Instrument I can learn on a budget?
July 9, 2018 9:22 PM Subscribe
tl;dr: I don't want to spend piano levels of money on an instrument, was told I don't have the right fingers for guitar.
snowflakes inside.
my house when i was growing up had a piano. i learned up to a beginner level. I do not currently have the space or money for a piano. that said, i love how piano sounds, and i liked being able to slowly plunk out a tune and experiment with it and come up with things on my own. I miss that a lot and would like something that would provide something analogous, but physically smaller and on a smaller budget. I'm not very musical, but I miss having at least some musicy-ness in my life.
a few years ago i paid for an initial class in guitar. we spent fifteen minutes trying to teach me the easiest chord (don't remember what that was). It was extremely difficult for me to get my fingers arranged correctly and impossible for me to transition to a different chord without using my other hand to physically lift and hold my fingers in place. my fingers do curve weirdly, and the teacher told me i had the second-worst hands for guitar she'd ever encountered and she suggested it wasn't the instrument for me. I am open to hearing the teacher was wrong and that there is some way for me to play guitar but admit that I've never seen my issues or difficulties addressed in any guitar learning beginners book I've encountered.
I'm intimidated by violin/viola (and also assume they're out of my price range, and don't know if my guitar issues apply there as well).
I'm not particularly interested in wind (based on those I'm familiar with-- the flute, the horn, the trumpet-- if there's more "string-like" wind then maybe) and not interested in percussion.
I used to pass by a music store every day and its display window was full of instruments I know nothing about. I keep wondering if any of them are suitable for a person on a budget with terrible guitar fingers who likes the sound of string instruments?
my house when i was growing up had a piano. i learned up to a beginner level. I do not currently have the space or money for a piano. that said, i love how piano sounds, and i liked being able to slowly plunk out a tune and experiment with it and come up with things on my own. I miss that a lot and would like something that would provide something analogous, but physically smaller and on a smaller budget. I'm not very musical, but I miss having at least some musicy-ness in my life.
a few years ago i paid for an initial class in guitar. we spent fifteen minutes trying to teach me the easiest chord (don't remember what that was). It was extremely difficult for me to get my fingers arranged correctly and impossible for me to transition to a different chord without using my other hand to physically lift and hold my fingers in place. my fingers do curve weirdly, and the teacher told me i had the second-worst hands for guitar she'd ever encountered and she suggested it wasn't the instrument for me. I am open to hearing the teacher was wrong and that there is some way for me to play guitar but admit that I've never seen my issues or difficulties addressed in any guitar learning beginners book I've encountered.
I'm intimidated by violin/viola (and also assume they're out of my price range, and don't know if my guitar issues apply there as well).
I'm not particularly interested in wind (based on those I'm familiar with-- the flute, the horn, the trumpet-- if there's more "string-like" wind then maybe) and not interested in percussion.
I used to pass by a music store every day and its display window was full of instruments I know nothing about. I keep wondering if any of them are suitable for a person on a budget with terrible guitar fingers who likes the sound of string instruments?
Best answer: How much is "piano money?" The entry level of 88-key electric pianos with weighted keys is approximately $500. These have sufficient quality, feel, and tone to be sufficient for at least the first couple years of instruction, and they're close enough to the real thing that I doubt you'd be in danger of forming bad habits by practicing on one.
posted by Expecto Cilantro at 9:30 PM on July 9, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by Expecto Cilantro at 9:30 PM on July 9, 2018 [7 favorites]
Best answer: It sounds like you really enjoyed the piano. You can get a good quality, 88-key, weighted digital piano quite cheaply these days (as far as musical instruments go). Look at the Yamaha P-45/P-115, or Casio's Privia line. They're not quite the real thing, but I'd say they're about 80% as good, and they have some advantages over traditional pianos (much smaller and easier to move, you can plug in headphones and not drive your friends and neighbors insane with scales). I got one a couple of years ago and it's the best thing I own.
posted by theodolite at 9:33 PM on July 9, 2018 [9 favorites]
posted by theodolite at 9:33 PM on July 9, 2018 [9 favorites]
Best answer: Your teacher should have mentioned that the "using my other hand to physically lift and hold my fingers in place" thing would fade as you increased your hand strength and flexibility while doing other things. You need a teacher who's willing to work with you, if guitar is something you are interested in.
A smaller guitar could help with the chord issue. (Smaller meaning shorter in general, but also a thinner neck). My first guitar was way to big for me to play comfortably, and I never really enjoyed playing until I picked up a smaller guitar.
What about a bass guitar? I have a wonky pinky, and I find it much easier than a traditional guitar.
Also, mountain dulcimer can be played with or without chords.
