Coolest musical instrument to learn?

I’d say the coolest musical instrument to play is the skin flute. :wink:

But seriously, I’d love to learn to play the guitar really well and eventually, the piano. They’re so musically versatile. A lot of music stores have guitars you can rent, and you can always see about getting an electronic keyboard first before shelling out big bucks for a baby grand piano.

For portable coolness, it’s hard to beat the harmonica. Nothing says “depressed death-row inmate” like a good harmonica solo. :wink:

I must admit to an odd fondness for the ocarina, though–good ocarinas are extremely cheap, easy to learn, fit in your pocket, and provide a nice sweet tone. I have eight different kinds of wind instruments in my apartment, and the ocarina is the one that sees the most use. I only ask that you never play “Greensleeves” on it.

Okay, so no response to the questions posed. Here goes anyway.

Versatility: Guitar, without a doubt. You can sing along with it. It is portable and doesn’t cost a lot to get one. Fairly easy to maintain and no biggie to let other people play it. Remember the old saying though, “Guitarists are as common as dogsh!t.”

Portability: Flute or harmonica (we’ll dismiss Jews harp for right now). Very easy to transport and excellent jam instruments. The flute is far more versatile because it is able to play in all keys (unless you get a chromatic harp). Most bands DO NOT have a flute player and the flute is perfect training for …

Sexy: Saxophone. The alto or tenor sax is one of the most alluring instruments for wimmenfolk of all walks. When you get wailin’, they start squirming (and in a good way). Sax is incredibly expressive and there are few bands on earth that are not better off for the addition of a sax. The instrument is portable and remains one of the only wind instruments that can hold its own against an electric guitar. Their only drawback is the high purchase price.

Composing: The piano. Fortunately, with the new electronic keyboards it is no longer necessary to have three men and a small boy lug one of these monstrosities into your home. While a Fatar 88 key midi-controller is not quite portable (they are, if you are dedicated), they play like a real keyboard and can be made to sound like any other instrument in the book (given the right voice modules). This is huge plus for writing instrumental scores.

Zenster

(who owns 4 saxes, 4 keyboards, 2 flutes, 3 electric guitars, 3 acoustic guitars and a mess o’ harmonicas)

Zenster! I had no idea!! We must jam!

NoCoolUserName

(who owns 10 guitars–2 electric, 7 steel string, 1 nylon string–as well as 2 synths, a flute, a trumpet, a flugabone, a zampona, a digeridoo and various percussion)

this is the correct answer. nothing is cooler than a Roland TB-303.