To the non-musically inclined...

[King of the Sandbox]

What instrument would you be most interested in learning to play?

I ask because back when I was uninitiated in music making, I started with the parent-initiated lessons on the piano, which I became fairly good at. Now, years later, I've switched to guitar, and kind of wished I'd went with it first, as I fear I may have spent most of my "learning aptitude" on the piano. I want to see if you guys have something set in your mind as the instrument you'd like to play, as opposed to me, who was shoved into one without even thinking about it, only to regret it (partially) later.

 

[SilentCom]

There are a few instruments I wouldn't mind learning to play, these would be the guitar, violin, piano, or drums. I'm not much of a musician but if I were those would be the instruments I would consider.

 

[Brutal Peanut]

I had wanted to learn piano, but the piano teacher was unimpressed by my fingers. She said they were 'too small', and a bit stubby. "Unless your fingers are suddenly going to grow long and thin - I don't think you'll be able to play as well as you'd like."

I also wanted to learn to the play the drums, but my Mother said that wasn't an instrument for girls, and she wouldn't allow it.

Sheesh. I just never bothered after that.

 

[SilverKyo]

piano is a good place to start because it teaches good musical theory and you can learn the musical scale. from there, you can do whatever you want if you put your mind to it, but piano is a nice baseline, good for a lot of musicians, aspiring musicians, or music lovers to know.

 

[King of the Sandbox]

I had wanted to learn piano, but the piano teacher was unimpressed by my fingers. She said they were 'too small', and a bit stubby. "Unless your fingers are suddenly going to grow long and thin - I don't think you'll be able to play as well as you'd like."

I also wanted to learn to the play the drums, but my Mother said that wasn't an instrument for girls, and she wouldn't allow it.

Sheesh. I just never bothered after that.

Wow, what is your mom, from the 50's? lol

I kid, I kid. I think girls that play non-classical instruments are pretty BA. You see a chick playing the drums and you can guess she's at least 70% cool.

I still remember the first time I saw the bassist for White Zombie and realizing she was female. Mind=blown. From then on, I kind of had a thing for girls in modern bands. *cough*Meg White*cough*

 

[Soviet Steve]

Violin or the cello. I haven't been fond of modern music aside from videogame soundtracks, but Bach always came off well with me. I would have done this at an early age but budget constraints meant that no creative arts or free-time sports could be supported. Ahhh the joys of being working class.

 

[justnotcricket]

...I started with the parent-initiated lessons on the piano, which I became fairly good at. Now, years later, I've switched to guitar, and kind of wished I'd went with it first, as I fear I may have spent most of my "learning aptitude" on the piano...

Never regret your piano lessons! Believe it or not, the piano is a brilliant instrument for introducing one to the fundamental concepts of music - so you might find that if you open up to your piano experience while learning the guitar, you might find that, far from having your learning capacity wasted, you're actually getting to take shortcuts. Plus, if nothing else, the training in manual dexterity won't hurt. ;-)

I too learned the piano first (like so many), but as soon as I was big enough I switched to the cello (which is obviously the awesomest instrument ever, duh... ;-), which I have loved ever since. If I could pick an instrument to learn new, it would be harp - which, interestingly enough, the music school I went to required you to have learned piano first for... =P

If we expand the definition of instrument, I'd like to learn to sing better. I'm OK now, but I can't really claim to be good, and don't feel comfortable singing solo. Mind you, group music-making, from chamber to orchestra and choirs, has always been something I've preferred.

 

[Nigh Invulnerable]

Well since I would be going with the easiest, drums. But if I had the natural talent I would probably go with spanish guitar (I know its not actually a different instrument but a different style) or violin.

Drums are easiest? What are you smoking? Limb independence is ridiculously challenging to figure out. Moving fingers along some keys while blasting some air through a mouthpiece is far easier.

 

[Dimitriov]

As someone who for most of his early life had no interest in learning music of any kind, it is with some surprise that I can say I would actually like to learn to play the violin someday.

I love that it can be so sweet and melancholy or played fast and boisterous.

 

[theonlyblaze2]

I would love to learn to play the bagpipes. I asked my parents if I could and was laughed out of the room.

 

[Lilani]

Ideally, I'd love to learn how to play the violin, piano, the harp, and the tin whistle. In reality, I may learn the piano or tin whistle at some point when I have the time and money to invest in it.

 

[King of the Sandbox]

...I started with the parent-initiated lessons on the piano, which I became fairly good at. Now, years later, I've switched to guitar, and kind of wished I'd went with it first, as I fear I may have spent most of my "learning aptitude" on the piano...

