INTJ's and Musical instruments

[Zceiv]

Hello just wondering do any INTJs here play musical instruments?

Also how good would you say INTJs are at learning to play instruments?

[Jack]

I play Guitar and Bass, I wouldn't say INTJ's are better or worse at learning how to play an instrument, talent doesn't discriminate between personality differences. But to answer your question, I'm self taught, and I was playing "Don't fear the reaper" in the first 6 months of playing.

Are you planning on learning an instrument? Or do you play one?

[deicruxified]

i play classical guitar and percussions (drums mostly) then flute way back in highschool coz it was required lol...

[rasoirviolon]

why were you required to take up flute? i've always wanted to pick up a woodwind but have ended up only as a string musician. piano, violin, viola and guitar. musical aptitude probably has more to do with innate ability but in my perception personality does play a little factor. based on someone's personality, is it plausible to theorise that one gravitates towards a certain kind of instrument?

[ciphersort]

Anyone can learn to play a musical instrument. Learn some music theory and composition while you are at it :)

Guitar, bass... samplers, synths... mixers... omg audio fx rule.

Pick something you really want to learn how to play and go for it.

[Doppelbock]

i play classical guitar and percussions (drums mostly) then flute way back in highschool coz it was required lol...

Your avatar pic looks like a Journey album cover. Kewl.

DB

[Doppelbock]

I play piano (took 6 yrs of lessons as a kid), then played keyboards in a garage band in high school, got into bass guitar a bit but haven't had the time nor excuse/pretext to keep up with it. Really, really, really wanted to play the drums very badly but my parents wouldn't let me. :-(

DB

[quartertone]

i play classical guitar and percussions (drums mostly) then flute way back in highschool coz it was required lol...

What guitar music do you play?

I'm majoring in classical guitar, but I eventually want to study theory.

[Firelie]

Pick something you really want to learn how to play and go for it.

That's it, I'm going to learn how to play the psaltery!

[Rei]

I've tried piano, flute, and the cello. Because my sister was a music geek and constantly had different indtruments in the house... and she's a control freak, so she had a good time teaching me everything.

Never really got into any of it though. I prefer enjoying music to making it.
Though there are often time I wished I'd learned how to play at least one thing properly =/

[NotWorthIt]

I play percussion of all kinds, and I'm teaching myself guitar right now. As soon as I get out of the Army I'm going to school to learn music comp and theory.

[ciphersort]

I've tried piano, flute, and the cello. Because my sister was a music geek and constantly had different indtruments in the house... and she's a control freak, so she had a good time teaching me everything.

Never really got into any of it though. I prefer enjoying music to making it.
Though there are often time I wished I'd learned how to play at least one thing properly =/

A set of bongos perhaps? They are loads of fun.

[Zceiv]

I play Guitar and Bass, I wouldn't say INTJ's are better or worse at learning how to play an instrument, talent doesn't discriminate between personality differences. But to answer your question, I'm self taught, and I was playing "Don't fear the reaper" in the first 6 months of playing.

Are you planning on learning an instrument? Or do you play one?

Yeah Im starting to learn to play the piano.

[Zeinland]

Ahem, I play the trumpet. Yes the trumpet, is quite easy. And no, I did not want to play the trumpet. It was forced because of my teacher, She said " Play the trumpet or get an F". I picked the trumpet, I don't like getting big fat F's...

[TeleportThis]

I played the clarinet in my university's marching band for three years. I started when I was a junior in high school because all of my friends were in band. I pretty much taught myself what I needed to get by. I don't understand music theory at all and don't know my scales very well, but I can play music placed in front of me.

[Rei]

Ahem, I play the trumpet. Yes the trumpet, is quite easy. And no, I did not want to play the trumpet. It was forced because of my teacher, She said " Play the trumpet or get an F". I picked the trumpet, I don't like getting big fat F's...

Why did she make you pick the trumpet?

[Zeinland]

Ahem, I play the trumpet. Yes the trumpet, is quite easy. And no, I did not want to play the trumpet. It was forced because of my teacher, She said " Play the trumpet or get an F". I picked the trumpet, I don't like getting big fat F's...

Why did she make you pick the trumpet?

Because im in her class. There are a little amount of student's that go to that class. And the other people just skip it.

[Rei]

Ahem, I play the trumpet. Yes the trumpet, is quite easy. And no, I did not want to play the trumpet. It was forced because of my teacher, She said " Play the trumpet or get an F". I picked the trumpet, I don't like getting big fat F's...

Why did she make you pick the trumpet?

Because im in her class. There are a little amount of student's that go to that class. And the other people just skip it.

Wow, evil teacher... :scared:

[Zeinland]

Ahem, I play the trumpet. Yes the trumpet, is quite easy. And no, I did not want to play the trumpet. It was forced because of my teacher, She said " Play the trumpet or get an F". I picked the trumpet, I don't like getting big fat F's...

Why did she make you pick the trumpet?

Because im in her class. There are a little amount of student's that go to that class. And the other people just skip it.

Wow, evil teacher... *:scared:

I can confirm that one!!! :thumbsup:

Some of my friend's say that, She hold's some kind of grudge against me. Though I don't know why would somebody hold a grudge against me, Why? Because im the most silent person there is, Iv'e been called honest, lazy, kind, and some other thing's I forgot. Stupid Teacher...

