What is the best (overall) instrument to learn to play at 50 years of age?

Answer 1

Honestly, diannes, I don't think it is a matter of WAHT you learn, as much as THAT you learn.
All instruments are equally easy to learn. I know many people are going to disagree with me; however, it is the truth. The important thing is that you continue to improve yourself by learning... even after most have already given up.

As for the instrument, there are several factors to consider before going off to find lessons:
1) Physical ability. My mother would like to learn how to play the guitar, and I have no challenge teaching her... except her arthritis is too bad for her to properly position her fingers. Bass is fairly easy to learn, yet without strong fingers and a strong wrist, it might be difficult to press the strings down all the way.
2) Cash availability: You can rent most band instruments for about $25-$50 a month. A guitar that is good enough to learn on can be found for near $100-$150. A piano is much more expensive. (although keyboards can be found for less than $200).
3) Desire: What do you WANT to learn how to play? What instrument did you, as a child, always want to play but never did? What instrument, at this stage of your life, appeals to you the most? What instrument looks the most interesting? What instrument do you like the sound of the most?
4) Time factor: Most band instruments require the use of a teacher. Kids from all over the world learn how to play guitar or drums without the aid of formal instruction every day.

With all fators being equal, I would recommend learning to play guitar or piano. You can play almost any style of music with them, and you can play for others and have them sing along, or you can accompany yourself while you are playing.

Have fun learning.

Answer 2

why not learn to play something that noone will expect of you. Everyone will expect a 50yr old woman to start learning to play the piano or a small woodwind instrument. I say go crazy, learn the drums, or an electric guitar. That is of course unless you have arthritis...

Answer 3

You might enjoy starting off with a soprano recorder. Recorders are not expensive and you can get some basic instructions and starter books to go along with them.

Answer 4

i would say the keyboards, you can purchase electronic keyboards quite cheaply, they dont take up much space, theres more self help and lessons for keyboards than for other instruments...i play both guitar n keyboards, but the guitar is harder to learn to play well i think...and it will kill your fingers for the first 5 months~

Answer 5

Piano?

Answer 6

Sqeezing the accordian will lift your bust to where it was in 1980.

Answer 7

guitar

Answer 8

Triangle

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