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

Then there's not only the ability to manipulate the instrument, there's the MENTAL side of playing these devices.

In order to feel comfortable in dealing with the workings of the instrument, there's the degree of desire to become more proficient! This then requires time, effort, taking lessons (cost), and patience that is required to deal with getting better. I guess this not only takes stamina, but a POV of staying with the process of practice. And if dealing with drums/cymbals, the bag pipes, or violins...it's "hell" on the nearby people who have to deal with the unwanted "noise" of missed notes and strayed errors! :biggrin:

Then there's the ability to have to read music, which for some is a barrier in itself. I used to be able to read music, but I'd have to bone-up and re-learn how to read this written form used in music.

Knowing what effort goes into certain instruments that one has attempted to play, I think gives you a deeper appreciation for the virtuoso's who are so great at their musical craft.

FWIW

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And then, there's Victor Borge (1909-2000): Danish born, American comedian/actor/and accomplished pianist.

He could share serious philosophy, while playing difficult tunes, or keeping the audience in "stitches" with his rye humour.

I think his take on "verbal punctation" is hilarious, :rflmao: and I've tried to pass on this "skill" to others.


I admire musical artists who can have two concentrations at the same time! Victor Borge was one of them.


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God I hate country music.
I've been playing bass and then guitar since I was 12. I started in church youth group. I find that I can make sense of most string instruments. The only thing I've ever bowed was an upright bass though. I can muddle around on the piano. I can hold a basic rhythm on the drums. I haven't tried anything else. To me the hardest is drums. I don't know how to add any character besides a basic fill. I think the 4 limb coordination is what I lack. I even have trouble with the pedals on a piano. In my head drums must be hard because most drummers I've played with think they're much better than they really are.
 
Nimbley said:
...To me the hardest is drums. I don't know how to add any character besides a basic fill. I think the 4 limb coordination is what I lack. I even have trouble with the pedals on a piano. In my head drums must be hard because most drummers I've played with think they're much better than they really are.
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Again, there's that double focus as you work the base drum while dealing with the upper percussion and cymbals.

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Quadman2 said:
Again, there's that double focus as you work the base drum while dealing with the upper percussion and cymbals.

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Ted, what do you have against the drum?

ps - or are you referring to percussion-oriented instruments in a military band posited @ a military installation>\?
 
After re-reading the posts and some more surfing on the "most difficult musical instrument to play", I've come to the conclusion that learning to play is just the introduction into this world of sound, and that mastering the instrument are two different concepts.

Then there's the physical part of creating the required sound, and having a sense of pitch, which is all important for some of the instruments.

I think a quote by an musician summed it up all too well: "The most difficult musical instrument to play... is the first one!"


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The most difficult instrument to play for me is the Accoustic guitar, as it is the first instrument I have ever tried to play in my 69 years. My short fat fingers and arthritic hands don't help. But they tell me with time and patience I might still be able to play.

I'd like to play an electric one someday too. I love the amazing guitar sections of the Eagles "Hotel California", "25 or 624" by Chicago, and even Elton John's "Funeral for a friend/Love lies bleeding". Let's not forget the woman players, Like Nancy Wilson from "Heart" for one.

It seems some very talented guitar players are often overlooked in bands not known for their guitar work specifically.

Another instrument I love is the Fiddle (AKA violin) in country music. FWIU, It is one of the more difficult popular instruments to play reasonably well.
 
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onwardjames said:
The oboe is the "ill wind that no one blows well" or some such.
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I was an oboist throughout junior high and high school. It is a very difficult instrument, compounded by having to make the reeds and the physical effort required. Add to that the fact that almost no oboes are inherently in tune, and it's a constant struggle. I sort of miss it, but you have to practice hours a day just to be able to play it for longer than 10 minutes.

French Horn is considered to be the other most difficult instrument in the classical world.
 
init4fun said:
Bagpipes..... ;)
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I think this is the answer.

Buddy of mine was taking lessons for a while. Didn't need an actual bagpipe for about 6 months, took another 6 months before he could play anything resembling a tune.

It was his 7th or 8th instrument...
 
I was curious about the Oboe sound, So I watched a couple videos. All I can say is the sound is so beautiful, a sort of mournful sound. I can understand why someone might put the effort into learning to play it correctly. I'll have to add this to my list of favorite instruments, Along with the Sax and Fiddle (AKA Violin). For the time being, Just learning to play a guitar is hard enough. It too sounds amazing in the hands of a gifted player.
 
knotscott said:
It seems to me that the difference in sound and expression of an accomplished violinist eclipses the sound of a beginner by wider margin than many instruments.
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Accomplished and beginner don't even belong in the same sentence in terms of differences in sound and expression. Accomplished means something. The difference between a good player and an accomplished player will be evident, at times. One can easily hear it with the harmonica, an accomplished player can make it talk.
 
Mystic said:
And, to play it really really well: Blues Harp.

nb: talkin' Little Walter, Junior Wells, Sonny Boy Williamson well.
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One needs to play the darn thing since you were 5 years old. And all the time. What's the saying, "It takes a minimum of 10,000 hours of practice to become 'good' at anything."

You won't be close to Little Walter. But hey, it's okay. ;)

 
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