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I have been playing piano for over ten years, so I can read music very well and have a good grounding in theory. Although the piano makes beautiful music, I never really enjoyed it. You cannot bond with a piano, it's this big wooden thing! You can't carry it around and you have to play on other people's instruments. I also have small hands and fingers so I sometimes have to leave top or bottom notes out because I can't reach them. Consequently my hands ache afterwards. My mother also plays so that's why I'm playing too.

I want to take up a second instrument. I have the theory, so I'm not a raw beginner. Which instrument do you think is a good one to take up? I am petite myself, small hands and therefore something 'small' and fun too.

My options are: violin/viola, cello (not really "small" but I love the sound), clarinet, flute....what else? Preferably someone with knowledge of the instrument should answer, all welcome though.

2007-02-04 07:00:02 · 22 answers · asked by Blodeuedd 2 in Arts & Humanities Performing Arts

22 answers

Glad you show some intrest in the cello.

Cello is NOT a hard instrument for people with small hands: it is actually easier, in my opinion (I am a cellist, and have puny hands. I can barely strech an octave on the piano). You can get a smaller sized cello (most small-handed people choose a 7/8 cello) if the intervals are too large. I don't have any problem with it.

Cello is a fabulous insurment. It has the closest range to the human voice, Spanning from C2 (2 octave below middle C) to somewhere around C7 (the highest note called for in the repotoire is a B6 in the closing measures of the Kodaly Sonata), giving it a total of 5 octaves or more. As you have said, you love the sound. The tone is very nice (after you get past the beginner stages), rich and deep. It can also emulate many other instruments, such as the winds (using harmonics), the french horn (listen to Tchaikovky's 5th symphony), among others.

The violoncello can also play a broad range of genres. The cello is used from heavy metal (Apocalyptia, a rock quartet) to Bach, with the famous Bach cello suites, and everything inbetween. If you are concerned about a lack of repotoire, don't fear. We have Brahms, Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Shostakovich, and other famous composers that have written pieces for the cello.

The transition from piano is suprisingly easy. It is not difficult to understand how the cello works theoretically. A basic background in theory is really all you need to figure out how the fingerboard is layed out. Basic understanding of intervals and an ear for intonation is what is needed.

As I have said, cello is not a big instrument. It is small enough to play virtuoso passages, but large enough to get a nice timbre. Travel is a slight hassle (I have had friends who have had their endpins confiscated at security), as you very often need buy a seat for the cello, as baggage handlers often mistreat them.

Good luck choosing an insturment. If you had any doubts about cello, hopefully I cleared them up for you. If you do choose the violoncello, best of luck to you.

2007-02-04 08:39:44 · answer #1 · answered by Devilbob 2 · 2 0

I've been a violinist for eleven years, and I happen to think it's the most beautiful instrument in the world; it's not one of the easier instruments to learn, particularly at a later age (I started at five, and have seen many older beginners struggle), but from my experience, the long-term result is beautiful and rewarding, and my violin is my best friend. But if it's a matter of hand size, there are a few things to take into consideration. My hands are relatively small, as well: I play the piano as a second instrument, largely for theory purposes, and I can't span an octave with one hand for the life of me. Wind instruments like the clarinet and flute are probably easier with small hands; but you should look into the individual instruments if you're opting for a stringed one. The neck of my violin, for instance, is a little shorter than most, and as such, I have a much less difficult time with various chords than I do on other people's instruments; try out a few instruments until you find one that's a comfortable fit.

Since I've seen it mentioned on this thread a few times, here's my take on going professional with a second instrument: since it sounds like you have a good grounding in music already, as well as a fair amount of talent, you're probably more likely to be successful with a less common instrument. I've done many auditions for many groups, and it's always ferociously competitive. While it is true that orchestras need two sections full of violins, it's also true that there are just more professional-level violinists in the world than violists, for example.

On principle, though, I would advise you to go with whatever instrument you love the most, not what other people think you should play. If you really love it, there's no one who can stop you from succeeding.

2007-02-04 17:20:14 · answer #2 · answered by Ally 3 · 0 0

What style of music do you want to play? Would you like to play in an orchestra or jazz band? How about a rock group? It depends what you would like to do with your second instrument. Do you want to accompany singers or sing and play yourself?

I went through this very thing as I approached applications for degree courses. Most colleges wanted a second instrument, but what to choose? In the end I opted for saxophone because I like rock and Jazz although I played through all the classical grades on piano. The Saxophone is an easy instrument to get quite far quite fast and I needed to get to grade 5 in a year.

Since then I've also learned some guitar and bass guitar - to help me in the classroom. I also learned to play drum kit just for the hell of it (a childhood ambition).

With small fingers you will need to think seriously about string instruments and consider getting a slightly smaller size. Definitely not the 'cello or viola - violin does not require larger hands. Bowed strings are difficult instruments to get a really good sound out of without many years of practice.

The same finger size rules apply to guitar as some chord shapes are a stretch. The guitar, by the way, is quite an easy instrument to get quite far on quite quickly - although classical guitar is almost as difficult as classical piano.

