So I have known how to play drums since I was 13 or so, got decent at it but now find it repetitive. I'm looking for a new instrument to play, and not guitar. Nearly all my musician friends play guitar.

I was thinking something a bit different. Like the banjo. The banjo, so I am told, is actually really hard to play. I'm not interested in a teacher (I'm not sure where I would find someone to teach banjo anyway).

I was possibly thinking of Piano, however this option is more pricey. I could always resort to electric piano, but that wouldn't feel legit.

Another one is vocals. Though I can't imagine myself singing really, I would like to give it a try. ( I am also not clear as to whether singing is completely based upon the vocals you were born with, or if they can be "trained" and tuned through practice )

Short, simple thread. I was simply looking if anyone had experience with any of the above instruments, and could give me some input as to how challenging they are, how long it takes to get decent with it, and how pricey it is.

If you have some alternatives for me to consider, please do tell! I'm looking for something that isn't really average.

Singin is a very good idea. Thats one of the most important things when you want to entertain others.
Banjo is quite difficult, you're right. I'd recommend learning guitar first if you want to try banjo.
Ukulele is similar to the guitar but it's no guitar. And funny to play. The song Somewhere Over The Rainbow is played with an Ukulele.

I learned a bit of piano with an electronic keyboard. There is nothing wrong with it only because its electric. Really, try it in a music shop.
You can also learn Theremin if you want to learn something very, very special.

Here is a video of a Theremin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJYho56INKU

EDIT: Here is another one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6lImGpk0wE

I have a keyboard, can't play it too well, but it is really hard on my wrists.

I find banjo amusing. You thought about an electric banjo? Might be fun to learn.

Or you could learn the Didgeridoo. (Have one, amazingly fun to play)

A cool thing about an electric keyboard is you can hook it to your computer and play VST instruments. So you have pretty much unlimited sounds. Which i find quite amazing.

Piano. It's not overly expensive to get a little practice keyboard, and it's one of the cornerstones to general well rounded music ability. You can play with the piano and you can compose with it. It's also excellent for singing and Choir too. That said, you'll probably need lessons proper, but as a drummer I think you'd appreciate http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGvIzFRcRMA&feature=related (watch for at least a minute where it kicks in).

Barring that, Ukulele. It's small, it's different, and it's quite versatile and much easier to learn than Banjo. I mean, just listen to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puSkP3uym5k They're also rather cheap instruments comparatively.

Or the final option is the best option. Pick up trumpet. It's what I play, and it's god's own instrument. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZQG-DZy7uY&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBcYAGwnU8c

If you are looking to learn how to read music (treble and bass), piano is the way to go. You don't have to have a super sweet piano to start with because when you begin with the basics you will start with simple melodies and learning only small parts of the keyboard (as well as theory) at the beginning. Also, if it turns out you really enjoy playing the piano, then you can move on to "bigger and better" such as an expensive digital with a "real touch" or a full sized upright.

If you want to learn "more quickly" then private lessons are the way to go for no matter what you choose. Despite my fairly extensive musical background, I tried to teach myself the guitar a number of years ago and just failed. I struggled with positioning, and there are just certain things an educated observer can tell you and help you with that you just won't know or think about when you are learning on your own.

...but don't forget, YouTube is full of instructional videos as well.

Louis Armstrong was quite amazing. Hmm. I played trumpet in middle-school, and was like second to last chair. I was horrible at it. That was like 7th grade though, so I could probably do better now.

Edit: Have already considered the Ukulele, don't think I want it.



Awesome, but I have you beat with http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErMWX--UJZ4.

Yes! It's an excellent instrument. I do think it's a good idea to seek out a teacher though. A master if you will, as you learn your kung-fu. I still remember the moment I had a breakthrough from being horrible and making a strangled noise to opening up and hearing crystalline sound from my horn, but I had a teacher at the time.

After you get the basics down it's a great instrument to practice on your own and develop on your own. Plus you already have prior experience with it!

Learn to play http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTPxqUtlLdo (It's Indian)

I vote Piano.

You learn a lot about music from learning the Piano. Every music major in college absolutely has to know piano, so that says something right there.

I think Andy from The Office is what got me wanting to play banjo.

It's a strange instrument. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rOMGIbY-9s always made me want to play it, but it's an instrument where the vast majority of source music makes me feel like a hillbilly.

Don't forget http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tqxzWdKKu8 :laugh:

I was just about to post that lol. Around 2:10 is where it starts to get epic.

Bass.

Drums and bass go together like bread and butter, if you just think of your E string as the bass drum, A and D as your toms and snare, and the G as your cymbals it's pretty easy to translate most drum rhythms into a bassline.

I second this notion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOYL_2Ub_KI

Forgot to mention: Already know bass, sorta. I'm not that great with it, but I can play some songs.
I always loved the bass in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkhX5W7JoWI In fact whenever I pick up and dust off the bass, I play this song.

Go for the violin or piano. Both awesome instruments.

If you don't want a grand piano, you can get a high quality keyboard. The good ones have pressure sensitive keys like a real piano.

I was actually in almost the exact same situation last summer. I've been playing drums for about five years, but wanted to branch out. My brother left his keyboard at home when he went to college, so I just moved it into my room and started learning. I have to say I've enjoyed it a lot.

Plus the ladies love it when you tell them you are a drummer but also play piano, showing you have a sensitive side. :hubbahubba:

wow... you find drums repetitive?? I resent that remark.. I have been playing drums ever since I was in fourth grade (now 19) and am always learning new stuff.. You just got to keep looking dude. There is a bunch of stuff you can learn.

I can actually play all the guitar parts, maybe after you learn banjo we can play it xD :foodndrink:

Go for the banjo and join a blue grass band.

Make sure to have strong fingernails though.

Lets do it... ermm... how long you reckon it'd take me ta lern them banjo skills?

Piano/keyboards are definitely the most useful instrument in terms of learning theory and composing, also, you can play like a zillion notes at once and independent lines of counterpoint, and it's an incredibly facile instrument. And before you call me biased, I'm a guitarist.