Instrument?

Question

I am going to this instrument selection for middle school. Any suggestions for a good instrument?

I have never played ANY instruments. I am a good singer....I guess something that will never get annoying.

sorry, forgot to add this, it's for BAND. But there is a gutair club, but I don't know how to play.

Answer 1

clarinet...its easy to play...i played it for 3 years and its an easy "A"

Answer 2

Funnily enough, I just started playing a band instrument, and I'm a senior in highschool. It pretty much depends on how well you can read music. The only reason I was able to pick up a band instrument this late was because of my experience in orchestra as a violist. With all of that aside, the clarinet is supposably the easiest reed instrument, this isn't through experience, but from what the band geeks and directors say at school. The instrument you DON'T want to start out with is the french horn, intonation and some of the lip demands can be frustrating. It pretty much depends on what kind of sound you want. Power is given to the brass instruments, the Trumpet being the most popular. If you want to be more of the inner voice (being lower) of the band, go with Tuba or Baritone. There are several other brass intruments, but I've heard that the trombone was fun to play. Anyways, back to reed instruments, I'm playing the alto saxophone, it sounds... different, but you don't have to cover up a hole with your finger so you don't have to worry about squealing because your finger isn't in a good spot. Flute has a sweet high sound that is both loathed by other band members, and places the typical audience in awe when there is a good flute player. But honestly, go with sound quality and whatever you'd like to play. Don't give up because you aren't good the first year because believe me, I wanted to chuck that saxophone because it's so much more different from the viola. Just practice (the dreaded P word among typical musicians) and have a positive attitude. Your sound reflects your mood.

Answer 3

Probably the easiest instrument to get a decent sound out of relatively early on is the saxophone. And unlike clarinet, you don't have to worry about covering little tone holes to get sound out, you just have to push down the buttons.

Flute, clarinet, and oboe are all good instruments too, but take longer to learn the nuances of.

For example, it takes some people weeks or even months before they can get a decent sound out of a flute because of the mouth shape (embouchure) you have to have.

As for clarinet, notes above the 'break' (Anything above the A on the staff) can be difficult to get out, and awkward to finger. Part of this difficulty too comes from the fact that not only do you have to push the key down, you have to cover all the little holes COMPLETELY to get a good tone.

Oboe is one of those instruments that sounds dreadful for any beginner...but if you work hard at it, you'll be fine!

My expertise is mostly in woodwinds, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try brass instruments too! Basically, the smaller the mouthpiece, the tighter embouchure (mouth shape) you'll have to have.

As someone who is starting to learn brass instruments, I can tell you they take a LOT more air (nothing good diaphragm muscles can't help!), but if you have a good instrument you'll get along well enough :)

Another thing to remember is that brass instruments (and flutes) don't require nearly as many purchases...(besides the ocasional cleaning product or need for valve oil) Woodwinds that have reeds (saxophones, clarinets, oboes, bassoons) obviously need to buy reeds regularly. Not a huge expense, but one worth noting. As long as you care for them properly, single reeds can last for almost 2 weeks depending on how often you play!

I'm sure you band director would have no problem with you experimenting to figure out which instrument is right for you! Many music stores offer you monthly payment plans on beginner instruments so that if you hate band after a few months you can just give them the instrument back and stop paying. USE THIS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE. If you try the trumpet and it just isn't working out, return it and try a sax!

I hope I was of at least some help...stick with it, band is awesome! :)

Answer 4

I personally played the clarinet, and it is a fun instrument to play because you almost always get a cool and main part in your song, but what ever you pick DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED ON THE FIRST DAY, it could take you weeks even to get a sound out of the thing and when you start on high notes, remember that if other people can do it you can too, sometimes it helps to watch a concert with your instrument in it, and maybe talk to someone about what it was liek when they started.

Answer 5

Try buzzing your lips. If you can't do that, it'd be a good idea to pick a woodwind instrument. If you're lazy and don't feel like dragging around a huge case, pick clarinet, flute or oboe.
The fact that you're a good singer is going to help you a lot with pitch and all that jazz.
I've played clarinet for four years and I thought it was pretty easy when I first started. Good luck.

Answer 6

Big lips - trumpet. Small lips - flute/clarinet. Dont have great lungs - percussion. Beginner - piano. You see it all depends on you. What do you like? What are you good at?

Answer 7

if u can keep a good tempo, try the drums. but if u wanna play a flute or something else, make sure u have good lips.

Answer 8

I would recommend you to play SAX. it is a beautiful instrument specially when you are improvizing music...OMG!!!! it is also not as hard to play as trumpet or flugel horn.

Answer 9

the piano or guitar.