# Recommend Me a Musical Instrument **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 15, 2015, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215 "2015-07-15T03:31:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215/21 "2015-07-16T12:57:43Z")
I’ll just chime in to mention that I know many very fine pianists with small hands. You’re not going to be playing a lot of Brahms and Rachmaninoff, but there’s plenty of stuff out there that doesn’t need big hands. And of course the best instrument is voice. I may be biased. ---
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215/22 "2015-07-16T13:07:30Z")
I have tiny hands and have played piano for many years - through to certification! So don’t let tiny hands stop you if you’re interested in playing piano. Yes, there are certain styles of music you will need to adapt or simply be unable to play well, but there are plenty of styles that work for small hands just fine! ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215/23 "2015-07-16T14:11:03Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > If you’re starting off on a musical instrument and it’s not like you’ve been dreaming of playing a particular one for a long time, do NOT start out with an expensive one. A uke is a good starter instrument, especially if you have small hands. George Harrison loved playing them, he always had some extras around his house so visitors could play one along with him. He even had one that was strung left handed. And if you make a go of it, you can upgrade to a better uke, you could probably put a pickup on one. And it’s not to difficult to transition from a uke to a guitar. > > [Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britain](https://youtu.be/NlMT-oEIQuo?list=RDNlMT-oEIQuo) > > Imagine if they had a wah wah pedal! Thanks for that link - Their version of Psycho Killer is killer! ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215/24 "2015-07-16T17:17:11Z")
This is like recommending a kind of exercise: sure, someone could analyze your body type, goals, etc and recommend something exactly suited, but the bottom line is the best instrument is one that you have fun playing. Since you mostly listen to rock and roll, get a guitar. That is what I think you’ll want to play. If possible, rent or borrow one for long enough to be sure that it doesn’t make your carpal tunnel worse. I’d start with an acoustic; you can always get an electric later if you want, but an acoustic is better for learning on. Plus you can get all singer-songwriter-y with it. And if you want to get a ukulele or pedal steel or mandolin or who knows what later, you can and transfer a fair amount of the skill, but in the meantime, it will be a lot easier to get a guitar and get lessons for it than for something quirky and exotic. ---
**Author:** ![inscrutable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a88e4f/32.png) [@inscrutable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inscrutable)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215/25 "2015-07-16T18:17:48Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Agree with this suggestion. Saxes figure in a lot of R&B and soul and funk, for example. Plus, as a woodwind, the sax can help you learn other woodwinds, as they all work on the same principle. Learn the sax, and you can teach yourself the flute, and then play music by the Moody Blues and Jethro Tull, among others. > > As **Ranger Jeff** suggested, do not start with an expensive instrument. Start with a “student model.” They play just fine (though not superior) but they’re built a little tougher–your fingers will hit the wrong keys/strings/etc. and you’ll try to compensate by hitting others, often hitting whatever sideways or backways or too hard, which expensive instruments are not designed for. When you learn the basics, you can move up to more expensive, more delicate instruments. Sure, sax is great (been playing for 40 years), easy to learn fingerings, but difficult for a beginniner to produce a good sound on, so most get discouraged. It’s also a “high-maintenance” instrument - a used one might need a couple hundred dollars worth of repairs (replacing pads, etc.) to get into top playing condition. Then there’s the confusing choice of mouthpiece and reeds. Imperative that you get a good teacher to help you. I’d recommend flute… ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215/26 "2015-07-16T18:23:54Z")
I’m quite older than you (46) and just a few months ago I started learning my first musical instrument - the fiddle (violin). Just throwing that out there because IME, tiny hands would be a big plus over my big sausage fingers. The downside, of course, is you don’t hear too many (but some!) fiddles in rock music. But check out some songs by Old Crow Medicine Show to see why the fiddle totally rocks. Oh one other thing I’ve discovered: the violin is really, really hard. But someone told me that you can become an expert after about 10,000 hours of practice so I figure I’ll be pretty good in another 30-40 years. ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215/27 "2015-07-16T19:31:55Z")
> [@Enginerd](#): > > Harmonica fits well with both the rock music you like to listen to yourself and the songwriter’s circle you’ve been invited to. This. It’s inexpensive (until you start amassing a collection), forgiving, and there are lots of decent video lessons online. [And if you _really_ practice…](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRupAHogVJY) ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215/28 "2015-07-16T21:48:06Z")
Oh, and if you’re going to buy a starter instrument, go to the store with a friend who is experienced in playing that instrument. A lot of those nylon string guitars on the hangers behind the counter with the big price tags with low prices on them are unplayable. Consider a used instrument for a starter also. A LOT of instruments that people buy to learn on end up in a corner just collecting dust, so you want to try to limit your potential $$ loss. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215/29 "2015-07-16T23:46:47Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > ) > > Autoharp might work, though I don’t know if it’d be a strain to hold (I don’t know much about the instrument.) Also, it pretty much only plays chords, but it might be nice to accompany songs. Autoharps can be “plucked” but that is for the seriously advanced level. And they can get really expensive without trying hard. Playing them they aren’t much of a strain to hold though. My thoughts are running towards recommending a recorder but those you can’t sing along to and play at the same time. As for ukes, I offer (Ranger and I clearly cruise some of the same places 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215/30 "2015-07-16T23:50:02Z")
> **[Steelpan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steelpan)** > > The steelpan (also known as a pan, steel drum, and sometimes, collectively with other musicians, as a steelband or steel orchestra) is a musical instrument originating in Trinidad and Tobago. Steelpan musicians are called pannists. > The modern pan is a chromatically pitched percussion instrument made from 55 gallon industrial drums. > Drum refers to the steel drum containers from which the pans are made; the steel drum is more correctly called a steel pan or pan as it falls into the idiophone fa... ---
