Tips for Musicians
Which Instrument should I play?
The one you want. You may already know which one, but if not, type in the instruments listed in the Lessons section of Naperville Lessons on a video-sharing site such as Youtube to figure out which one appeals to you the most. Occasionally, an instrument can be ‘too big’ for the player, such as the string bass or the tuba, and oftentimes your lips don’t agree with a particular mouthpiece, but the average person should be able to find 90% of musical instruments rather accessible.
Another determinant is the type of music, register, and tone. If you really like classical music then the string, band, and piano instruments are the best choice. For popular music, the rock band instruments are a must, as well as the piano, although some bands have diversified themselves by inviting an orchestral instrument such as Yanni. Next, do you enjoy the higher or lower pitches, or both equally? Answering this question will help you narrow your search for the perfect instrument. For example, the piano has a large range of low through high pitches, but the tuba is primarily low pitched.
Finally, determine which tone quality you enjoy the most. Strings are warm, wind instruments are generally bright, and piano and percussion are percussive. If you still cannot decide, talk to your friends, browse the net, and listen to music until you determine which instrument is right for you. If you find that the instrument you chose is not the right one for you, it is no problem because just like a bad date, you simply move on to the next one till you find a good match.
-August 1, 2010 (edited 8/7/10)