Ok. I've enjoyed classical music since I was about...14. I'm regretting not learning an instrument then. Well, I want to now learn an instrument. I have a great affinity for the strings particularly the viola da gamba, in which I've recently discovered. I can't explain it but I love the sound of that instrument. I think it has that happy medium of having the base of violoncello and the treble of the violin and it sounds good in consorts (1+ violas da gamba).

I'd like to learn said instrument. But, I don't want to take up a potentially difficult instrument for a musical beginner. I'm willing to settle for violin, viola, cello, or double bass. I'm not all that bound to strings. I'd be willing to take up piano (or harpsichord).

So my fellow musicians, what should I take up?

Mandolin is really easy, and good for learning before violin style instruments. Having frets is much easier at the beginning. Violin is very difficult to learn without lessons, and lessons tend to be quite expensive. Have you played any music at all before?

No I fiddle away at a guitar once. I think I managed some form of tune.

However the viola da gamba does have frets. But like I said, I'd not like to pick a hard instrument at first despite what I'd like to eventually play.

I think you'll have a hard time not only finding an instrument to buy, but finding a teacher for that instrument.

Indeed.

A violin or viola may work well. Not too hard to find a teacher, at least around here. For violin, theres a serious of lesson books called the Suzuki Method which are very good. However, be prepared to play twinkle twinkle little star hundreds of times. >_>

trumpet is fun >.>

I never imagined I'd be playing "Sonnerie de Ste. Geneviève" or "Sonata for Viola da Gamba & Harpsichord in G minor" within a week.

I appreciate the input though.

Uh, I'd avoid the Suzuki method. I once had a guitar student who worked from that before coming to me...it seemed to be based around starting people on ear training type stuff before notation and theory. He had a really hard time getting real-world concepts.

JG: I've never even heard of a viola de gamba, but if you're serious just pick up whatever instrument you like most. They're pretty much all equally difficult.

As a music performance major and a guitar teacher, my advice would be to buy yourself an instrument and go find a teacher. Don't use BS internet lessons or do-it-yourself books. All you need is your axe, time to practise and someone to offer you pointers once in a while.

This is a viola da gamba

It looks a little...expensive.

do it yourself works fine (well, speaking for myself.. seeing some of my students sometimes it really messes them up and we have alot of work ahead of us to fix all the bad habits) as far as technique goes. but when it comes to theory, it really helps to have insight from an older more experienced musician. that's where the SOUL of music really is.

They're not all that big.

well you could play that little bugger like a violin couldn't ya dalfy

Drums or die.

There is always the self-taught method. This can definitely lead to improper technique. I taught myself guitar, and I've been trying to fix some technique stuff that I learned wrong when starting.

Like Seb said, the theory and proper interpretations of things are often better learned with an experienced person. Things like trills and turns often are done different based on instrument and time period, and even style is dependent, as well.

The expensive part would come from it being an obscure instrument. You'd probably have to have it custom made by a skilled luthier. :/

I vote piano.