Learning an Instrument: which to choose?
By pumpkinjam
@pumpkinjam (8847)
United Kingdom
December 30, 2024 4:16am CST
Hello, my fellow humans and other creatures.
Before I get to the point of the post, I would like to say that I hope you've all had a lovely Christmas. Mine was delightfully dull.
I spent Christmas Day with my husband and two adult sons. We had Niece and Nephew over for games one day. That was nice as we hadn't seen Niece and Nephew for a couple of months. Even my younger son, who usually lives in his room and doesn't like people, joined in and seemed to enjoy himself. I wasn't a fan of being beaten at Trivial Pursuit by the 14 year old nephew, though 
.
My husband and I spent an afternoon/evening with my big nephew and his partner for games and food. My boys were invited but they had other plans.
We've been invited to my big sister's for NYE but I don't think we'll be going. I'll be working during the day then we already planned to visit my in-laws on New Year's Day. Adding an attempt to stay awake for NYE to the mix in-between is not my idea of fun
The point of the post
(this emoji was the pointiest). Each year, I have a savings jar in which I put a small amount of cash every week. It was an idea thought up by my husband several years ago when he saw that I always spent any spare on my boys or other people. He bought me an egg-shaped money box, and anything I put in there would be to spend selfishly on myself at the end of the year. This year, I've managed to save extra as I've had more to save and I've put monetary gifts towards it as well.
I had been thinking about buying myself a new instrument and actually learning to play properly. I'd looked at saxophones, which I've always loved but never played. It turns out that I have enough cash to buy myself a beginner's saxophone. My husband did mention concern for our neighbours who are about to have a baby. Other instruments can be played more quietly but I don't think there's much to be done about saxophone volume.
But then I thought about guitar lessons. I already have an old Spanish guitar. It needs tuning slightly, otherwise it's good to go. I also have some books that I could use. I began learning to play guitar when I was at school but I didn't continue. I can now still only play a tiny part of two songs, and I've forgotten all the chords! Anyway, I thought the guitar would be good as I know I enjoy playing it and I can do that.
Then I thought that I don't really need to spend any money if I choose to re-learn the guitar. I could have lessons but I have enough books, access to online tools and (as I discovered yesterday when I picked up the guitar for the first time in I don't know how long) a good enough amount of natural ability to continue teaching myself.
Then I thought about spending my stash of cash on singing lessons. I really enjoy singing but I'm not very good at it. Some would say I'm a terrible singer. My husband says he likes hearing me sing in the shower because it means I'm happy, but he doesn't think I am a good singer. However, he did tell me only yesterday that my singing is only bad and not terrible. Well, he said my singing can be off key but isn't really bad. I'd really like to be able to sing well, and I don't feel that it is something I could teach myself.
I would like to be able to play lots of different instruments. I did start learning keyboard as a kid (I had forgotten about that until I started talking about taking up an instrument). I don't have that much space to keep instruments, and there are constraints regarding the times I'd be able to play. I'd love to play drums but that's such a definite no that I didn't even discuss it with myself as an option
I enjoy many types of music so I can't narrow things down that way!
So do I spend my cash on singing lessons? Do I purchase a saxophone? Do I continue with the guitar and use my cash on something else (which would be some crazy stunt like wingwalking or a flying lesson or something)?
What do you think? Do you play an instrument? Have you learnt to play as an adult? How did you choose your instrument? Did you have lessons or are you self-taught? How long did it take to learn and master?
.
My husband and I spent an afternoon/evening with my big nephew and his partner for games and food. My boys were invited but they had other plans.
We've been invited to my big sister's for NYE but I don't think we'll be going. I'll be working during the day then we already planned to visit my in-laws on New Year's Day. Adding an attempt to stay awake for NYE to the mix in-between is not my idea of fun
The point of the post(this emoji was the pointiest). Each year, I have a savings jar in which I put a small amount of cash every week. It was an idea thought up by my husband several years ago when he saw that I always spent any spare on my boys or other people. He bought me an egg-shaped money box, and anything I put in there would be to spend selfishly on myself at the end of the year. This year, I've managed to save extra as I've had more to save and I've put monetary gifts towards it as well.