[INTJohn]

Harmonica

INTJohn

[HackerX]

I play the guitar currently. I used to play the clarinet as a kid. Plus I've dabbled in a number of other instrutments, piano, sax plus various others.

[Guido]

I used to play the alto sax in high school, but that's been awhile :x I got pretty good at piano. I took a year when I was 8, but then didn't start playing again until I was 16. I jumped straight from simple 'ABC' starter songs to ragtime, like the entertainer and the maple leaf rag. Also learned a bunch of classical :o

I posted this somewhere else, but it really bothers some people when they hear me play. They’ll start talking to me about the music and ask me 'what I feel' when I play it. I'll tell them that I don't give a damn about that, and I'm playing it because I enjoy the technical challenge and I like reproducing what I hear. This can result in some interesting situations... like people all of a sudden hating my music because at that point it becomes 'fake' :'(

[Jack]

I posted this somewhere else, but it really bothers some people when they hear me play. They’ll start talking to me about the music and ask me 'what I feel' when I play it. I'll tell them that I don't give a damn about that, and I'm playing it because I enjoy the technical challenge and I like reproducing what I hear. This can result in some interesting situations... like people all of a sudden hating my music because at that point it becomes 'fake' :'(

Meh!...You play for yourself, not them. I wouldn't care much for those who couldn't understand my passion.

[Epicurus]

I used to play drums but not for to long as I had other more important things to do (so I thought). I think it was quite easy except that my left hand has always been a bit behind my right. I've never had problems learning so this wasn't an exception, but when I start with any instrument again it will probably be a piano, and then Im going to learn to play on my own.

[vulcan]

I am extremely attracted to percussion which is interesting because I see many of your are as well.

I don't play any instrument except for my lips, however. I whistle pretty well. I think I sing well too, but that is a privately held talent :p

[thegnat]

I used to play the alto sax in high school, but that's been awhile :x I got pretty good at piano. I took a year when I was 8, but then didn't start playing again until I was 16. I jumped straight from simple 'ABC' starter songs to ragtime, like the entertainer and the maple leaf rag. Also learned a bunch of classical :o

I posted this somewhere else, but it really bothers some people when they hear me play. They’ll start talking to me about the music and ask me 'what I feel' when I play it. I'll tell them that I don't give a damn about that, and I'm playing it because I enjoy the technical challenge and I like reproducing what I hear. This can result in some interesting situations... like people all of a sudden hating my music because at that point it becomes 'fake' :'(

I would bet you that that's why I got an A- in Trombone class. Because I didn't "feel" it enough. I made great progress over the semester. He just never liked how I didn't "feel it" or put soul into it or something.

I used to play baritone in high school. So I took a similar instrument and learned it last spring - I needed .25 units and I got that from that class. But I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the challenge of learning a new instrument and it was fun.

[deicruxified]

why were you required to take up flute?
it's part of the music curriculum of 3rd to 6th grade in our school.

[The Rose]

I taught myself how to play guitar after someone showed me 4 chords and a strum.
I took 6 months of piano lessons so I can kerplunk the keys a little bit.

My problem is I have real bad eye-to-hand coordination.

[Chainsaw Dundee]

I specialize in things with strings.

My main instrument is guitar. Been doing it about 5 or 6 years, and have a few grand invested in equipment and lessons, and countless hours of practice.

Im mostly into lead playing. Blues, rock, shred, jazz, doesn't really matter. I'd like to make a career out of it someday. :thumbsup:

[Rei]

I used to play the alto sax in high school, but that's been awhile :x I got pretty good at piano. I took a year when I was 8, but then didn't start playing again until I was 16. I jumped straight from simple 'ABC' starter songs to ragtime, like the entertainer and the maple leaf rag. Also learned a bunch of classical :o

I posted this somewhere else, but it really bothers some people when they hear me play. They’ll start talking to me about the music and ask me 'what I feel' when I play it. I'll tell them that I don't give a damn about that, and I'm playing it because I enjoy the technical challenge and I like reproducing what I hear. This can result in some interesting situations... like people all of a sudden hating my music because at that point it becomes 'fake' :'(

But music is an art... you have to like it as something a little more than just the technical note hitting. =/

Ever watch "Drum line"? You gotta feel it.
I guess that's why I don't like playing... I hate that I can't make it sound the way I want it to.

I specialize in things with strings.

My main instrument is guitar. Been doing it about 5 or 6 years, and have a few grand invested in equipment and lessons, and countless hours of practice.

Im mostly into lead playing. Blues, rock, shred, jazz, doesn't really matter. I'd like to make a career out of it someday. :thumbsup:
I have a thing with anything that involves strings too. Guitar, piano, violin, viola, cello... etc etc etc

You people need to post some of your work here!

[tubaglue]

When asked what I play I've taken to telling people, "If it makes noise I can play it!" I don't mean this to be arrogant, but I'm very confident in my abilities to pick up a foreign instrument or even a knife and a fork for that matter and make something melodic. I play the tuba full time, I can play any brass instrument, I teach low brass, and I taught myself to play bass guitar and drumset with decent success. I can't speak for other INTJs, but personally I think my personality is suited for analyzing, breaking down things to see how they work, and seeing patterns. I think I've been so successful in my music career because when I see the patterns of how other professionals, musical or otherwise (I like to draw from professional sports), find the consistency it takes to do that thing they do nearly perfect every time. So, I'm not sure if we're suited to playing instruements so much as just learning things in general. Any thoughts?

