Entertainment For Lively Minds
Can You Tell What Instrument Someone Plays Just By The Look Of Them?
I play bass in a covers band and popped into a pub that had booked us, to drop off some posters. The guy looked at me and said "You'll be the bass player eh?". (Correct, but should I be flattered or insulted? It's better than Mark Knopfler, who I'm often accused of being.)
So... can you tell what instrument a musician plays by looking at them? What stereotypical features would we expect in a drummer? How would we expect a typical pianist to behave? What famous musicians look most and least like you'd expect, given their instrument?
And it gives me an excuse to post this from John Byrne's 1987 Tutti Frutti TV series. We see three members of The Majestics, Vincent Diver (Maurice Roeves), Bomba MacAteer (Stuart McGugan) and Fud O'Donnell (Jake D'Arcy). They are guitarist, bass guitarist and drummer, but not in that order. Can you tell from the stereotyping which is which?
Or just enjoy the skillful overlapping dialogue. It's a masterpiece.
- More from Lucky Tiler.
- Login or register to post comments
-
OK...
that's yer own upload because Tutti Frutti is famously unavailable?
From a creeky DVD...
...itself from a creeky VHS, from creeky 1980s terrestrial TV. Adds to its charm I think, like the crackles on Caruso records.
as a...
Weegie (born n'bread) even Ah hud trouble keepin' up wi thi dialog.
Ya Fud!
No bad n'att.
Guid, man yersel.
Sorry, but I couldn't understand...
a bloody word of that. Must be my duff ears.
l to r bass, guitar, drums
l to r bass, guitar, drums
One out of three!
Ain't bad.
Then it must be
l to r guitar bass drums
Worse
0 out of 3
This is beginning to suggest that these stereotpyes don't work after all.
I was a bassist...
but tried not to fit into the standing at the back nodding along quietly stereotype - it's only since I finished in music - got older, more sensible, got "stockier" that I get accused of being a bassist!
Another theory of bands
Like people and their dogs, musicians adapt over the years to become more the like the stereotype associated with their instrument. I've seen pygmies grow to 6'6" through regular bass playing.
The greatest band ever
Fud O'Donnell - bass, Bomba Macteer - drums, Vincent Diver -lead and rhythm guitar.
Pictured here on tour in the Highlands of Scotland. No Sleep 'til Methil.
Bang On, Andy!
Great to see that someone south of the border enjoyed this series (see comment above re. "You wot? Tawk pwoper mate!").
I've got the whole lot available for uploading to YouTube, and seek suggestions as to what scene the world would like to see next. Current people's choice is the scene where Vincent appears in the hotel bar wearing the cardigan knitted for him by Glenna.
Any thoughts?
PS Are you the Andy B of Nuclear Trigger fame?
Clever lad
Shucks, you read my profile.
I loved Tutti Frutti and have it all on VHS. Which would be great if I had a video player that worked, so I haven't actually sat and watched any of it for the past 5 or 6 years.
There are many many great visual scenes but the dialogue always got me. One example being Danny and Vincent finally making up after Glenna's death and discussing what Danny should wear at the Glasgow Pavilion gig.
"What's wrong with the brown suit?"
"I'll look like a big toley when the lights come up, that's what"
That and anything with Eddie Clockerty and Janice winding each other up.
Like this?
You're a prince among men
and may your every wish be granted.
Er, yes... Anyway, thank you! Bloody Hell this truly was Richard Wilson's finest hour.
I remember a TV comedy programme about a Scottish band...
Can't for the life of me remember the name but Fish from Marillion had a part in it. I think they had the drummer down to a tee if I recall correctly.
Anybody know what I'm going on about? It was a series and did have it's moments.
Not ringing any bells here, sorry
When was it? Do you remember anything more about the plot? Maybe you could find out more through a Fish website?