Does anyone play an instrument?

[laproblematique]

Tried guitar, so not for me, but I did try.

Is there anywhere you can try a few instruments out, see which one suits you

A music store like Allans/Billy Hyde would be your best bet to get your hands dirty. I'd be wary of buying from them though.

Why wasn't guitar for you? Violin would be more of the same I'd think which would lead me to recommend piano in the absence of more detail.

[morg176]

A music store like Allans/Billy Hyde would be your best bet to get your hands dirty. I'd be wary of buying from them though.

Why wasn't guitar for you? Violin would be more of the same I'd think which would lead me to recommend piano in the absence of more detail.

For a few years on and off I have wanted to be able to play some sort 8f instrument. I didn't know which one would suit me and their didn't seem to be anyone who could/was willing to help me find out.

And as a side note, I thought it might come in handy as a teacher somehow...

I generally have a fair bit of free time so I can learn/practice but I need to want to over doing nothing. I have to enjoy the attempt at least. I have tried guitar but I had to constntly look at the strings to know what I was doing and I have long bony fingers which seemed to make it difficult to have my left hand in the correct position.

These are observations (not excuses)

The amount of effort that went in was disproportionate to the outcome. And it was difficult to hold the guitar. It just didn't work for me and I lost the inclination to proceed.

It would be nice to be able to play something, brass and woodwind are out as I dont have the breath for it, keyboard, nah, just dont see it (need something that does not require a power supply), drums and percussion, no interest. String is it and me and the guitar don't seem to agree.

I do understand that violin/fiddle is considered difficult compared to the guitar. But I like the sound it makes, and sometimes you have try something that is difficult to accomplish anything

The local music store (hayworths shellharbour) is where I was looking at buying a new one, $200 all setup for a beginner one. I would prefer to have a go at one before shelling out the money but I dont know anyone with a violin.

Just trying something different. Havent bought one yet

Thanks for all the much appreciated advice and anecdotes

[Trent]

Find a violin teacher. They will most likely have one you can have a go at and they can also answer any questions you have.

[UltraMarginal]

Oh and avoid any beginner instrument package deals like the plague.

The quality branded used gear keep their value so if you lose interest a few months down the track they won't turn into a paperweight that you can't sell. The melband forum instruments sale section in addition to ebay are two good sources to find some quality used gear.

I can't agree with Laproblematique enough, the $200 starter violin you've mentioned below, cannot be a good violin. It's $200 that you would be better spending on a second hand violin. This is something that the teacher should be well equipped to help you with.

For a few years on and off I have wanted to be able to play some sort 8f instrument. I didn't know which one would suit me and their didn't seem to be anyone who could/was willing to help me find out.

And as a side note, I thought it might come in handy as a teacher somehow...

I generally have a fair bit of free time so I can learn/practice but I need to want to over doing nothing. I have to enjoy the attempt at least. I have tried guitar but I had to constntly look at the strings to know what I was doing and I have long bony fingers which seemed to make it difficult to have my left hand in the correct position.

These are observations (not excuses)

The amount of effort that went in was disproportionate to the outcome. And it was difficult to hold the guitar. It just didn't work for me and I lost the inclination to proceed.

It would be nice to be able to play something, brass and woodwind are out as I dont have the breath for it, keyboard, nah, just dont see it (need something that does not require a power supply), drums and percussion, no interest. String is it and me and the guitar don't seem to agree.

I do understand that violin/fiddle is considered difficult compared to the guitar. But I like the sound it makes, and sometimes you have try something that is difficult to accomplish anything

The local music store (hayworths shellharbour) is where I was looking at buying a new one, $200 all setup for a beginner one. I would prefer to have a go at one before shelling out the money but I dont know anyone with a violin.

Just trying something different. Havent bought one yet

Thanks for all the much appreciated advice and anecdotes

Be prepared to sound like a dying cat for a good year or so, My sister learnt violin when I was learning drums, the first year or so, listening to her practice was a special form of torture. She became an excellent violinist but the quality curve is slow.

