I'm looking for a new instrumental challenge, having done piano and organ to a moderate level.. but I have no idea what might be a good choice!

Three violin lessons aged 9 are probably enough to have put me off that, so I'm thinking along the lines of woodwind or brass. Would anyone care to offer an opinion on which instruments might be best? I'd certainly welcome the chance to take up an instrument where I can join a local ensemble once I've reached a certain level!

Your views very welcome.

im in the UK (south east)
is the clarinet a good route into sax or is that a misnomer.. can one just go straight into it? i always thought sax was

QUOTE (mrbouffant @ May 25 2005, 11:11 AM)

Three violin lessons aged 9 are probably enough to have put me off that, so I'm thinking along the lines of woodwind or brass. Would anyone care to offer an opinion on which instruments might be best? I'd certainly welcome the chance to take up an instrument where I can join a local ensemble once I've reached a certain level!

Take up an endangered instrument (see this thread): that way you'll be helping to save them and will be warmly welcomed into any ensembles at a much earlier stage.

How about the flute? The clarinet and sax are great too, but I personally prefer the sound of the flute. Shame about the violin, its a great instrument too, I have taught myself, coming from piano too, and I have found it great fun.. is it definitely out of the question?

Joy

Clarinet, or another woodwind instrument, although I do agree that you should try an endangered instrument!

FLUTE! FLUTE! FLUTE!!

QUOTE (AnotherPianist @ May 25 2005, 12:08 PM)

Take up an endangered instrument (see this thread): that way you'll be helping to save them and will be warmly welcomed into any ensembles at a much earlier stage.

I'm not going to "vote" for flute, there are just SO many flautists, if you want to play in ensembles then you'll always be competing against others, I agree with AP - was in fact going to post that link myself but was beaten to it!

no one has mention bassoon or oboe yet...

I would play bassoon.. very rare and one day you might be offered to play a contrabassoon(even rarer)

What about recorder?????!!! The recorder is great.....definately worth considering!

trumpet best instrument in the world...... not that i am one sided!

QUOTE (fluteandbassoon @ May 25 2005, 05:34 PM)

no one has mention bassoon or oboe yet... I would play bassoon.. very rare and one day you might be offered to play a contrabassoon(even rarer)

Another Pianist and myself have both mentioned "endangered instruments" which includes bassons and oboes.

trumpet - it has to be - chat elese

SAXOPHONE!!! SAXOPHONE!!!! SAXOPHONE!!

I think nat would suggest you play.... the violin....

yeh recorder is the best!!

ruthypegs - were abouts are you based? do u know cathy robinson?

I'm going to side with the "ENDANGERED SPECIES" - bassoon or oboe.

You'll be in demand for ensemble playing

How about the Steelpan?

cello, double bass or viola

I've been surfing lots for groups/bands/orchestras or whatever that I could aim for. What I have seen many many times is info on what instruments they need as there are fewer players out there.

Try surfing yourself and see what your area is short of.

Of course that may well be the ones on the 'endangered' list.

I am intrigued that both the original question and all the responses that I have read treat this as a rather abstract enquiry, as though it were possible to evaluate and compare musical instruments without reference to music. I suggest Mr Bouffant ask himself two questions:

1) What periods of music do I like?

2) What sorts of ensemble do I want to play in?

These matter for some fairly obvious reasons: if you take up saxophone, you will not be able to play in a string quartet, and you will not have any original compositions to play by Renaissance, Baroque or Classical composers.

QUOTE

I suggest Mr Bouffant ask himself two questions: 1) What periods of music do I like? 2) What sorts of ensemble do I want to play in?

Interesting questions!!
1 = Most
2 = I have no idea, having never had the opportunity play in an ensemble

Further questions to consider are whether you wish to play in an ensemble which meets regularly to play for fun or one which is always working towards the next performance. Do you want to play with a small or a large ensemble. Do you want to play always with the same group or as a visiting specialist with several? How much work are you willing to put into this instrument before existing ensembles will start to be interested?

For getting experience of ensembles have you thought about joining a choir? You might also find a local orchestra which would give you an apprenticeship on percussion if that appeals.

I would hasten to point out that there is a great weath of chamber music using the piano. If you want to play this why not ask around your musical friends to find others who are interested and start playing. Some of the works for piano and melody instrument are beautiful duets rather than soloist and backup.

re: the choir idea.. i already direct the local church choir/play the organ so instrumental ensembles are my preferred choice i think

Good suggestions and thoughts everyone. Much appreciated !

How about the clarinet? Especially if you used to play the recorder in school and enjoyed it. It would give you the opportunity to play in all sorts of ensembles - there are even 'clarinet choirs' around.

Are you going to be teaching yourself?

As an adult player, I find that recorders offer by far the most opportunities for playing with other people.

If I chose to, I could easily have almost all my weekends taken up with recorder playing in various groups. The Society of Recorder Players is a very active organisation, with meetings of the various branches held regularly (usually at weekends), there are Recorder Orchestras scattered through the country, plenty of recorder weekend and week-long courses, and of course once you get to a reasonable standard and get to know people there are countless opportunities for consort playing. There are now many 'home publishers' of recorder consort music, so there is a huge repertoire to choose from, mostly at bargain prices.

I took up the clarinet a few years ago, and was eagerly looking forward to enjoying the same sort of set-up, but - for an adult learner anyway - there is nothing like the same level of activity! I've been to some playing days and go to a summer school, but the only clarinet choir anywhere vaguely near me is a 2-hour journey away and meets on weekday evenings when I am teaching! Meeting other adult players for chamber music has also been much more difficult to arrange - and a lot of the music tends to be really expensive.

So if you're taking up an instrument for the social aspect, I'd definitely recommend recorders! Just make sure that you can play both C and F instruments before you venture into consort playing, because no-one likes to have group members who 'hog' one instrument!

Besides decent plastic recorders are so cheap most people can afford to buy one and not be upset if a month later they decide it isn't for them. Why not get one (I like treble best) just to see if you like blowing down an instrument?