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[Tabris]

So I want to purchase and learn a musical instrument. So I was wondering which of these would be a good choice and what you guys think. I want to know how hard each of these is to learn (can I teach myself with materials?), the kind of price I'm looking at and how rewarding each is?

My 4 available (and interested) choices are:

1) Electric Guitar
2) Piano - I don't know how realistic this is because space is VERY limited in my place, but I spent a couple weeks at a piano class and always regreted not continueing.
3) Cello
4) Violin

 

[fennec fox]

The butt harp!

 

[Tarazet]

Piano is the easiest of all instruments to learn, unless you count singing. You don't have to blow into it, you don't have to learn how to bow it, you don't know how to tune it, you just smash a key and it makes a sound. For that reason it's very attractive to beginners, but space is always a problem, like you said.

 

[Jim Bowie]

You could always get a keyboard to tickle the ivories on, later on playing the piano in other places.

Also, are you aware of how ungodly expensive the cello and the violin are?

 

[etiolate]

I played violin in preschool and kindergarden, but dropped it when I changed schools. I've always wanted to pick it back up. It's an emotional instrument. The guitar is something that might be easier to learn since there is many sources to learn from and more people who play. I never took guitar lessons, but have been playing for 8 or so years. So it's an instrument that you can learn to play a little with time, even without any heavy focus. The cello on the other hand is just plain sexy.

PS: The guitar is likely the cheapest. I've priced some violins and they are not cheap.

 

[MaverickX9]

In terms of ease and price, I would suggest Electric guitar.

You can get a decent beginners guitar for around $100. Also, it wouldn't be a pain in the ass to lug around like a cello or piano/keyboard.

Strange list of choices you have there...electric guitar kind of sticks out from all those classical instruments.

 

[Tabris]

See, I want the emotional aspect and reward that comes from those classical instruments, but I fear with the high price and difficulty of playing them, it may just end up being another thing to regret never doing.

 

[Tabris]

Is learning how to bow that difficult? What is the kind of prices I would see if I wanted to purchase a cello or violin?

 

[MaverickX9]

Yeah, classical instruments do have a certain prestige to them that an electric guitar or any other modern instrument don't.

If you know how to use it, though, an electric guitar can be just as emotionally rewarding as a violin or cello. I guess it really depends on what type of music you like and what type you want to play. If you are just going to play modern rock, there will be very little reward in that. If you want to get into blues and jazz guitar, then that can be very rewarding. Blues is all about feeling, so you can really get in deep with that.

 

[Die Squirrel Die]

In terms of classiness and sexiness the cello is king.

However in more pratical terms, either the guitar or the piano. Guitar is probably the cheapest, but it's possible that it won't give you as a good a musical grounding as learning piano.

As for teaching yourself, probably guitar, although piano's not impossible. With violin and cello you'd have to learn bowing technique, plus there's the lack of clearly defined frets.

And the whole emotional playing thing. All instruments can have that, because it comes from the person playing it, ie. you.

 

[Foreign Jackass]

Acoustic guitar - A little harder than electric guitar, but classier, and it gets the girls, YEAH.

 

[Tabris]

I'm actually interested in all kinds of music honestly. Both the playing and listening of such music. (well not really synthing or scratching or anything like that for playing, it was fun when I played around with my friends mixer and board, but I wouldn't want to actually learn)

 

[Tabris]

So if I decide on Cello or Violin, I better be prepared to get a teacher?

I couldn't teach myself? unless I'm some kind of musical genius? (definitely not!)

 

[demi]

The butt harp!

You can play with my meat whistle while I play with your butt harp?

 

[Jim Bowie]

So if I decide on Cello or Violin, I better be prepared to get a teacher?

I couldn't teach myself? unless I'm some kind of musical genius? (definitely not!)

Well, you could say that about any instrument. Just practice, and you'll pick up some things naturally. If you can, try and find a friend in your area that will give you pointers. I don't think there's a real need to go out and get lessons.

That, and when you tear up at whatever you're playing, how awesome would it be if you could tell people that you taught yourself how to play?

 

[Die Squirrel Die]

So if I decide on Cello or Violin, I better be prepared to get a teacher?

I couldn't teach myself? unless I'm some kind of musical genius? (definitely not!)

Yes. Hypothetically you could teach yourself any instrument, but pratically, if you were to go for those two, you'd need assistance. Otherwise you may find it too frustrating to reach a level that you feel you are even starting to be able to play. With guitar and piano you skip all the learning the mechanics of it and can get straight to the music.

 

[Tabris]

I have a couple friends that know piano from childhood, but none with cello or violin.

I'm leaning towards cello honestly, I just need to know about price and difficulty.

I really want to do piano, but a keyboard would be such a poor substitute I would think.

And if I can't do or have either of those, I'll settle for guitar.

 

[Inumaru]

Clavinova keyboards by Yamaha are great for students. They're fairly cheap (by piano standards) and have touch-sensitive, fully-weighted keys that replicate a piano's feel pretty well. I would think you could get a used one for $500-1k, maybe less.

Cellos are only sexy when held between the legs of an attractive young woman, which for some reason it seems they often are.

If you pick up a violin or a cello and aren't prepared for a shitload of lessons (and therefore time and practice), you're going to be hating life. Don't even mess with them unless you are truly committed; it really is extremely difficult to play even the simplest of songs in tune. I'm always amazed by how many truly awful violinists there are even at college level (outside of conservatories), and while there are plenty of crappy pianists, none of them make you want to leap to your death while they're playing like a bad violinist can. At least you can give some simple pleasure to others with a guitar or piano without needing to have played for ten years first.