Hey! I have been learning piano for 3 and a bit years, and am about grade 4. This is my only instrument, and I'd love to learn another. I'd have to teach myself though as we can't afford lessons, but does anyone have any ideas of a new instrument, which wouldn't be too difficult to teach myself etc. I really like violin, and guitar, would they be easy enough do u think? Anyone got any ideas of an instrument, and any tips on self-teaching etc cos I'd be very grateful! When you teach yourself an instrument, do you just work your way through books etc? Thank you! Love Allie xoxoxoxox

As ypu already play an instrument and can read music you have a headstart on whatever else you decide to take up.

The violin is probably not the easiest of instrument to teach yourself, but careful listening and checking your intonation (perhaps by playing the notes on the piano as well) will help.

I know that you said you can't afford lessons, but it would be wise to perhaps have two or three lessons on a violin, initially, just to point you in the right direction as far as posture, holding the violin and bowing is concerned. Nasty habits developed in the early stages will hamper your progress and be very difficult to get rid of at a later date.

The violin is very hard to self-teach and good habits need to be formed very early so you're better off getting a few months' lesson initially. The guitar is not easy option, either, but I do know people who have actually taught themselves well on it.

I would recommend guitar, simply because I have a few friends (one with no musical background) who taught themselves guitar quite successfully.

I should think the violin would be really hard to teach yourself because of the problems with tuning. It is possible to learn an instrument without a teacher but it's not the best way. I've been teaching myself the clarinet for the last couple of months but, having had my first proper lesson with a real teacher today, I've realised that I was getting all sorts of things wrong. Even if you don't have lessons regularly, it would be an idea to book a few to begin with so you don't start off by developing bad habits which would be difficult to break later on.

As to which instrument, I'd say clarinet or flute. But then, I'm biased! How about saxophone?

I'd take up a woodwind instrument because your fingers have a set place to go for each different note and there are fewer intonation problems. I don't think bassoon or oboe would be a good idea though coz they're hard!

If you want to play it properly though it probably would be going to a teacher for a few lessons to maje sure you start right and then stop if you can't afford it. I've managed to teach myself piano and clarinet to start with, coz we couldn't afford lessons. Piano problems were corrected instantly and weren't that bad anyway, but my teacher's just noticed a problem 7 years later which is partly coz I taught myself and partly coz my first teacher was feckless, and it's been ###### trying to sort it out!

I also taught myself flute and some cornet, but I only know the notes and breathing. I can't do proper technique and can only play pieces to a certain degree. But it's fun and a challenge!

If u want to learn Violin, it will be better to start off with a teacher. The reason being u need someone to guide u in terms of how to hold the bow, posture, tuning & other techniques. I started learning Violin as my second instrument 1 yr ago. For me, I feel that getting the right technique is important.

Guitar, is not a bad option since u are able to read notation & chords.

I taught myself alot of stuff before I started guitar lessons and still teach myself alot. I learnt chords from book and I picked it up fairly easily. I think violin is quite difficult without a teacher.

I taught myself to play the celtic harp and have reached quite a reasonable standard. However, it still makes me nervous when I play in front of anyone who has been taught because I know they're looking at my hand positions and thinking I'm not doing it well. Silly really, but how something looks is very important.

There are stories of people who've taught themselves guitar and violin and ended up playing "the wrong way round" which is fine, but can look a bit weird!

Yes, I had that problem as well. Many years ago I taught myself classical guitar using old Sor, Guiliani books, and later, the excellent Frederick Noad books.

I got to about Grade 4-5 level, but it was only when I took some lessons that I realised how lousy my technique was. In fact, I never tried going further. It was too difficult to 'unlearn' what I'd spent years developing.

However, having since learned piano, clarinet and tinkered with cello, sax and trumpet, I'd say that clarinet is probably the easiest to teach yourself without too many problems. Also, if you learn clarinet, the sax will seem like a doddle!

I started off with just the Abracadabra book but also did loads of reading around for advice on the net. My first clarinet was a cheap but very good Hanson. I can also recommend the Boosey and Hawkes book.

One thing I realise now, is that when beginners have problems with their clarinet they don't realise that the problem is actually the reed or mouthpiece.

So, whatever you choose, do plenty of reading first, and don't rush the first steps.

Steve

ok, so i will have to admit that it's great for me having a teacher! but there was a girl in our class who was self taught guitar and shes brilliant, i managed to get myself to grade 1/2 piano standard after about a year and a half of self taught keyboard/piano (piano with the help of my class teacher who wrote out all the bass clef notes)
i also had the problem that my parents couldn't afford lessons for me - i really wanted lessons but they weren't an option at that point in time so i did the best i could with the help available from my school music dept who are fantastic! now i have two teachers who i love to bits, but i have to say to everyone who's told you to get lessons - CAN YOU NOT READ?!!! it has already been stated that getting a teacher isn't really an option at the moment so accept it

anyway, ranty bit over (sorry i just get irritated when people don't believe in self taughts after i spent about a year being dreadfully ashamed of my musical status, until my amazing teacher made me feel proud of myself for doing it alone!)
what was the question again?! oh instruments, erm out of guitar and violin, violin would be my choice but as self taught its probs a big no-no! but i have had a go on guitar, that seems ok to teach yourself, so you could probably give that a try! i think its just which instruments you're drawn to really
best of luck with it
hoxie
x

okies correction - i have 5 music teachers, i meant 2 peri's!
and that was a loooong post