What instruments do you play?

[Polwarth]

HE
In circles in which Scabby is a leading light, perhaps the worst slur you could make against someone is to accuse them of being an ocarina player......

[IanSimpson]

i've got to be on the side of any small noisemaker, being one of limited talent.

i therefore play the guitar (bass, electric & acoustic), casio vl tone, kazoo, toy harmonica, plastic penny whistle that came free in a christmas cracker.... the list goes on.

i can't drum though, which is a pity. dick van dyke in mary poppins is obviously my idol...

[HollyElise]

Chuckle.

Welcome to Scotland.com, Ian!

It sounds like you are more adept at guitar than you let on. Where are you Ian? I'm in Ohio.

[IanSimpson]

hi holly,

i'm in aberdeen, scotland. i know the basics, chords, but wouldn't call myself proficient. i play by ear.

[HollyElise]

Oh i love Aberdeen. I feel a connection there. Unfortunately i've had to delay my trip to Scotland.... perhaps i'll come in January though. I've been in Aberdeen twice. I've been working on a plan so i can live there for a year or two and perhaps take some photography courses at Gray's School of Art, but i don't know when that will be. Maybe towards the end of next year though, if i'm lucky. I have to keep writing my book!

Now, now, many of the finest musicians in the world have played by ear.

I can read music, but not quickly enough to sight-sing, only enough to figure out a tune in a book. Taught myself guitar from books and cd's. I keep telling myself i'll get lessons when i'm practicing daily. Hasn't happened yet for more than two weeks! LOL!

[IanSimpson]

grays eh? that sounds like an excellent way to spend some time in aberdeen - you'd love it just now, autumn is possibly aberdeen's best season. the colour is amazing.

strangely enough i'm hoping to start a digital photography course next week (on the waiting list for places) - it's not at grays however otherwise i'd pass on all the info. are you a beginner or modest expert?

you're writing a book? good on you! i don't think i'd have the patience to do that...

[HollyElise]

Oh, I know. I've been in Aberdeen in October. Wish i were there now. I love the clouds! The only thing i don't care for is it gets dark so early.

I guess i qualify as a modest expert. I run a photography co-operative and i've had my photography accepted into a gallery and a museum, etc. But i need to do more of it! I have the prospectus and application for Gray's School here, as well as for Glasgow School of Art and a couple of other art schools in Scotland.

Writing the book intimidates me sometimes. It is my first book. I have ideas for many more. I usually write a fair amount every day but lately not on my book! I'm trying to learn to discipline myself and be organized in my writing so i make steady progress. If i write just 1 to 2 hours a day (just a page or two!), it should be done in just a few months! It's a non-fiction book i think will sell well (i researched that first), and if i can't find a publisher i can start out with self-publishing. If i can make money from my writing, it makes it easier for me to live anywhere while earning an income from the U.S., plus my time is my own to schedule. I figured it's worth it to try, and my dad's wife is an editor of a newspaper and she praises my writing and has said many times i should go into writing, so that encourages me.

Are you taking digital photography just for fun or do you have some purpose like to use the photography on a website?