What instrument is the hardest?

[Arock]

What instrument is the hardest/easiest to learn? Which is the hardes/easiest to be good at?

i think drums are the easiest to learn but the hardest to be good at. anyone can be a solid player (good time, stick to the pocket, etc) but to be good you gotta bring somthin new, right?

drums are the hardest to bring something new to.

[Pete]

I'd say drums is the easiest to learn and the hardest to excel at. Bass is also really easy to learn, but quite hard to really master. Same goes for keys/piano. Guitar takes the longest to learn how to play, but then again you always keep learning.

[Duman]

I would say all of which you said about the drums, about the guitar as well. But i'm a guitarist so that's probably why.

[BassMasterMike88]

I'd probably say keyboard, due to huge amount of theory it takes to really play it properly.

[Arock]

i'd say that guitar is hardest to learn because of its broad tonal range and posibilities but the easiest to be good at because anyone can make up a new riff because of the unlimited possibilities.

Bass is somewhere in the middle, but its the hardest instrument to be solid at. and i mean rock solid. i think that out of anyone in the band the bass player should be the most knowing of theory and the rest of music universe.

[Kage]

It really depends on what you're going to use the instrument for.

[TojesDolan]

What instrument is the hardest?

Anything built with titanium alloy... or otherwise, the better type of wood.

[Duman]

i'd say that guitar is hardest to learn because of its broad tonal range and posibilities but the easiest to be good at because anyone can make up a new riff because of the unlimited possibilities.


Sorry, I disagree.

[Kage]

Didn't you know that all there is to music is riffs?

[Txus]

Every instrument is hard to master. Trust me.

[the2stranger]

Violin is damn hard too.
To be really good at that is.

[Steerpike]

There is no easiest or hardest.

The difficulty of learning/mastering an instrument is directly proportional to how much work you put into it.

If all you want to do is play straight-eighth root notes on bass, the going is considerably easier. If you expect to be a jazz drummer, there's a hell of a lot more work involved.

[Txus]

I learned Violin as an infant, I sucked at it so much. I don't want to even touch a violin this days.

[HylianNightmare]

this
http://www.farfanandmendes.com/Images/Viking%20Lawn%20Mower.gif

[Arock]

hey Duman, say that you disagree is a start but why? isn't that what this place is for.

and hey not attack on your person but you have King crimson-discipline as classic (as it should be) but then like 5 system of a down albums as classic too... whats up with that?

Hey steerpike, your very right but in the theory you have to learn, some instruments are easier than others. however the amount of work is directly in comparison to the level of technicallity or reach or whatever attained

[Amit]

anything in indian classical

[Mazeppa]

anything in indian classical
Heh, I guessed this post would be here before I'd opened the thread.

[Amit]

yeah gotta hate those correct posts

[Mazeppa]

haha

But yeah, that and the violin post seem to be right on really.

[Toaster]

My instrument is very hard right now. XD

[loathed]

My instrument is very hard right now. XD

...

[infinitestrain]

Every instrument is hard to master. Trust me.

I agree with that.

[Steerpike]

and hey not attack on your person but you have King crimson-discipline as classic (as it should be) but then like 5 system of a down albums as classic too... whats up with that?

Bad way to open an argument.

Hey steerpike, your very right but in the theory you have to learn, some instruments are easier than others. however the amount of work is directly in comparison to the level of technicallity or reach or whatever attained

Let's start with just one instrument: the violin. If you intend to only play dirges and other slow-paced songs, the real work lies in keeping track of the slovenly tempoes. Anybody with a sense of rhythm can learn that, though. Keep in mind, this is just playing, not the actual challenge of composition.

However, if your ambition was to play the complete works of Paganini, then there would be a considerable amount of work involved in keeping your technical skill up to scratch.

Some music requires a higher degree of musicianship than others. Again, let us not confuse composition with actual playing. Anybody can learn to play somebody else's song, but composing an original is a whole 'nother matter.

[BassMasterMike88]

Just to play a little game of reversies, what is the easiest insturment to learn AND play well.

I'd have to say the kazoo.

[Steerpike]

Just to play a little game of reversies, what is the easiest insturment to learn AND play well.

I'd have to say the kazoo.

