What instrument should I learn to play?

Question

I'm taking music next year, but music isn't really my thing. But I'd like to learn an instrument so maybe it will be my thing. Anyways I like bigger instruments, not dinky little flutes/clarinets. So could you guys give me some suggestions and tell me a little bit about each instrument. If you could that would be very helpful. I've kinda wanted to play drums but I'm too nervous to actually try to get drums. So I was thinking maybe Sax. or Trumpet but I don't know of many instruements so I'd like to learn about some others.

Answer 1

What kind of music do you like? Classical - you could learn cello, double bass, harp, timpani, a brass instrument, bassoon...

Jazz - try trumpet, sax, double bass, trombone...

Rock - guitar, bass, drums...

Pop - keyboards, guitar, bass, vocals...

Do you want to play in an orchestra, or to stand out from the crowd? Take up something more unusual - double bass, harp, theremin...

Do you want to play in a rock band - there's always a shortage of good drummers.

Some instruments are expensive (harp, oboe, bassoon...) others you can find cheaper versions more easily.

Most of all, what instrument sounds the best to you?

Answer 2

As a former clarinet player (who hated it), I have to pitch the tuba for you.  It's a relatively easy instrument to learn and play, it gives you a great foundation for other brass instruments, and it's a great feeling to be the support for the band.  Another advantage is that you're usually the only one who plays it, which gives you a great sense of individuality, as opposed to being one of many flutes/clarinets/saxes/trumpets/etc.  You can play a lot of goofy stuff on it, but the more serious pieces are incredibly moving.  

Or if the size of the tuba is too daunting, I'd suggesting the euphonium/baritone, which is a great, versatile instrument.  The sheet music can come in either bass clef or treble clef, if you have experience in either of those, and it gets a lot of great melodic pieces (check out Gustav Holst's First Suite in E Flat for a really nice solo).

My sister also just pitched the french horn, or the cello if you have the option of string instruments.

Answer 3

Brass instruments (trumpet, tuba, trombone, etc) are more capable of producing different sounding tones (bright and brassy, or dark and warm). Although both woodwinds (sax, flute, clarinet) and brass instruments can do this, I think that it is easier to do with a brass instrument. However, brass players tend to get tired faster because of how they use their lips compared to a woodwind player.

I've always wanted to learn violin (I know I'm a nerd) and sax. Right now I play trumpet and have been for almost 7 years. The only thing I don't like about playing trumpet is how tired you get - especially in marching band - but once you build up endurance its not so bad (I also have braces...it sucks). I LOVE love love playing jazzy tunes. Though saxes are used in jazz, too, I just love the tone that you can get from a trumpet.

Try playing whatever you're interested in for a little bit. If you find one easier to play than the other (as in if you can or can't buzz your lips for a brass instrument), then go with it.  

Answer 4

clarinet:

    pro: leads you on to oboe or sax and beyond, not too challenging

    con: lacks exitement. "everyone does clarinet" hard to blow in at first

sax:

    pro: jazzy s**y instrument, fun, challenging leads to tenor or barry sax  

    con: can be too challenging for some

trumpet:

    pro: fun enough, leads to countless other instruments, tuba, french horn, trombone etc.

    con: can get old or boring as any instrument can with lack of inspiration

percussion (drums):

     pro: definately fun, keeps you busy, and doesnt get old, you get to play a lot of different stuff (symbols, snare, bells, bass:)

     con: if you dont have a good beat, you cant do it

    

    

Answer 5

if u want to play sax u have to start out on clarinet. and if u learn the trumpet u can move on to other instruments like a tuba or a baratone (mini tube) but u've gotta learn trumpet first.

if u want to play percussion (percussion is anything u hit like drums) u have to start out on bells. heres a pic of a bell set: http://site.elevation-music.com/bells-ca...

when u stand in front of it the keys are like a piano.

after while on bells u'll start going to bigger percussion stuff.

Answer 6

You should learn to play the Bass in orchestra. Its really big and loud with a deep sound