Which instrument to play?

[Acoustic Cloud 2,202]

I do it for my own amusement, and I think that Twiliscael has the point, an electronic piano can imitate many instruments, it is said that it's easy to learn, therefore this is my actual decision, but I know much less than you regarding this topic, if you have a better advice, I'll take it.

Well, I wouldn't say I have the best advice, but I play many instruments and have room for more.

I started with a rhythm based instrument (bass guitar) and after I learned that, I learned piano and guitar, once I had those down, I learned mandolin. 

So really depending on what sense of rhythm you have, if you have some, start on a bass type instrument, if you have a lot, do drums.  This will build all the fundamentals you need for bpm and measures/notes.  If you start with JUST piano, that should also work since it is a bass and treble.

[Wallroux 56]

Violin. You can look like a boss carrying a violin case with something saying 'caution: machinegun inside' (scared the life out of the East Staines Massiv) and you can hurt somepony with the bow.

Well, I would be more like a boss if I carried a piano around! Badamtss.

 

 

Don't think about it as "how much have I learned in the time I've been practicing". Think of it more as "how much MORE can I learn if I continue to practice". Depending on the piece, it can be tremendous if you can play it well. Also, don't over criticize yourself, depending on your talent *which everyone has* somethings may be more of an accomplishment than others. 

 

I wish you the best of luck, and more importantly...just have fun , that's one of the crucial points of playing instruments.

Thank ya, I'll try to do my best, and I'll propably have fun, but the funniest fun would be if I could play a whole sheet music.

[Shanks 10,816]

That depends on what kind of music you are interested in learning, I like the piano because of its versatility though as has been pointed out it is one of the more difficult instruments to learn though if you can learn to play the piano you can learn to play any instrument. Guitar is also a very versatile instrument and is relatively easy to learn, drums are perhaps the easiest as for the most part all you need is a good sense of rhythm and timing.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

Piano: It is the basis of everything. Once you learn how to play piano, then you can basically pick up any instrument. The only thing is that some instruments are not in the standard key of C. 

[Mutemutt 773]

But there can be awful things in the tube... About the piano, after an hour of trying, I don't find it difficult, I mean, it is, but I made progress. A few more days and I'll be a pro!Or not...

 

Are we talking about your very first hour of trying? And from there, you're already reading both cleffs and playing them simultaneously? It's one thing to be able to memorize a song but sight reading is another thing. I can play simple songs on the piano if I memorized them, I did that all the time, but actually learning the piano is something I've never put time into.

 

Honestly, it doesn't matter what instrument you start with since you can learn the basics of music with any of them. Just pick up any you would like to try and try it, then stick to practicing the ones you enjoy. 

[DusK 1,264]

I primarily play guitar now, but I started on piano. I don't play that so much now, mainly because I don't have one.

 

I'm also a singah.

[Wallroux 56]

That depends on what kind of music you are interested in learning, I like the piano because of its versatility though as has been pointed out it is one of the more difficult instruments to learn though if you can learn to play the piano you can learn to play any instrument. Guitar is also a very versatile instrument and is relatively easy to learn, drums are perhaps the easiest as for the most part all you need is a good sense of rhythm and timing.

I has been said to have a good sense of timing...just not with drums.

 

 

Piano: It is the basis of everything. Once you learn how to play piano, then you can basically pick up any instrument. The only thing is that some instruments are not in the standard key of C. 

 

 

Are we talking about your very first hour of trying? And from there, you're already reading both cleffs and playing them simultaneously? It's one thing to be able to memorize a song but sight reading is another thing. I can play simple songs on the piano if I memorized them, I did that all the time, but actually learning the piano is something I've never put time into.

 

Honestly, it doesn't matter what instrument you start with since you can learn the basics of music with any of them. Just pick up any you would like to try and try it, then stick to practicing the ones you enjoy. 

Yeah, the very first freakin' hour. Nah, I read the clefs, looked the proper buttons up on the keyboard, and tried to play it. After that hour, i knew that I don't have to search further. 

 

 

Piano: It is the basis of everything. Once you learn how to play piano, then you can basically pick up any instrument. The only thing is that some instruments are not in the standard key of C. 

Finally! That hour of learning didn't pass in vain, since I understand your last sentence!

It is a huge achievement, isn't it?

 

 

I primarily play guitar now, but I started on piano. I don't play that so much now, mainly because I don't have one.

 

I'm also a singah.

Well, I haven't got a singer voice. More like a decent husky chicken voice. 

[Mutemutt 773]

Piano: It is the basis of everything. Once you learn how to play piano, then you can basically pick up any instrument. The only thing is that some instruments are not in the standard key of C. 

 

You know, I've heard plenty of people that say this but I don't quite see why that's the case. What is it about learning to play the piano that teaches you something no other instrument teaches you? I'm afraid the benefit isn't quite as obvious to me as it could be. For example, if you learn how to play the alto sax, you can easily learn to play the other saxophones since their fingerings are roughly the same; you can also play the clarinet for the same reason.

 

The only unique benefit I can see is reading both bass and treble clef. Is there something I'm missing?

Edited April 3, 2013 by Cota

[Lewis the Brony 110]

A synthesizer. Preferably a Moog or a Roland. Its pretty cool when you can play with the sounds, and it is like a piano, only that you can adjust and tune to play certain sounds. I wouldn't mind getting one, besides, I don't know if anyone else mentioned it yet.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

You know, I've heard plenty of people that say this but I don't quite see why that's the case. What is it about learning to play the piano that teaches you something no other instrument teaches you? I'm afraid the benefit isn't quite as obvious to me as it could be. For example, if you learn how to play the alto sax, you can easily learn to play the other saxophones since their fingerings are roughly the same; you can also play the clarinet for the same reason.

