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Picking the right instrument

There are things in my life that have great meaning, and the idea of playing music is one of those things. It's also the thing that has made me think a lot about what I'm doing and what I want out of life, and it's also been one of the hardest things I've ever taken on, but occasionally over the years I've had this bug to learn to play music.

I decided a few months ago to start to learn to play an instrument. I have never played one before save for about a three week stint in my teens when I decided that the guitar wasn't for me, and after nearly twenty years later I still had the bug. I can paint, I can write, and I can sing, and though the site of me dancing is an experience all of its own, I still want to learn to play an instrument.

So, I laid them all out. What should I learn to play? Should I learn to play the piano? I don't really want to learn anything that big, and I don't count electric keyboards in the mix. Aside from the fun to be had by Ferris Bueler, I've really never seen the attraction, so without the room for a baby grand or an upright, I really didn't want something that I couldn't carry around. So, with that thought, out go the xylophones and drums as well.

I thought about brass instruments, and woodwinds. Would they be a possibility? Every time I ask someone what kind of instrument I should learn, I hear "Learn the saxophone." and I have to admit that I considered it. I considered it for so long that nearly ten years went by, and I still wasn't learning how to play an instrument! The problem with woodwinds and brass is, that you have to use your mouth, and I like to talk. I like to talk and tell stories, and use any instrument like I'm some kind of bard or wandering minstrel. I like to think of myself sometimes as one of those long lost fire side story tellers, complete with a goat skull cap, with the wild beard and the magician's staff, the keeper of a vast tradition of oral teachings or entertainments. So they were out. If you can't talk while you play then I'm just not interested in it.

That left me with strings. I wasn't really interested in getting on the wagon again with the guitar. Holding the neck was painful, and awkward for me, so I had to find something else. I still saw myself as one of these wandering storytellers though, so I wanted to make sure that It would fit that for me. Something that I could take with me when telling a story. Veering away from the guitars, I was led more to bluegrass instruments. While not generally my thing, they have potential, and I like the way they sound.

When I really got serious, and started getting into it, I landed on the Mandolin. Or maybe it landed on me, I'm not sure. I'm still no good with it, and maybe I never will be, but I expect that if I stick with it long enough, I'll get good enough to satisfy myself. I bought it before I lost my nerve, after much debate and gnashing of teeth. It wasn't so much the cost of the Mandolin. I had decided to get a student quality one, but the lessons, and that's not even about the money, but the time involved. They say it takes about two years to get good at an instrument. I'm two months down now, and I still haven't propperly introduced my left hand to my right yet. Ah well. I'll get there.

I'm looking forward to it though, wherever it leads me. One thing is for sure. I like being someone who has bought an instrument and is struggling with it, a lot better than being someone who hasn't taken the leap yet.

An important note: The video clip on this entry is not me. I only aspire to this. One day I'll get there. Right now, it makes my hand cramp just to watch this.

Have you taken your leap yet? No? Get on with it!