A Guitar And Gear Support Forum

Let´s define "close family" as your parents, siblings, grandparents, sons, uncles/aunts, cousins and nephews/nieces, from both sides - father and mother -, even if some of them are deceased by now. Include yourself in the final count.

I have in total 2 parents (lol... right, yes?), 2 sisters, 4 grandparents (again, lol, right, yes? ) - 3 deceased -, 1 son, 10 uncles/aunts - 2 deceased -, 17 cousins - one deceased -, and 4 nephews/nieces. If I include my 17 political nephews/nieces from my wife´s side, it´ll be 21 nephews and nieces. Let´s not include more relatives.

That´s a total of 57 close relatives.

* My father and one of my aunts used to play a venezuelan instrument, the "cuatro". Their level of playing, from 1 (low) to 10 (high), would be around 2-3.

* None of my grandparents played any.

* My son wants to learn, and has grabbed the guitar a few times, but as of today, he doesn´t really play.

* Of all of my cousins, only one plays guitar to my knowledge - I could be wrong, though, since I haven´t been in touch with several of them, but back when we were kids/teens, I never knew they played any -. I´d say he plays in a 4 level.

* Of all my nephews/nieces, only one, from my wife´s side, plays several instruments in a 6-7 level I´d say - guitar and keyboard - and he´s actually a singer, he´s 29 years old -; and other four are showing "some" interest on learning to play an instrument, but they don´t really play to this day; they are all teens - from 10 to 17 years old -.

So, from a total of 58 persons, including myself, only 2 play in a decent/serious way - me and my singer nephew -, three in a low level way - my father, my aunt and my cousin -, and five are just showing some interest - my son and four nephews/nieces-.

So, let´s say that only 3 out of 58 really play a musical instrument and/or have musical interests in a serious/decent way in my close family.

That´s 5,17%.

Of course, all of the rest like/liked music; they like/liked to listen to music and they like/liked to dance, some of them said sometimes "Oh, I wish I could play X instrument", etc., but only a solid 3 out of 58 actually play an instrument in a decent/proficient way.

I don´t know if this is dissapointing or not, or it is just what it is.

What about your case? Are you practically the only musician/player in the family?

PS: You don´t necessarily have to write an "inventory of relatives" as I did, haha ; an estimate would be good

Interesting. In my close family, maybe about 10%, and only one of us (not me) play as a primary source of income. In my wife's immediate family, pretty much every one of her siblings is/was a multi-instrumentalist. So yes, it varies widely from one family to the next. My wife was an accomplished flutist and also played saxophone and guitar. One of my nieces was an oboist in college orchestras (two orchestras of different colleges at the same time), but just started a surgical residency and has put music on the back burner. Her two sisters also play multiple instruments. Sadly, it looks harder than ever for anyone in this generation to go into music as a career.

"Let´s define "close family"

Let's define proficient

My close family as you defined the term was made up of 40 + people.

My parents exposed me to music in a passive way, meaning, they listened to the radio often. I was allowed to watch Solid Gold on Friday nights and American Bandstand and Soul Train on Saturday mornings, and eventually MTV as well.

Some of my older cousins were a major significance in introducing me to rock music, mostly through their record collections, but also by taking me to see my first rock concert.

However, out of this large extended family, I was the only single person who took an interest in playing an instrument. Music was appreciated and very much a part of the backdrop of all our lives, though nobody except myself was compelled to be be a musician.

Who are you calling "a proficient musician?"
(Beat you to it @Tonray's Ghost)


To give a straight answer:

Until the 15th of October this year I had an older brother who played guitar & steel guitar. Had he made it to November 3, he would have been 85. When we were young we shared a bedroom & it was listening to him learning Hank Williams songs that caused me to attempt learning guitar.

We had two uncles (our father's brothers) who were multi-instrumentalists as each played guitar, banjo, mando, fiddle & I dunno what else. Once they returned from the Pacific in WW2 they were in a number of Bluegrass bands in the 1940's & 50's.

I dunno of any others.

So, I don't consider myself a proficient musician. I can kinda play guitar, but I'm not counting myself. So that leaves my son, and my dad. My dad was a by-ear player, and was good enough to play in bands during his early days. My son is on a whole other level: trained musician, can site read and play about anything, plays (as of this moment): Clarinet (all types), Mellophone/French Horn, Trumpet, various percussion instruments, guitar, bass, piano, and is now learning saxophone and flute this week. He's pursuing a degree in music, and his professors are trying to convince him to also major in Clarinet Performance, leading to a masters. He's insane, and doesn't believe he's good at all lol.

So, that's two out of...lets see... like 35 I think, so basically 5.7%. So, not very common...

My mom, grandparents and sister all play piano. Grandpa was the head of the music dept at Connecticut college for a long time. My mom and sister made a living playing piano too.

