What can I learn to play? Or am I too old?

[Randomchat]

I'm not very musical. I learned piano as a kid but I don't think I have much of an ear for it. My kids all play, they can read music but play a lot by ear. Guitar mainly. Dh is very good at music, probably where the kids get it from. They certainly don't get it from me.

I'd love to learn to play something again but I'm worried I'd be rubbish.

Can anyone suggest anything I could learn?

I'd like it to be something quite small so I can just pick it up and put it down. Like I could play it instead of wasting time on my phone.

Something easy to get a tune out of

It can be random, doesn't have to be a well known instrument like guitar

Not too expensive because I'll probably end up not being very good and not using it

Or is it too hard for a non-musical person to learn something and I should just do something else instead?

You are never too old. What appeals to you? There's a wide range of instruments to choose from.

Ukulele

I'm learning the ukulele - it's easy to learn, cheap, and people kind of expect it to sound rubbish so if you can hold any kind of tune they seem to be impressed! 😁

I recently bought a nice quality recorder from Vinted with some beginner music. My family are not fans! But I am having fun.

Once you’ve mastered the recorder, buy a cheap flute, the fingering is almost identical and you’ll have reminded yourself how to read music already. The flute is one of the easiest instruments to play.

By the way: If you want to learn an instrument, I’d say you are musical . Children’s piano lessons often suck all the joy out of music.

My dad used to play a harmonica, it was rather lovely and he could take it anywhere.

Ukulele seems to be a thing in primary schools round here. So it must be fairly easy, right? Maybe that would be fun.

I'd love to learn some traditional instruments like the accordion, fun sociable instruments if you know what I mean. But I think with lots of them people seem to play by ear and join in with each other, make it up as they go along. I'm not sure I would be any good at that.

I was so envious of a uni pal who played the harmonica. She could just play along with anyone, any tune. It was amazing. Can you learn how to play like that? Or just remember tunes to play?

Do you have a brass band locally?
They usually have beginner bands, and will provide lessons and instruments. Cornets are quite small.

I had an ocarina ages ago and that's super easy to get the hang of. They're smaller than your palm and can fit in a coat pocket

Not exactly small but could you buy a decent keyboard and start on the piano? There are so many online courses to help and you can essentially teach yourself (I did)

Headphones would mean you could practice without disturbing anyone if that was a bother for you.

Recorder - there are some lovely Facebook groups. Also have a look at Sarah Jeffreys Facebook/ YouTube. You might be able to find a group locally or Helen Hooker has a newsletter and videos you can play along with. Or if you have a brass band locally, they usually teach people. You could borrow an instrument to start with. I love my weekly orchestra rehearsals, just a nice way to meet other people.

If you can't play by ear, you're realistically not going to learn to. It's a natural talent and a thing of beauty.

You can learn the chords in each key so you can strum along to others though.

The tin whistle. It's easy to learn, cheap to buy.

I bought one on a whim last week. I have played recorder, flute and clarinet in the past.

Yes you're definitely too old. Even though you haven't actually said how old you are. It's illegal to learn music after the age of 18 and the police will be coming round shortly to arrest you for even thinking about it.

Is that what you want to hear?

No, of course you can learn! Music is one of the great joys of the human experience, something we all share. Go for it. Pick whatever instrument calls to you. Also: it's totally OK to be bad at it. Just have fun.

Tenor recorder or Ocarina?