[LadyHuna]

Tuba, baratone, piano, guitar, ukulele... but I've never cared to become great at any of these. My music teachers for baritone and tuba thought I had a lot of potential but I never did anything with that! And now with the guitar I can see that I could really move ahead with it, but I just don't give it time. Its frustrating thinking about the lack of commitment but internally, I just don't care about personal excellence in music. Excellence in academia is another story.

[drandomtubas]

I'm actually a music education major, and my main instrument is the tuba... so I can play all the instruments to a degree.

However, tuba is decidedly the best, so I see no point in worrying about the others. (-;

My main reason for joining this forum was to see about this whole "arts thing" in reference to my career.

Call me crazy, but I happen to feel very strongly that CLASSICAL music is easiest for the analytical and creative brain, rather than the artsy fartsy brain... Jazz and composing are entirely different animals, though, and they both terrify me! Haha


Anyway (first post!) Just thought I'd share!

[cielo market]

Hmn... there seem to be quite a few tuba players in here. The only thing I ever learned was the recorder in elementary school *:(

But I would love to know how to play guitar or the violin *[smiley=nice.gif]

[Paul V]

I'm learning how to read music and how to play the piano (self-learning ftw!), and I have to say it's harder than learning math or science by myself. I have no way of telling whether I'm doing things right or not! (Except maybe comparison, but that can be biased...)

[BloozeGit]

I was enslaved to a piano at an early age and upon release, I discovered guitar and never looked back. It has since become a life-consuming obessesion, but everyone needs one of those...right? :thinking:

Other instruments I have and can make a tune from are lap steel and mandolin, though I'm not very proficient. Instruments that I will one day learn to play are banjo (for the fulfilment of my inner redneck) and accordion (really!). 8-)

[Phiophile]

I am a woodwind freak. I play clarinet, oboe, and english horn: clarinet in marching band and the double reeds for concert band. The oboe is by far my favorite; a good oboe concerto is pretty much the most beautiful sound in the world. I haven't taken any theory or comp classes, so I don't know much about music besides playing. I think being an INTJ helps in the more technical aspects, like sight reading and fingering, but not so much in the more subjective areas, like tone and musicality. I can sit down in front a piece of music and sight read it pretty well, but after a few practices I find that I have to work harder to achieve whatever artistic tone that I think suits the piece. So it's a trade-off.

[tubaglue]

drandomtubas:
Call me crazy, but I happen to feel very strongly that CLASSICAL music is easiest for the analytical and creative brain, rather than the artsy fartsy brain... Jazz and composing are entirely different animals, though, and they both terrify me! Haha

It's funny you should say that. I agree completely. I find it easier to interpret music on a page as opposed to reading off a chart. I think that plays to my perfectionist tendencies. With jazz you're going to make a TON of mistakes before you understand it and that made me terribly uncomfortable at first. But I will say, since I've developed my improvisational skills I love to play jazz and I've realized you learn a lot with failure. So, while classical may be easier, with jazz, much like anything else, practice is the key. Good luck and don't stress!

[Figmentum]

ESP LTD AX50 Electric Guitar. I love it...

[AresX9]

Played Alto Sax for my entire Middle School/Junior High section of school. 3 years. I was in the Marching Band and Jazz Band in 8th grade, and 3rd best Alto in the school. I still know the 1st and 2nd best, they're currently in my high school as well.

Currently learning Guitar, in Thrash Metal. Been playing for 2 years and 8 months, started March 2005 with a crap acoustic.

I currently have a Jackson SLSMG Soloist (Bought used!) and a Crate RFX120. Going to get a Line 6 Uber Metal and Pocket POD on X-Mas.

[deicruxified]

I was enslaved to a piano at an early age and upon release, I discovered guitar and never looked back. It has since become a life-consuming obessesion, but everyone needs one of those...right? :thinking:

one of the reasons why i broke up with my bf... evaluating our relationship, i love my guitar more than him.

[Heretic]

I played Alto Sax for about 4 years, when I switched to Tenor. I played through my freshman year of college (total of about 9 years playing), then the commitment to my engineering studies won over recreational stuff (college marching band IS your life for the duration of football season).

I also play mediocre guitar/bass. I was pretty decent while I was learning, but I've since laid my pick aside for a while.

I was very good at playing sax: control, intonation, etc, but I was always confused by improvisation. Even to this day, I can solve n-th order differential equations but the science and math of improv chord progression is like trying to decipher crop circles to me.

[Gabrielle]

Violin. I've been playing since I was three, so that'd be 15 years this year. I got into Julliard as a high school Junior.

[BloozeGit]

one of the reasons why i broke up with my bf... evaluating our relationship, i love my guitar more than him.

And probably one of the reasons I never had a gf to begin with, even though someone told me a while back that guitarists get all the girls. Barring a sudden outbreak of a highly contagious, lethal disease that targets males only and for which I am the only one who has immunity, I don't see that happening :D

[HackerX]

My guitar:
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[INTJgal]

I finished piano to the point where if I were to continue I'd have to get my teaching diploma (I was 15 when I quit).

but I hated it. I had the most ISFJ teacher ever... she was incredibly kind but not good for my understanding of music. She thought I should drill scales, etc. until my brain memorized them.

