I'm currently thinking of a sci-fi story steeped in realism and I have an alien race with multiple arms/appendages. Would it be possible for such a race to play at least two different kinds of instruments simultaneously? It would be great if I could get some proof or reassurance from musicians themselves and perhaps a biologist as well. Thank you.
2007-09-05 10:56:57 · 17 answers · asked by digi_day_dreamer@sbcglobal.net 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Alternative ➔ Other - Alternative
I've seen shows with a one-man band. He had a big bass drum with a horn and whistle on top, and cymbals between his knees. If you had extra arms, you could learn to play a wind instrument with one set, like a trumpet, and a percussion with the other, like the piano or accordion.
2007-09-05 11:01:08 · answer #1 · answered by Rich 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You dont even need extra arms. Have you ever seen Mary Poppins where Dick Van Dyke is a one man band in one scene?
How about Bob Dylan playing guitar and harmonica at the same time.
Ive heard of people who can write with both hands in different languages at the same time. My mind tells me thats gotta be harder than playing two instruments.
Of course a talented alien with 4 arms for example could play several instruments at once.
2007-09-06 02:01:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its an Alien Race. You can make'em do anything you want right?
Anyhow if a person had, say 4 arms, they wouldnt be able to play two guitars. People are limited by their brains. Its kind of like thinking about two people talking at the same time. Cant be done.
2007-09-05 11:01:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
drummers like me do that all the time. Each of the drums we play have their own unique beat, and can advance drummers can do beats that are way unrelated to the other beats on the other drums and still not get distracted. Unlike all the other musicians we use our feet as arms as well.
2007-09-05 11:02:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
mmm - steeped in realism eh? sounds like a great story. Let me know when you're finished and I'll buy a copy, but only if you sign it (with one arm)
2007-09-09 03:25:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, why not? As long as they only play one that needs to be blown into. Four arms could get you a violin and a viola, a violin and a clarinet, a violin and a piano ....
2007-09-05 11:06:24 · answer #6 · answered by eri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WITH TWO ARMS YOU CAN EASILY PLAY A GUITAR AND A HARMONICA AND CAN EVEN ADD ANOTHER INSTRUMENT THAT CAN BE MANIPULATED BY THE FEET. HOW MUCH MORE IF YOU PROVIDE AN EXTRA ARM.
2007-09-06 01:45:12 · answer #7 · answered by Rey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, why not. One set of arms can play the sax, and another can play the guitar.
2007-09-05 13:00:36 · answer #8 · answered by Cameron C. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes , I saw a centipede one time that was a complete orchestra
2007-09-05 11:05:35 · answer #9 · answered by xyz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know why not. Drummers are essentially playing two different instruments.
2007-09-05 13:33:35 · answer #10 · answered by Peter D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