Which stringed instrument is more fun/rewarding/easy...?

Question

cello
violin
acoustic guitar
...which one would you recommend?
please give reasoning to your answers.

Answer 1

Wow, a lot of good advice! I would say if you're into instant gratification, go with the guitar. If you are singer looking to accompany yourself, you can learn a few chords fairly quickly and play for yourself right away.

It does depend on what kind of music you want to play, how much time you want to devote to it and what you might have an appitute for.

In college, I was told I had a talent to play violin, but I didn't go for it because I was majoring in voice. I wish I had done it then. I picked it up a couple of years ago and have made good progress, and I am definitely an adult now. You can make progress to play a lot of styles, you don't have to play classical music on violin or be a concert violinist. There are alot of popular groups that use violin from Dave Matthews Band to Dixie Chicks. Also there is a company, Wood violins, that makes electric violins that strap on your chest, so you don't have to hold them under your chin.

I always wanted to play cello, but I didn't have as great an apptitude for it, so I could learn to play, but maybe not be as successful.

If you can go to a music store and rent a violin or cello and take a couple of lessons, then you can decide which you might like.

I hope this helps contribute.

Answer 2

If you're looking for easy, don't even consider violin or cello. Guitar is easy to start, within a few minutes you can play a couple chords. If I practiced guitar for 10 minutes every day, I would get somewhat good. Not so the violin! Harvard studies have shown that the violin uses more of your brain than any other activity. At first you will only get scratchy sounds, but if you stick with it you can achieve a much more beautiful sound than on the guitar. Also, you can play many different styles on the violin besides just classical - bluegrass, jazz, celtic, just to name few. And I have had some fun fiddlin' around a campfire! (so there, backpackwayne)
If you're dedicated and have time to practice, I would suggest either the violin or the cello. You can definitely have fun on both of those (I have!) and the achievement is much more rewarding. On the other hand, if you just want an easy hobby that doesn't require a ton of work, go with the guitar. It's much simpler.
Good luck on whatever you decide to do! =)

Answer 3

Fun and rewarding? Depends on what you want to do with it.

If you love classical music all three will do, but if you love country-western the cello is a bad choice. And other musical styles will favor one or the other or all equally.

Do you want to sing while playing? Possible with cello, most often done with guitar, tricky with violin.

How old are you? The bones of the wrist get less flexible with age, and the violin uses an unnatural left-hand twist that's pretty difficult for adults to master (unless you go non-traditional and play the violin upright like a mini-cello in your lap--I think Colin Walcott in the group Oregon used to play viola that way).

Violin, played in the traditional under-the-chin position, can be fairly uncomfortable. It puts sideways stress on your neck, and a few violinists (and most violists) develop spinal problems.

What part of the music do you feel most affinity for? If you want to play melodies all the time, violin. If some melody but also harmonies, guitar. If bass line, cello.

Most expensive: cello. (In the long run, maybe guitar if you're one of the fanatics who changes strings every month. Michael Hedges used to change strings once every couple of years...)

Also keep in mind that the cello is the only instrument you hold between your legs--which may or may not seem attractive to you.

Answer 4

It really depends on what kind of music you're looking to play. Certainly, it's easier to play "popular" music on the guitar; but if you're a fan of the classical, violin or cello may be a better fit. It also depends on how much time you want to put in. Having studied two out of the three, I can tell you that it's much easier to play around with a guitar and still sound good; unless you're a musical prodigy (and even if you are), violin and cello take years to master. If you're willing to put in the time and practice, though, the latter two can be incredibly rewarding, and as a violinist, I would not trade my instrument for the world. My advice would be to go to a shop that specializes in stringed instruments, try out each of the instruments, see what feels right, and go from there.

Answer 5

Hey! i learned 2 play the violin last year. i had previous experience with instruments(i used 2 play the piano) so i found farly easy. but a couple of my friends were learning the violin at the same time and they had never played an instrument b4 and they also said it wasnt that hard. as long as u commit and practice its like learning anything else. the string instruments are all basically the same 2 learn so they rnt really harder or easier 2 learn. i picked the violin because the music 4 the violin is the most interesting out of all of the string instruments(the violins usually get the melody) but i love the violin and i have never regretted learning it!! good luck! and btw if u really want 2 learn u might wanna get a teacher cause it makes it a lot easier.and u might develop a bad habit by trying 2 learn by yourself.. Hope this Helps!!

Answer 6

Philosophy here - which star in the heavens is the most beautiful? Same thing with instruments. So pick one - they're all easy or difficult depending on your talents and desires. They're all beautiful. They're all rewarding. They're all fun.

That aside, and even though I'm a violinist, I would suggest a decent acoustic guitar - somewhere in the $500 range although you could easily spend a lot more. With 3 chords and a capo, you can play just about any song you could want. They travel well and you can play around a camp fire, in church, at a nursing home, under a tree and serenade your newest love interest.

Answer 7

Accoustic guitar - it is easy to learn, can be played along with lots of other instruments, can be used as background (chords) or melody, esp for classical songs or rock music.
It's easy to carry around, and can play a variety of music - from classical to rock so it speaks to someone with a diverse appetite for music.
Also guitars retail a bit cheaper for beginners.
I play guitar, but i've always had a desire to play the violin. That to me, is a class instrument. But, it can also be a get down, turn around fiddle too. have fun.

Answer 8

No doubt, ACOUSTIC GUITAR!!
It is already hard enough to learn to play any string instrument, no wonder when you need an arch to produce a sound that will resemble a note...
At least, to play guitar, you'll have to use only your fingers to make music. It is definitely easier.
But remember: even if you don't wish to play professionally, any instrument requires dedication.
Good luck.

Answer 9

The guitar is MUCH more easy to play the cello or violin because it has frets that make it easy to play in tune. Guitar is also a lot of fun and rewarding (I know from the few years I have been teaching myself). However, because cello and violin are such a challenge, they might be more rewarding.

Answer 10

Classically speaking, the violin would be the easiest to learn. Folk music, the guitar. They all would be fun, and there are plenty of solo's for each instrument. If you are seeking reward, then play classical guitar. Not many people can play this type of music for guitar.