 

The only unique benefit I can see is reading both bass and treble clef. Is there something I'm missing?

Well, you learn the basics of music, then you learn all of the notes in an easy method. Finally, you learn the art of transposition, when you want to play an instrument that is not in the key of C. Almost every piano professor agrees that piano is the basic starting point. Either piano or a stringed instrument in the key of C is the great place to start. 

[Mutemutt 773]

Well, you learn the basics of music, then you learn all of the notes in an easy method. Finally, you learn the art of transposition, when you want to play an instrument that is not in the key of C. Almost every piano professor agrees that piano is the basic starting point. Either piano or a stringed instrument in the key of C is the great place to start. 

 

Don't you learn the basics of music with all musical instruments, or are you talking about something very specific? You have to transpose things that aren't written in your key for every instrument (well, if your instrument has a key). I have to transpose music from C to Eb all the time and I play the alto saxophone  . Besides being "basic", what makes the key of C so special for those learning an instrument (especially when you're going to end up transposing certain pieces anyway). 

[Righteous Fury 344]

re you sure that I must get an instructor? They're evil. And even my former music teacher at high school (nah, we learnt nothing) had "sad" as her surname. And she was REALLY sad, always, never laughed or smiled. Irony of life, I suppose.

Trust me, not all of them are evil. Don't settle for someone you don't get along with. I had stopped playing for years before I met someone who renewed my interest in music. He wouldn't just tell me what I'm doing wrong, he taught me about the history of music, proper expression, etc. It's all about finding someone who works well with you and makes playing fun instead of a chore.

[Matt loves Luna 16]

I play the vuvuzela. I'm not very good at it, though. I saw a man on youtube playing the French National Anthem with his vuvuzela.

 

 

Also, I hate spell check, sometimes. It keeps telling me to change vuvuzela to Venezuela. 

Edited April 3, 2013 by Darrin Rowan

[Blackcat 205]

Allow me to suggest the Banjooooooo! Also, dude Accordions are cool, if you're considering that I say do it. unique instruments are lots of fun, and who will say no to a random accordion concert?

[Lightning Dust 19]

 

I've played the harp, and I must say, it's difficult. But pretty. Oh, the sound of a harp, I love it. and also, the instrument itself is very beautiful!

And yes, that's me playing it but it was in 2010

 

[Envy 6,169]

Play the saxophone! It fits into a lot of different genres, it's a very fun instrument to play, plus it's flat out awesome. Everybody should play it. xD

[YuiNyan 41]

I like the piano, and i can play piano... but i'd really to play an guitar because its mobile and can play everywhere i want, an piano i can't. its to heavy or just to large to bring it to someone else.

 

[FriscoPony 20]

I would start with the piano, simply because its one of the best ways to start learning about music.

 

Personally i played the piano and then moved onto the pipe organ.

[Treble Bolt 1,122]

I Recommend trying out different instruments and learning about them as well (as in history of how that instrument came to be, and folklore pertaining to the instrument).

 

I play a plethora of different instruments, and many that I play fit into diverse moods, depending on how I feel.   My favorite and one I've played longest is trombone.  My other long time instrument is the Bari Saxophone.  I don't like being in the spotlight musically, and these instruments help set the foundation of music for other instruments (such as the trumpet) to play the main melodies.  I am band geek and play all brass instruments, but my trombone is my pride and joy. 

I also love folk music, and there are many serene instruments that can express cheer and sorrow better than normal band instruments.  They are my "feelings" instruments. Whereas with band instruments, I can feel powerful, angry, joyous, and the like, folk instruments seem more subtle in the feelings portrayed but can be powerful when needed. 

I play Mountain Dulcimer, Strumstick, Bodhran, buttonbox accordion, 3 different Native American flutes, and a wooden recorder.

 

I own over 30 different instruments, and play a bit of them all, but the ones listed are the ones I am decent at.  Take a look around, don't limit yourself to what many others play (such as typical band, orchestral, or garage band instruments).  You may find an instrument from another country that is wonderful and unique, and you love the sound, and it's rareness so much that you want to play it.  Who knows, you may be the next underground music artist to hit it big if you stick with it .  There are so many instruments out there, it's hard for anyone on a forum to direct you since all of our knowledge is different. 

[Retro*Derpy 3,185]

I would say the trumpet, as it has 3 keys and it didn't seem to me to be that hard to use even when first starting. Though I tried the piano, but there are simply too many keys for me to memorize. 

[Lunas Husband 2,777]

I played the Violin for a number of years, its not to hard to learn and I had a lot of fun playing it and learning to play it. but I don't maybe you would like something else. 

[Retired 83]

I've played guitar for 6 years now, and I can say that I do not regret it. It is a very versatile instrument and a very beautiful one to hear. But you should play the instrument that makes you happy. I love the piano as well, so I think it's a good option. <3 I want to learn how to play the violin. uwu

[CheeryFox 23,821]

The piano. The sweet ebonies and ivories... <9

[Derplight Sperkle 1,013]

I've played the Trumpet and Baritone Horn/Euphonium in concert and marching band. 

[Luigi 7,870]

I play the guitar. Sometimes I would bring my guitar to my fiancées house and play songs like "This I Promise You" and "Hip To Be Square" and we'd both sing along, but ever since we both started college, we've been doing that less often.