When I picked up on patterns, I'd ask her if x caused y and she would stare at me blankly and answer, "don't think like that; it's too confusing. Just practice more".

I was too young and not enthused enough with piano to go and figure out that she was wrong, and that music IS all about patterns (both my parents are musically illiterate and unknowledgeable so she was my sole musical instruction influence). In retrospect, I could have enjoyed it much more. But, I don't regret it, because I got heavily into athletics and lead a balanced life due to the fact that I rarely practiced b/c I hated learning from my teacher.

[cielo market]

And probably one of the reasons I never had a gf to begin with, even though someone told me a while back that guitarists get all the girls. Barring a sudden outbreak of a highly contagious, lethal disease that targets males only and for which I am the only one who has immunity, I don't see that happening :D

awww :)
*throws a couple of fangirls BloozeGit's way*

[AresX9]

My guitar:
(pics)


My Jackson:

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[BloozeGit]

awww :)
*throws a couple of fangirls BloozeGit's way*

If the technology existed to transmit fangirls online, I'd sign up right away! Broadband no less...

The fact that my music has a fuddy duddy image probably doesn't help much...at least not within my demographic/age group :P

[HackerX]

My Jackson:

When I was buying my Ibanez, I played a few Jacksons in the process (among others as you do) but the neck on them just didn't sit well with me.

[AresX9]

When I was buying my Ibanez, I played a few Jacksons in the process (among others as you do) but the neck on them just didn't sit well with me.

The particular model I have is the SLSMG: To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

The neck thickness is just perfect. Slightly thicker than a Wizard II but it feels so much nicer.

[drandomtubas]

With jazz you're going to make a TON of mistakes before you understand it and that made me terribly uncomfortable at first.

Jazz terrifies the crap outta me... I know that if I practiced, it would be better... but I also know that I will never be particularly good at it, because I just don't enjoy listening to that kind of music(in comparison to most "classical" music)... My excuse for not bothering to practice is that I need to work on the aspects of my playing that'll get me gigs. Not a lotta Jazz tuba gigs out there, fortunately!


Side note: I had the most difficulty learning percussion, because my hands just don't move like that!

[mikeeppolito]

I play the piano and have played the guitar, bass guitar, and violin. I'm pretty sure the personality type has nothing to do with musical talent. Just look at Ulysses S. Grant, who was an INTJ (and wasn't a musician): "I know two pieces of music: Yankee Doodle and that which isn't Yankee Doodle." By contrast, there seem to be plenty of talented INTJ musicians out there.

[einnelsate]

I play the violin, cello, drums, piano and the harp. I agree with mikeeppolito. I don't really think personality type has to do with musical talent either. :)

[banzai]

I've played piano, violin, clarinet, and tenor saxophone... don't currently play any, but I was anywhere between an above average to excellent skill level at all of my instruments.

[BlackHawk]

Alto and Tenor Saxophone!
I have played Clarinet, Percussion, and piano to a much more limited extent.
I could always learn very quickly, but didn't always apply myself to practicing the right stuff, just the fun songs i found on my own.
I would suspect that most INTJs have an above-average capacity for learning to play various instruments.

[edalz]

I started by teaching myself bass guitar, then moved on to the string bass, alto sax, bari sax and guitar. I love playing my bass in a couple different jazz groups at school. I learned how to play everything very quickly with disgustingly little effort. After hearing me play most people are surprised that I'm not a music major...

[Booko]

Hello just wondering do any INTJs here play musical instruments?

I have a Music degree. I play keyboards, several early music instruments, am getting up to speed on baritone at the moment (the rest of the family plays brass already). Oh yeah, and I'm a vocalist as well.

I started on cello years ago, then took up keyboard, and over the years have had occasion (as part of that Music degree mostly) to play all the common instruments at least for a while. It pays to know the strengths and weaknesses of instruments if you plan on doing any arrangements or compositions for them or conducting.

Also how good would you say INTJs are at learning to play instruments?

About as good as anyone else with an ear and an interest in playing.

We do seem to be more inclined to music theory, though.





Booko added to this post, 5 minutes and 56 seconds later...

Jazz terrifies the crap outta me... I know that if I practiced, it would be better... but I also know that I will never be particularly good at it, because I just don't enjoy listening to that kind of music(in comparison to most "classical" music)... My excuse for not bothering to practice is that I need to work on the aspects of my playing that'll get me gigs. Not a lotta Jazz tuba gigs out there, fortunately!

If you have any fondness for Renaissance music, trying that angle helps out with Jazz. Early music is very similar to Jazz in that what's written on the page is only the starting point, and the musician is supposed to use that as a basis for improvisation. Many excellent musicians in the later periods from Classical don't play early music well without a lot of coaching, because they've been trained to play what's on the page ("it's what the composer wanted").

Also, there are different sorts of Jazz. I prefer the earlier forms from the 40s and before or the very modern stuff that has collided with modern "classical" music.

Side note: I had the most difficulty learning percussion, because my hands just don't move like that!

I've been tapped to play tympani before, but I couldn't play a snare to save my life.

I can dance out the rhythms just fine, but my hands won't move like that either. Well, not with drumsticks.

I do fine on African hand drums and the tabor. Maybe I need something more tactile.

[Hdier]

I know that I'm F rather than T, but I'll ignore that for now...

I play the Tuba. (Yeah, yeah, laugh later) I would say that I am talented at actually playing it (songs), but when it comes to things such as scales I suck. Bad.

I think that fact that I have a very strongly developed T has helped me, especially when used in conjunction with F. I can play the right rhythms etc., and I put the mood of the song into my instrument.

Laugh later!

[Pinkie]

I play the piano with some degree of competence, but my forte (hahaha) is definitely singing. I really do love singing ^__^

[xhaan]

I don't play anything much currently, but I used to play guitar and bass constantly, for hours a day every day (I'd just often walk around wearing my accoustic and playing it at any opportunity), also a whole lot of piano when I was younger. Have also played wind instruments, some concert flute, bamboo flute, pan flute, ocarina and harmonica.

[BadMojo]

Hello just wondering do any INTJs here play musical instruments?

Also how good would you say INTJs are at learning to play instruments?

Oh I wish I could....

[Headstrong]

I played clarinet for 8 years and a bit of self taught flute and piano here and there. Structured lessons and reading music were a hastle to me. I enjoyed learning the music more by ear than sight.

[Cuivienen]

I`ve taken violin lessons for 13 years and in the last couple of years I was in 3 different orchestras. Sadly, since I started going to uni I have been shamefully neglecting practising, too many other things to do.

Another problem is that, even though people were always telling me how good I was and my violin teacher as advising me to study music, I never really had the "passion" for it I had for some other things (like literature, f.e.).
It was just one more of the things that came easy to me and was never important enough to me to put up the effort to practise enough to become *really* good.
I think I`ll join the university orchestra next semester, though, just so I have a reason to practice.

[slp7]

I play violin and guitar, and have a master's degree in composition.

[Maverick]

I play guitar since 14 years. I would consider myself to be an accomplished performer but not musician. I am mainly into heavy metal and instrumental rock guitar.

[xhaan]

I`ve taken violin lessons for 13 years and in the last couple of years I was in 3 different orchestras. Sadly, since I started going to uni I have been shamefully neglecting practising, too many other things to do.

Another problem is that, even though people were always telling me how good I was and my violin teacher as advising me to study music, I never really had the "passion" for it I had for some other things (like literature, f.e.).
It was just one more of the things that came easy to me and was never important enough to me to put up the effort to practise enough to become *really* good.
I think I`ll join the university orchestra next semester, though, just so I have a reason to practice.


Well, you can study music, if you like, but I feel to *truly* be GOOD at it, you must have a passion for it to some extent. You may be excellent at musical theory, and may become a great musician one day, but I think a true master of music speaks music as a another language, just as a poet or philosopher uses words... they are inspired and driven, it comes from their very essence.

Though of course, by studying and practicing, you may come to find that you do have a passion for it that was hidden and pushed aside, due to time constraints, higher priorities or whatever.

[Cuivienen]

yeah, I know, that is why I didn`t take her suggestion seriously and started studying law instead. But I did enjoy playing, especially in an orchestra because of the chance of meeting like-minded people, or just by myself, esp. if I`m feeling down, so now that I haven´t even had lessons for six months, I kind of miss it.

I am aware though that it is just not important enough for me to ever be "inspired and driven", but it always was a rather nice hobby.

[Aldanga]

I took piano lessons for nine years, then my teacher moved. I also took trumpet for a couple-few years. I've also been taking guitar lessons for the last nine months. That's my favorite instrument and I've wanted to play for four years. Now I am.

I'm thinking about triple-majoring in college: philosophy, political science and music theory. :)

[Obstinate]

I absolutely love playing instruments. Once I started listening to Elliott Smith in probably Dec. '06, I guess I found my inspiration to pick up the guitar, and I just love playing it. The music theory part of instruments is really fun, and I'm learning the bass and piano, even though I'm not much of a fan of the bass (Might be the fact that mine's not very good). I'm thinking of majoring in Music, but then again I don't want to spend months at a time kissing some snobbish studio exec's ass and washing floors.

[Maitri1970]

I play the clarinet. I enjoyed playing with the symphonic band when I was in high school. I'd get goosebumps when we'd play certain tunes. I'm very sensitive to music.

[richirare]

I play bass, drums, piano, flute and didjeridoo, and music is the coal in my life to keep going on... and I want to become a famous and respected musician with time and hard work.

[Antares]

Hello just wondering do any INTJs here play musical instruments?

Also how good would you say INTJs are at learning to play instruments?

I play Piano and Flute. I performed in the Sydney Opera House last June with my Symphony Orchestra as 1st and 2nd flute. I'm going for my professional Piano Diploma. I quitted Violin. I don't think being an INTJ is really relevant to musical talent.





Camelopardalis added to this post, 4 minutes and 7 seconds later...

I play bass, drums, piano, flute and didjeridoo, and music is the coal in my life to keep going on... and I want to become a famous and respected musician with time and hard work.

Wow! A didjeridoo! I begged my father to buy one for me when I was in Sydney during our vacation to Australia, but he pointed out that it's expensive and hard to store. Besides, I'd hardly find the time to play it. I'm deeply commited to my other instruments already and I'm learning quite a lot of languages.

[Truemusic]

I play clarinet, tenor sax, and the trumpet. I'm also learning how to play the piano but it's not going too well.:( I'm just too busy lately.

[mrkaizoku]

I play Guitar and Piano. I'm self-taught.