Find a small, independent guitar shop that offers lessons. They may be able to give you a few lessons on different styles and sizes of guitars, so you can figure out what feels best before purchasing.
posted by rakaidan at 9:56 PM on July 9, 2018 [3 favorites]
A smaller guitar could help with the chord issue. (Smaller meaning shorter in general, but also a thinner neck). My first guitar was way to big for me to play comfortably, and I never really enjoyed playing until I picked up a smaller guitar.
What about a bass guitar? I have a wonky pinky, and I find it much easier than a traditional guitar.
Also, mountain dulcimer can be played with or without chords.
Find a small, independent guitar shop that offers lessons. They may be able to give you a few lessons on different styles and sizes of guitars, so you can figure out what feels best before purchasing.
posted by rakaidan at 9:56 PM on July 9, 2018 [3 favorites]
Best answer: you don't really "need" to have weighted keys, by the way, most of the keyboards in the world don't have them. you can get a new inexpensive electronic keyboard with various instrument voices for a couple hundred dollars. next time you go by the music store ask them to show you some small cheap starter keyboards. don't buy anything right away but go home and think about it. if you still really want it after a few days, then go back and git it.
posted by ovvl at 9:57 PM on July 9, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by ovvl at 9:57 PM on July 9, 2018 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I am a music teacher. Your guitar teacher was an ass, right up there with elementary music teachers who tell kids they can’t sing. It’s possible you have something going on that might make your learning curve steeper, but it’s very likely you can learn.
My standard entry-level instrument suggestion for the self-taught is ukulele. Super fun, cheap, easy to learn (moreso than guitar) and lots of great materials available for free online. These are indestructible (they will float!) and do not sound terrible so are super fun for camping etc. People with bigger hands often like learning on a tenor rather than a soprano.
posted by charmedimsure at 10:24 PM on July 9, 2018 [7 favorites]
My standard entry-level instrument suggestion for the self-taught is ukulele. Super fun, cheap, easy to learn (moreso than guitar) and lots of great materials available for free online. These are indestructible (they will float!) and do not sound terrible so are super fun for camping etc. People with bigger hands often like learning on a tenor rather than a soprano.
posted by charmedimsure at 10:24 PM on July 9, 2018 [7 favorites]
Craigslist often has many low priced keyboards if CL is available in your area. I was looking this week and saw several for between $25-$80. Or even cheaper, ask your family or friends if any of them have a keyboard that they aren't playing anymore. Another low/no cost idea is to practice on a community center or small church's piano.
posted by a humble nudibranch at 11:02 PM on July 9, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by a humble nudibranch at 11:02 PM on July 9, 2018 [3 favorites]
a few years ago i paid for an initial class in guitar. we spent fifteen minutes trying to teach me the easiest chord (don't remember what that was).
They teach you chords in the first fifteen minutes? That's weird, your hands don't have enough strength in the muscles you need to hold a chord until you've had some practice.
It was extremely difficult for me to get my fingers arranged correctly and impossible for me to transition to a different chord without using my other hand to physically lift and hold my fingers in place.
That's why you practice playing an instrument and not just read a book, there's a physical part to it and your hands need the training.
my fingers do curve weirdly, and the teacher told me i had the second-worst hands for guitar she'd ever encountered and she suggested it wasn't the instrument for me.
Feel free to never talk to this person again, but if you do you can let them know internet strangers think they have the first-worst music teaching method they have ever encountered.
posted by each day we work at 11:06 PM on July 9, 2018 [12 favorites]
They teach you chords in the first fifteen minutes? That's weird, your hands don't have enough strength in the muscles you need to hold a chord until you've had some practice.
It was extremely difficult for me to get my fingers arranged correctly and impossible for me to transition to a different chord without using my other hand to physically lift and hold my fingers in place.
That's why you practice playing an instrument and not just read a book, there's a physical part to it and your hands need the training.
my fingers do curve weirdly, and the teacher told me i had the second-worst hands for guitar she'd ever encountered and she suggested it wasn't the instrument for me.
Feel free to never talk to this person again, but if you do you can let them know internet strangers think they have the first-worst music teaching method they have ever encountered.
posted by each day we work at 11:06 PM on July 9, 2018 [12 favorites]
Nthing ukulele. I’m terrible with fiddly string fingerings and even I can do basic chords and strum.
You say you’re intimidated by violin/viola and they’re expensive, but they do have inexpensive electric ones available. Someday I want to try violin, and that’s probably how I’ll do it - especially because I have neighbors and you can plug the electric ones into headphones. Perfect so no one can hear my mistakes!
posted by greermahoney at 11:06 PM on July 9, 2018 [1 favorite]
You say you’re intimidated by violin/viola and they’re expensive, but they do have inexpensive electric ones available. Someday I want to try violin, and that’s probably how I’ll do it - especially because I have neighbors and you can plug the electric ones into headphones. Perfect so no one can hear my mistakes!
posted by greermahoney at 11:06 PM on July 9, 2018 [1 favorite]
Many music stores will rent instruments to you if you are interested in trying out a few options without the fear of plunking down a lot of money for something you find isn't right for you. Very common with string instruments as they are expensive and beginners don't like to spend so much money upfront for an instrument they haven't learned how to play yet. There's also rent-to-buy so that you can eventually own the instrument over time. Talk to the staff at the store and see what options you have.
