Am I the only person on here who only plays one instrument? I've been doing piano for 4 years and am at grade 6 but can't play anything else. All you lot seem to be grade 8 in several instruments. Anyone got any recommendations for a good one to learn?

We're not all that good, trust me!

I suggest when you learn a new instrument, that you learn a rare one, because you'll be more popular, but that's only my theory. And remeber rare instruments are rare for a reason ( they're usually hard ).

Like the name, by the way, I'm studying that book for GCSE.

Well, don't be disheartened, because I've been playing piano for 4 years and am not any grade yet!! I've played clarinet & saxophone before (no grades), and would recommend either, depending on what sort of music you enjoy most. There seem to be quite a few forum members who play piano plus a wind instrument - it seems to be one of the more popular combinations - or how about singing ?

Jen

Although I have had piano and keyboard lessons, I only class myself as playing one instrument, the flute.
What kind of instrument would you want to learn? Maybe you should narrow it a bit down first e.g not woodwind or only high strings or something.
Like the username by the way!

Not brass I don't think and not percussion. Anybody play piccolo? Does playing cello or violin make your fingers go all hard?

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I was told that picolo was not a "learners" instrument, i.e you don't play it until you have leant the flute. I'm no expert on this (I play the clarinet) but I remember people in my wind band saying that you always leant flute first. I don't know if stringed instruments make your fingers hard, but I do know that they can cause blisters on your fingers after playing for a long time. My cello player friends are always complaining about blisters.

I only play the flute seriously, and even that isn't particularly serious anymore. There's loads of us with just one instrument, I think thoughsome of our more prolific posters do tend to be the ones who aer multi-instrumentalists, so perhaps thats where the impression came from.

As for second instrument, think also about what sort of music you most like to play, as certain periods of music favour certain instruments.

Yes generally you start the piccolo when you're about Grade 5 standard on the flute. Well you can do anyway.

Well not grade 8 in lots but I do have that in clarinet, and grade 6 piano, and awaiting result of grade 6 flute.

I only play piano as well, so you're not alone Boo Radley!

Blisters?!!!...good grief I don't know of any string player (even professional cellists) who have blisters on their fingers. Are you sure your friends really mean blisters - as in fluid filled pustules? I wouldn't think so. Blisters in the real sense would be caused by abbrasion, not just downward pressure of the fingers on a string.

Playing any string instrument does make the skin harden slightly on the finger-tips, but the application of a good moisturising cream before going to bed each night will stop the skin from getting so hard that it peels off.

One bonus of playing a string instrument, you develop extremely strong hands and flexible fingers.

Hmm, interesting! I'm kinda into late romantic at the moment. I think my serious options are flute, violin, cello or accordion (anyone play that?).

ps. Hey Tamsin, I'm from Cornwall too.

Flute is nice!!!

(Of course I am not biased)

But there are lots of flautists about, if you were thinking of maybe auditioning for an orchestra sometime.

I only play piano.
I did play clarinet and then cornet at school (mostly because they were available and piano wasn't).

I only play the viola, but I mess about on the piano and can play really simple stuff.
Jess

My main instrument is the piano (Grade 6) and though I learn the clarinet (Grade 3/4), if I was asked to play in public I will never even think about the clarinet. I'm just not as good on it.

Well, it's good to concetrate on one instrument

Myabe you can take upp...hmm it depends really! Do you prefer string music or woodwind music or brass music?

I love the sound of strings but would only want to learn flute from woodwind I think.

Anyone got any comments on relative good and bad points of violin, viola and cello?

Also, anyone play accordion?

I can and did play accordion, but don't do so at present, as my instrument needs tuning.

If you are considering it seriously, be aware that accordions come in a great variety of designs, not merely of different sizes but of different technologies and basic concepts.

The technologies are bellows driving air through reeds and electronic synthesis. The former is traditional; the latter expensive, needs power and I know very little about it. The concepts are again one traditional and one more recent. The traditional piano-accordion has a piano type keyboard for the right hand and push buttons producing both single notes and chords for the left. It is an extremely useful instrument for playing popular music of most of the pre-1950 varieties, very easy for a pianist with good harmonic instincts to play, either from music or by ear, suitable for the sort of party (do they still happen?) where people like to sing. Newer in popularity, though the concepts are both old, are the chromatic keyboard for the right hand and the "free bass" for the left hand. The former replaces the piano keyboard with three to five rows of tabs or buttons, in which the spatial relationship between any two relates always to the same interval. This makes all keys equally easy, and the large number of notes available from one hand position reduces the difficulty of rapid passages. The free bass for the left hand is similar: typically five to seven rows of buttons, each giving a single note. Each hand then has a large range, typically of four to six octaves, and the instrument becomes a portable two manual organ.

