I wanna learn to play an instrument... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Plantman · #1 03-30-2009, 08:58 PM

I have always loved music and wan't to learn to play something. I like to challenge myself and this is the next thing I want to get into.

Is there any particular instrument you guys may suggest that is a good starting point?

I have always thought of playing the piano, guitar and harmonica, in no particular order.

Any thought are appreciated as always.

.02

TheDon · #2 03-30-2009, 08:59 PM

check out your local community college. Mine offers a beginning piano class and hen works its way up from there

Kuan · #3 03-30-2009, 09:02 PM

Piano is probably the most versatile of all instruments. You have all the notes (some pianos have an extra) and the repertoire is huge.

cmbdiesel · #4 03-30-2009, 09:10 PM

yep, piano is probably the easiest to grasp visually, and takes the least amount of practice to start to sound like something. Of course, you can take a harp just about anywhere.

Plantman · #5 03-30-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmbdiesel

yep, piano is probably the easiest to grasp visually, and takes the least amount of practice to start to sound like something. Of course, you can take a harp just about anywhere.

I gotta look cool, and I don't think the harp fits the bill.

Chad300tdt · #6 03-30-2009, 09:36 PM

I say go for the guitar. You can't take a piano to the park or beach.

I play guitar, drums, and a bit of piano. I personally think the guitar was easiest, but maybe that's because I found it to be the most fun.

Eskimo · #7 03-30-2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plantman

I gotta look cool, and I don't think the harp fits the bill.

I think he's using "harp" to refer to a harmonica.

Harp Rumble

cmbdiesel · #8 03-30-2009, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eskimo

I think he's using "harp" to refer to a harmonica.

Harp Rumble

Indeed I was. Sounds cooler than harmonica.

TMAllison · #9 03-30-2009, 09:45 PM

Jew Harp might fit in better in So. Florida......

cmbdiesel · #10 03-30-2009, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

I say go for the guitar. You can't take a piano to the park or beach.

I play guitar, drums, and a bit of piano. I personally think the guitar was easiest, but maybe that's because I found it to be the most fun.

I started with piano, and my left hand has never been as smart as my right. Maybe why I found guitar more difficult. I have contemplated goin all Hendrix, and flipping the thing over. I think you might be one of those people who we call 'guitar player'

TMAllison · #11 03-30-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmbdiesel

I started with piano, and my left hand has never been as smart as my right. Maybe why I found guitar more difficult. I have contemplated goin all Hendrix, and flipping the thing over. I think you might be one of those people who we call 'guitar player'

I had the same problem with piano. Two lines of music and two hands never worked right. Played French Horn in HS and College.

Trumpet's by far the easiest brass instrument.

raymr · #12 03-30-2009, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

I say go for the guitar. You can't take a piano to the park or beach.

I play guitar, drums, and a bit of piano. I personally think the guitar was easiest, but maybe that's because I found it to be the most fun.

I agree. Learn a few open chords like C G, and F and you can start doing singalongs right away. Then of course the skys the limit as far as picking styles go and you can get into some pretty intricate stuff. Basic blues was the next step for me which was fun but I didn't get much beyond that.

The instrument you chose also depends on your personality. If you start learning piano, keep in mind you will spend many hours facing a wall by yourself.

MS Fowler · #13 03-30-2009, 09:59 PM

As someone who learned the flute, and who is the father of a professional musician, I would strongly urge the piano as a first instrument. the reason may not be what you would think.
As a flute player, or clarinet, or almost any other instrument, you "see"music as a horizontal stream.
A keyboard player "sees" the entire chord structure--music as a vertical concept, as it were. Notes are related to other notes played at the same time.
Your appreciation of the theory of music will be enhanced as a keyboard player. After you have that understanding, picking up almost any other instrument is easier.

cmbdiesel · #14 03-30-2009, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

As someone who learned the flute, and who is the father of a professional musician, I would strongly urge the piano as a first instrument. the reason may not be what you would think.
As a flute player, or clarinet, or almost any other instrument, you "see"music as a horizontal stream.
A keyboard player "sees" the entire chord structure--music as a vertical concept, as it were. Notes are related to other notes played at the same time.
Your appreciation of the theory of music will be enhanced as a keyboard player. After you have that understanding, picking up almost any other instrument is easier.

That's exactly what I meant by visual. You can actually see the notes in relation to each other, chord structure is obvious, and seeing and finding different scales is much easier.

G-Benz · #15 03-30-2009, 10:14 PM

I play nine instruments...comprised of the woodwind, percussion, strings, and keyboard families.

My first instrument was the guitar, and by far the easiest to become accomplished as a musician. That's what I would recommend.

The piano gets you the ability to branch into any instrument you desire...but reading piano charts is more difficult.

Also consider investment...if you somehow become frustrated at the whole idea, which would you have rather wasted your money on? A guitar? Or a piano!!??