# An Instrumental Wish **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 18, 2015, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892 "2015-11-18T15:49:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2015, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892/21 "2015-11-18T17:52:16Z")
I’d go with [zills, aka finger cymbals.](http://image.dhgate.com/albu_236722533_00-1.0x0/belly-dance-zills-belly-dance-finger-cymbals.jpg) I could carry them in my pocket and begin playing whenever I felt like it. ETA: I’d never have to worry about people saying, “oh right, another ziller.” ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2015, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892/22 "2015-11-18T19:20:58Z")
I love the sound of Spanish guitar, but I think I’d choose piano. (And what’s wrong with vocal chords anyway :D?) ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2015, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892/23 "2015-11-18T19:30:17Z")
I love the sound of the violin - it stirs something deep within my soul. That being said, I’d pick the guitar. You can play it anywhere, it’s fun and lively, and it livens up most gatherings. But I wouldn’t mind the cello either. Or the piano. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2015, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892/24 "2015-11-18T19:58:25Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I love the sound of the violin - it stirs something deep within my soul. That being said, I’d pick the guitar. You can play it anywhere, it’s fun and lively, and it livens up most gatherings. > > But I wouldn’t mind the cello either. Or the piano. Yeah, I can see where _this_ will lead to, so I’m heading this one off at the pass: No mastering of [one-man musical band.](http://www.chubbybones.com/images/onemanband1.png)😃 ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2015, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892/25 "2015-11-18T19:59:59Z")
Awww, you are no fun! ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2015, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892/26 "2015-11-19T15:33:04Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Awww, you are no fun! [You haven’t seen the inspiration for my choice in instruments, have you?](http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab24/gallopinggiraffes/Mad%20Organist/phantom-of-the-opera.jpg)😃 ---
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2015, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892/27 "2015-11-19T16:26:12Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Cello. Six weeks ago, on my 70th birthday, I began teaching myself cello. Obviously I’ll never be an “absolute master;” to be that would be way cool. That is awesome! Too many adults I know think it’s too late to do something they would love to do. Good for you! I started playing the violin in my 40s and am so glad I did. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2015, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892/28 "2015-11-19T17:41:36Z")
“A gentleman is one who can play the bagpipes - but doesn’t”. Actually, various sorts of small pipes are much more pleasant, and socially acceptable indoors. I’ve always rather liked the Northumbrian pipes; there’s a good chance an expert player would get people dancing: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cIqRyuG3jw](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cIqRyuG3jw) And of course they’re more portable than a piano. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2015, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892/29 "2015-11-19T17:56:50Z")
My second choice also involved a keyboard…but was definitely on the other end of the spectrum: [The Melodica.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTWf122wHkw) ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2015, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892/30 "2015-11-19T18:20:11Z")
I guess if my instrument weren’t already the bassoon, I would want to have mastered the piano. There’s just so much great repertoire I wish I could play… ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2015, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892/31 "2015-11-19T19:48:00Z")
> [@ThisSpaceForRent](#): > > My dad was a MASTER at piano and pipe organ. He could play the hell out of the organ and did so every sunday at church. The nuns told him he was to "peppy. > > Me, I would love to be a master of the Banjo…Blue grass, New Grass, polyethnic cajun slamgrass…it all makes me smile. I would be called “Banjovie” I figured I’d be the only on who said ‘banjo’ but it looks like there’s another tortured soul here! If you haven’t already, look up Steve’n’Seagulls on YouTube. You ain’t seen banjo until you’ve seen it as the lead instrument in “Thunderstruck”. ---
**Author:** ![Lowdown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Lowdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lowdown)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2015, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892/32 "2015-11-19T20:54:16Z")
Drum kit. Everybody plays guitar. Drummers get their pick of work. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2015, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892/33 "2015-11-20T23:35:11Z")
I’d love to be an alto clarinet master. Though I do have an alto clarinet, and I do practice it. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2015, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892/34 "2015-11-20T23:40:49Z")
Cowbell. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2015, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892/35 "2015-11-21T01:17:39Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > [You haven’t seen the inspiration for my choice in instruments, have you?](http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab24/gallopinggiraffes/Mad%20Organist/phantom-of-the-opera.jpg)😃 Only TWO keyboards? Pffft! You got four hands, don’t you? ---
**Author:** ![Bakero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Bakero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bakero)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2015, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892/36 "2015-11-21T01:42:07Z")
Either the cello or the accordion. I love both of them in very different ways. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2015, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892/37 "2015-11-21T01:46:24Z")
Gotta go with guitar. After all, I have all the moves and faces down from playing air guitar for many decades. ---
**Author:** ![bundykala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@bundykala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bundykala)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2015, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892/38 "2015-11-21T02:02:23Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > the vocal chords do _not_ count > [@fachverwirrt](#): > > How about vocal cords? Do they count? > [@Czarcasm](#): > > Nope. Neither do Alex Cords or Cordon Bleu. What about vocal folds? My voice is my main instrument, so I’m sad that you’re excluding it. [Just look at the precise fine motor skills involved!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XGds2GAvGQ) My choices would be: 1. Flute (because I already play and want to be better but don’t really have the motivation to work at it) 2. Piano (because it is so incredibly versatile and such a good foundation skill and I get so envious of the things my pianist friends can do while I am limited to playing chopsticks with two fingers and major scales with my right hand) 3. Cello (because celli have the most gorgeous sound and I’ve never touched one in my life) ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2015, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892/39 "2015-11-22T18:08:39Z")
I can play a number of instruments, amateur that I am on all of them. I always wanted to learn to play the [DIDGERIDOO](https://youtu.be/RhDaNgJbtI0), but the local music shops/pawn stores look at me funny when I ask if they have any for sale. ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2015, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892/40 "2015-11-22T18:22:38Z")
> [@Cabin\_Fever](#): > > I can play a number of instruments, amateur that I am on all of them. > > I always wanted to learn to play the [DIDGERIDOO](https://youtu.be/RhDaNgJbtI0), but the local music shops/pawn stores look at me funny when I ask if they have any for sale. ETA… wrong link. I meant to post [this](https://youtu.be/cLu9GmV2vF0). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-instrumental-wish/737892.md?page=3)