think accordions are great--a band in a box. The trumpet player in my high school jazz band had his choice of girls.

  40. The following members say thank you to sbhikes for this post:

    Ranald 

  41. #22
    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    North CA
    Posts
    5,020

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Bevan View Post
    Adding the bodhran to the list says more about the lack of rhythmic feel in most US Irish sessions than it does about the instrument.
    The thing is, I have actually heard good bodhran players.

    But I am reminded of Chet Baker's comment about jazz drummers:

    "It takes a good drummer to be better than no drummer".

  42. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to DavidKOS For This Useful Post:


  43. #23
    Registered User GeoMandoAlex's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Traveling somewhere
    Posts
    216

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    Quote Originally Posted by John Flynn View Post
    I got pulled out of the TSA line at an airport once for a manual bag search. They searched, found nothing, then put the bag through the x-ray again. They pulled the bag out again and did a manual search. I asked what they were looking for, but they said they couldn't tell me. Finally, they found my harmonica in a side pocket. The TSA supervisor told me that on x-ray, it looked like the magazine for a .22 auto pistol. Anyone who knows anything about guns will know how ridiculous that is. Then he scolded me that I should have put it in the bin. I had carried that harmonica in my luggage for dozens of flights, but that never happened before. I kept carrying it that way and it never happened since. Go figure...
    As a geologist, it is no surprise that when I travel for work, I bring back rock samples for the collection. I was flying through Frankfurt, Germay airport. I had a piece of galena (btw, galena is a lead sulfide based mineral). The x ray tech kept send my backpack through the x ray. Eventually they did a manual search of my back pack and pulled out the rocks. They put each one in a bin and then through the x ray (apologies to anyone that was behind me during this). The x ray tech said that could not have been a rock because all rocks come up green on the x ray. I had to explain that galena was lead (Pb) sulfide. After 3-4 more times through the x ray, they let me pack up my rocks and backpack and let me on my way.

    Not complaining, just telling a funny story. I'd rather they do what they did to confirm I wasn't carrying anything illegal.
    I can only play half as much as I want, because I only play half as much as I would like.

  44. The following members say thank you to GeoMandoAlex for this post:

    Ranald 

  45. #24
    Registered User TheMandoKit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Milwaukee, WI
    Posts
    398

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    Quote Originally Posted by Heady View Post
    I used to think banjo jokes were the viola jokes of the folk/bluegrass (or otherwise non-classical) world. i.e. exaggerated concepts as a lever for humor. Then I discovered Rhiannon Giddens and now I think banjo jokes are blasphemy. Maybe you just have to be a beautiful singer to cover it up - idk - but I love her.
    Well, I agree with you on Rhiannon Giddens, but not so sure about banjo jokes. Blasphemous seems a bit much. Maybe "somewhat cruel, but still funny."

  46. The following members say thank you to TheMandoKit for this post:

    Ranald 

  47. #25
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default Re: instrument an offensive weapon (no mando)

    My pick for "offensive weapon" is the bombarde:



    Oboe on diatonic steroids!
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  48. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to allenhopkins For This Useful Post:


Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •