Of course I've had to get my guitar inspiration somewhere. Apart from the musicians in church, my dad is someone I look up to (musically speaking) since young. He owns this Yamaha guitar for a really long time already, maybe 10 years, and I've been watching him play ever since. Let me show you the guitar before I continue.
From the information found inside the sound-hole, this is the Yamaha F310P Acoustic Guitar. It comes with a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a rosewood fingerboard, pretty standard in the Yamaha range. This is one of the entry-level guitars in that range so I wouldn't be surprised if my dad just bought the guitar for fun.
Yamaha is a pretty solid company, hence after 10 years, this guitar is still rock solid. After all, my dad only uses it to play fingerstyle; he doesn't like strumming too much. He used to pick this guitar up everyday. But now, with his new flutes (another story for another day), he kinda left this guitar alone hanging in his bedroom.
I will occasionally go and play with my dad's guitar because of only one reason: He has this weird tuning which I can bend the strings so much more than my own acoustic. If you haven't know, acoustics are high in tension so they aren't made to bend like electrics. But for some reason, my dad's guitar is that easy to play. Perhaps it's his string gauge, or perhaps it's just the guitar.
Either way, that's my dad's guitar for you. A former instrument now left hanging waiting for my dad to rediscover its glory.
The next family member that shows traces of the musical genes is my younger brother. Ever since I started guitar 4 years back, I've been pushing him to pick up an instrument. Cut the story short, I had this dream of me and my family playing music together. The ideal dynamics would be me on any of my guitars, my dad on his own Yamaha, my mum on vocals, my little brother on drums and my little sister on keyboard.
Of course it wasn't until this year when my brother showed signs of interest in the rhythm realm. I couldn't be much happier. He began serving in church as a leader for the young and realised the lack in musicians in his ministry. He set his sights on drumming and got himself a cajon to start with.
This is the Meinl HCAJ100NT Headliner Series Snare Cajon. One fine day, he brother just went to Swee Lee to purchase this cajon and came home with it. I'm like "Whaaaaaaaat?!?! Are you serious?!?!" And of course he is. Me, as his older brother, was beaming ear to ear.
This cajon is one of the entry level cajon in Meinl's range. Meinl is one of the top leading brands in producing percussion instruments. The cajon range is no exception. I am very assured that my brother started his foundation on such a rock solid brand. I know nothing about percussion so my brother is on his own.
Just like how I'm on my own a few years back. Nonetheless, my brother is growing increasingly fond of the rhythm realm. He has begun taking lessons on drums given by my fellow church mates. He aims to buy an electronic drum set after his O Levels Exams (which he will then find a job and buy it with his pay). Strange, this is the exact version of me 4 years ago, the difference is just the instruments.
All the best to my younger siblings in their musical journey!
Edwin Ang
26th July 2017
***Update as of 22nd January 2020: The Yamaha F310P is no longer with my dad because it has been sold for $60. Dad is now using my Yamaha FSX830C together with my brother.
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