I think that Guitar is the one thing in my life that I actually love. My Guitar may as well be glued to my hip. I think that INTJ type might be a little faster at picking instruments up, but it really all comes down to how dedicated you are to it. I don't really believe in talent. I think that talent is actually skill that has been developed over time.

Oh yeah this is my first post.

[BloozeGit]

Well for all it's worth, this is what I have with me right now to keep my fingers occupied while I'm studying in a foreign land. '85 Fender Japan Telecaster and a cheap Dobro knockoff.To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

[karen]

I don't really play musical instruments now but when I was younger, I was good with the violin, okay with the piano and was great at the trumpet (middling fair these days).

[Vash Aurion]

I was reading through the thread, and I find it amazing that I get to say I play an instrument that no one else has listed: vocals. As in I work with a coach and study singing. I'll also mention that my first instrument was trombone and I've taught myself guitar, but that's not the point. I find it kind of odd that there aren't other INTJ singers who've posted. Anyone have any ideas as to why?

[deicruxified]

I think that Guitar is the one thing in my life that I actually love. My Guitar may as well be glued to my hip.
same here. if there's one musical instrument i'm passionate about it's the guitar. i play drums as well but the level of my desire for classical guitar music is much higher. i played bamboo flute as well and was even became a member of our high school org. although i play good at it, i'm just technical at playing the instrument.

and to be honest, i am willing to stay alone 'til i die as long as i have my guitar with me.

[Medicus]

I play the bagpipes and trumpet

[muguly]

Clarinet, bass clarinet, piano, guitar. Oh yeah, I sing too!

[Nadrigol]

The great trombone. I've found everyone I play trombone with is incredibly confident and to be honest, quite arrogant... including me.

[David]

I have played guitar for over 30 years and have over 15 of them. Includes: 1972 Stratocaster, 1972 Telecaster, Ibanez Iceman, Washburns, Ibanez, Gibson Les Paul, Ovation Celebrity, etc....any guitar collectors out there ?

[iMiki]

I played the violin (Level 4-5) and the piano (Level 2).

[Minuano]

I play Electric Bass.

[integratedvelocity]

I have played violin for 12 years, piano for 12 years, saxophone for 7 years, and French horn for ~2 years. I sang in choir in school, but only to have first shot at piano accompaniments. Oh, and I can play clarinet since it is so similar to saxophone. Same goes for trumpet, though my embouchure is probably dead by now.

[Vespertine]

I play the tenor/alto horn in a brass band, and have done for 15 years. I can also play the piano abit and pick up music pretty quick when reading, or playing.

[HackerX]

I have played guitar for over 30 years and have over 15 of them. Includes: 1972 Stratocaster, 1972 Telecaster, Ibanez Iceman, Washburns, Ibanez, Gibson Les Paul, Ovation Celebrity, etc....any guitar collectors out there ?

I wish I had the money to :(

[Universe]

I've been playing guitar for about 2 years solid now. On some occasions I sing or play bass. My teacher has always told me I have natural talent for all 3.

[Coraline]

I play violin, viola, piano and recorder, all of them reasonably competently; none of them brilliantly. I also did ABRSM Grade 8 theory. As a teenager I never understood why I was so much better at theory than playing, but I didn't practise much.

I play in an amateur orchestra. Rehearsals ideal socialising for an INTJ because for most of two hours you are sitting at a reasonable distance from the person next to you and you are not supposed to talk.

[aok]

Played drums, piano, vocals, turntables

Play cdjs and roland fantom x7

[Myrak]

I play acoustic guitar, I'm alright but nowhere near as good as I could be. I can't put my finger on why though. I use steel strings, but my friend's acoustic which has nylon strings feels so much easier to play.

I'm also buying my first electric guitar in the near future, hopefully it will inspire me to practice/jam a bit more. (Side note: I'm pretty good at Guitar Hero III but I don't own the game. This situation needs to be rectified as soon as possible.)

[Claptonian]

I play electric guitar. My main instruments are a Gibson SG Classic, a Gibson SG Standard and a Fender Classic Player '60s Strat.

[lancelot]

Hello just wondering do any INTJs here play musical instruments?

Also how good would you say INTJs are at learning to play instruments?

I play the guitar and the drums, I don't consider my self a violin player, I can only play a few basic songs. On the guitar I try to play a jazz or gypsy style to me it's the most interesting. Jimmy Rosenberg is very good, also flamenco player Paco de lucia; they both inspire me. I like to combine chords and play notes and improvise in a jazz gypsy style.

I am not sure being an INTJ really helps regarding musical ability. I think some people are better at music than others, they can teach them selves to play and compose. Anyone can learn to play or read music, few people can improvise and compose beautiful music.

[searcher]

I play piano and used to play cello until I got sick of putting up with stupid OBVIOUS comments about how it was bigger then me. Also, it was taking time I needed for my treatise on high school sociality.

[Danneh]

I've played the trumpet(decent), Percussion(drums and mallet percussion), and now the Euphonium. I dabble with the piano.

[escapist11]

My main instrument(s) is percussion - 7 years

Piano - 13 years, self taught
Flute - 8 years, self taught
Guitarron - 1 year
Mexican Harp - 1 year
Cello - 1 year, self taught
Trumpet - self taught years ago, no longer play

I can pretty much pick up any instrument and learn it if I have the resources to do so. I've got no problem whatsoever in learning a new instrument. I really would like to learn oboe.