I'm a little concerned given the issues you had with guitar that violin is something you will have very similar issues with. The fingering on a violin is similar to that of a guitar but there aren't any frets to help with positioning. It's also a smaller thinner space to wrap fingers around. Viola or chello might be a more suitable instrument.

With regard to your comment about not having the lungs for a wind instrument, that's part of the practice, developing the lungs I can guarantee you when James Morrison started learning Trumpet he couldn't breath like he can now.

Find a violin teacher. They will most likely have one you can have a go at and they can also answer any questions you have.

also great advice.

I will be interested to hear what you end up taking up and I hope it provides you with many years of challenges and enjoyment.

[Sinnertwin]

Find an instrument that you're drawn to.
It'll make practice and playing much more pleasant and enjoyable.

[Megatran]

Except if you are the neighbour. The kid in my neighbourhood has been 'practising' on the drum kit for over 2 years now on weekend mornings. It doesn't sound any better now or in the foreseeable future. Not everyone can be a gifted musician. >_<

[morg176]

I actually bought a cheapo violin outfit a few weeks ago.
It's a crap one but its somewhere to start

Finding sheet music for violin is erksome, not that I can read music, I can't
May have to get a teacher but trying to err the expense at the moment
What would be the first thing I need to master (at a noobie level)

I love the sound of violin but no frame of reference for note -sound recognition

Just thought I would ask

[1AZRAEL1]

On and off I play guitar. I'm not great at it, almost pretty rubbish hahah. Trying to learn because I am writing a concept album and need to get better. I used to be a singer in a band, started to learn bass because our bass player sucked. Recorded 2 demos and a couple of live gigs. Sadly there wasn't enough drive from half of the band and we dissolved

There is a game/learning tool for PS3/4 called Rocksmith, where you plug an actual guitar/bass into it and learn to play songs, techniques and everything else that goes with playing guitar. When I was playing that daily, I started to get good. It plays to your skill level, so as a beginner it makes you hit single notes here and there and as you get better, adds chords and multiple notes until you can play every note in the song. If it starts becoming too hard for you, it adjusts it again to make it easier. And does it in sections of the song instead of overall. There's also arcade style games to help you learn scales, sliding, and all the rest of the techniques too. There is the basic song pack on the game itself, but you can buy more tracks. I can't praise this game enough. I really have to get back into playing it.

[tinyJazz]

I actually bought a cheapo violin outfit a few weeks ago.
It's a crap one but its somewhere to start

Finding sheet music for violin is erksome, not that I can read music, I can't
May have to get a teacher but trying to err the expense at the moment
What would be the first thing I need to master (at a noobie level)

I love the sound of violin but no frame of reference for note -sound recognition

Just thought I would ask

Every day you practise start with a few scales. Your hands will get used to where the notes fall on the instrument. Technical work is like the foundation of playing an instrument, it's super boring but it'll make playing and learning new pieces easier and faster.

If you haven't already, pick up a beginner's violin method book. (Essential Elements seems to be the one for strings?) it should be for absolute beginners so it should teach you how to read music as well. As for getting the notes to sound right, there are some guides on YouTube for how to tune a violin. You could invest in a digital chromatic tuner, or just use a sound recording on YouTube and your ear.

I played the clarinet while I was in high school. I was in concert band and I loved playing in competitions. I was also in the state youth wind ensemble for a couple of years. Got to play at the Sydney opera house with them.
I think doing AMEB exams really killed my interest in it though. It was just a huge unnecessary amount of stress I put myself through and it stopped being fun.

[morg176]

I just want to play for fun
I almost got a cat scratch bearable twinkle twinkle out of it about a week ago,
Idealy I need to find someone who can play and trade for lessons

The experiment continues
The sheet music seems difficult
Holidays in a few days.
Will get the violin out then and try some more