Which instruments can Ringo play?
Ringo has always been a pragmatic musician. His first instrument was a toy drum - given to him by a visiting nurse while he was in hospital during a childhood illness.
In his teens he developed an unusual drumming style - partly the result of being a left-hander. This lead him into Rory and the Hurricanes, the biggest group in Liverpool in the late 1950s.
As a Hurricane his popularity lead to a ten minute solo slot in each set - known as Starr-time. This involved him drumming, singing and occasionally playing (three) guitar chords: see below.
Transferring to The Beatles, Ringo further developed this instrumental versatility, particularly when it came to recording. This was particularly the case with percussion instruments.
Tambourines, timpani, congas, bongos, maracas and cowbells all featured, as well as hand claps and even tap dancing.
In his post-Beatles release Early in 1970, Ringo further claims:
I play guitar: A, D, E.
I don't play bass cause that's too hard for me.
I play the piano if it's in C.
Piano Man?
The recently reissued Let it Be (1970) film shows an impromptu piano duet between Ringo and Paul. Ringo's playing is, by his own admission, rudimentary ('I only play in C') but does appear in snatches on Beatles recording.
He has a Hammond organ credit on Rubber Soul and occasional piano credits elsewhere (on Don't Pass Me By and Back in the USSR for example). He is also one of those playing the final piano chord on A Day in the Life.