For a short history of these developments, look here.

The free bass accordion was taken up enthusiastically among serious musicians in Denmark in about 1960, and also in Russia. Substantial amounts of music have been written specifically for it since then, but it can also play much piano and organ music without modification.

If you play piano, accordion shouldn't be too challenging. I play piano, and after a few brief lessons, got the hang of the accordion quite easily - the 'piano accordion' that is - the chromatic accordion is a different beast, and I could never and will never get the hang of it - different note sounds when bellows is moving out and in. My dad was an exponent, and I could never play it, grrr!
What will help you with the accordion on the left hand is an appreciation of chords. If you can 'vamp' chords on the left hand playing piano, you will find it easy.

I've recently taken up cello, and your musical background will be an aid musically but that's it - you're starting from scratch - and scratch is the operative word!! Ditto with the other stringed instruments - be prepared for the long haul!
Coming from piano, violin will be easy to sight-read, cello too (beginners anyway), viola - different clef, which might be off-putting. You might find the cello more comfortable than violin, but it's so much more bulky to lug around. Viola? - well nobody plays viola!
For me its purely a 'sound' decision - I prefer the low mellow tones of a cello to the 'whiny' violin. One day I'll take up Double Bass (you haven't mentioned that - its an option too!!) mainly for jazz interest, and that will make the cello look portable!

To help you decide which instrument - think of (or listen out for) an instrumental solo which you love and would love to be able to play... try radio (classic fm, jazz fm etc), and when you hear what you think is a great solo, that may be your instrument you're looking for.

I suffer from the syndrome of 'liking all instruments' - you know - "Jack of all..."

I wanna try them all too. If nobody plays viola, surely thats more of a reason to play it. My trouble is that I have friends who have played cello and violin for years and years and I don't wanna have to spend that long to get any good. I am seriously considering accordion though, sounds like a laugh. . .

I've always wondered if I'd stuck to one instrument whether or not I'd be dipABRSM standard by now. Learning 3 instruments at once certainly makes things difficult! Since summer last year I've had an exam per term!! I did Grade 6 sax, then the term after I did grade 7 clarinet, on monday I've got grade 5 piano and then next term I've got grade 8 clarinet!!! Maybe I shoudl've stuck to one instrument!

The question is - would you have put all the same effort from your 3 instruments into that one instrument if you only stuck to the one? People who do 1 instrument don't usually do 3 times the practice as those who do 3 instuments.
Doing 3 probably has helped you a great deal and got you to practice a lot more than you might have done with just 1.

But - to be REALLY good on 1 instrument takes so much time and effort, I think that playing other instruments does dilute your advancement. Those who 'make it' on an instrument will tell you they will practice for 8 hours or more when not performing - there just isn't time to do that for more than 1 instrument.

Will you have any activities near you that you could play your accordian in, if you took it up? Like f olk group or ceilidh band?

No, None that I know of. Is it worth learning for personal satisfaction?

Hey!! I also play just the piano! I've been doing it for about 3 years at school, and I recently did my grade four! Lol!! So your way better than me!!
I'd like to learn loads more instruments, but i cant afford any! I think violin, singing, and or guitar would be cool!! I'd choose one of them as a second instrument, personally!! Have fun, love Allie xoxox

Best reason to learn

Yes, I'd rather learn an instrument to keep myself happy than to keep other people happy.

Yes I agree with that but especially with the accordion I mean. Is there enough of a collection of pieces for accordion that it would be worth learning?

u actually sound a bit like me. And i wonder exactly the same thing. Especially the fact that some people are grade 8 and thats THE HIGHEST U CAN GO. I mean, suely u can go higher than that or are all these grade 8 people playing like beethoven or something (no offence, i know it sounds like im having a go at u but im not, lol)
and i have played the piano about the same number of years as u and only play one insturement.

Boo, I think you're lucky to play one instrument - it means you can concentrate on being your best in that instrument. I play a few (because I love them all) but it means that I struggle to find the time to practise them all regularly.

hey, im grade 4 in piano.but i learn violin too.

