Which instrument should I learn?

[strawberrybubblegum]

I'd like to learn a musical instrument, and I'm drawn to the strings, but I'm not sure which to learn. I love the way cellos sound (and I like the way they look and feel, and find the way they're played appealing), but wonder whether violin would be more versatile (more different types of music, e.g. traditional 'fiddle' type music as well as orchestral?), and perhaps easier.

I'm not very musical (I played piano and drums when I was younger - rhythm comes to me naturally, melody is more of a mystery) so I'm keen to play something which I'll get enjoyment from without having to be really good! Is violin easier to learn (to the point where playing it is satisfying) than cello?

I'd mainly be playing just for my own enjoyment: joining an orchestra isn't a serious consideration. But my husband plays piano, and it would be fun to learn an instrument which would allow us to play together. Which instruments go well with piano, and have a lot of music written for them together? (particularly classical music)

And the final thing I can think of is cost. I know that a violin is much cheaper than a cello. Is it possible to hire an instrument until I know that I'll carry on with learning, and does this make sense? The other possibility for a cello is that my SIL has one which she doesn't use and I could probably borrow. But she's very petite and I'm quite tall (about 10 inches taller than her) - will the size matter?

Any suggestions would be very welcome! And any other considerations/thoughts/other instruments which I might not have thought of, and stories about your own experiences with these instruments, would also be really helpful.

Thanks!

I would say that you don't hold a cello in such a peculiar way - the violin really is awkward to hold when you start. However, as you say, you can start doing tunes very easily on the violin and perhaps join a folk group relatively soon. (I play violin and viola and my DH plays Cello and Double bass, so I do know what I'm talking about).

Other options... well I suggested to my parents that they should consider taking up the viol - and they have and get a lot of enjoyment out of it and regularly play in consorts with others - but that type of music might not suit you.

I also understand that there are a lot of uke groups starting up all over the place - and you can go along with basic skills and join in where you can and gradually built up - often these meet in a pub ones a month or so...

Good luck!

DS1 is learning to play the cello - he seems to be able to get a decent sound quite quickly, and there seems to be nice tunes to play quite quickly too, and some very elementary ones that sound nice with piano accompaniment. (I have to coerce him into letting me play the piano along. ) We rent the cello. Size definitely matters - not an expert, but go and try it (after looking up on the internet what the correct position should be!) Learning to play the cello is also my retirement plan.

DS2 is going to start with the violin next term. We'll see how that goes, but I'm optimistic.

I taught myself the guitar - that's not too hard to get to a stage where you can play nice tunes or accompaniments, and you can get cheapish guitars, and they are not too loud. Of course you can also teach yourself the recorder - cheap instrument, easy to start, plays tunes, and lovely when played properly. We have a ukelele too but I don't get along with it, not after being so used the guitar ...