I’m just now learning to play piano at 43


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BatUtilityBelt wrote: ↑Sat Dec 17, 2022 9:38 pm Interesting. In my close family, maybe about 10%, and only one of us (not me) play as a primary source of income. In my wife's immediate family, pretty much every one of her siblings is/was a multi-instrumentalist. So yes, it varies widely from one family to the next. My wife was an accomplished flutist and also played saxophone and guitar. One of my nieces was an oboist in college orchestras (two orchestras of different colleges at the same time), but just started a surgical residency and has put music on the back burner. Her two sisters also play multiple instruments. Sadly, it looks harder than ever for anyone in this generation to go into music as a career.

Compared to mine, there´s a lot of musicians in your family/wife´s family, and not all of them focused only on guitar. There´s variety in yours. That´s good, even though I think it´s true what you say about not chosing music as a career; that´s what I see, at least. Or should we say, not chosing music in a traditional way; most want to be "musicians" using computers, and I don´t think it is in the same level of playing a real instrument. But that´s another topic, I guess.

Tonray's Ghost wrote: ↑Sat Dec 17, 2022 10:49 pm "Let´s define "close family"

Let's define proficient

LOL

Well, even though most of us don´t think of ourselves as good or decent players, I think most of us - if not all of us - are actually good or decent players, and there are actually some great ones among us, so I think "proficient" apply to all of us. It´s not only about soloing, which is just one aspect of playing; we can all go through chord changes and progressions and not "think" to play a chord.

So, yes, you are a "proficient" player, even if you don´t think so!

toomanycats wrote: ↑Sun Dec 18, 2022 6:24 am My close family as you defined the term was made up of 40 + people.

My parents exposed me to music in a passive way, meaning, they listened to the radio often. I was allowed to watch Solid Gold on Friday nights and American Bandstand and Soul Train on Saturday mornings, and eventually MTV as well.

Some of my older cousins were a major significance in introducing me to rock music, mostly through their record collections, but also by taking me to see my first rock concert.

However, out of this large extended family, I was the only single person who took an interest in playing an instrument. Music was appreciated and very much a part of the backdrop of all our lives, though nobody except myself was compelled to be be a musician.

Your case is similar to mine. Most of my family appreciate music, but from there to actually be a musician, is another story.

mickey wrote: ↑Sun Dec 18, 2022 7:09 am Who are you calling "a proficient musician?"
(Beat you to it @Tonray's Ghost)


To give a straight answer:

Until the 15th of October this year I had an older brother who played guitar & steel guitar. Had he made it to November 3, he would have been 85. When we were young we shared a bedroom & it was listening to him learning Hank Williams songs that caused me to attempt learning guitar.

We had two uncles (our father's brothers) who were multi-instrumentalists as each played guitar, banjo, mando, fiddle & I dunno what else. Once they returned from the Pacific in WW2 they were in a number of Bluegrass bands in the 1940's & 50's.

I dunno of any others.

Haha... Like I said, I think we all are proficient musicians. We all do more than just play some chords.

I´m glad you had several members of your family into music.

bleys21 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 18, 2022 3:30 pm So, I don't consider myself a proficient musician. I can kinda play guitar, but I'm not counting myself. So that leaves my son, and my dad. My dad was a by-ear player, and was good enough to play in bands during his early days. My son is on a whole other level: trained musician, can site read and play about anything, plays (as of this moment): Clarinet (all types), Mellophone/French Horn, Trumpet, various percussion instruments, guitar, bass, piano, and is now learning saxophone and flute this week. He's pursuing a degree in music, and his professors are trying to convince him to also major in Clarinet Performance, leading to a masters. He's insane, and doesn't believe he's good at all lol.

So, that's two out of...lets see... like 35 I think, so basically 5.7%. So, not very common...

Like your son, you - and almost all of us - don´t think we are any good at playing, but we are; I bet we are more than an "average" player.

That´s great about your dad. And your son is among those few that could actually make a living out of music if he wants to. A real musician. Congrats!

Morrison wrote: ↑Sun Dec 18, 2022 5:37 pm My mom, grandparents and sister all play piano. Grandpa was the head of the music dept at Connecticut college for a long time. My mom and sister made a living playing piano too.

I’m just now learning to play piano at 43


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That´s great about your mom, grandparents and sister! And regarding you, it´s never too late. Is the piano at your place?

I think that our own lives, what surrounded us in our childhood and adult life, and how easy or hard we´ve have had it, have an influence on wanting to play an instrument or not - in case we were actually musicly inclined, of course -. I´m sure many have wanted to, but their lives conditions didn´t help. Also, I think that making a living out of music is not that easy, or not in all cases, at least, so, many have chosen to go other route, and make just a hobby of it.

Anyway, I´m happy to have found this group of friends who have a love for music and actually play it.

Small family. No musicians. I didn't pick up the guitar until my mid-20's and didn't play with a "band" until my 30's. I still struggle to find the beat.

Related story: I didn't start playing hockey until my mid-30's. My skating was above average so I tried reffing. I knew all the rules and where I was supposed to be but I didn't have the intuitive feel of the game's flow that comes from growing up with skates on. I was terrible and ended up hanging up my stripes (to many a hockey parent's delight).

