most difficult instrument?

[keokime]

I was just wondering what is considered to be the most difficult instrument. Some instruments are not as complex as others, making them easier to learn...any thoughts?

[serge urtizberea]

I don't think that there really exists instruments more difficult than others. It's all a matter of how virtuositic you want to get on that instrument. For example, I'm watching at this moment Yo-Yo Ma and Itzak Perlman perform on the Academy Awards, and to obtain that level of skill clearly involves a lot of work.<P><BR>Personally, I'd say that soloists on any instrument have it hardest.

[~Leslie]

My mind is fairly well made up on this one. I'd say it's the violin, particularly the soloist. ~

[TallBlondeFlutist]

I don't know. Not too long ago, I heard it was the flute. Since that is my instrument, I appreciated that comment, but I don't know if it really is the most difficult. It's not easy to really make music. Not too hard to just play. I dare say it is the same with most instruments. I'll stick my head out and say a double reed is most difficult (but what do I know?).

[Nicole Marie]

Well I'm biased but I have to say the Double Bass is the hardest instrument. It is extremely physical to play.<P>But then again every instrument has it's degree of difficulty.

[~Leslie]

Nicole, The degree of difficulty triples if you drive a Volkswagon.~

[Peter]

Bagpipes!! No........I really just wanted to say HELLLOOOOOOO to the tall, blonde flutist (flautist?), cos one doesn't meet tooooo many.

[EJA_2]

Well, I'll go along with the violin being tough. Of course, the bag pipe is quite a challenge too. <P>Still, for complexity, technical demand, and variation among instruments, I think the pipe organ has got to be one of the most challenging. <P>Now, can anyone give suggestions for the easiest instrument? 'Cause when we come to a consensus I'm going to take a crack at that instrument. <P> -- EJA

[ReedMan]

I would say that the hardest instrument to play is the the one you learn *after* you have mastered your 1st instrument. That's because your expectations are higher. <P>From experience, I would say that the Eb clarinet is one of the harder instruments to master - intonation is a killer on this tiny instrument. Even the pro's have a hard time with it - recall the recordings where a shrill Eb clarinet dominates an entire orchestra. It makes you wish for someone to drag their fingernails across a blackboard for some relief.<P>The easiest instrument would be the soprano sax. Extremely easy to play and you can become proficient in a very short time with very little practice.

[EJA_2]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ReedMan:<BR><B><BR>The easiest instrument would be the soprano sax. Extremely easy to play and you can become proficient in a very short time with very little practice. </B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>So easy even BC can play it. Or is his an alto? <P> -EJA<P>

[TallBlondeFlutist]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Peter:<BR><B>Bagpipes!! No........I really just wanted to say HELLLOOOOOOO to the tall, blonde flutist (flautist?), cos one doesn't meet tooooo many. </B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>I only wish I could say I am a flautist. (In my book, one is a flutist until they really master the instrument). So, anyway, that is why I say it is a difficult instrument. I've been playing for many, many years (if I said how many, I'd give my age away, which isn't too cool for a woman) and still don't consider myself near mastery!<P>

[Peter]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by EJA:<BR><B>

Originally posted by ReedMan:<BR><BR>The easiest instrument would be the soprano sax. Extremely easy to play and you can become proficient in a very short time with very little practice. </B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>So easy even BC can play it. Or is his an alto? <BR> -EJA<BR>

<P>Big Bill plays a tenor sax, & sometimes he plays around.

[Peter]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by TallBlondeFlutist:<BR><B> I only wish I could say I am a flautist. (In my book, one is a flutist until they really master the instrument). So, anyway, that is why I say it is a difficult instrument. I've been playing for many, many years (if I said how many, I'd give my age away, which isn't too cool for a woman) and still don't consider myself near mastery!<BR></B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Forgive me! My previous post was a bit suggestive, as your curious poster name reads a bit like the start of a personal ad!! You didn't seem to latch on to my drift, & I don't want to mislead you, so I confess to everything! It is interesting, however, that you stick with the flute ("An instrument I cannot bear," according to Mozart), when you find it so difficult? What are your favourite flute works?

[Peter]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ~Leslie:<BR><B>Nicole, The degree of difficulty triples if you drive a Volkswagon.~ </B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Easier to carry the VW around inside the bass.

[Nicole Marie]

That is very true! VW are smaller than basses. But I once saw, a bassist had put out instructions on how to load your bass in a VW! They fit, if you angel them just right!<P>That's why I have my trusty Volvo wagon. Gotta love 'em!

[EJA_2]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Nicole Marie:<BR>But I once saw, a bassist had put out instructions on how to load your bass in a VW! They fit, if you <B>angel</B> them just right!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Guess that counts you out, huh?<BR> <P> -- EJA<BR>

[Louin2u]

I hope this counts but I have taught myself the Eb Clarinet, Base Clarinet, Alto Sax, Bassoon, Obo, Bassoon, Baritone, Tuba, French Horn, and the Trombone. I am not an expert, by far, but I can follow most pieces after a while. They all took about six months to learn to play except I have been working on the flute for about two years now and I still haven't learned to play it well enough to play it in public. So out of the wind instruments, I have to say it is the flute. I can't see any of the winds being too different from that list.

[The Great Mazinga]

I will definitely have to say that the spoons are very hard to solo on.....but perhaps even harder is the washboard. I gave up on thw whiskey jug after I sprained my lips.

[serge urtizberea]

I notice with puzzlement that no one mentioned the piano, easily one of the hardest instruments to play fluently. I alluded to it, but no one else did. I really hope you aren't all master pianists, 'cause that'd just make me feel bad.<P>To those who play it, how hard do you find the piano? Also, does anyone think that a good grounding in music theory is required for a thorough musical education/experience?

[Nicole Marie]

Serge-<P>I firmly believe that you need music theory when you learn an instrument. It helps when reading music, performance and understanding how your instrument and the music works together. Learn theory when you are taking instrument lessons!