I had been thinking about buying myself a new instrument and actually learning to play properly. I'd looked at saxophones, which I've always loved but never played. It turns out that I have enough cash to buy myself a beginner's saxophone. My husband did mention concern for our neighbours who are about to have a baby. Other instruments can be played more quietly but I don't think there's much to be done about saxophone volume.
But then I thought about guitar lessons. I already have an old Spanish guitar. It needs tuning slightly, otherwise it's good to go. I also have some books that I could use. I began learning to play guitar when I was at school but I didn't continue. I can now still only play a tiny part of two songs, and I've forgotten all the chords! Anyway, I thought the guitar would be good as I know I enjoy playing it and I can do that.
Then I thought that I don't really need to spend any money if I choose to re-learn the guitar. I could have lessons but I have enough books, access to online tools and (as I discovered yesterday when I picked up the guitar for the first time in I don't know how long) a good enough amount of natural ability to continue teaching myself.
Then I thought about spending my stash of cash on singing lessons. I really enjoy singing but I'm not very good at it. Some would say I'm a terrible singer. My husband says he likes hearing me sing in the shower because it means I'm happy, but he doesn't think I am a good singer. However, he did tell me only yesterday that my singing is only bad and not terrible. Well, he said my singing can be off key but isn't really bad. I'd really like to be able to sing well, and I don't feel that it is something I could teach myself.
I would like to be able to play lots of different instruments. I did start learning keyboard as a kid (I had forgotten about that until I started talking about taking up an instrument). I don't have that much space to keep instruments, and there are constraints regarding the times I'd be able to play. I'd love to play drums but that's such a definite no that I didn't even discuss it with myself as an option
I enjoy many types of music so I can't narrow things down that way!
So do I spend my cash on singing lessons? Do I purchase a saxophone? Do I continue with the guitar and use my cash on something else (which would be some crazy stunt like wingwalking or a flying lesson or something)?
What do you think? Do you play an instrument? Have you learnt to play as an adult? How did you choose your instrument? Did you have lessons or are you self-taught? How long did it take to learn and master?3 people like this
6 responses
@pumpkinjam (8847)
• United Kingdom
5 Jan
@Candybee I haven't tried any apps but I've looked at online options. I would prefer face to face tutoring. I've not found anyone local so I might have to do online at least short term.
Good look with your pursuits.
@Candybee (23)
• South Africa
5 Jan
@pumpkinjam I am planning to buy one this year and take lessons from a friend.i tried with an app its a no no
@AmbiePam (95721)
• United States
30 Dec
I think you’re delightful, and I wish you were my relative. My second thought was wow, you guys are so considerate to hold off on a saxophone for your baby having neighbor. I played the piano growing up, and so did my sister, but she also played the flute. I hated hearing the piano, but I loved hearing the flute. There was something so sprightly about it, and fun. I had lessons for 9 years of the piano, but I don’t play today. Meanwhile, my sister gives piano and flute lessons.
I say go for lessons on the guitar. And keep us updated!
1 person likes this
@pumpkinjam (8847)
• United Kingdom
30 Dec
Thank you. I've never been called delightful before 
My mum hates hearing the piano. She's not a big fan of any instrument or music but she says that piano music all just sounds the same to her. I have a problem with violins. I have no idea if they sound good or not because I find it physically painful to listen to them. I enjoy most other instruments, though. I remember a song from childhood called Tubby the Tuba. If I remember correctly, there were various wind instruments mentioned in the song such as flute and piccolo.
A friend of mine played saxophone at school. I don't know how she did it. The sax was bigger than her. She also smoked, which I would have thought a bit of a barrier for such an instrument.
It seems that guitar has the vote here, although a real life friend said sax and singing.
