How do I work out what instrument I should learn?

[User19844666884]

I really want to learn a new instrument.

I play guitar and piano (very badly). I feel like I would like to learn something else, but no idea what. Violin, oboe, drums, bagpipes, trumpet? There should be some sort of taster day where you can go along and just try different things.

How do I decide?

Our local youth music trust actually does a taster day like that! Alternatively, locate the nearest amateur symphony orchestra (you can look on the Making Music website). Ask if you can go along to one of their rehearsals. Chat to some musicians at the break. They will be glad to make suggestions.

I’d think about the practicalities - some instruments are heavy and bulky and not easy to transport if you don’t have a car, and some need quite a large car! Also what sort of music might you enjoy playing - violin lends itself to classical or folk, trumpet opens up brass bands and jazz, you’re never going to be in an orchestra if you play the bagpipes etc.

What do you like listening to? If you like jazz, for eg, you’re better off learning the sax or trumpet than the oboe. Do you have any favourite pieces of music that you long to play.

I became adamant about leaning a certain instrument at 11 when our music teacher played us The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. I’d never even really heard of it before but when I did I knew it was the one for me.

How patient are you and do you live with other people. Even played badly guitar and piano sound ok. Beginner violinists and oboists sound terrible and it takes years of practice to produce a nice sound.

I played the violin and oboe, our neighbours must have hated me as a kid 🤣🤣

Instruments vary a lot in price too, some are easier to pick up. Clarinet might be a thought?

See if your local brass band has a training band. All bands I know of have instruments they lend out. Brass banding is a fab hobby and if you can already read music you're well away.

Agree re brass banding - lots of fun to be had, very sociable and instruments are relatively easy to come by and not the most expensive.

Maybe listen to a load of music and go to some live music events and see what takes your fancy. If you're going to spend hours practising, it should be something that has a sound that really appeals to you and motivates you to want to improve.

Lateral thinking answer: Vocals. You're already learning the most popular instruments to accompany yourself singing with.

Otherwise, I'll be another to say think about what music you want to play and go from there.

I tried vocals. I’m truly awful 😅

Brass band sounds like fun.

I like the sound of a lot of instruments, and a wide range of music, but I feel like I want to try an instrument that “feels” good, and I’m not sure what it is because I can’t try them. I am taken with the idea of the oboe though.

I've always randomly fancied the accordion, but don't have any musical talent at all, but I've enjoyed reading your thread. <Helpful>

Don't discount the recorder. You can get lovely wooden ones when you progress. A nice basic one is only £15. Follow Sarah Jeffrey on YouTube. There are adult groups which meet in lots of towns and cities. You can play all different sizes

If you like classical music the oboe is a good one to try because players are always in demand in orchestras as more folk learn the flute and clarinet …..:BUT there’s a reason fewer people learn it and that’s because they’re quite expensive to buy and it’s quite hard to play well! That said, I never liked the feel of the clarinet mouthpiece by comparison but found the flute quite easy (self taught could play 2 octaves easily). I’ve never felt a strong pull towards brass instruments and struggled to get a note out of one the few times I tried! I played in youth orchestras when younger so there was always quite a lot of trying each other instruments out (ooh matron!!)

Google to see whether there are places doing harp tester days?

Nevertheless what sort of music i interests you!

You could have a look at Atarah Ben-Tovim's book.

It's aimed at finding the right instrument for your child so might not be quite right for you, but it might give you some ideas to work from.

I think I’ve managed to arrange to try out oboe and cello via DS’s music teacher. I think I like the idea of something that could lead to an orchestra, or other group. I’m looking for brass band also, based on one of the suggestions upthread.

I used to love recorder. That’s rather a nice idea.

Tried the harp. I liked it. It didn’t like me. Ditto for the accordion - a friend played at school. I tried it and made the most hideous noise that I scared myself!

I like nearly all music, and am fortunate that cost and space are not too much of a restriction.

If you play the guitar then a string instrument sounds the most sensible as you will have the hand shape

An oboe has the added complication of the reed. They are expensive (m7ch more so than clarinet reeds), fragile, very sensitive to humidity levels and when you start it is hard to tell if it is you or the reed that is the problem.

We always joked in my youth orchestra that that’s why oboists are always neurotic (I say this as an oboist!).

the problem with being an oboist, I found, is limited opportunities for group playing. Only two positions in the orchestra. Not much chamber music. So if that’s important to you I’d either do a string instrument (orchestras always need rank and file strings) or something you can play in an ensemble of some type (brass band, jazz ensemble, etc) - so brass or clarinet, etc.

I still have my 48 year old recorder and when I come across it every so often I've got to play it. However I progressed from London's Burning many years ago.

There's so lovely recorder music around, and lots of ensemble minus one videos where you take one part.
I have an oboist and yes they are neurotic about reeds but it does make a lovely sound with a bit of practice. You can also play in wind bands so there's opportunities there.

Trumpet. The only instrument in the orchestra, the wind band, the jazz band - and you can cross over to cornett for the brass band.

If you want a social life - bassoon. Everyone needs a bassoon all the time.

Brass band , trombone, bass trombone or Tuba (Eb or Bb bass). Most have training bands that provide free loan instruments and cheap/subsidised tuition.

Huge variety of music and these instruments are always in demand. If you learn tenor trombone and Eb bass in bass clef as well as treble (bass trombone is already in bass clef) you can also play in jazz , orchestral, folk ensembles .

NB it's cornets not trumpets in brass bands.

There are lots of adults who take up the saxophone near me. The studio is in a gatehouse of a bridge (some distance from any residents).

Good luck with the trials