Kinda the same but kinda different.

Funny you mention hockey, and I think it is very similar. My dad (and family) are from Montreal, so hockey is just a thing in our family. My son and I both play, and while neither of us is anywhere near the "pro" level, I'd say we're both very capable players, although he has passed his old man in hockey ability too I've done my share of coaching youth hockey, and while I always tried to help each player improve from where they started, there are some players who simply "understand" the game at a higher level. I had one young lady who I started coaching at 15, and she just had such a high level hockey sense, just totally knew where to be, what to do, it was really fun to watch and help her get even better.

Anyway, I'll stop crowing about my son...I'm sure you can't tell I'm a pretty proud papa

tlarson58 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:19 pm Small family. No musicians. I didn't pick up the guitar until my mid-20's and didn't play with a "band" until my 30's. I still struggle to find the beat.

Related story: I didn't start playing hockey until my mid-30's. My skating was above average so I tried reffing. I knew all the rules and where I was supposed to be but I didn't have the intuitive feel of the game's flow that comes from growing up with skates on. I was terrible and ended up hanging up my stripes (to many a hockey parent's delight).

Kinda the same but kinda different.

sabasgr68 wrote:

Morrison wrote: ↑Sun Dec 18, 2022 5:37 pm My mom, grandparents and sister all play piano. Grandpa was the head of the music dept at Connecticut college for a long time. My mom and sister made a living playing piano too.

I’m just now learning to play piano at 43


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That´s great about your mom, grandparents and sister! And regarding you, it´s never too late. Is the piano at your place?

Yes the keyboard is at my place. Bought a Yamaha DGX670


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Morrison wrote: ↑Mon Dec 19, 2022 5:03 pm

sabasgr68 wrote:

Morrison wrote: ↑Sun Dec 18, 2022 5:37 pm My mom, grandparents and sister all play piano. Grandpa was the head of the music dept at Connecticut college for a long time. My mom and sister made a living playing piano too.

I’m just now learning to play piano at 43


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That´s great about your mom, grandparents and sister! And regarding you, it´s never too late. Is the piano at your place?

Yes the keyboard is at my place. Bought a Yamaha DGX670


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Nice piece of gear!

I'm not what I would call proficient.
My younger brother played sax in school band, then started guitar in mid teens.
He is a solid player, and the only other person who plays any instrument I am aware of.

jtcnj wrote: ↑Tue Dec 20, 2022 12:09 pm I'm not what I would call proficient.
My younger brother played sax in school band, then started guitar in mid teens.
He is a solid player, and the only other person who plays any instrument I am aware of.

Just the two of you...

Is he older or younger than you? Or, better: who inspired - encouraged? - who to play too?

I have an older brother who played guitar in early teens and went on to graduate from Berkley Music and he still plays out around Boston area. He definitely influenced me to pick it up in my early teens. He's the only other avid musician/geek in the family...although our mother did play some guitar, grand father played banjo. I dont think they played super often, but regularly enough as a hobby for years.

@Partscaster it's a common mistake but it's actualy Berklee

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berklee_College_of_Music

In my mind it's the premier musical school in the USA. But I also realize it's a lot easier to get in than it is to graduate. 56.5% of people complete all four years. And many people who drop out are still big names in the industry. John Mayer comes to mind as the most famous/infamous example.

golem wrote: ↑Wed Dec 21, 2022 5:35 am @Partscaster it's a common mistake but it's actualy Berklee

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berklee_College_of_Music

In my mind it's the premier musical school in the USA. But I also realize it's a lot easier to get in than it is to graduate. 56.5% of people complete all four years. And many people who drop out are still big names in the industry. John Mayer comes to mind as the most famous/infamous example.

Thanks Golem. To my credit I did get the single "B" right. I am a horrible spellar. Pat Metheny is another wunderkin from Berkley, and one who became an instructor there, at 20yo I believe. A cousin of his worked where I worked for years. Said he'ld see Pat at family gatherings.

sabasgr68 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 20, 2022 3:18 pm

jtcnj wrote: ↑Tue Dec 20, 2022 12:09 pm I'm not what I would call proficient.
My younger brother played sax in school band, then started guitar in mid teens.
He is a solid player, and the only other person who plays any instrument I am aware of.

Just the two of you...

Is he older or younger than you? Or, better: who inspired - encouraged? - who to play too?

He is 3 1/2 years younger. I was somewhat inspired to play by him, but mostly always wanted to.
Had a go of it a few times, but really got to it exactly 8 years ago this Sat. the 24th.

My mom is actually a reasonably proficient classical pianist (or would be if she practiced, anyway but her sight-reading has always been miles beyond mine). But my family is so small that that's about it. Interestingly enough, I only discovered after my wife's grandparents had both passed away that they were really into music - when we were cleaning out the house, we found a trombone, a 1960s Silvertone acoustic guitar still in the original cardboard box, and an autoharp, among other things. My nephew, who plays guitar a bit, got the Silvertone.