Never regret your piano lessons! Believe it or not, the piano is a brilliant instrument for introducing one to the fundamental concepts of music - so you might find that if you open up to your piano experience while learning the guitar, you might find that, far from having your learning capacity wasted, you're actually getting to take shortcuts. Plus, if nothing else, the training in manual dexterity won't hurt. ;-)

I too learned the piano first (like so many), but as soon as I was big enough I switched to the cello (which is obviously the awesomest instrument ever, duh... ;-), which I have loved ever since. If I could pick an instrument to learn new, it would be harp - which, interestingly enough, the music school I went to required you to have learned piano first for... =P

If we expand the definition of instrument, I'd like to learn to sing better. I'm OK now, but I can't really claim to be good, and don't feel comfortable singing solo. Mind you, group music-making, from chamber to orchestra and choirs, has always been something I've preferred.

Oh, learning piano taught me tons about music, but for some reason, wrapping my head around it enough to apply it to other instruments gets a wire crossed in there or something. As soon as a guitar's in my hands, I go blank. It's quite frustrating.

Also: The voice is, of course, an instrument. Anyone who thinks otherwise is just deluding themselves.

 

[justnotcricket]

Violin or the cello. I haven't been fond of modern music aside from videogame soundtracks, but Bach always came off well with me. I would have done this at an early age but budget constraints meant that no creative arts or free-time sports could be supported. Ahhh the joys of being working class.

Bach is wonderful, and my favourite composer, especially for cello =)
It's never too late to learn; we'll welcome you as a fellow cello anytime =)

As for those damn squeaky violins, however... =P (sorry, sorry, bass clef prejudice, despite the fact that the cello has incredible range...wait, don't get me started;-)

 

[justnotcricket]

...I started with the parent-initiated lessons on the piano, which I became fairly good at. Now, years later, I've switched to guitar, and kind of wished I'd went with it first, as I fear I may have spent most of my "learning aptitude" on the piano...

Never regret your piano lessons! Believe it or not, the piano is a brilliant instrument for introducing one to the fundamental concepts of music - so you might find that if you open up to your piano experience while learning the guitar, you might find that, far from having your learning capacity wasted, you're actually getting to take shortcuts. Plus, if nothing else, the training in manual dexterity won't hurt. ;-)

I too learned the piano first (like so many), but as soon as I was big enough I switched to the cello (which is obviously the awesomest instrument ever, duh... ;-), which I have loved ever since. If I could pick an instrument to learn new, it would be harp - which, interestingly enough, the music school I went to required you to have learned piano first for... =P

If we expand the definition of instrument, I'd like to learn to sing better. I'm OK now, but I can't really claim to be good, and don't feel comfortable singing solo. Mind you, group music-making, from chamber to orchestra and choirs, has always been something I've preferred.

Oh, learning piano taught me tons about music, but for some reason, wrapping my head around it enough to apply it to other instruments gets a wire crossed in there or something. As soon as a guitar's in my hands, I go blank. It's quite frustrating.

Heh, the same thing kind of happens to me if I pick up a guitar, it's true...but I think it's cos I'm used to playing a vertical fingerboard, not a horizontal one, and so my wrist is telling me to f*ck off the whole time! =P

 

[Bon_Clay]

As other people have said, piano is probably the best place to start off if you want to be musically inclined. You learn musical theory and the basics well, which can really help if you want to write good music and not boring regurgitated crap.

I probably would've like to learn guitar or bass, would have been cool. Never got around to it and most likely never will. Generally have to start fairly young to be really good.

 

[Wolf-AUS]

I learned the piano as a child, but I haven't played in about 10 years, so I'd like to learn to play it again. Awesome instrument.

 

[Ashenrook]

I did know the clarinet, once upon a time. But if I had to pick another instrument to play, it'd be the cello or, if I wanted to go a little more exotic, an array mbira.

 

[Treeinthewoods]

I want to gain 400 pounds and play the Ukulele, it just seems like a good thing to do.

 

[ichabod40]

I have always wanted to play the harmonica because my grandma played it when she was younger and I thought it would be neat.

I had wanted to learn piano, but the piano teacher was unimpressed by my fingers. She said they were 'too small', and a bit stubby. "Unless your fingers are suddenly going to grow long and thin - I don't think you'll be able to play as well as you'd like."

I also wanted to learn to the play the drums, but my Mother said that wasn't an instrument for girls, and she wouldn't allow it.

Sheesh. I just never bothered after that.

If you wanna play the piano, find a teacher that will teach you regardless of finger length. My wife has short, stubby fingers and she is an excellent piano player. She's been playing for almost 15 years now. Long fingers aren't a requirement. It just makes it easier to play because you can reach more keys without moving your hands.