By playing the kazoo well you mean it makes me not want to skin the person playing it alive?

[penelope weird hands]

^Yeah, I've met too many people who can play this that and everything else yet not actually write/compose anything decent of their own.

Songwriting is the hardest and most rewarding. Who cares what you play and how well, write and communicate good songs and you'll be content a musician.

/dr phil parrot rewards for this post +++!?!??

@ Steerpikes first.

[Duman]

hey Duman, say that you disagree is a start but why? isn't that what this place is for.

and hey not attack on your person but you have King crimson-discipline as classic (as it should be) but then like 5 system of a down albums as classic too... whats up with that?


Haha i'm sorry but what does that have to do with anything? I just happen to like both bands... :confused:

I disagree because I don't believe being classed as 'good' on the guitar is based on ability to write riffs. It should be based on whether the person is a well-rounded player who has mastered all techniques well, can also write songs but is also a great musician (theory-wise). I reckon it's unfair to say the guitar is easy to be good at just because some beginner can come up with a riff that may be catchy.

[Daven]

The easiest to learn to play = I'd say the recorder

[Jred250]

Its very difficult to say as a general statement. My dad for example plays guitar, and he plays it at a fantastic level, but drums however he could never master. He attempted playing drums for 3 years but just could not master it. Me on the other hand have been playing drums for 8 years. I am at a very good level, I have also played guitar for 3 years and I have written some very good songs and can play it reasonably well. I suppose its all down to a persons abillity.

Its the same with my grandad, he had guitar bass and even keyboard mastered, he alike my dad could never get his head around drums.

My dad is now speaking about buying a drum kit and having another crack at them. He said he will sit there all day every day for years if he has to.
Its strange because I am a self taught drummer. I admired watching drummers at my local school for about two months when I one day was offered a go. I had seen basic rock beats being played on a daily basis. I jumped on and I played a basic rock beat first time. The timing wasn't great but I did pretty well.... I just kinda excelled from there.

So in my opinion:
Drums - Easy to learn basics

In My dads opinion
Drums- Very hard to even play basics

Its all down to abillity

[Dr. Jake Destructo]

Just to play a little game of reversies, what is the easiest insturment to learn AND play well.

I'd have to say the kazoo.

Why has nobody said skin flute yet?

I think that the piano is easier to learn than guitar, at least from a theoretical standpoint. I mean with a piano, it's sooo simple to memorize scales because of the way it is organized, but with guitar, you must remember every half and whole interval.

[Moon Flavor]

Why has nobody said skin flute yet?

I think that the piano is easier to learn than guitar, at least from a theoretical standpoint. I mean with a piano, it's sooo simple to memorize scales because of the way it is organized, but with guitar, you must remember every half and whole interval.

The skin flute is a tricky instrument sometimes...:upset:

[Fuel0262]

really, i think that any instrument with a fretboard or fingerboard is hard to start learning

[Shattered_Future]

It all comes down to the person and what you're most suited for.

I personally think the piano is one of the hardest. It's easy to learn (everybody knows SOME kind of simple as hell song on the piano), but you'll never learn all there is to know on the piano in a single lifetime.

[here comes the bird flu]

okay hijack, what is the hardest REAL instrument to play?

[ghettoeddo]

how many people play guitar?
everybody.

the definition of "play" is used very loosely, but the point is....almost anyone can pick up a guitar strum a few chords and make a tune.
it's an easy instrument to learn, but extremely hard to master.

i think drums are the hardest because i absolutely blow at it :(

[Zebba]

I disagree with everyone that said Drumming, even if you are a drummer, if you think its the easiest name all 46 Rudiments, play them, back to front...

remember folks, Drumming isnt hitting a drum its playing it

[ghettoeddo]

^ concur.

even at my uni, there's guitarrists everywhere but drummers are so scarce that the bands on campus usualyl share drummers. some of it also has to do w/ lack of kits but.....there you go

[Permanent Solution]

I have to disagree with people saying drums are easy to start. It took me a good 3 months to nail the coordination to play basic rock beats in good time and correctly. I was writing songs after a month on guitar.

