if you were to learn a musical instrument, and wanted to be able to play multi-instruments later, which one?

Answer 1

Two answers on that, based on experience and the understanding that people approach music differently.

1. The piano. It's a percussion instrument for one, but it also provides the student with a great tool for understanding music theory. It covers the range of all other instruments, and of course is the favored tool of most composers, since they can get the notes for all the orchestra parts in its range.

2. This might seem odd, but I believe every musician should spend some time playing drums. People get note theory, harmony and the structure of music rather intuitively. Drums help unleash the other side of the picture: dynamics, fundamental rhythm, poly rhythm...

Most other instruments have a way of narrowing down a musicians scope, but these two instruments can broaden that scope, and help you learn other instruments later.

Answer 2

I would recommend you start off with the clarinet. If you can play the clarinet, it's very easy to pick up the sax after that, but not so easy the other way round. It would also be easy enough to pick up the flute or oboe then a few yrs down the line. But even if you just had the clarinet and sax, you'd have all the different types of clarinet - Eb, Bb, A, alto, bass etc, and the 4 saxes - soprano, alto, tenor and bari. I think the clarinet would be a good instrument for you to start off with.

Answer 3

Piano skills are essential to every musician. Singing skills are as well.

If you wanted to be an instrumental doubler, there are several combinations that are common in the musical world.

Most common is the 'woodwind specialist' who plays all of the woodwind instruments in recording and pit orchestra gigs.

Many sax players also play flute and/or clarinet as a part of their professional work.

Tuba players often are able to double on euphonium and trombone.

Bass players often learn contrabass and electric bass.

Violin players don't often double viola (C-clef issue) but many viola players learn violin or cello.

just a few thoughts...

Answer 4

piano. it has the widest range and you learn how to bring out the tone colours of different instruments through the keys. this is not easy at all. but it would help you in visualising how your future instruments should sound like if you ever decide to learn them.

Answer 5

to the person who said that the flute is easiest, i respect your opinion, but let me tell you that teh flute is not the easiest instrument because it takes the most air besides the tuba, and you can change the tune really easily. I play the flute and piccolo and so, i believe its easier if you play the flute b4 the pic., becuase its really easy to learn aftewards.

Answer 6

True about the violin, also after violin mandolin is easy, and then tenor banjo.
Me, I started on recorder, then added guitar, flute and tin whistle, then Irish flute and uilleann pipes (cool Irish bagpipes, much cooler than the normal Scottish ones), then fiddle, then tenor banjo.
I don't play recorder or guitar anymore though.

Answer 7

I play the drums but I want to learn the bass some day.

Answer 8

well i can already play 5 types of clarinets, 3 types of sax, tuba, and baritone....and I'm gonna learn the flute in a couple of weeks....

I'm only 15 BTW so i think that's A LOT!!

Answer 9

well, if you wanted to learn to play everything, start with flute, the easies wind instrument (in my opinion)... then go on..

or start with violin. once you can play violin well, start viola, then start cello, then bass, then guitars, you've got the entire strings section of the orchestra...

Answer 10

I have this notion that someday I'll learn to play bagpipes. Or maybe glockenspiel. Can play piano, tin whistle, recorder and bodhran