What instrument is easy to learn to play

[Batsypatsy]

First of all I should say I've never played an instrument and can't read music. I suffer with anxiety so can't take lessons at the moment - financially not an option right now either.

I want to be able to play something. What would you recommend? Do I need to learn to read music?

I only want to play for my own pleasure, as a hobby. I've tried guitar, but can't for some reason learn to strum .. not sure what rhythm to use or speed or anything really. Yes I really am that hopeless!

Any suggestions?

Have you thought about skype lessons? Or learning via youtube?
I wanted to learn the guitar as my son plays, but like you couldn't get the hang of strumming (and the pick just flew out of my hand!)
Then I watched a few classical guitar pieces on youtube and thought aha! No pick! No strumming!

I couldn't read music either... but started classical lessons with a teacher via skype..I literally do it in my bedroom and he can see me and I can see him. I started last year and I can now read music and am making steady progress! It's also a lot cheaper than face to face.

I'm 51 and have ataxia and if I can do it, honestly anyone can!
My daughter's boyfriend has learned (also classical tho he also plays blues) entirely via the internet and he's really really good so it definitely can be done... he doesn't pay for anything, but I need someone to nag me so a weekly lesson helps.

I also dabbled for a while with a sax, but it's difficult to practise that quietly and my dh works shifts, so guitar has been better.

I've just learned this piece (I don't sound as good as he does mind) .. and I started last July, with no musical ability at all.
I find it really good for calming my own head too... everything else leaves your head when you practise, and when it starts to come together it is SO satisfying. Give it another go!

I would say get a recorder and the recorder from the beginning book.

I'm not sure I could afford Skype lessons either at the moment.

I've tried YouTube tutorials for guitar and have lots of books too but the strumming difficulties are holding me back.

I don't want to learn recorder

I love guitar because it's easy to have around, not too big. I like piano too and have a Casio electric piano my aunt gave me but without reading music i can't play it.

There's a popular discussion about cello lessons doing the rounds currently...

I love the sound of cello but could never afford one.

Cello not the most straightforward. String instruments are quite complex and can sound extra awful at the beginning. Posture, bowing - posture pressure angle speed pressure, fingering hand - position, developing the pads (very painful to start and unless you practice quite a bit), positioning, vibrato, coordinating with bowing etc etc.

Recorder excellent idea - perhaps gonfor tenor - bigger -lower rounder tone - easier when new to avoid screeching ! not reading music is difficult though - do think guitar is best for learning by ear.
Good luck op - music making is unbelievably good for mental health, general well being I think.

A glockenspiel or xylophone. Something that doesn’t need to be tuned. Chinese flutes are a lot cheaper than flutes.

A ukulele?

Wouldn't a ukelele be as difficult as other string instruments?

Any suggestions for how to learn to read music easily? I did learn a tiny tiny bit when trying to play piano but I've forgotten it all.

I have the justinguitar.com book but even he just says "And strum". I can't!

Sorry, it wasn't a serious reply, but please look at the current cello thread ukulele a good starter and very popular within the music service I work for.

Isn't ukelele like guitar? Wouldn't I need to strum?

Xylophone/glockenspiel idea was good I think. Would be fun !

Hmmm ... it doesn't sound as versatile ... and not sure how I'd learn, it's not as common.

The whole of DS2’s Y5 class learned ukulele. They had a group weekly lesson from the music service. They got really into it too and started finding extra stuff on you tube. It was fab.

What about learning bass? It's similar to guitar and isn't as complex when it comes to strumming. I have trouble with my right hand due to a health condition and struggled with guitar but found bass a little easier on it! There's plenty of great tutorials on YouTube for it too!  I hope you find the right instrument for you as it really is a pleasure to learn!

Yes , bass would be ok.

Alyernatively, any good tutorials for learning guitar with picking rather than strumming?

Preferably books though. I'm a bit of a dinosaur

You don't have to read music to play the piano. You can absolutely play by ear, as many great jazz players (and blind pianists!) have.

Tin whistle is nice if you like Irish music.

Oh yeah, also, if you're a technology/gaming kind of person, look at Synthesia for piano, or Rocksmith for electric guitar.

The spoons?