[Amit]

haha

But yeah, that and the violin post seem to be right on really.

pfft if you want a real toughy check out carnatic violin

or even better

sarangi

40 stringed indian bowed instrument

kinda like a cello but much smaller

[Zebba]

I have to disagree with people saying drums are easy to start. It took me a good 3 months to nail the coordination to play basic rock beats in good time and correctly. I was writing songs after a month on guitar.

Thankyou my good friend :) :chug:

[exojjl]

I heard the bagpipe is the hardest instrument in the world to learn. Then proboly the Sitar being the second. I've neve rplayed either, just what I heard and they both look tough to play as it is.

[ghettoeddo]

my school is the only school to offer a major in bagpipes.

[donteatpieontuesday]

guitar and drums are both hard to master, if you talk to anyone that is a really good player, wether they play drums or guitar they would tell you that they have been playing there instrument for a decent amount of years and have practiced alot

but even then people that have been playing for alot of years are still learning constantly to improve there playing, there are some excellent drummers/guitarists in this world but even they don't know everything

[Arock]

What about chapman stick, tapping with both hands,bass and treble, jeeze...
think about when your doing polyrhythms on that thing...

and like i said before its really about bringing something new to the instrument that really makes you good. if you can play something that someone else already has then your just a shell.

your only good if you can take those tools and actually build that house, otherwise your just making paper mache.

[shadow_stalker]

any of you ever tried palying a harp? those things are bloody complicated

[Arock]

dude, harp was said like a million times

[DKMode]

this a stupid thread because every instrument is equally as difficult to master or even to get good at. theres not 1 instrument out there that a person can play an hour a day for a month and have mastered. it just cant happen. take a look at the guys in dream theater. they are all INCREDIBLE musicians, and i can guarantee you that they all put pretty equal amounts of time into theyre craft. they each probably shedded for 10 hours a day for a majority of their lives, and thats what it takes to master ANY instrument.

[i am the robots]

I say that vocals are the hardest to learn.

[Permanent Solution]

I say that vocals are the hardest to learn.

Vocals rely much more on a natural affinity than most other instruments. Someone born with a good voice can often times sing amazingly without any training at all.

[PsychoTronn]

well it depends on the person, everyone has their own personal preferences.

[i am the robots]

Vocals rely much more on a natural affinity than most other instruments. Someone born with a good voice can often times sing amazingly without any training at all.

I mean, opera style, or proper screaming.

True, it all has to do with whether or not you have it... but the time and effort that goes into staying on the tip-top of level you can reach.

[Moses]

i'd say that guitar is hardest to learn because of its broad tonal range and posibilities but the easiest to be good at because anyone can make up a new riff because of the unlimited possibilities.
youch....

don't say that again please

The hardest instrument is the bagpipe, hands down.

The piano is the hardest in a full orchestra because of the possible 20+ voices.

In a rock band, I'd say vocals and after that it's pretty even all across.

Vocals rely much more on a natural affinity than most other instruments. Someone born with a good voice can often times sing amazingly without any training at all.

Usually that comes from listening to amazing R+B singers with lots of control and practicing hitting every note they do. Also having a good ear helps.
any of you ever tried palying a harp? those things are bloody complicated

We have a harp teacher that comes in once a week at my school and he's really creepy.

The thing is, every instrument has it's difficulties. With piano, it's the huge chords and voices and the easy acquiring of carpul tunnel disease. With guitar it's picking fast while being accurate among other things. With all orchestra string insturments it's mostly pitch. With Brass it's pitch/range/hurting lips. Most instruments are different.

This marks my return to MX.

[Amit]

sarangi kicks every instrument's *** tbh

[Jude]

really, i think that any instrument with a fretboard or fingerboard is hard to start learning

Why? It makes it easier IMO...it's less confusing than piano with all those black keys, and there are frets to make intonation and learning your way around MUCH easier than other string instruments.

[Moon Flavor]

Rubber band?

Yes, rubber band.

Close this thread plz

[Shattered_Future]

Why? It makes it easier IMO...it's less confusing than piano with all those black keys, and there are frets to make intonation and learning your way around MUCH easier than other string instruments.

Are you freaking kidding, man? ANYBODY can play a C major scale on piano. It's just all the white keys.

Whereas on guitar, you have to know which frets to skip over.

