Taking up another instrument?

Question

ok well I've played the flute, trombone, and guitar...I'm thinking of playing a stringed instrument, maybe a violin or cello. Is there anyone out there who plays any of those instruments?? Or have any suggestions for what I should take up next??

Answer 1

It all depends on how much time and effort you're willing to dedicate. Stringed instruments are very difficult. Even the Pianoforte (Piano) possesses it's own difficulties, although the challenges for a beginning piano student are not the same as the challenges of a beginning violinist, violist or cellist. I would not say that Piano is easier to learn than the violin. The more advance you become, you'll realize that it's also very difficult. When you play Rachmaninoff Preludes and Concertos or the Bach's Well Tempered Klavier, it's not an instrument to be taken lightly. All instruments require dexterity, velocity, agility and strength of your fingers while keeping your wrist supple. All these take many years to perfect. You need to focus on one instrument for several years with at least two hours of practice a day if you intend to play the violin, piano or cello as a hobby. If you want to become a pro or enter a Music College, then 4 hours practice per day should be the minimum.

Answer 2

If you're wanting something difficult, consider the oboe(or English Horn), the French Horn or Harp.

The French Horn is usually by "invitation only": an authority of some kind invites you to study and play it: your band or orchestra instructor, or some such.

The oboe is an incredibly difficult instrument to play, and you have to have an extraordinarily good breathing apparatus.

The Harp is difficult, because of the strength of fingers that are required, which usually take a long time to develop; it's a large instrument, one you can't easily transport daily to and from home, to school and back - and they're frightfully expensive.

If none of the above appeal to you, I think your choices of either the violin or cello are good ones. Have fun.

Wotan

Answer 3

I understand the fun and allure of learning lots of instruments, but if you want to actually be good at playing, focus on just one instrument. If you plan to do music in college or as a way to make income (playing professionally), it will be much harder to succeed if you are spread between many instruments. I started on saxophone, learned piano, clarinet, flute, tuba, and a few other instruments to an intermediate level. The problem is that i am now a weaker saxophone player than if I would have been focused just on that instrument. This is just my suggestion.

Answer 4

OK I play a number of stringed instruments, though mainly for fun, including violin. I'd recommend it for its easy portability and versatility. I use mine for folk fiddle (mainly Irish and Barn Dance stuff) If you play guitar you'll be used to the pressure on the fingers. you could also try folk harp - they're a lot cheaper, smaller and easier to keep in tune than orchestral ones. Cost about £800 (check the Hobgoblin Music website) . Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Well, you have to really want to commit to learning them, since you have all this other experience with instruments it shouldn't be as hard as if you were just doing it from scratch. My friend play's violin and she has been for about 2 years and shes excellent at it. If you want you could try other things e.g. Piano.

Answer 6

mmm.... both cellos and violins are cool, but i'd go with the violin because a cello is a terrible thing to try to lug around if you're going to and from practices.

Answer 7

I play bass... I must say, we certainly need more bass players out there...

Answer 8

Don't know and don't care.

Answer 9

pianos are sexy...

Answer 10

go.woodwind..clarinet.or.sax..diff.completely.from.a.flute..i.think.ud.like.either.one..clarinets.are.under..50bucks.at.both.pawn.shops.and.ebay.