What instrument should I start playing if I'm going to teach myself to play?

Question

I have the option of purchasing myself a Flute or a Clarinet, I love the sound of both instruments, and they are both at around the same price, also they are "Goldstar" instruments would that be a good investment?

I do know how to play other instruments, and the reason for choosing these particular two, is that I have played brass since High School, and am looking into a woodwind since they're easier to carry and I can actually practice in my apt. without terribly upseting people, I'm a tuba player, so you can all imagine how little I can practice outside of school, from which I graduated already, so that's not an option

Answer 1

Hi, I played flute for YEARS without lessons. And I did great, if I do say so myself. I went to championships and won awards. I was "1st Chair" in our band for 7 years straight, and I never spent any kind of money on lessons. I always found the sound of clarinet annoying, flute is very beautiful, and is great for band OR orchestra. Flute can take you very far in life, as does clarinet. Just playing an instrument is great. You do not need lessons, just practice and have fun. Good luck!

Answer 2

I have a degree in music education and my primary instruments are clarinet, flute and oboe. These instruments, along with the saxophone, all have essentially the same fingerings, wtih just a few quirks here and there. The only main difference is the embechoure. As for which would be easier to learn on your own, there is no difference. Your mouth and teeth may be formed in a way that would help with one instrument more than the other, but other than that, one will not be easier than the other. If your upper lip has too much of a "tear drop" shape in the center, go to clarinet.
Whatever you do, just find someone you know who plays the instrument, or put out a few bucks for a couple lessons in the beginning. You *have* to have the correct embechoure or you're gonna sound like crap no matter what you do.

Also, please research your instrument brands before you do anything. If you're getting a clarinet, you should look at selmer and buffet. There are many many brands, but these are the most commonly played by professionals. They make excellent student models as well and I had all my students play on them. (preferrably buffet in my personal opinion). For flute, Gemeinhardt is definitely a great brand. Whatever you do, stay away from bundy, artly, and blessing for any instrument you choose.

Answer 3

Each instrument has it's pro's and con's with both instruments. A lot is just going to be your choice based on what you plan on doing with it.

Coming from Tuba you might try flute. One thing that flute and tuba share in common is the amount of air that it takes and the lack of resistance. Clarinet takes a stronger embrochure and has some back pressure when you blow. Either way I'd recommend starting with a couple lessons to get your embrochure and technique started in the right direction. I'm currently a private music teacher after being a band director for 20 years. Recently I had a clarinet student come in for lessons after she taught herself for 4 months. Honestly I've never heard a clarinet sound like that before. Also, she was playing a full half step flat because of her embrochure. It has taken 3 months of lessons to fix it. Doing it right from the beginning would have been much easier and faster.

Stay away from Goldstar and all the other off brands. They tend to be made out of softer metals that bend easy. Because of this most instrument repairmen won't fix them.

Answer 4

If disturbing your neighbors is a concern, get the clarinet. The flute has a much more piercing sound and will carry through the walls further than the clarinet. Otherwise, clarinet players seem to be slightly more in demand in my area than flute players. If you have a preference for the music of one over the other, buy that instrument. You say you love the sound of both, but checking out their respective concertos may give you a preference. Buy both if you can afford it. Your versatility could open doors that would otherwise be closed.

Answer 5

If you are going to learn an instrument, it is best to take lessons from someone, because it is alot easier than learning wrong and fixing it later. If this is your first instrument, it's better to start with the piano, especially if you don't read music, because it gives you a better understanding of theory and music, and provides a visual for how music works. If you do learn one of these instruments, there is still no way for me to tell you which one to learn. It all depends on your personality and ability. I play the French Horn and it fits me. My best Friends play the clarinet and the baritone, and i can't picture them playing anything else. Basically, a teacher would be a really good idea instead of just teaching yourself, and you might want to see what teachers are available before you buy anything because it might effect your decision.

Answer 6

I prefer the sound of the flute but a clarinet is easier to hold in that you don't need to hold your arms up. you can purchase a book for yourself to learn breathing and fingering. the flute is pitched in C and the clarinet is usually pitched in B-flat. if you play a B-flat on the clarinet, for example, it comes out sounding like an A. therefore, if you decide to play the clarinet you will need to learn to transpose, which is converting your music to a different key. but it's not as hard as it sounds.

Answer 7

Well I play the flute and it's really a beautiful instrument,but I wil advice you to for lessons because there are some things like for eg. sound that no book can teach you. Good luck

Answer 8

The flute and the clarinet- you need a tutor . Once you know one of them, you can self teach the other.

Answer 9

Clarinet! Just have some one who knows how to play show you embouchre (spelling?). The fingering all goes in order and is easy to pick up.

Answer 10

I'd say Clarinet, sounds great with a jazz band.