From: sasghm@theseus.unx.sas.com (Gary Merrill)
Subject: Re: Help, which instrument?
    <1992Apr15.053153.8791@Princeton.EDU>
Organization: SAS Institute Inc.
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1992 15:21:08 GMT
Originator: sasghm@theseus.unx.sas.com
X-Bytes: 3078

In article <1992Apr15.053153.8791@Princeton.EDU>, roger@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (Roger Lustig) writes:
|> In article <1992Apr15.030528.22310@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu>
|>  hyx1@cunixa.cc.columbia.edu (Harry Y Xu) writes:
|> 
|> >	Can somebody give me advise on which instrument is the easiest to 
|> >learn?  I know the Q might sound stupid, but can't think of better wording.
|> 
|> >PS.	I sort of like woodwind and brass, but not sure.
|> 
|> Recorder, then.  Cheap, most of the music isn't too hairy, and you can
|> carry it around with you.

Not wanting to get into another fight with Roger, I would still offer
the following:

In general, Roger's suggestion of a recorder is a good one.  It is
cheap, easy to learn, you don't have to worry about embouchure
development, etc.  If you get a recorder, at least get a wooden one.
These are a bit more expensive than the plastic ones, but generally
worth the difference.

I find the range of the soprano recorder to be pretty irritating,
so I don't really like to play it.  You could get an alto or tenor,
but these cost more.  (Maybe the range won't irritate you.)

Among other alternatives, I think you should consider flute.  You
should be able to buy a playable used student-model flute for $100
or less.  It takes more work to get a sound out of a flute than out
of a recorder, but then you have an instrument with more range and
more flexibility.  It also takes more time to learn and requires
different skills -- and hence, I think, is more fun.  I taught myself
to play flute many years ago, and got to the point where I was
able to play with some facility in college and community bands.

With respect to brass and reeds, I would say that unless there is some
particular instrument you *really* want to play at this point, these
are best avoided.  Clarinet will require more effort and be more
frustrating than flute to get to the same level of accomplishment.
Saxophones suck (I know. I played the beasts for over 15 years until
it finally dawned on me that it was a terrible instrument.)  The
double reeds could be a blast (I never took on that challange, though
one of my kids did), but you are looking at serious work and expense
in that direction.

Brass for me (now at least) is the most fun.  I am self-taught in 
low brass and am just now getting to the point where I don't embarrass
myself too much of the time.  If you want to go this way, pick what
your favorite instrument is and go for it. In terms of expense, you
can probably get a used cornet or trumpet for about the same cost
as a flute.  I guess you've ruled out tuba with your criterion of
portability.  Too bad.

These recommendations are, of course, based on my own tastes and
experience.  Choice of instrument is a very personal choice.  Go
with what you like.  You might consider renting some instrument for
a month or two just to see how things develop.




	1) 
-- 
Gary H. Merrill  [Principal Systems Developer, C Compiler Development]
SAS Institute Inc. / SAS Campus Dr. / Cary, NC  27513 / (919) 677-8000
sasghm@unx.sas.com ... !mcnc!sas!sasghm