The sound of the piano inspired me more than anything else when I was younger, and I don't regret it... but it was also the only instrument I had heard anyone play properly. I started playing the viola because it was (mostly) free, all my friends were doing orchestra, and I didn't want to be like everyone else and choose violin But I wish I had started on violin and added viola a bit later. I would like to learn a wind instrument (probably flute) at some point, but I'm saving it for later in life when I want a change I would also love to learn how to sing - I sang casually in groups until I was 13 or so, but I was never any good... unfortunately, I'm rather deficient instrument wise

Well i'm a violinist now but i only started 4 years ago - so if i could go right back to aged 5/6 when i started music i'd start with violin! But if i have to choose a totally different instrument, i'd play piano

It still would've been the violin and flute but I do wish I owned/played the harp.

If I could start again, I would learn piano first. My second instrument would be the violin, then the cello and then the harp...and if I had any time left the guitar

TOTALLY!
(30 years earlier for me)

I'd also have trusted my better instinct that the recorder was a perfectly serious instrument to play...
Persisted with the piano despite sadistic teacher and a one-off bad exam result...
And got some singing lessons...

I would have probably started on the violin. I might have moved onto the Viola.

Given my height, the double-bass would not be a good idea, but would certainly have comedy value.

However, Recorders, Oboe, Piano and singing were all right moves. Piano has been tricky due to hand-size
I have always appreciated the instruments I could play.
I simply love string chamber music, and am very fond of the timbre of the Viola which I feel is the butt of far too many Musician Jokes.

violin again

the only thing I'd change 'if I could' (but that is NOT down to me) I'd start at age 3 and not at age 37

Cello. And, if I'm allowed a second choice, harp.

I've added piano because there wasn't an option for me to stick with voice!

I wish DS played the violin!

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I really wanted to play the piano when I was a child, but the six of us lived in a two bedroom terrace house and there was no room for a piano. And keyboards hadn't been invented.

Now I am happy to play the violin because it is a much more sociable instrument. I still wish I could play the piano though.

I play clarinet but I wish I had learnt piano. I adore the clarinet, but have always wanted to be able to play piano. It's more interesting to play on your own. When I play clarinet on my own I get a bit bored, I want accompaniment!

If I could go back to being a kid, I'd do what I've just started doing now: learn Violin and Piano. When I went to secondary school (about 12 years old) I was given a Cornet to learn by the music teacher. I can't remember if I chose that instrument or he just decided, but that's what I started with. I did enjoy it, got to 1st Cornet in the school band and loved that (the whole sense of being a part of something big and part of creating such a big sound). At about 14 I started learning to play the drums.

I'm in my early 30's now, I've been in rock/pop bands for over 10 years, but also wishing I was still in a big band of some description, or more precisely an orchestra. It took me a long time to realise how much I miss all of that. So I'm doing something about it now, just because I love playing music, and also I hope I can at least get involved in some amateur orchestra at some point.

I'm absolutely kicking myself I didn't do it earlier. Violin especially is starting to become an addiction already, I can't wait to get home and practise each evening - I try and do at least 2 hours per day.

I'm Hoping I've not left it too late to at least get fairly good with it, and hoping my previous musical knowledge will help a bit too.

PS this is my first post on this forum

As a child I always wanted to learn the harp. Looking back I wish I'd had singing lessons as I now love singing. Harp is a little impractical, it just looks so ethereal and beautiful.

Welcome to the forum Mark



Same here! I remember begging my Mum all the time for harp lessons when I was 4/5. I think I thought it was a bit magic. Very glad I took up piano instead now.

Guitar

If I could start again, any instrument it would be a trumpet. I don't know why, maybe a bit nicer on the ear than a clarinet.

I wish I'd learnt an orchestral instrument, so I voted for bassoon because I reckon that would be my best (outside) chance.