Lots of people play the flute and violin (makes it a lot harder to get into orchestras and stuff!) Have fun with any new instrument you pick up!

HI BOO,
SUCH A LOT OF POSTS! Well, no time to read them all but just some practical and constructive consolation for you:

Well, my girl only plays the violin. Thanks be to GOD. Otherwise she might not have a life! She has a reasonably good amount of free time for hobbies and church activities at the moment being a rather structured kid but when she turns secondary, then, with much more homework plus piano, she might not have a life!

SO BE THANKFUL for your ONE instrument and give it your BEST shot!

Tess
PS. If you are sure you still want to learn a 2nd one now, try going to the library to get a copy of Atarah Ben-Tovim's and Douglas Boyd's book entitled "The Right Instrument for Your Child" which is very helpful for adults, too.

Well thanks for all your consoling thoughts. I know I have more time to devote to my one instrument but it would still be nice to have another one (a slightly more portable one) to play occasionally. Well I think I might have a go at accordion or viola then. Does anyone know if there's much of a repertoire for viola?

Viola doesn't have huge amounts of original repertoire when compared with, say, violin, but it has some lovely stuff, and lots of things have been transcribed for it.

it doesnt matter if you paly 1or 6 instruments and i am certainly no where near grade 8

Play the cello! (I'm so totally not biased...lol) I've only been playing for about a year (I am grade 7 in piano too) and I'm doing grade 5 pretty soon, so it's not really that hard to get the hang of. In the beginning it can be frustrating, but one day it just clicks, so you have persevere! Shifting position can be a bit confusing to start with, but if you're fairly musical then you get used to it. Also, your fingers might get a bit sore for the first few months but after a while they kinda harden up, just try not to practice for too long at a time or you take the skin off!

As for bad points, I guess you could say they are difficult to transport... Saying that though, I travel for an hour on a really tiny 20 seater bus with it twice a week and I manage fine. I just shove it against the window on the seat next to me (and I have one of the largest cases on the market, lol!) They're surprisingly not that heavy either as they're just a hollow box really - just get a case with straps so you can put it on your back and you'll hardly notice it! Also, they are quite expensive... If you want, then you can hire them like I did to start with, but I'd advise you to go to your local music shop and see if you can hire a decent one for a little bit extra money. It's worth it believe me!

Usually most orchestras are crying out for cellists, so you'll probably be in demand if you do take it up! Only thing about the violin is that quite a lot of people play violin in comparison to cello, so you'd have to get quite good pretty quickly to get any opportunities in an orchestra. Cello's a gorgeous instrument (personally, I think it's the most beautiful there is!) and if you like Romantic music then there's absolutely loads that's been written for cello and a lot of solo repertoire too. Not trying to swing your choice to much... , but I totally recommend it!

Thanks for that Rosie. My best friend plays cello so it kinda put me off a bit but I might pick it up if I get enough money for one. (Can't even afford my desired 2nd hand piano yet!)

i can only play one.

well i can play piano and guitar badly though!

if the one you play is french horn then if you're any good you'll be forever in demand, so it's all good!

Piccolo is NOT a learners instrument. Not even at Grade 5 Flute if one is too young. I guess that starting Piccolo depends more on quality of playing etc. I have that straight from the mouth of a BRILL Instrumental Music Teacher.

My Daughter passed her first ever exam with Merit , grade 3 Flute, while in Primary seven { age 11 years} She then joined secondary school { S1, first year, age 12/13 yrs} On joining secondary school she was placed in the Senior Band, while staying in the junior band. During this First year she passed grade 5 Flute with Merit. She now can't advance { exam wise} until she has passed Grade 5 in Theory. We have had the pleasure of hearing her older Band members playing their Flutes { 3rd , 4th and even 5th year pupils} who still have not been offered the Piccolo, yet they are suberb on Flute. {let your young children HEAR older kids playing, it worked for our daughter!}

I have a question and i would appreciate any answer/advice anyone can give me. We are SO lost.

