I want to learn how to play a musical instrument.

[rich munn]

Not bothered which one, the easier the better. For those who can play, do you reach a ceiling in terms of skill and ability, does there come a point where you stop improving? And what type of commitment is needed in terms of practice, time etc? I was thinking the Banjo, guitar is a bit cack for a bloke of my age.

Tuerto there is no ceiling but this is a difficult subject - I play the keyboard and did all my formal learning when I was a teenager, getting to Grade V but after that played in a band and that was where I learned a lot more about playing. I am absolutely no expert and there are ways you can learn to play something which sounds good without being technically good at all. Then I more or less gave up playing for years.
However, during this Pandemic I bought an new Yamaha piano and I am relearning - I love it and play (very imperfectly) every day now. All sorts. But the reason that this is a difficult subject is that what might simple to me and the other poster who played in a band would probably seem impenetrable to a complete beginner.

But I do think that You Tube is your friend in this these days, and there are all sorts of lessons for beginners which with a little bit of effort could help you advance quickly to a place where you would enjoy playing and really want to keep it up. No instrument is easy just to pick up and play, but if you really want to do it you can. The good thing about a keyboard is that sounds more complete than say guitar or most other instruments. And even fairly basic electric keyboards have functions which really assist the learner.

Good luck, it's a great ambition.

[Eric the Half a Bee]

Tuerto there is no ceiling but this is a difficult subject - I play the keyboard and did all my formal learning when I was a teenager, getting to Grade V but after that played in a band and that was where I learned a lot more about playing. I am absolutely no expert and there are ways you can learn to play something which sounds good without being technically good at all. Then I more or less gave up playing for years.
However, during this Pandemic I bought an new Yamaha piano and I am relearning - I love it and play (very imperfectly) every day now. All sorts. But the reason that this is a difficult subject is that what might simple to me and the other poster who played in a band would probably seem impenetrable to a complete beginner.

But I do think that You Tube is your friend in this these days, and there are all sorts of lessons for beginners which with a little bit of effort could help you advance quickly to a place where you would enjoy playing and really want to keep it up. No instrument is easy just to pick up and play, but if you really want to do it you can. The good thing about a keyboard is that sounds more complete than say guitar or most other instruments. And even fairly basic electric keyboards have functions which really assist the learner.

Good luck, it's a great ambition.

Well said. You can do more with a keyboard than virtually anything else.

I teach piano and suggest to my kids to look on youtube for help when practicing. The more you play, the better you become, even if it doesn't happen immediately. My first driving instructor told me to drive as often as I could between lessons. One girl I teach, who was a total beginner 2 years ago and has been hampered by lockdown, is set to get an 'A' for her GCSE prac. I could claim a little credit but the truth is that she's worked hard at giving it a go and been motivated.

There are interactive apps out there that can point out where you're going wrong. Plenty of teachers who are teaching on zoom if you need help. I think, ultimately, it's about finding out what you fancy having a go at, what appeals, and go from there.

[goats]

Well said. You can do more with a keyboard than virtually anything else.

I teach piano and suggest to my kids to look on youtube for help when practicing. The more you play, the better you become, even if it doesn't happen immediately. My first driving instructor told me to drive as often as I could between lessons. One girl I teach, who was a total beginner 2 years ago and has been hampered by lockdown, is set to get an 'A' for her GCSE prac. I could claim a little credit but the truth is that she's worked hard at giving it a go and been motivated.

There are interactive apps out there that can point out where you're going wrong. Plenty of teachers who are teaching on zoom if you need help. I think, ultimately, it's about finding out what you fancy having a go at, what appeals, and go from there.

I bought a Yamaha keyboard about 3 years ago with the ambition of learning piano and playing about with the 100’s of other things it can do....never really got into it as yet but my eldest who is now 9 started playing with it about a year ago, he’s had about 10 lessons and a few on zoom and can now play it pretty well. Played happy birthday to his grandma on her 70th last summer which made her day. Yesterday he sat down and started playing amazing grace, nailed it. Now he’s going to teach me how to play I guess if I’d never bought it for myself he’d never have got into it. Also got a nice acoustic guitar I bought 20 years ago with the same intention, my youngest has his eyes on that one.....

[Tuerto]

Tuerto there is no ceiling but this is a difficult subject - I play the keyboard and did all my formal learning when I was a teenager, getting to Grade V but after that played in a band and that was where I learned a lot more about playing. I am absolutely no expert and there are ways you can learn to play something which sounds good without being technically good at all. Then I more or less gave up playing for years.
However, during this Pandemic I bought an new Yamaha piano and I am relearning - I love it and play (very imperfectly) every day now. All sorts. But the reason that this is a difficult subject is that what might simple to me and the other poster who played in a band would probably seem impenetrable to a complete beginner.

But I do think that You Tube is your friend in this these days, and there are all sorts of lessons for beginners which with a little bit of effort could help you advance quickly to a place where you would enjoy playing and really want to keep it up. No instrument is easy just to pick up and play, but if you really want to do it you can. The good thing about a keyboard is that sounds more complete than say guitar or most other instruments. And even fairly basic electric keyboards have functions which really assist the learner.

Good luck, it's a great ambition.

Thank you, I'm leaning towards Keyboards. TLG will know this, but because i don't know much else, i equate everything to football. A very basic outlook on improving. Remember in school, there were kids who loved playing, spent hours practicing, yet never improved their touch, awareness etc. They sort of stayed the same. That was the question i was asking about a musical instrument, is it natural ability, like football Basically, however hard i try, i'm still going to be a bit naff because music just aint in my bones

[Cyclops]

That was the question i was asking about a musical instrument, is it natural ability, like football Basically, however hard i try, i'm still going to be a bit naff because music just aint in my bones

It's not necessarily a natural ability. (see my comment about muscle memory) - most can be reasonably proficient musicians if they are prepared to put in the time/practice.
I'd only add that with guitar, hand/finger size is relevant. Small fingers can be accommodated by a shorter scale length guitar and thin (modern C shape) necks, for example.
For guitar and piano, I'd recommend a finger strengthener like the one linked. For £13 it made an incredible difference to my playing. I don't understand why they are not promoted more.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Planet-Wave...WW0P0Y015V8C29

[lardy]

Thank you, I'm leaning towards Keyboards. TLG will know this, but because i don't know much else, i equate everything to football. A very basic outlook on improving. Remember in school, there were kids who loved playing, spent hours practicing, yet never improved their touch, awareness etc. They sort of stayed the same. That was the question i was asking about a musical instrument, is it natural ability, like football Basically, however hard i try, i'm still going to be a bit naff because music just aint in my bones

That's a nice point. Not all practice is equal. I could go ten pin bowling twice a week, but if I'm not analysing and improving my technique and thinking about what I'm doing, then my score isn't necessarily going to get much better.

To give a football example, Frank Lampard could have been a run of the mill midfielder but he not only practiced hard but did it smart - only four players have scored more top flight goals than him in the last 30 years. It's easy to say that he had the natural talent to drift into the area at the right time to get his goals, but he wasn't doing that early in his career. I think he learned and developed it.

So I don't think the fear of lacking natural ability should put anyone off. Motivation and desire to improve are much more important qualities.