Also that music teacher is awful.
posted by acidnova at 11:06 PM on July 9, 2018
Also that music teacher is awful.
posted by acidnova at 11:06 PM on July 9, 2018
I took piano lessons for a decade and change, and I play on a Privia now — I live in an apartment so a real piano just isn’t a thing I can do. I got it used at GuitarCenter for a couple hundred dollars. I’m so glad to have it. Honestly if the thing you really love is plunking out a tune, nothing beats a keyboard. (I also play guitar, which I enjoy too, but imo keyboard is better for messing around with.)
posted by goodbyewaffles at 11:13 PM on July 9, 2018
posted by goodbyewaffles at 11:13 PM on July 9, 2018
Best answer: If you don't mind playing a keyboard, you can get a fairly small/cheap midi keyboard, and load up some VST instruments and play not just a piano sounding thing, but all sorts of coo things.
Or you can get an actual synth and learn to make music. But if you're looking for a *real*/traditional instrument, midi-keyboard would be fine (and if you can spend more, yeah - an actual electric piano is *very* nice as an alternative - they can sound amazing at a fraction of the cost and space)
If you want something less "synthesizer"/weird sound, but less than $500 - you can get a Yamaha Reface CP "for 370 on amazon... Has the classic Rhodes keyboard sound in a little 3 octave keyboard. Keys are small, but if your hands are small may not be a problem.
There's also the Reface YC Combo Organ, with a classic organ sound - drawbars and everything (again, smaller, etc..)
posted by symbioid at 11:25 PM on July 9, 2018 [1 favorite]
Or you can get an actual synth and learn to make music. But if you're looking for a *real*/traditional instrument, midi-keyboard would be fine (and if you can spend more, yeah - an actual electric piano is *very* nice as an alternative - they can sound amazing at a fraction of the cost and space)
If you want something less "synthesizer"/weird sound, but less than $500 - you can get a Yamaha Reface CP "for 370 on amazon... Has the classic Rhodes keyboard sound in a little 3 octave keyboard. Keys are small, but if your hands are small may not be a problem.
There's also the Reface YC Combo Organ, with a classic organ sound - drawbars and everything (again, smaller, etc..)
posted by symbioid at 11:25 PM on July 9, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Also- as a string teacher- violin/viola is a pretty bad idea unless you are going to take lessons. *Very* specific technique matters SO much to your intonation and tone and a sub $300 instrument will also be really hard to learn on. Adult learners of bowed, unfretted string instruments tend to struggle so much even in a one-on-one lesson situation that I would strongly discourage you from that path unless you’re going to rent an ok instrument (maybe $20-20 a month) and commit to weekly lessons for a while.
posted by charmedimsure at 11:59 PM on July 9, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by charmedimsure at 11:59 PM on July 9, 2018 [2 favorites]
If you have space for a modern digital piano, then you should get one. The trick is to buy a used one from someone who is upgrading.
Modern digital pianos vary from "just the keyboard' to full 'furniture unit' scales.
You can get a very good digital piano on gumtree or your local equivalent for $200-$500.
Alternatively, get a guitar if that makes you happy. The teacher was bad and wrong. Unless you have an actual injury or disability, anyone can play guitar.
posted by Combat Wombat at 3:17 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]
Modern digital pianos vary from "just the keyboard' to full 'furniture unit' scales.
You can get a very good digital piano on gumtree or your local equivalent for $200-$500.
Alternatively, get a guitar if that makes you happy. The teacher was bad and wrong. Unless you have an actual injury or disability, anyone can play guitar.
posted by Combat Wombat at 3:17 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Have you ruled out keyboard? It doesn't have exact the same sound or feel as a piano but they're cheaper and take up less space.
Also consider a 3/4 sized guitar. I don't think your teacher was wrong to suggest that your hands were not right for guitar if you had that much difficulty. Yes, it gets easier but and you'll develop strength and flexibility but we haven't seen your fingers, your guitar teacher has and I don't think its unreasonable to expect you to be able to move between some basic chords without using your other hands to move your fingers, even in your first lesson.
My fingers don't curve strangely but they're short and not flexible, I was much better at playing a melody than strumming chords and bar chords were a complete disaster. My friend had a 3/4 size guitar though because she was tiny and I found that a lot easier to play.