Daughter started Piano lessons roughly 10 months ago. She passed grade 1 with distinction while in S1. She has the most wonderful Piano Teacher { we pay for these piano lessons, for it is not part of the schools Free instrumental tuition { as with her Flute} We really agree with Piano Teacher that daughter should have started on Grade 1 piano {for it is much more tech than the fingering of a Flute} But, we wonder at the Piano Teacher staring her on Grade 1 THEORY. She did explain that if a child , like our daughter, wants to be a music teacher/ instrumental teacher, then it is not too good for them to miss TOO MANY of the Theory Grades. BUT, she has learned SO MUCH theory with the flute to grade 5 and after being given the grade 1 theory practise book for Piano, she was bored with it. We are thinking grade 2 or 3 for Theory, as is her Flute Teacher.
We do NOT want her to drop out through being bored, and she is bored.
I just dont know { we dont know anything much about exams} how to tell a Teacher {Piano} whom we respect, that our kid is way ahead of the boring stuff she is giving her for Grade 1 Theory. This is a Fantasic and talented Teacher and we could not speak highly enough of her.

But we are worried as our daughters school wont do much in Theory untill she is higher up the school { 3rd, 4th , 5th year}. How do we keep a child eager on her Flute while Stuck [ exam wise} as her school wont do much Theory with her?

Could she do exams with a different board (that doesn't require theory) on her flute while her theory 'catches up'? She shouldn't have to sit all the theory exams, but a lot of teachers like students to work through all the books, even though the first few are easy.
Does the piano teacher know about her flute playing or that she is keen to advance her theory more quickly than her piano? She may be teaching theory to the level of her piano skills and not see it as her job to get her theory up to her flute standard. Should it really be her flute teacher who teaches the theory?

If she has not taken any theory exams before it really is working through the earlier grades (not necessary to take the exams unless she wants to).
The theory syllabus for grade 5 assumes that you do know all of the material for preceding grades so working thorough from the start, although tedious at times, is the best way to make sure that there are no missing bits.

I know from personal experience that it is worth doing this. My first theory exam was grade 5 and I took it because I was aware that I pretty much knew what I needed to through my instrumental experience. The teacher I was with had me go through all the workbooks from grade 1 and there were small, but important, things which were useful to have gone over formally.

If she has already picked up most of the knowledge then she should be able to get through the earier books quite quickly (unless the teacher slows it down for some reason). But I wouldn't omit any of this earlier work.

Your daughter's piano teacher is absolutely right to start her at grade 1 theory. She needs to know all the rudiments before she takes grade 5. There is no point in her taking a grade 5 theory exam and losing marks for mistakes which should have been corrected at grade 1. If she's as good at theory as you think then she should pick it up quickly, but just because she has reached grade 5 in one instrument doesn't mean she will have the same amount of knowledge in theory. I have taught many students who have passed grade 5 practical and come to me for theory lessons who can't write a minor scale or write a bar of quavers in 4/4 time. Encourage your daughter to be patient and do as much theory as possible to get to grade 5 quickly, but she really does need to start at the beginning and work through all the grades. Its not a good idea to skip grades in theory in the same way it wouldn't be possible for someone with no knowledge of German to decide to start with A level. For what its worth, I'd be inclined to let her piano teacher get on with it. It seems to me that she has a sensible approach and is doing whats best for your daughter. Any parent who questioned what I was doing and told me that their daughter was way ahead of what I was giving her to do would be looking for a new teacher immediately.

To Noodle and sbhoa, and others.

Thank you.
Your opinion/advice has helped so much.

Crazy as this sounds, our daughters Teachers { for flute and piano are as good as they come} but we really do not get many chances to speak with them/ask their advice, this is why I asked you guys.
The instrumental Teacher { free lessons in school for daughters Flute} does not do Theory with any of the children for all of the instruments he teaches. Daughters Piano Teacher { the lessons we pay for outwith school} does know of her Flute Lessons/Grade 5 exam pass. She was the one who told us that daughter would need Theory exam pass before she could move on from Grade 5 Practical on Flute. We didnt know that.
We were just so lost { not being musical ourselves} so we asked on this board for other opinions and it did help.
We will help our daughter to study every theory grade to be had.

I do need to say this though, sorry if i didnt make it clear enough in my first post. We would never question the ability/skill or experience of our daughters two teachers. But when you are a LOST parent with no musical ability and few chances to speak with teachers, there is no harm in hearing opinions from others.

We have just been offered free piano tuiton from school {and it is good stuff} But why fix what isnt broke, this lady is Fab with the kids{a retired principal teacher of music} We heard all of her pupils play at a concert and we just cant understand how anyone can get such good stuff out of children. So we are staying with her and Daughter is delighted with that.

Once again, Thanks for youe advice.