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Learning to play an instrument?

I think some people have a natural talent for it, but unless you're a complete dumbass and/or never practice, I think pretty much anyone can play alright.
 
Depends what you mean by "hard." It takes a lot of time and energy, but on the other hand it's loads of fun. I never found it hard but it's certainly something you really need to dedicate yourself to.
 
Either you need a talent at it, lots of time, effort and practice, or you might fail. Depends on how good you are at it anyways. Just don't expect to get good quick.
 
I just started to play the electric guitar, have the software, amp, guitar pedals and 3 guitars...I probably will have to sign up for lessons as I think I need a classroom environment to kick start me..I play by tabs so far
 
I've found wood instruments to be rather easy for me. I rarely, if ever, practiced yet I did alright. Granted I could have been much better had I practiced, just didn't have the motivation.
 
I would say get a keyboard and start with the piano. The piano is one of the easiest instruments to start playing, since the only technique involved is pressing keys. Picking up guitars, horns, etc. is harder, since as a music newbie you have to master note reading while also learning technique.
 
If you are picking up an instrument, don't make the mistake of thinking that overnight, you'll be the idol that drove you to learn that particular instrument. More often than not, people with this mentality will end up quitting whatever they're learning because they would not give themselves enough time.

I got my inspiration from watching Tommy Emmanuel playing in what's call a "Master's Class", where he would explain his techniques and play his guitar for two hours. It was the most awe inspiring event I've been to. I never once think that I will be up to his level (even in my life time), because I don't have the natural incline for guitar. Nontheless, I'm still practicing; rhythm, strumming, fingers positioning... It gets really tedious, uninspiring, frustrating, and I get callous on my finger tips, yet I'm still doing it.

I'd recommend guitar; it's mobile, a plethora of self-study materials can be found on the web, fairly easy to get accustomed to, and chicks dig it. 😉 You can pick up a nicely made guitar from Sam Ash for very reasonable price, sub $200.
 
Originally posted by: mrrman
I just started to play the electric guitar, have the software, amp, guitar pedals and 3 guitars...I probably will have to sign up for lessons as I think I need a classroom environment to kick start me..I play by tabs so far
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I just started playing acoustic guitar this week... but with school and all I haven't had time to do anything but put on new strings and roughly tune it.

I can already tell this is gonna be harder than I thought but I needed something to do in my spare time.

 
Originally posted by: mrrman
I just started to play the electric guitar, have the software, amp, guitar pedals and 3 guitars...I probably will have to sign up for lessons as I think I need a classroom environment to kick start me..I play by tabs so far
Click to expand...

Why would someone who has never even had a lesson need 3 guitars? Too much money?
 
Overclockers play the ammeter quite well.

It goes like this:

Tick, tick, tick, tick, oh damn! 😉
 
Originally posted by: SSSnail
If you are picking up an instrument, don't make the mistake of thinking that overnight, you'll be the idol that drove you to learn that particular instrument. More often than not, people with this mentality will end up quitting whatever they're learning because they would not give themselves enough time.

I got my inspiration from watching Tommy Emmanuel playing in what's call a "Master's Class", where he would explain his techniques and play his guitar for two hours. It was the most awe inspiring event I've been to. I never once think that I will be up to his level (even in my life time), because I don't have the natural incline for guitar. Nontheless, I'm still practicing; rhythm, strumming, fingers positioning... It gets really tedious, uninspiring, frustrating, and I get callous on my finger tips, yet I'm still doing it.

I'd recommend guitar; it's mobile, a plethora of self-study materials can be found on the web, fairly easy to get accustomed to, and chicks dig it. 😉 You can pick up a nicely made guitar from Sam Ash for very reasonable price, sub $200.
Click to expand...

So I guess I'm not going to be rockin out like Matthew Bellamy and the Edge as soon as I pick the thing up 😛
 
Originally posted by: mrSHEiK124
Originally posted by: SSSnail
If you are picking up an instrument, don't make the mistake of thinking that overnight, you'll be the idol that drove you to learn that particular instrument. More often than not, people with this mentality will end up quitting whatever they're learning because they would not give themselves enough time.

I got my inspiration from watching Tommy Emmanuel playing in what's call a "Master's Class", where he would explain his techniques and play his guitar for two hours. It was the most awe inspiring event I've been to. I never once think that I will be up to his level (even in my life time), because I don't have the natural incline for guitar. Nontheless, I'm still practicing; rhythm, strumming, fingers positioning... It gets really tedious, uninspiring, frustrating, and I get callous on my finger tips, yet I'm still doing it.

I'd recommend guitar; it's mobile, a plethora of self-study materials can be found on the web, fairly easy to get accustomed to, and chicks dig it. 😉 You can pick up a nicely made guitar from Sam Ash for very reasonable price, sub $200.
Click to expand...

So I guess I'm not going to be rockin out like Matthew Bellamy and the Edge as soon as I pick the thing up 😛
Click to expand...

You can try Guitar Hero. :laugh:
 
I play Euphoneum... Like a trumpet on steroids

I think Brass instruments (with valves) are the easiest to leanr, but that's just me....

I'd suggest trumpet, chicks seem to dig it.
Besides, to many people play guitar

Maybe Tuba too.

If you're in college (doubtful if you have time and need a hobby), see hte music teacher, they may have an instrument you can use

Band is fun, till you have a tyrant in charge...

Good luck
 
Originally posted by: MS Dawn
Originally posted by: nkgreen
Don't learn to play french horn, its hard and chicks don't dig it!
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I like the french horn. 🙁
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I love the sound of a professional player, but the first 8-10 years it will sound like you're blowing murder through it.

 
I seriously recommend starting out on something with strings (piano, guitar, etc). Wind instruments (while having fewer "buttons") require more physical conditioning, especially brass instruments. Developing finger dexterity with stringed stuff is quicker than getting your chops into shape. This gives you more time to learn music theory and read music, rather than applying Blistex to your sore lips. Once you pick up an instrument, learning a second, third, or fourth is simply a matter of learning technique.

I suppose harmonica might be a nice cheap starter instrument as well, but typically they only play one major scale so you won't really learn about chromatics. But spending $25 for a decent harmonica (get one in the key of "C" to start) can't be beat in terms of cost.
 
Originally posted by: iamaelephant
Originally posted by: mrrman
I just started to play the electric guitar, have the software, amp, guitar pedals and 3 guitars...I probably will have to sign up for lessons as I think I need a classroom environment to kick start me..I play by tabs so far
Click to expand...

Why would someone who has never even had a lesson need 3 guitars? Too much money?
Click to expand...

I liked them so I bought them...had 4 sold 1
 
Originally posted by: nkgreen

I love the sound of a professional player, but the first 8-10 years it will sound like you're blowing murder through it.
Click to expand...


eeeeeYikes! Good point! 🙂

 
I've been teaching myself to play guitar for a while now. It's really, really hard for me. I got a good guitar in February and have been playing a lot since then, but I still have a lot of trouble with technique and stuff. I've progressed to the level where most non-guitarists see me and say "hey, you're not too bad," but people who play recognize that I'm sloppy and can't play all that well. My problem is, I'm practically tone deaf and my fingers don't like to move and be coordinated. Basically, I have no talent whatsoever. But, I can tell with each passing day or week or month that I am, slowly but surely, getting better. So, if you have no talent like me, be prepared for a lot of frustration and having to practice a lot.
 
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