Thinking of taking violin, guitar, or piano lessons.

[OCNewbie]

I love music and want to learn how to play an instrument. I took piano lessons a couple time when I was younger (11 & 15), but never learned how to read music. I'm leaning towards the violin now as I think it's sound is beautiful, but I imagine it will be quite challenging to master. Also I wouldn't mind learning guitar as that's pretty common, and could even join a band among other uses for being able to play. Piano is in my past so I am familiar with it to an extent so that may be my third choice. I'd like to learn all 3, but need to start with just one.

Like I said, I'm leaning towards trying to learn the violin. Has anybody else picked up playing the violin recently? Or any seasoned violin players? I figure there are LOTS of people that play the guitar, and a good number of piano players too. Any input on any of the three instruments would be appreciated.

 

[Conky]

I'd say go with the guitar or the piano. Guitar is better for portability but they have some really cool electric keyboards these days too.

 

[JM Aggie08]

take tuba lessons 😉

i love playing it, well, it is better in high school in marching band too.

 

[ruffilb]

I play guitar and viola (similar to violin), and play in an orchestra (but not a band).

They are ALL quite challenging to master, but here's my breakdown.

Violin - Don't do it. It's quite expensive, and you're almost certainly limited to violin solo literature.

Piano - Opposite end of the spectrum. While still expensive, you can play much more, and there are more pieces written for solo piano, wheras many pieces are written for an ensemble for violin.

Guitar - Relatively cheap and AMAZINGLY varied. I play everything from Led to Chopin on my guitar, and it's just plain fun. If you can play in a band, even better.

I vote for guitar.

Edit: Please, PM me if you have any more specific questions. I'd like to help.

 

[tweakmm]

Frets are much easier and a cheat. :laugh:

Piano is going to be the easiest to learn, followed by guitar. If you want to understand music, not having to worry about exact finger position will help you out when reading and such.

If you want to learn a fretless instrument get a cello. They are a bit more expensive than a violin however, I paid several grand for mine and it's considered an upper level student quality.

 

[ruffilb]

Originally posted by: tweakmm
Frets are much easier and a cheat. :laugh:

Piano is going to be the easiest to learn, followed by guitar. If you want to understand music, not having to worry about exact finger position will help you out when reading and such.

If you want to learn a fretless instrument get a cello. They are a bit more expensive than a violin however, I paid several grand for mine and it's considered an upper level student quality.

Having played both viola and guitar, frets are every bit as hard. You don't do much chording when you're playing something fretless like that, which is a much different skill.

Best of both worlds

^ I actually REALLY want a fretles guitar, but I'm really poor right now in terms of cash I can blow on that.

 

[tweakmm]

Originally posted by: ruffilb
Piano - Opposite end of the spectrum. While still expensive, you can play much more, and there are more pieces written for solo piano, wheras many pieces are written for an ensemble for violin.

Weighted MIDI keyboard == much cheaper piano.


By the way, definitely do not start playing viola.

 

[ruffilb]

Originally posted by: tweakmm

Originally posted by: ruffilb
Piano - Opposite end of the spectrum. While still expensive, you can play much more, and there are more pieces written for solo piano, wheras many pieces are written for an ensemble for violin.

Weighted MIDI keyboard == much cheaper piano.


By the way, definitely do not start playing viola.

I'll second that. There is ZERO good solo literature for viola, the clef is worthless, and you'll get made fun of.

In an ensemble, however...

 

[Jeff7181]

I vote for the bassoon just cause it would be fun to say, "I play the bassoon."

*EDIT* ... and you can ask people, "wanna see me play my bassoon?" 😀

 

[tweakmm]

Originally posted by: ruffilb

Originally posted by: tweakmm
Frets are much easier and a cheat. :laugh:

Piano is going to be the easiest to learn, followed by guitar. If you want to understand music, not having to worry about exact finger position will help you out when reading and such.

If you want to learn a fretless instrument get a cello. They are a bit more expensive than a violin however, I paid several grand for mine and it's considered an upper level student quality.

Having played both viola and guitar, frets are every bit as hard. You don't do much chording when you're playing something fretless like that, which is a much different skill.

Best of both worlds

I'm sorry man but I think you are crazy, as a guitarist and cellist I can say with no uncertainty that fretless is worlds harder.

 

[Miramonti]

I would love to learn the violin. Listening to solos or string quartets I feel like a lizard on its back getting its tummy rubbed. 😱

 

[Journer]

i play......................
sax, trumpet, trombone, tuba (oversized trumpet 😵...serriously), very simple piano, bass guitar, guitar, drums...oh hell...i play too much 😛...

anywho...all inttruments can be varried greatly...so it doesnt really matter what style you want to play...well...i dont suggest a trombone if you wana play mudvayne...but you get my drift....

if you wana woe the girls...its harder to do that with a sax than a guitar and not as practicle...can you sing? if you can sing dont do something that wont allow you to sing...piano is only good for bands/performing...soo...its pretty dumb to be toting it around trying to show off...

i saw start with guitar...but wtf do you want to do with the music u play?

 

[BoberFett]

I started with a couple years of piano as a small child, and then played the violin for about several years. For your first instrument, the most important thing is that you enjoy it, and use it to learn music fundamentals such as reading music. Piano is an excellent way to start.

 

[ruffilb]

Originally posted by: tweakmm

Originally posted by: ruffilb

Originally posted by: tweakmm
Frets are much easier and a cheat. :laugh:

Piano is going to be the easiest to learn, followed by guitar. If you want to understand music, not having to worry about exact finger position will help you out when reading and such.

If you want to learn a fretless instrument get a cello. They are a bit more expensive than a violin however, I paid several grand for mine and it's considered an upper level student quality.

Having played both viola and guitar, frets are every bit as hard. You don't do much chording when you're playing something fretless like that, which is a much different skill.

Best of both worlds

I'm sorry man but I think you are crazy, as a guitarist and cellist I can say with no uncertainty that fretless is worlds harder.

Idk. I'm never chording on a viola, so it's not that much of a deal.

However, I have tried to play cello before, and it was harder for my fingers. Perhaps it's a cello/viola issue as much as a fret/fretless one?

 

[OCNewbie]

Originally posted by: jjsole
I would love to learn the violin. Listening to solos or string quartets I feel like a lizard on its back getting its tummy rubbed. 😱

LOL excellent visual, and great description of the feeling =)

 

[LeoDioxide]

Guitar is pretty easy to pick up. If you don't stick with it for at least 2 months, your fingers will never grow strong enough though. I always resented not learning piano :[

Learn piano! It's more impressive, expressive, and fun!