[Wiggy]

Started playing piano when I was very young, but never took lessons so my abilities stagnated. Moved towards pipe organ a little bit, but preferred building them to playing them (so I build them now). Working on banjo, accordion, chemnitzer concertina. Want to learn cello, sitar, and Spanish guitar.

[Tinmaiden]

I've been a violinist since I was five years old. I brought it to college with me, and am still playing. It's one of the only reprieves I get from this hectic life.

[Thunderstrat13]

Guitar for 25 years.

[quest ion]

I play the classical guitar and piano a little ...I do hope I can pick up both at a professional class cos I really love both.
I sing too! :)

[theunstrungharp]

One of my favorite things to do is hang out with my INTJ friend and play music. We're jazz geeks (I should mention he has his Master's in a classical field though) and we experiment and improvise and it's great. He's freakin' incredible. Of course.

He plays piano. I play upright bass and he is way too polite to tell me that I SUCK compared to him.

[freerangequark]

I play piano regularly... mostly ragtime.

I also dabble with the Native American Flute.

[ToC]

I play the piano, the guitar, and the ESFP

[Reganon]

Violin is my main instrument. I've been playing it for 11 years. I'm also pretty decent at piano, even though I never took any lessons, and I can play just about any orchestral instrument on a basic level.

[metaserve]

Trombone is my instrument. I play mainly jazz, but orchestral on occasion. This has been my main source of income during college.

[Synapse]

I play the guitar, and I would say we INTJs are good at playing instruments if they are broken down systematically, for me it worked when I could see the scales based on their notes and memorize where those were on the fret board, not exactly hear what they sound like.

I have to have my music mathematical, with only a little bit of intuition to "hear" a rhythm or something, but overall it is mostly a thinking game for me, and if I had to learn by the Suzuki method (based on hearing and immersion), I would go insane.

[Squirelznflight]

I think INTJ are as well suited to musical instruments as anyone. Personally I love that anyone who is not completely tone deaf can learn eventually because of the muscle memory that develops.
I play the violin, plus a random 4 holed pendant ocarina I bought as a kid at a medieval fair.

[talkingbird]

I play the viola, violin, bass guitar, guitar, piano, handbells, and the glockenspeil :-) glockenspeil is amazing. Its a wimpy xylophone, which was wimpy to begin with xD Oh yeah. I also sing.

I learned each one really quickly.

[jcb]

i can relate to what Darkness said a few posts above.

I play piano and guitar regularly but i love the system of music. i understand/have studied music theory and as such have applied it to numerous instruments.

having said, i have taken up the challenge of solfege/ear training etc at the moment. i love the idea of hearing and feeling it, rather than being purely technical/systematic about the approach. i also think that combining the two has made me a far better musician.

not a virtuoso by any means, but i love jazz piano.

[Godzilla]

I started out playing piano, but then dropped it after a while and took violin lessons from grades 1st through 8th, which made me really good at memorization. :) I also played viola for awhile, can play some guitar and base and taught myself piano, then took lessons for awhile and realized the teacher wasn't giving me anything I couldn't just give myself and quit.
Now I mostly just rock at guitar hero... maybe a little too much... :)
But playing musical instruments has always been like a huge part of my life.





Godzilla added to this post, 1 minutes and 19 seconds later...

i can relate to what Darkness said a few posts above.

I play piano and guitar regularly but i love the system of music. i understand/have studied music theory and as such have applied it to numerous instruments.

having said, i have taken up the challenge of solfege/ear training etc at the moment. i love the idea of hearing and feeling it, rather than being purely technical/systematic about the approach. i also think that combining the two has made me a far better musician.

not a virtuoso by any means, but i love jazz piano.
Have you read "This is your brain on music"? If not you should check it out, sounds like you'd really like it.

[jazziejazzay]

I play the cornet, ( though I used to have a trumpet.) piano, and guitar. I play guitar better than piano and piano better than cornet. I learn better alone. You show me what to do, I practice for hours and hours in one day until I get it right enough. It seems like I learned fast because the next day I play the song perfectly, but I really didn't get the song right until the 7,890,000th time playing it in my bedroom.

[Matty37]

Clarinet through High School, switched to Alto Sax to march in the Spartan Marching Band. Haven't taken it out of the closet in about 7 years, I thoroughly enjoyed playing maybe I should think about dusting off the case?

[thiagofralves]

I've been playing drums for 6 years and I sometimes try to scratch guitar and piano

[tp6626]

Do you, or have you ever played a musical instrument?

* I regularly play a musical instrument
* I played when I was younger, but I don't any more
* I do not play an instrument but want to
* I do not play an instrument and have no intention of doing so

Note: I'm considering the voice an instrument only if you have trained your voice and treat it like an instrument (not singing along to the radio or doing karaoke).





tp6626 added to this post, 4 minutes and 39 seconds later...

Can currently play guitar & drums. Want to get a piano and learn to play that (and maybe a harp - although it seems a little too flamboyant at this point in time).

[MintOreo]

I play the violin and piano most often. I know how to play the flute and trumpet, but I don't enjoy those instruments. I would also like to learn to play the guitar, eventually anyway.

[ElstonGunn]

I can play the guitar, drums, harmonica, ukulele, bass guitar, banjo, and piano, but I'm not particularly good at any of them.