My mum hates hearing the piano. She's not a big fan of any instrument or music but she says that piano music all just sounds the same to her. I have a problem with violins. I have no idea if they sound good or not because I find it physically painful to listen to them. I enjoy most other instruments, though. I remember a song from childhood called Tubby the Tuba. If I remember correctly, there were various wind instruments mentioned in the song such as flute and piccolo.
A friend of mine played saxophone at school. I don't know how she did it. The sax was bigger than her. She also smoked, which I would have thought a bit of a barrier for such an instrument.
It seems that guitar has the vote here, although a real life friend said sax and singing.1 person likes this
@pumpkinjam (8847)
• United Kingdom
30 Dec
@AmbiePam the neighbours already have two other children (I think they're somewhere between 8 and 10 years old). I'm sure I've heard them play some kind of instrument. I think my husband's main concern was the limitations on my time that would impact the neighbours. Perhaps I'll stick with the guitar and I'll take up something louder if we ever move to a more rural area!
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (95721)
• United States
30 Dec
@pumpkinjam The sax would be in really cool, but I took that noise concern for the baby seriously. On the other hand, surely they’d understand a little saxophone noise.
1 person likes this
@xstitcher (33121)
• Petaluma, California
11 Jan
I remember teaching my middle nephew to play Chinese checkers (I forget how old he was exactly but he wasn't a teenager yet) and he beat me the first time we played!
1 person likes this
@pumpkinjam (8847)
• United Kingdom
11 Jan
That's quite impressive. I taught my eldest son to play chess when he was very young. He didn't beat me straight away but it wasn't long before he did. After that, it took me several years to beat him. I think I've only been him twice in 20 years
@Iam_jauntyjen (5198)
•
8 Jan
I taught myself to play the wooden flute or sring in college. The sound of the flute is so soothing that's why I got into it. I learned pretty quickly but I forgot how to do it since I stopped playing it.
I tried taking formal ukulele lessons, but it is too difficult for someone like me who has hyperhidrosis. Now that my daughter is learning to play the recorder, I thought it would be great to play this instrument together.
I recommend you choose the ones you think would give you joy.
By the way, what is wingwalking?
P.S. You are such a considerate neighbor. One in a million.
1 person likes this
@pumpkinjam (8847)
• United Kingdom
8 Jan
My father-in-law plays the ukulele. He was playing in a small band but it's getting difficult for him as he's losing his hearing!
I spent some time learning to play the recorder at school. I think it was a choice of that or violin. As recorders were much cheaper to buy, that was the one I did. I've never known anyone play it outside of school
I think lots of instruments would give me joy. I have chosen guitar and singing. My husband has some friends in a university music department so he's going to contact them and see if any would teach me.
Wingwalking is moving along the wings of a plane as it is flying.
I think lots of instruments would give me joy. I have chosen guitar and singing. My husband has some friends in a university music department so he's going to contact them and see if any would teach me.
Wingwalking is moving along the wings of a plane as it is flying.1 person likes this
@sathviksouvik (19942)
•
6 Jan
If one uses easten instruments then playing a harmonium is easy. One has to do the bellow with left hand and play the instrument with fingers of right hand
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (183828)
• United States
30 Dec
Personally I would go with the guitar. I played the piano briefly. I also taught myself to read music. The final decision is up to you. Whatever "floats your boat". Good luck and have a good week.
1 person likes this
@pumpkinjam (8847)
• United Kingdom
30 Dec
Thank you. Lots of things float my boat, which is why I need help choosing things
I asked my husband about it and I suggested picking more than one of the options. My ever sensible and practical other half reminded me that I already have other projects to finish and I shouldn't take on too much. I may, however, be able to do both guitar and singing.
I asked my husband about it and I suggested picking more than one of the options. My ever sensible and practical other half reminded me that I already have other projects to finish and I shouldn't take on too much. I may, however, be able to do both guitar and singing.1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (183828)
• United States
31 Dec
@pumpkinjam You could play the guitar and sing along! Good luck and have a happy New Year's Eve.
1 person likes this
