I’m not very musical, but I am super envious of people that can just pick up an instrument and strum or pick out some easy music.
I’d like to move from easy to tavern music because I watched a video of someone playing fantasy music on a mandolin which was beautiful.
What can I start with to just play with? I don’t know if a stringed instrument is best, because when I have tried guitar it sort of sounds flat, like the guitar is stuffed with socks. Maybe it was a garbage guitar.
Maybe something with keys, or even blow, like a flute?
I tried trumpet but I couldn’t get used to the blowing raspberries through the mouth piece…
Advice please!
The simplest wind instruments are things like your basic wood flutes, recorders, ocarinas… simplest stringed instruments are going to be 3 and 4 stringed stuff like cigar box guitars, tenor guitars, and ukuleles. But none of them are just pick up and play.
Realistically even the simplest instruments are going to require at least 50 to 100 hours of practice and instruction to reach an advanced beginner / early intermediate level, where you start to be able to intuitively do things that sound good. The great news is that good YouTube teachers can help you reach that point, if you’re willing to put in the time and practice.
I learned to play guitar and tenor guitar in my 30s, and it’s been extremely rewarding to just be able to unwind and create some music whenever the mood strikes. It was work… but enjoyable work, if that makes sense? I liked the practice and getting the results of my progression. I’d definitely recommend learning to play an instrument to anyone with the time, patience, and inclination.