[BostonIan]

I don't play an instrument, but feel that I always should have, if that makes any sense. I just never had one in my hands. The dilemma is whether to buy or make one, a race between freetime/motivation and expendable money.

I love this sound of this particular type of harp, oy (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.). If not, acoustic guitar.

[DDL]

I can't play any instruments currently since as of yet I haven't had any opportunities to learn. However, I would like to learn how to play an instrument in the future.

[tp6626]

I love this sound of this particular type of harp, oy (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.).
I've just spent about 30 mins watching harpists. Now I want a harp as soon as possible. This is gonna be me (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) when I'm 30 no doubt!

Wonder how much they cost?

I do enjoy the regal / heavenly sound and atmosphere they bring to a room.

[Jonathan Brewer]

I have been playing trumpet regularly since I was thirteen and I have been playing piano on and off over the same period of time. There was a day when I devoted as much as six hours to practice but I haven't the motivation/interest to do so now.

[Shorgenfunkel]

Tenor sax as my primary instrument, and I also diddle around on guitar and didgeridoo. For me, composing is a much higher priority than playing.

[randyNH]

I have been playing the guitar for 15 years and had been in a couple of bands

[RedBaronVZ]

I've played the (french) horn for just under four years. I took a year off somewhere in there, though, so although I was able to retain most everything I'd learned, I'm still not very good.

[Harmony]

Been playing flute since I was 9, and been playing the piccolo since I was 14. I do much better in ensembles or in a full orchestra. I just seem to get far too nervous solo.

[Mozzes]

I played tuba, euphonium, and trombone when I was younger but unfortunately I don't make the time to play now.

[scout5]

i wish I did still play. when I have time I plan on picking an instrument up again and maybe even learning a new one. I played drums, which led to piano and xylophone. I'd like to play the violin.

[ZzyzxRd]

I have learnt piano all my life.
Also know flute, drums and a little bit of bass.

Would love to learn cello.

[everlost]

I play the drums with various other percussion instruments, the guitar, and I like to try and teach myself songs on the piano, even though I never actually "learned" how to play that instrument.

[reb]

guitar, harmonica, lap steel since i was about 9...messing with keyboard, due to the versatility (cheap yamaha, but has like umpty million fairly accurate voices). i will never make carnegie, but i enjoy fooling with the stuff.

[Superunknown]

I play the guitar and the piano. When I have the resources and finances available (most likely after I become a psychiatrist), I want to learn to play the drums, the mandolin, the accordion, and to play around with electronic-music equipment.

[Zer0]

I love string instruments. I play 2 of Thai's native string instruments.
I also want to learn Piano and Violin.

I think I'm pretty good at music.

[Wufnu]

I just found this thread. I don't think I've met an INTJ that hasn't, at some time, played some sort of musical instrument. I play the guitar and viola. Excuse me, I'm learning to play the viola. I love the way it sounds.

I'm not good with the guitar, either, but I only play them for myself and I have fun.

To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

[altoid]

I play the violin and the piano. I played the cello for a couple of years a while back, and I really want to pick it up again.

[Feral]

I started taking violin lessons in December. I'm learning much faster than I thought I would.

I love my violin... 5 string electric, pretty pretty :D

[Alcestis]

I'd like to learn how to masterfully play a male. Given the right physical upkeep, correct temperature control (most like it hot), regular lubrication of moving parts, general delicacy in handling buttons, and so forth... in the hands of a skilled artist, I've heard that they utterly sing.

But I suppose I'll settle for 7 years of clarinet in high school.

[ElstonGunn]

I'd like to learn how to masterfully play a male. Given the right physical upkeep, correct temperature control (most like it hot), regular lubrication of moving parts, general delicacy in handling buttons, and so forth... in the hands of a skilled artist, I've heard that they utterly sing.

But I suppose I'll settle for 7 years of clarinet in high school.

High school lasts seven years for you?

...It's kind of odd that that's the part I focused on. Or maybe it's not.

[CaffeineHeretic]

guitar, vocals (sorta), and various forms of secondary percussion (I rock out on tambourine!)

[Marius]

Ive played the piano since I was 10 years old. Ive also learned how to play the chello but that was only because the teacher wouldnt let me play the piano in class. Ive also played various percussion instruments, but that was also because I couldnt play the piano in class. (mind you this was when I was in middle and grade school, high school was a different story)

i think that creative INTJ's wouldnt have a hard time learning how to play an instrument because music itself is a system. It has fundamentals and theory in sound and all the such things which to me, in my mind, is kinda like clockworks in a watch or machine.

My two cents.

[Alcestis]

High school lasts seven years for you?

...It's kind of odd that that's the part I focused on. Or maybe it's not.Haha! Through middle school, ending in high school. It was early in the morning and I was tired. xD

[steerthestars]

An INTJ doesn't have any more or less talent than anyone else, we just might be more able to buckle down and practise if we decide to. I practise a lot but I have no natural talent and find playing difficult, despite the fact that I've been playing piano for 5 years. I just love piano.





steerthestars added to this post, 0 minutes and 57 seconds later...

I'd like to learn how to masterfully play a male. Given the right physical upkeep, correct temperature control (most like it hot), regular lubrication of moving parts, general delicacy in handling buttons, and so forth... in the hands of a skilled artist, I've heard that they utterly sing.

But I suppose I'll settle for 7 years of clarinet in high school.


Aaah, the sophisticated sense of INTJ humour.
/appreciates