Feel like I need to learn to play an instrument

[Freakuk]

So I'm toying with learning to play something, always liked keyboards but it's possibly not practical if I fancied a piano etc, so then I keep thing guitar... Probably acoustic and finally maybe a sax.

I'd need lessons so I guess there are lots of questions, probably the first one is which of the three would be quickest to pick up, could I teach myself at home via YouTube books etc?

And what should I be looking at in terms of instrument and what kind of costs and time should I be investing, sorry for the vagueness.

[sawman]

I know its not one of your list, but try a ukelele, it will cost you 20quid, get a reasonable book or spend some time with ukulele mike on youtube and you will be banging out recognisable tunes within an hour or so.

I would imagine that the things on your list would be a bit tedious to self teach with youtube vids, unless you have some natural untapped talent

[Justin Cyder]

Remember, a self taught musician is a fool taught by an idiot.

Like me!

There are no easy instruments. Maybe the triangle, I don't know. To get on, you have to combine at least a few musical concepts with learned motor skills & whilst neither is insurmountable, they're not easy either, not in the beginning at least. You csn get away with learning a couple of scales - thousands of chart hits are testament to the pentatonic scale but if you want to push on, there's not much better then finding a decent teacher & following the program.

In short, there's no such thing as an easy instrument but there's any number of great, fulfilling, enjoyable ones. Good luck & stick at it.

[lockhart flawse]

I play all three of the instruments you mention and without any shadow of a doubt the sax is the easiest. You will also be able to play the flute because the fingering is the same although the embouchure is rather different.

[singlecoil]

If you foresee yourself wanting to play actual songs, and maybe even sing them then that pretty much rules out the sax. Keyboards and guitar are both suitable for this, but the guitar will be easier if you are starting from scratch.

I would suggest going to a music shop, and trying out some acoustic guitars. Don't be tempted to buy cheap, get something decent for a couple of hundred or more, get the shop to fit a set of light gauge strings and make sure the action is set as low as possible (these two things will make it easier to play, you will not be concerned about quality of sound at this stage) then get yourself some lessons. If that's impractical then there is masses of stuff on YouTube.

[richwig83]

My vote is for keyboard/piano. Learn the basics of music. Learn notes, rhythms, harmony (starting at a basic level obviously). Then branch out. It will then make learning another instrument a lot easier and quicker.

I regret not learning the piano. DO IT!!!!

[HOGEPH]

Drums.

Keep fit and annoy the neighbours at the same time!

Also great for stress relief. Nothing like spending 20 minutes beating the hell of of a kit to make you feel better.

[Hoofy]

I think the guitar is easiest to learn to play. Loads of tabs online and in guitar mags so you can start playing your favourite tunes quite quickly.

I prefer the piano, though. If you go down the piano route, then this book's pretty good: http://amzn.to/1dMRs5H

(Can't comment on the saxophone as I've not played it.)

[ClassicMotorNut]

I've been playing the guitar since January and it's certainly filled a corner of my life. I haven't even taken grade 1 yet but I can do a reasonable job of playing some recognisable tunes and I find that very satisfying. There's no better way to relax, either, than just sitting and having a good strum of something.