[Moon Flavor]

Are you freaking kidding, man? ANYBODY can play a C major scale on piano. It's just all the white keys.

Whereas on guitar, you have to know which frets to skip over.

You're not gonna argue and make someone believe piano is harder than guitar, so don't even bother.

[Shattered_Future]

You're not gonna argue and make someone believe piano is harder than guitar, so don't even bother.

I'm well aware that each instrument is hard and easy in its respective ways. However, basing off of my life, I managed to pick up piano a lot easier than guitar. However, I managed to get better at guitar faster than at piano.

It all comes down to the person.

[Moon Flavor]

I'm well aware that each instrument is hard and easy in its respective ways. However, basing off of my life, I managed to pick up piano a lot easier than guitar. However, I managed to get better at guitar faster than at piano.

It all comes down to the person.

Yes it does. So now this thread can be closed.

[Jude]

Are you freaking kidding, man? ANYBODY can play a C major scale on piano. It's just all the white keys.

Whereas on guitar, you have to know which frets to skip over.

Yeah, but C major is the ONLY one where it's all white keys.

Well and A minor IIRC.

Otherwise, for every scale you have to remember which black keys are in it. Whereas on guitar, once you've learned the positions of every scale you can play it anywhere on the fretboard, alternate tunings aside.

[Amit]

umm are you serious jude

[Moses]

Are you freaking kidding, man? ANYBODY can play a C major scale on piano. It's just all the white keys.

Whereas on guitar, you have to know which frets to skip over.

Okay but how many times in a song do you only play white keys?

[Shattered_Future]

Okay but how many times in a song do you only play white keys?

Well, it depends on what song. If you want to play unbelievably simple stuff, you can use only white keys.

[Moses]

Well, it depends on what song. If you want to play unbelievably simple stuff, you can use only white keys.

lol like cob all in A miner

Well that's what I'm talking about. Anyway, you're right, it does depend on the person but guitar is easier to figure out in my mind. Of course I'm much better at piano than guitar.

[Fuel0262]

Are you freaking kidding, man? ANYBODY can play a C major scale on piano. It's just all the white keys.

Whereas on guitar, you have to know which frets to skip over.

i play the guitar, and happen to know for a fact that it would take anyone who has never played like, 10 seconds to learn a C major scale.....

[ghettoeddo]

blanket statement

[Shattered_Future]

i play the guitar, and happen to know for a fact that it would take anyone who has never played like, 10 seconds to learn a C major scale.....

Tell that to my friend who taught himself guitar and, 2 years later, doesn't know what a scale is.

[Fuel0262]

Tell that to my friend who taught himself guitar and, 2 years later, doesn't know what a scale is.

apparently he didn't teach himself very well
i dunno, i was just making a point

[ghettoeddo]

i think guitar's very easy to pick up, but extremely difficult to master.

[Kage]

All instruments are easy, even hundred billion-stringed Indian instruments.


Make noise, that's the only objective.

[ghettoeddo]

yes but making music isnt the same as making noise :lol:

but put it your way...sure

[Kage]

Noise is music and music is noise.

[ghettoeddo]

...
yes.

[Fuel0262]

Noise is music and music is noise.

yeah
i mean, noise is music
there's a difference between good music and bad music though

[Kage]

That's what they'd have you believe, but it's not true.

[Fuel0262]

That's what they'd have you believe, but it's not true.

wha.?
who is "they"?

[ghettoeddo]

the pink hippos

[Arock]

Kage what are talking about.... are you even a musician at all?

here's something interesting to think about: music is the movment of air molecules right, molecules that are vibrated by whatever it is that we each play. i'm guessing the faster the molecules move it must mean the louder the music is the farther it must cary. what does music become when the molecules slow down? does it become just silence? probably... what if you could capture those sound molicules in like a can or something.... what do ya'll say about this...

sorry guys stupid exestential question type thing... someone please come along and tell me this is stupid, the first 3 get a prize

[Kage]

I'm speaking the truth, man. Don't let "profound" musicians convince you otherwise, because they have no idea what they're talking about. The only difference between "good" and "bad" music is that "good" music is simply an accident waiting to happen, the "musicians" are just there to capture the moment, in the right place at the right time. "Bad" music is anything otherwise.