• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

What do you consider to be the most difficult musical instrument to play?

Quadman2

Quadman2

Lunatic Member
I've previously asked about "stringed" instruments, but thought to open this topic to ALL musical instruments.


Was hoping to get others to share in their attempts to play the different instruments, either in the past, or attempting to learn as of late.

There's a fair bit of info online, with some expounding on their experiences with the different wind/strings/percussion instruments, but thought to read what others on AK thought about their personal attempts to master an certain instruments.

As for myself, I've been able to play four instruments, with varying ability in each of them. I'm working on the Blues Harp at present, still trying to play the basics with this mouth-organ, as some call it. And it's a tough one to play. No keys/buttons! Just holes.

So, what have y'all played, or tried to play, or just what you think might be the hardest musical instrument to play?


Q
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
I'm an accomplished guitarist, and as such can also do well on the bass, ukulele, banjo and mandolin. Only 2 different tunings to worry about.
I can also play better than average piano, flute, harmonica and recorder.

All that being said, I suppose tough instruments to play could be a pipe organ, where you have both hands on different manuals and both feet playing the pedals. I can't imagine keeping track of all that.
The violin is no walk in the park either. Not much room for the left hand on that tiny neck, you need to learn the bow technique, and hold the thing awkwardly under your chin and look at it sideways.
I've heard that saxophone and clarinet are pretty easy, as they use the same fingering.
Bassoon, oboe, french horn...those are probably some of the harder 'single note' instruments.

All those instruments that you blow into always grossed me out...spit valves, YUK.
 
Most difficult I've attempted is the violin.

- No predefined place on the fingerboard for a given note (so you just kind of have to remember where they are). when I attempt to play the pitch is never *quite* right
- Minute changes in bow angle can result in everything from the sublime or the truly horrific
- You need to hold this little thing still under you chin whilst juggling all the above.

It takes a good bit of practice to get anything like a pleasant tone out of a violin.
 
kirk57 said:
Most difficult I've attempted is the violin...

It takes a good bit of practice to get anything like a pleasant tone out of a violin.
Click to expand...

Just did a look-see on a "violin" term (vibrato) and found there's a whole language to learn, if you want to discuss the playing of this stringed instrument! o_O

At least on a guitar, there's "reference points" (frets) to help find the different keys/notes.

Q
 
BillyTheKid said:
I'm an accomplished guitarist, and as such can also do well on the bass, ukulele, banjo and mandolin. Only 2 different tunings to worry about.
I can also play better than average piano, flute, harmonica and recorder...

All that being said, I suppose tough instruments to play could be a pipe organ, where you have both hands on different manuals and both feet playing the pedals. I can't imagine keeping track of all that...
Click to expand...

Have always struggled with the playing words, "accomplished"/"average". What do they mean to you, BTK?

Classical ability? No mistakes? Certain genres?

Curious.


Q
 
Quadman2 said:
Have always struggled with the playing words, "accomplished"/"average". What do they mean to you, BTK?

Classical ability? No mistakes? Certain genres?

Curious.


Q
Click to expand...
I started guitar lessons at 9 years old, teachers deemed my fingers too small to start at 8. Went thru all the Alfred method books, then thru the first 3 jazz books from Berklee School of Music. Then studied 2 years of classical guitar.
All the while playing in rock and roll bands and hanging out with musicians my entire life. I'm 66 now.

Mistakes ? I don't make no stinking mistakes :)
 
Me or all mankind?

1) Me

The piano, despite having started lessons @ age five (5) and enduring the thing for then next (consecutive~unbroken) 14 years -- a nearly decade away from the sucker -- then dabbling w/ it o'er the next 20 years @ party gatherings and what-not. I hate the feel, the sound, the concept of this instrument. So, this is, for me, the most difficult instrument to play, it's a nightmare of memories.

2) All mankind

None of us here has any notion of the answer to this node. Do any of us know ALL of the musical instruments that are used to make-a-da-music @ this dimension of this universal construct? No, and anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something you don't need.

Cheers.
 
The oboe is the "ill wind that no one blows well" or some such.

I have played guitar and saxophone since the age of 12. Once the theory is solid, it's just a matter of learning the mechanics of another instrument. That doesn't make things easy, per se, but it helps when switching to something different. Studied for 3 years under a fine guitar teacher, and was in h.s. band for my sax training. Studied a tiny bit of classical in college for guitar. Too exacting, and I frankly didn't want it badly enough.
 
jayvis said:
You might want to read the OP again and a little slower.
Click to expand...
Yes, the piano is not a stringed instrument? It is.

What the heck is your point? That Ted's use of the phrase different instruments does not (necessarily) include stringed instruments?

The hell, do I gotta perform content analysis on thread language construction @ this joint now?
 
Last edited:
Mystic said:
Me or all mankind?

1) Me

The piano, despite having started lessons @ age five (5) and enduring the thing for then next (consecutive~unbroken) 14 years -- a nearly decade away from the sucker -- then dabbling w/ it o'er the next 20 years @ party gatherings and what-not. I hate the feel, the sound, the concept of this instrument. So, this is, for me, the most difficult instrument to play, it's a nightmare of memories.

2) All mankind

None of us here has any notion of the answer to this node. Do any of us know ALL of the musical instruments that are used to make-a-da-music @ this dimension of this universal construct? No, and anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something you don't need.

Cheers.
Click to expand...
PS
heyraz said:
Piano is also considered to be a percussion instrument. The strings are struck by hammers.

Harpsichord strings are plucked.
Click to expand...
A string is a string, whether hammered (guitar HAMMER ON technique), plucked, picked, etc.

Watch Hendrix play live. Learn.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom