Rusty's Many Musical Talents

Drums/Percussion -- It was the snare drum that Rusty was trained on, and percussion in general is what he is best at, and he's been pretty much playing since birth: drumset, marimba, tympani, it doesn't matter as long as it's percussion. And he's claimed to have played every percussion instrument there is. These days, Rusty mostly plays the drum set. He owns a Ludwig concert snare, a couple of egg shakers, a guiro, a bongo drum, castanets, maracas, and a regular-sized and world's smallest tambourine.

Piano/Keyboard -- Technically this could be considered percussion. But some people don't, so here it is. Rusty took lessons for one year in third grade, but the teacher didn't get very far beyond teaching Rusty some sort of home position, so that was a waste of time. Any keyboard-playing Rusty does is by ear (though he can read music well enough, which was why he was always the drummer called to play tympani, bells, etc.). He uses the keyboard more than any instrument these days, and--besides drums--it's his favorite. He owns (along with some Casios) a Yamaha PSR-330 and a pianoboard.

Guitar -- Until the Summer of 1995, Rusty never touched a guitar. When 'nikcuS obtained an electric for their album Plugged, Rusty learned that he could play this decently. When he got his own Squier Fender Stratocaster late 1997, he learned to play real chords instead of just strumming what sounded decent. Naturally, Rusty is best at rhythm guitar. He plays lots of his acoustic these days, pretending he's at campfires.

Mandolin -- Noby bought Rusty a mandolin one Christmas; Rusty found it to be slightly harder than a ukulele, but manageable.

Ukulele -- Inspired mostly by Stephin Merritt and Joe Versus the Volcano, Rusty bought a soprano ukulele in 2000 and taught himself cute little chords. He was later given a baritone uke by Carrie's mother.

Harmonica -- Rusty's first harmonica was a little Fisher Price model that didn't get much sound, but his first real harmonica was a M. Hohner "Old Standby" bought on a whim the day 'nikcuS recorded Adlibbing in 1992. He was pleasantly surprised to find he could play it. He now has a handful of harmonicas, including his preferred M. Hohner "Golden Melody."

Accordion -- Except for those black mystery buttons on the left side, Rusty can play this well enough, though it's pretty much his least favorite instrument to play because of its bulkiness. He has a Wurlitzer.

Toy Instruments -- Everyone can play a kazoo. Rusty has a $1.00 Hohner model. He also has a Trophy flutophone and a Trophy jaw harp which took him forever to learn to play. Oh, and a toy piano or two, including one in the shape of an elephant.

Samples -- If the art of sampling is considered an instrument, then put Rusty down for it.

Various Winds -- Rusty never sat down and played (for a long period of time) something like a trombone, saxophone, or flute, but from screwing around with them for a few seconds when someone brings one around, he might could actually do something if he tried.

Various Strings -- Rusty lusts after violins and cellos every time he sees them. However, as these are expensive pieces of equipment, none of Rusty's friends who plays these ever lets him touch them. So, we don't know if this talent exists.

Vocals -- Some people like how Rusty sings, some don't (he does). He's got a range anyway, from dog-ear-hurting high to bassy low. If he has a gift in the vocal area, it's making himself sound like 48 different people.