Most shops will let you try out the instruments so you can try before you buy and see if a smaller guitar would work for you. Also, there are styles of guitar playing that are much less about chords, that may be a better option for you.
posted by missmagenta at 3:49 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]
Also consider a 3/4 sized guitar. I don't think your teacher was wrong to suggest that your hands were not right for guitar if you had that much difficulty. Yes, it gets easier but and you'll develop strength and flexibility but we haven't seen your fingers, your guitar teacher has and I don't think its unreasonable to expect you to be able to move between some basic chords without using your other hands to move your fingers, even in your first lesson.
My fingers don't curve strangely but they're short and not flexible, I was much better at playing a melody than strumming chords and bar chords were a complete disaster. My friend had a 3/4 size guitar though because she was tiny and I found that a lot easier to play.
Most shops will let you try out the instruments so you can try before you buy and see if a smaller guitar would work for you. Also, there are styles of guitar playing that are much less about chords, that may be a better option for you.
posted by missmagenta at 3:49 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]
Melodica, harmonica:
Cheap, fun, portable, effective :)
posted by SaltySalticid at 5:50 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]
Cheap, fun, portable, effective :)
posted by SaltySalticid at 5:50 AM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]
I found a used 88-key electronic piano with weighted keys for under $300. It has a bunch of fun bells and whistles, too. Check music stores, Craigslist, FB marketplace.
posted by Dolley at 6:14 AM on July 10, 2018
posted by Dolley at 6:14 AM on July 10, 2018
+1 for ukulele as an easy-entry instrument, +1 for violin as NOT. Was also thinking of mentioning the melodica but it seems like you prefer the sound of piano/keyboard?
One thing that makes guitar cheaper to learn is that there's such a big population of guitar players that it makes finding free or cheap resources (like sheet music or lesson books) very easy. I've never tried piano but I'm guessing this probably applies to piano too.
As for the guitar gatekeeping from your first teacher--The first time I tried guitar, some of the chords seemed IMPOSSIBLE to form. But guitar just sounds so lovely! I just kept at it slowly and eventually became able to play the chords. If you like the guitar, don't write it off just yet.
I once asked some guitar shop staff some questions about the "proper" way to play, and their response was pretty much "whatever works for you" and a demonstration of the weirdest postures they'd seen from competent performers. And remember, there are legendary players out there who are missing fingers! There must be a way to learn these things!
You might also consider parlor guitars, which are smaller than the default and tend to have wider spacing between strings (which made some aspects of playing much easier). I've also found that fingering was much easier on an electric guitar, mostly because of the lower action. YMMV. Have fun!
posted by Sockin'inthefreeworld at 9:11 AM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]
One thing that makes guitar cheaper to learn is that there's such a big population of guitar players that it makes finding free or cheap resources (like sheet music or lesson books) very easy. I've never tried piano but I'm guessing this probably applies to piano too.
As for the guitar gatekeeping from your first teacher--The first time I tried guitar, some of the chords seemed IMPOSSIBLE to form. But guitar just sounds so lovely! I just kept at it slowly and eventually became able to play the chords. If you like the guitar, don't write it off just yet.
I once asked some guitar shop staff some questions about the "proper" way to play, and their response was pretty much "whatever works for you" and a demonstration of the weirdest postures they'd seen from competent performers. And remember, there are legendary players out there who are missing fingers! There must be a way to learn these things!
You might also consider parlor guitars, which are smaller than the default and tend to have wider spacing between strings (which made some aspects of playing much easier). I've also found that fingering was much easier on an electric guitar, mostly because of the lower action. YMMV. Have fun!
posted by Sockin'inthefreeworld at 9:11 AM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]
Best answer: You could always buy children's toy instruments to see if you like playing them, then upgrade from there. My daughter currently has a toy piano, drums, recorder, and xylophone, and we're going to buy her a ukulele when she gets a little older. Kid-sized guitars are also a thing. Toy instruments are almost always available in thrift stores for a couple of bucks, max, maybe $20 for a guitar.
One other suggestion that I haven't seen yet, but might interest you as someone who seems to be more interested in the intellectual aspect of music than the physical act of playing an instrument, is to learn an electronic instrument/program like Ableton. This was an FPP on the blue a while ago, and should get your gears turning.
posted by kevinbelt at 10:12 AM on July 10, 2018
One other suggestion that I haven't seen yet, but might interest you as someone who seems to be more interested in the intellectual aspect of music than the physical act of playing an instrument, is to learn an electronic instrument/program like Ableton. This was an FPP on the blue a while ago, and should get your gears turning.
posted by kevinbelt at 10:12 AM on July 10, 2018
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(That teacher was not nice)
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 9:25 PM on July 9, 2018 [7 favorites]