Which Musical Instrument?

[santaman2000]

I wasn’t sure what forum would be best for this. It could have fit a in Homesteading (recreation around said homestead) or Gear Gadgets & Gizmos. I settled here but Mods please move if you think appropriate.

Now to the meat of the post. At age 62 I’m thinking of taking up a musical instrument. Bear in mind that the last time tried was when I took piano lessons at age 8-9 and I’ve forgotten how to even read music. My interests/tastes are for folk, light rock, country, etc. and purely for enjoyment.

I’m still mainly thinking of stringed instruments but have ruled out piano (though I’d dearly love to play one) for reasons of budget and home space. My daughter still has her sons violin that isn’t being used but I suspect that might be too difficult to learn at my age. (I could also borrow their electric keyboard to practice piano but the sound just isn’t the same) I’ve though about a ukulele for both price and ease of learning and I’ve also been looking at mandolin and the Puerto Rican cuatro. (I would also like to be able to play banjo but I think that might also be over my abilities)

Finally I have also considered a harmonica (though it isn’t a stringed instrument) also for price and ease.

Do any of y’all have any thoughts or suggestions? I won’t be packing it around on the trails; car camping at the roughest.

 

[mikehill]

Given your taste in music it’s obvious... acoustic guitar. Learn, say four chords, a few strumming patterns and you’re off !
Make sure you go to a good shop and if possible spend a few hundred. It’ll make learning more enjoyable on a decent instrument and even if you don’t take to it, you’ll get a half to two thirds back if selling.
Good luck with it, I’ve never regretted it for one minute

 

[mikehill]

Ohh .. and for free lessons google Justin guitar

 

[Robson Valley]

I've been picking at things for 50+ years. I agree with Mikehill = guitar.
Huge range of music and instruction. I have 36" of music books in my library.

I suggest that you have a guitar-pickin' friend go with you and maybe try a bunch of used instruments.
I bought a steel-string Yamaha that I happen to like the sound of.
I bought a LaPatrie Concert Classical because I have big hands and long fingers so the positions are easy for me.
I pick a Deering Sierra 5-string bluegrass banjo as that is exactly the sound I want to hear.

I've got 10+ year on you, santaman. Here's what I think:
Don't go big on a first guitar. You start to feel much arthritis in your hands and this thing is gonna bite you.
I do a lot of boring scales every day, just to get my hands to move!
I don't mind = something that I always wanted to do, just for myself. I can get lost in it.

Instruments "play in." They need daily exercise. I don't know how that works but I believe it.
Poke around at it. A little music theory, scales and tunes is good for your head on a rainy day.

 

[crosslandkelly]

As above guitar, getting flexibility and the muscle memory is hardest, but 3 or 4 chords and you're good to go. Have fun.

 

[jimbo75]

I hate to admit it. But a guitar would suit you. They are popular for all the requirements you mentioned.

 

[Broch]

I like the idea of a ukulele; it kind of feels like a compact guitar . I also like the idea of trying to make my own (though I've had making my own acoustic guitar on the list for a few years now ).

There's a stall in Shrewsbury market that only sells ukuleles - some of them a beautiful pieces of craftsmanship!

I have just bought myself a penny whistle because I heard Steve playing one at the winter bushmoot - even that is going to take a lot of work

 

[Toddy]

Hammer dulcimer

Seriously they come in so many varieties, and they fit right in with your musical preferences.
They pack away neatly into a bag too for carrying.

I admit I'm biased, my Grandpa had one and as a little girl I was entranced listening to it.
This is Dick Glasgow playing

 

[santaman2000]

Thanks everybody. Keep the comments coming. I have to admit acoustic guitar has been on my bucket list for quite a while for the very reasons y’all mentioned. The only major downside (and maybe it really isn’t that major) is that’s what my daughter and Barbara are learning and I thought it might be a boring jam if we all had the same instrument.

 

[santaman2000]

Hammer dulcimer

Seriously they come in so many varieties, and they fit right in with your musical preferences.
They pack away neatly into a bag too for carrying.

I admit I'm biased, my Grandpa had one and as a little girl I was entranced listening to it.
This is Dick Glasgow playing

Beautiful music, and he makes it t look easy.

 

[Toddy]

America has such a range of dulcimers though; I think because it's such a melting pot of European cultures, among others of course; and they're an easily 'accessible' instrument with a lot of teaching available.

M

 

[Janne]

Banjo. Nice sound, portable, and will clear the area around you in the bush when you play it...

 

[Broch]

Paddle faster ….

 

[BJJJ]

What about a Harp, it could be useful in the future as well

 

[santaman2000]

What about a Harp, it could be useful in the future as well

LOL. I really do like, harps. But they have the same problems as a piano: size and expense. (After all, what’s a piano but a harp laid on its side?)

 

[GuestD]

 

[Broch]

Ah, you could get a small Welsh Harp

http://www.telynaufach.com/harps.html

These are much smaller than the full size Welsh Harps but sound fantastic. My nephew taught himself to play one and, when heard by guy over here, was invited over to Ireland to play backing for a quite famous Irish folk group

 

[Robson Valley]

At least 2 big harps have been assembled from kits, here in the village.
40-60 visitors in summer for a major harp colony of all things, as well.

Guitars can and should play many different roles in a group.
Tommy Emmanuel needs no help from anybody.
Red Shea was the accompanist for Gordon Lightfoot, fast, flying fingers.
Of course, Sting isn't too shabby a bass player.

 

[Nomad]

Guitar is certainly worth considering. It's very versatile. Being polyphonic means you can make a fuller sound on your own, and still play stuff as an accompaniment (or lead melody) with others. It can be used for lots of different styles, and there are several approaches to how it's played (strummed chords, melody lines, finger-picking, etc). It's also very expressive once you get past the beginner stage - it's a very analogue instrument in terms of how you can change the sound subtly just by how you play it.

If buying an acoustic, look for something that's been set up well so that the strings can be fretted without it being too painful. Many acoustics are difficult to play and can put you off playing. Mostly cheap ones, but more expensive instruments can need attention as well. Also, go for something you like the look of - if you like it, you're more likely to want to pick it up and play.

Expect your finger tips to suffer for the first couple of weeks until the callouses build up (the pads on your finger tips thicken up and become leathery, which makes playing less painful). When it gets sore, put the guitar down for the day and let them recover.

A 3-way guitar jam can work - two guitars play accompaniment, and the third plays the melody. Or each can play different parts with a view to creating a harmonised whole. Or one plays rhythm, and the other two take turns about on melody. Lots of ways to approach it.

 

[Darryl of Sussex]

These can be fun.

“In my thoughts I have seen rings of smoke through the trees”