What instrument should I learn?

[Mr Write]

I've two primary motivations:

- To exercise my lesser functions (I'm an INTP, yes)
- I plan on snagging myself an INFJ mate someday. Playing an instrument would be a nice way to make her Se inferior happy.

As such, what instrument would best accomplish these? I've been considering either piano or flute (big Tull fan); but I'm open to anything. I'll probably only have the time and motivation to learn and maintain proficiency in one instrument.

 

[Coolydudey]

I think piano: once you get good at it, there are many more possibilities than with other instruments. For example: a flute has one melodic line, while a good piano piece will often have three melodic lines in places.

 

[redbaron]

I guess you'd want to pick an instrument that sounds good solo.

Which I suppose might narrow it down to the traditional, 'melodic' instruments.

Piano, guitar, saxophone.

Personally I'd pick piano - it never really sounds, 'thin' when not accompanied by any other instrument, because you can provide rhythm, melody and harmony all at once. You can't play two notes at the same time on a saxophone/flute for example, and guitar itself is fine, but kind of lacks the depth of piano.

At a superbly elite level these factors are not so relevant, however if you want to be able to create songs and compose pieces with real feeling, without being accompanied by any other musicians - piano is the way to go. It's also fundamentally one of the most grounding instruments anyone can learn, if you can play piano, you can just about learn anything.

So if you ever were to reassess your desire to learn only, 'one' instrument for example, you'll probably find it much easier to learn another by having a background in piano as opposed to a string/wind instrument.

Though really, the overruling factor in musical talent is not really talent at all, it's dedication and love of the craft.

 

[Chad]

I suggest Tuba. Mostly because I was a tuba player it I enjoy it allot.

This may not be your thing but its fun and loud and bass. This combination fits me very well however, I am not I am not completely sure this has anything to do with my INTPness.

That the best I can do.

 

[Etheri]

I've recently felt the desire to get an instrument, a hang, only because I felt it sounded amazing and looked really fun to play.
Unfortunately, it seems fairly hard to get one.

Either way, this is what gave me the idea, and it's absolutely wonderful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Irz9PNHqt-Y

 

[C.Hecker88]

I enjoy playing a bass guitar. It all really depends on your personal preference, not personality type.

 

[Absurdity]

I think the answer is obvious: jazz flute.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c_ufaxeSTs

 

[Wolf18]

I've two primary motivations:

- To exercise my lesser functions (I'm an INTP, yes)
- I plan on snagging myself an INFJ mate someday. Playing an instrument would be a nice way to make her Se inferior happy.

As such, what instrument would best accomplish these? I've been considering either piano or flute (big Tull fan); but I'm open to anything. I'll probably only have the time and motivation to learn and maintain proficiency in one instrument.

Piano over flute, and here's why:

1. Some people are physically incapable of making any sound at all on flute. However, this does not mean that piano is at all easier – anyone can press the notes, but few people can do it well because the notes are often more complex and plentiful on piano. However, you will not have a problem with making a sound in the first place.

2. On flute, you have to be able to breathe and blow, which is an extra unnecessary challenge.

3. As Coolydudey mentioned, flute has only one melodic line while piano can have as many as 3, depending on size. This allows for greater range.

4. Piano gives you strong, flexible fingers and a really good grip.

5. piano has a much wider (and better, IMO) repertoire than flute.

Have fun. Whatever you choose, playing an instrument is a great skill to have, as well as being very enjoyable.

SW

 

[Architect]

I professionally played a woodwind when I was younger. Advantage is you have a small, portable instrument that is cheap as long as you don't want a professional instrument. Problem is one, the repertoire as others have noted. It really is bad for the woodwinds. A handful of solo pieces, and you don't see that until Mozart. Bach wrote some solo flute I believe, but the clarinet hadn't been invented yet for example. The bigger issue however is embouchure. You have to play every day to keep your chops up, and you'll spend the first few years just developing them.

As an adult I took up the piano and found it to be my true instrument. Wish I had picked it as a kid, but we didn't have a usable piano (just an old furniture piano) and digital instruments didn't exist back then. The enormous complexity of playing the piano is so much more satisfying than a woodwind. Nowadays it's not a big deal, you can get a good digital with sample libraries for not a lot of money.

It's a winner hands down when you consider the enormous body of available work, and it's almost all solo work. You can even just focus on one composer if you like ... for example Bach. If I had to I could happily just play Bach for the rest of my days.

For digital (I also have a large new grand piano) I have a Doepfer PK88 (just MIDI) and a PC/OS X based sample library (Ivory). Sounds great, decent action for a digital, and doesn't need tuning.

 

[Mr Write]

Alright, after trying out each instrument to get a feel for them, and taking you guy's advice into account, I've decided on the piano!* Thanks, guys.

It may not be portable, but yeah, it definitely is a much better solo instrument, and seems more fun to play; embouchure is indeed a pain in the ass.

I happen to have a decent digital piano lying around at the moment (Roland HP-1700), which is certainly good enough for my purposes; though I'll probably buy myself something really nice later on, when I feel I've earned it, and can afford such luxuries. New tech is always such a great motivator.

*I was kinda hoping to Bach a few turns in the grave, if you know what I mean.

http://youtu.be/iWJgJkVL0xM?t=45s

Oh well.

 

[Merlin Moon]

The musical instrument should i really want to learn are piano and guitar...

 

[Mr Write]

You know, I think I really like the piano.

 

[Happy]

- I plan on snagging myself an INFJ mate someday. Playing an instrument would be a nice way to make her Se inferior happy.

Methinks piano will accomplish this nicely.

 

[Tuevon]

Saxophone. Everyone knows saxophones are sexy.

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

Thread's getting old-ish, but I've got to do a shout out for the stumpf fiddle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWHYMRW9pr0

 

[The Introvert]

Guitar, acoustic (for your purposes).

Reasons:

- More mobility; it's difficult to carry around a piano.
- Relatively easy learning curve; getting your fingers calloused is the hardest part.
- You only need to know three chords and you can play 70% of all songs ever. Seriously.
- More online content for learning songs, more songs total.
- Less expensive.

From experience.

It is the most practical in nearly every aspect. Although my experience learning might be a little different (played piano for 13+ years prior to learning), it only took me a few months to be able to become a passable acoustic guitar player.

With that said, piano is definitely a worthwhile instrument to learn. It's just not as convenient, or as easy to learn (as far as both difficulty and song content) as a guitar.

 

[Beat Mango]

If you have to ask, you'll never know.