**Author:** ![Floppy\_Joe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3bc359/32.png) [@Floppy\_Joe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floppy_Joe)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215/31 "2015-07-17T19:46:13Z")
What instrument to do with a poetry background? Bongos, hands down. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2015, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215/32 "2015-07-18T02:52:00Z")
**kopek** , it’s a relief to see there’s someone with good taste here amid all the muggles. Look closely at the instruments they’re playing. I can easily imagine a single cutaway uke, but a resonator uke? Some serious work and $$ went into that. And some of the inlay work on the fret boards. ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2015, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215/33 "2015-07-18T04:19:48Z")
Ukuleles are great. You can play any style of music on them. It’s inexpensive to get into and it’s fairly easy to learn basic chords and songs. One of my go-to places is The Ukulele Site. One of the things I like about it is that all of the instruments have demonstration videos and I liked the variety of music that is played and could see what ukuleles are capable of. The store comes highly recommended and there are also tutorials. Ukulele underground is a big forum for the ukulele community. I keep a ukulele by my chair and plunk away at it whenever the mood strikes. [http://www.theukulelesite.com](http://www.theukulelesite.com) ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2015, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215/34 "2015-07-18T13:16:04Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > …Oh one other thing I’ve discovered: the violin is really, really hard… And it sounds horrible until you develop some skill. My brother did “Suzuki” violin lessons for a while in school. It sounded like he was torturing a cat. It was a huge relief when he switched to trumpet. ---
**Author:** ![Hungover\_Heartthrob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e19adc/32.png) [@Hungover\_Heartthrob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hungover_Heartthrob)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2015, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215/35 "2015-07-19T00:39:27Z")
Augh. So much to consider. It’s not a decision I’m in some kind of hurry to make, but once I do I will update with how things turn out in terms of progress. I may say to heck with it and just stick to what I’m already good at. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2015, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215/36 "2015-07-19T02:33:09Z")
I think uke and harmonica are your best bet. Inexpensive, versatile, easy to quickly develop some minimal proficiency thru self teaching. Might want to consider tin whistle as well. If you try any of these, and decide you don’t really enjoy music, you’re not out a ton of coin. But you could play along with many different instruments/styles with any of these, and learn more about other instruments you might want to pursue. ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2015, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215/37 "2015-07-19T09:08:22Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > I thought about it a moment longer, and the [theremin](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSzTPGlNa5U) came to mind. It seems kind of perfect. The only strain on the hands is from holding them in the air. > > It’s apparently not easy to learn, but it is pretty versatile. You can start with a kit for fairly little money (you’ll need an amp, too). If you get really into it, you can go crazy and build or get a [polyphonic theremin](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stobfk1Mfjk), and play Stairway. 🙂 > > Full disclosure: there’s no such thing as a polyphonic theremin. Iso Directional Inductive Oscillator Technology 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Quequeeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ba9def/32.png) [@Quequeeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quequeeg)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2015, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215/38 "2015-07-19T19:30:05Z")
Cowbells! (until they come home):rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Nefario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/59ef9b/32.png) [@Nefario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nefario)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2015, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215/39 "2015-07-19T20:10:58Z")
> [@TheseGoToEleven](#): > > Dulcimer! You’d be surprised what pleasant music even non-musicians can get out of it, and virtuosos can do amazing things… Right! I don’t know about rock dulcimer but it’s an instrument that’s possible to play with a slide bar and a pick, without any finger action. And it can be an acceptable singing accompaniment without a lot of technical skill. You can even buy a kit and build your own. [http://everythingdulcimer.com/discuss/viewtopic.php?t=25250](http://everythingdulcimer.com/discuss/viewtopic.php?t=25250) ---
**Author:** ![Learjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2015, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215/40 "2015-07-19T20:13:38Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > If you’re starting off on a musical instrument and it’s not like you’ve been dreaming of playing a particular one for a long time, do NOT start out with an expensive one. A uke is a good starter instrument Bingo. Regarding hand size, forget it. Everyone starting on guitar thinks their hands are small, even guys who can palm a basketball (which I can’t do, not by a long shot.) Zillions of youtube videos show 12-yr-old kids with tiny hands playing like masters. (Unfortunately, zillions more showing them shredding playing too many notes with an absence of passion, but that’s beside the point!) So, don’t rule out guitar. It’s a great instrument. But, so is uke! Take your pick. > [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Oh, and if you’re going to buy a starter instrument, go to the store with a friend who is experienced in playing that instrument. Again, bingo. Physically, uke is easier than guitar. Mentally, guitar is actually quite a bit simpler. However, IMHO, they’re both the quickest and easiest instruments for an adult to learn and go from complete novice to sounding good enough not to annoy people. That’s because, unlike wind and bowed instruments, it doesn’t take much technique to get decent tone, and strumming simple chords in simple patterns sounds great, especially when accompanied by a good voice. I’ve said this before but I’ll repeat it. Kids have three big advantages over adults when it comes to learning an instrument: 1. their brains are different; they learn faster – way faster 2. they have a lot more free time 3. they haven’t developed sophisticated judgment, and can get a thrill from doing something simple Of the three of these, I’m confident that the third one is by far the most significant. So, if you’re serious, do your best to cultivate your inner child and find a way to enjoy baby steps! Once you get in the feedback loop of appreciating each small advance, you’re on your way to, over time, becoming a decent musician. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-musical-instrument/725215.md?page=3)