Learning an instrument

[Rhythm Thief]

It's one of those things that's much easier to learn when you're young . You could either try and pick it up, or not bother and play by ear, depending on what you want to do. I don't read to any useful standard - if you're interested in jazz (yeah, right) it helps to learn a bit about chords. But imitating and playing along with someone whose sound/style you like will get you a fair way.

This is true. I can read music, but very sketchily, and while it doesn't mean I'm a bad musician, I'm better for knowing enough about musical theory to understand how chords are constructed and what the relative minor scale is, and so on. But if you can't read music, don't worry about it: as you become more interested and more ambitious it'll start to come to you. The main thing to remember is that learning a musical instrument is not like brain surgery: you're not going to hurt anyone by trying! Go for it, and let us know how you get on.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

If it sounds awful at first just say it's 'free jazz' - who's going to know!

Good luck if you go for it - playing an instrument is really good fun thing to do. I love playing my guitar!

 

[Fab Foodie]

Just have a go. Mr Campfire would love to play the sax but can't afford one!

Acceptable instrumenst are available s/h for ~ £100. Not too bad.

 

[Llama]

yeah get stuck in - i recently started playing the harmonica (just over two years), i would recommend lessons - you can without but it will take you much longer. its great just starting to read music and loving learning something different.

"we honor our instruments through use"