What is the hardest Instrument to play?

Question

I used to play the violin and the Bassoon and when I decided to play the cello it was hard. For one having to use your thumb to play some notes pass the neck of the cello. Two, the wide range of notes. I wanted to know what is the hardest instrument to play in our opinon?

I know strings can be hard sometimes, but it's easier then any woodwind or brass instrument. ex. my bassoon, one key can play up to two notes each. and on a string instrument all the notes are all laid out for you, you just have to put your finger in the right spot. One of my favorite sayings, "It's easy to play a musical instrument: all you have to do is touch the right key at the right time and the instrument will play itself."- J.S. Bach

Answer 1

Every instrument is difficult. Even the simplest of things like a frame drum or penny whistle can be difficult. But I think one of the most difficult to learn is the uilleann pipes. Liam O'Flynn, one of the great pipers, once said, "The old pipers used to say that it takes twenty-one years to make a piper: seven years of learning, seven years of practicing and seven years of playing." It's rather accurate.

Answer 2

Studies show that French horn is the hardest instrument to play, yet it is also the prettiest sounding instrument because the vibrations much mimic those of the human voice, which most people find very aesthetically pleasing. The little mouthpiece and close partials, however, give it a level of difficulty that no other instruments can achieve. In addition, the hand position in the bell can drastically change the tuning of the horn (which is already difficult otherwise), and requires very advanced knowledge to know how to adjust the position

In short, French horn is no doubt the hardest instrument to play.

Answer 3

I actually play violin and it is very easy but most people find it hard but since I've been playing for so long i am used to the instrument. To begin at first when you start playing the tip of your fingers on your left hand will hurt from the strings. Plus finding the note is actually harder than It seems because there is no frets like a guitar and there's no holes like a flute it's just a finger board and if you don't have stickers it's still very aggravating at times when you can't get the right note. Also when you advance to slurs and sticatoe it can get complacted because you have to be really neat and clean if not it sounds horrible. And rhythm is a nightmare when it comes to concerterinos just forget about it

Answer 4

As far as the wind instruments I'd have to say that the double reeds are the hardest. The oboe because of the back pressure created by the reed and the constant adjustments that need to the reed and key mechanisms to keep it playing. The basson because the fingering are just crazy! It doesn't help that it's often time hard to find fingering charts that match up with the keys of the brand bassoon you have.

Answer 5

I play about 8, and there is no doubt that my answer is: French Horn. Oh man. The tiny mouthpiece only adds to the frustration of how close the partials are on the horn. You can press and rotor combination and have no idea what note you're playing. Its frustrating at first, but there is no prettier instrument in the world nor no satisfaction greater than once you can play it well.

Answer 6

People say that violin and french horn are the most difficult instruments. But my opinion is that every instrument has its own problems that we must solve. It also deends on the person and its capacities and talent. For example, depending on the hands, a teacher might be able to tell your child what type of instrument he should choose..or...in order to learn to play a woodwind or brass instrument, you have got to have a certain mouth and teeth configuration.
So.. I would say that choosing the wrong instrument or not being talented might make it pretty hard for someone to learn.

Answer 7

I recall reading in an article that the 'violin' is the hardest instrument to play & the runner up is the bagpipes.I play the violin , I didn't find it too difficult to learn. I agree with the person above, they should have used frets. Sometimes it a lot of guess work to find sharps & flats in a instant.
When I learnt , the teacher put white out strips on the root notes on each string. It really helped.

Answer 8

I think it's generally thought that the harp is the hardest instrument, followed closely by the violin.

Answer 9

I'd say strings cause it's the one thing I havn't figured out. Starting piano young helps, i was 7, strings, it seems like there is no specific notes, it's all where you think the place to put your fingers. I just dont get it.

Answer 10

I personally think and have asked this question before that one of the hardest is the trumpet or any other brass instument. Because unlike the piano or the violin a lot of things have to happen inside your body that are not physically visible in order for one to play a brass instrument. Brass instructors have a difficult time figuring out how to fix a brass players issues because they cannot visually see what is going in the students body. on the other hand all mistakes and issues for a piano player or string is clearly right in front of them.