Best musical instrument?

Question

What would people say is the best musical instrument, preferably answering with an instrument that they play.
My personal favourite is my bass guitar- the best sound, a good looking instrument, fairly easy to play....and it gives you an excuse to feel superior to the drummer (and tell drummer jokes).
What does everyone else think?

Answer 1

I'm very fond of my kazoo -- playing kazoo is the best vocal warmup I ever found while I was in choirs and plays, but . . .

for Best Musical Instrument, I'm gonna have to go with a good old acoustic guitar.

It works just as well at a campfire as a concert hall

Any song can be adapted to play on guitar

It's easy to get started, but if you work hard, playing guitar really well is really impressive.

It's portable and light

A basic guitar is not too expensive (but if you want to spend, you can get some really nice ones)

It doesn't require hook-ups or power to play

It can play all kinds of keys, chords and styles.

It's a simple step from acoustic to electric guitar, which (I think) is the instrument with the most versatile and expressive sound.

Guitar's the only instrument I've been tempted to learn to play.

plus. . .
One of my good buddies calls his guitar "the panty remover"

Answer 2

I play a variety of instruments (the bass being my primary).

Drums certainly are the most primal of instruments in that everybody adapts to rhythm first and foremost. So even if it's not a favorite, some respect has to be given to the foundation.

Guitar, especially acoustic guitar provides melody and chords that allow harmonics to ring out and send the shivers down our spine and warm our hearts. It certainly provides the texture that enables us to sing along, either under the blanket of it's chords or following the melody as it winds it's way through the scale.

But the best instrument (to me) is the bass (well, for the music "I" listen to). It provides a bridge between the melody and the rhythm, tieing them together, leading the music by providing foundation and texture that the instruments can utilize to enhance the over all music of the band. It can provide the counter melody, or even take over as the melody. Or it can create a rhythm that forces everyone to abide by it.

In other forms of music, it can seem rather benign and not really sway the musicians one way or another... But in progressive rock, jazz, big band, or various forms of fusion, it can really be center-stage without anyone realizing it.

Cello is honorable mention for it's soloing and integration abilities.

But it's hard to imagine a world without all of the wonderful instruments our brain has devised.

Answer 3

talking about Drummer jokes -

Did you hear about the drummer who locked his keys in his car?

It took the band 2 hours to get the bass player out!

Drummer's revenge!

Answer 4

I like guitar and piano. Yes, the music :-) It will take atleast a year to learn the basics. But, actally it depends on the interest of the person over music and days doesn't matter..

Answer 5

I think the sexiest instrument has to be a well played Tenor Sax

Answer 6

Glass harmonica... highly underrated and unknown... creates an eeirily beautiful and high-pitch hum from a series of crystal glass bowls rotating into water. Neat, eh?

Answer 7

I like the Slide Guitar.

Answer 8

I mostly play guitar and a little piano. Nothing beats a solo piano in a large auditorium

Answer 9

Nothing says 'egomaniac' like a 6-string bass.

Answer 10

Berimbau, a brazilien instrument