With wind, you could probably manage a flute or alto sax, clarinet or oboe but not bassoon, tenor sax or such.

Brass instruments take a lot of getting used to and the technique of the embouchure can take a lot of practice before you get a good sound - brass is best begun young. If you do take up brass I suggest the trombone as the embouchure requires slightly less muscle development. I'm learning this at the moment.

Finally, have you thought about the recorder? It tends to be looked down upon, however there is a sub-culture of very serious recorder playing, especially amongst people interested in older musical styles. It is also a very cheap way of finding out if you can be a wind player.

I have a web site dedicated to learning the recorder at www.foxworld.co.uk/recorders

Good luck.

2007-02-04 07:36:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

A flute. Personally I think stringed instruments are too difficult to start when you are partially grown.... it is best to take something you can have for your own and then you will be happy ....

(in other words, string players, like ballet dancers should start as young as possible

Love & Peace ...
Actually it all depends upon your physical gifts ... your breath and your lip need to be right for wind instruments ....so try... why don't you rent some of them briefly and see what appeals to you .... and check out the literature!!!!!! Do! That advice comes from a friend WELL in the know, ok?

We are assuming that you will want to actually play .... with a group, chamber works, or solo engagements.... while you may not hit the bigtime... and who wants to, it is a VERY!!!!! difficult life (according to my ultra-professional friend here!) ... but you may not like some of the music you have available to you at various levels..... I always wanted to continue with the piano because I once found a nice Bach concerto I could play ... the D Minor ... and was at someone's house one night when there was a cellist and ... someone else... I don't remember ... there was a fire in the fireplace, there was mulled wine and Swedish lace cookies to eat, it was snowy out and we were in the Berkshires in Massachusetts.... it was magic, I tell you!
But you see, you can get a lot of mileage out of something like that ... a repertoire piece that really appeals to you and that will travel well .... so do consider what is the repertoire like ... it is very like choosing a beautiful dress, is it not ...But, maybe I am just repeating something you already know. Be serious and you will have great fun in your life .... learn your music to a fare-thee-well, be ready to play it at a second's notice, have performing clothes, look like a musician, and go to it!

Cheers and Good Luck

2007-02-04 09:39:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

i'm also a multi-player and agree with the guy who said drums for sheer fun, however...if you like clarinet may i point out that sax (all kinds, sop/alto/tenor etc) is essentially a clarinet fingering only easier (because what is an octave key, and makes everything you play sound an octave higher on a sax, adds and octave and a fifth on the clarinet..which can get confusing..i hope that makes sense) the flute is also (pretty much) the same fingering but the mouth is a lot harder to master (in my opinion) so...any of those 3 you start on, if you chose to switch at any point later, you can transfer your skills quite easily. flutes are cheap on ebay and ever so portable! in terms of bonding you can't beat a sax..very intuitive in the 'home' keys, and once your mouth muscles get going and you can make it sound all sexy like...youre away! but the decision should be based on the kind of music you are into! (never yet heard the classical banjo or reggae harp) hope this helps, have fun!

2007-02-04 07:33:52 · answer #5 · answered by emil_marzbar 2 · 1 0

I know how you feel, I'm a small handed pianist myself! Personally, I really enjoy playing the flute. I also learned clarinet for about 12 years, but have given it up as I didn't particularly enjoy it. I think I would like to play the oboe as it has a lovely sound. It tried to play the violin, but found it very difficult to 'self-teach' as I did with the flute and guitar. My suggestion would be either the flute and piccolo, or the oboe. Good luck!

2007-02-04 07:05:18 · answer #6 · answered by Funky Little Spacegirl 6 · 1 0

I play piano, flute, and violin, and I'm taking up the cello next (in a few years). I definitely recommend the violin; it's my favorite of the three (and it's pretty easy to go from there to viola or cello if you want to switch). Plus, it's less expensive to get a good violin than a good viola or cello, and easier to find violin teachers than flute or cello teachers. Finally, if you get decent at it, symphonies need LOTS of violin players - not many flute or cello players, so you're more likely to get to play with a group.

Good luck!

2007-02-04 08:51:27 · answer #7 · answered by eri 7 · 1 0

I think you should learn violin, i play violin and i have been helping my friend's rock band by adding a classical twist to the music. There isn't an exact "best type of violin" but if you go to a music store, try out some of the violins, decide which one you think sounds best, and go from there. I really enjoy metal and rock, hope this helps you decide. Either way, both instruments are wonderful. (Violin is also easier to bring with you wherever you go.)

2016-03-29 04:46:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

People with big hands are always better at musical instruments like guitar and cello. If you want small and fun I'd suggest one of those little squeezebox accordian things and join a folk club.

2007-02-04 07:05:08 · answer #9 · answered by Del Piero 10 7 · 0 0

Viola. It is the most under-rated instrument in the orchestra. I have played since I was in 3rd grade (29 years old now), and love it. Sure you don't get the melody, ever, but it is more fun that way.

2007-02-04 20:13:02 · answer #10 · answered by aqx99 6 · 0 0

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