If you had access to these, which would you take up - piano, guitar or ukulele?

[cantdrv55]

I have a piano that needs tuning but I think it’s in good working condition. My son used to play but it’s been about 15 years since it was last tuned.

I have a guitar that was shoved in a closet about 20 years ago. I think I bought it from The Guitar Center for about $400 so it wasn’t their cheapest model back then. Life got in the way of playing.

My wife bought me an ukulele a couple of years back because I told her I used to play one in the PI when I was a child. It was a fun toy 50 years ago.

I have time now to pick up an instrument and I also have the desire. Which would you choose to learn at age 59? Would you take lessons or learn via YouTube?

[look 171]

For me its always been the guitar but I live that life through my oldest boy now. He's learning how to play since all his friends play some type of rock and roll. I bought a Spanish classical guitar when I visited 20 years ago. Like you, life got in the way and was shelf. He plays it at times but mostly eclectic. I like to learn how to play again. I had an instructor in my late 20s but ended up having to fire him because he was adamant about the fundamentals, reading music and all that crap. Me, I just want to sit in the corner and play a bit of Pink Floyd and nothing serious at all but to waste a sunday morning over a cup of coffee. Nope, not him.

[oldE]

The good thing about guitar is it is portable. The bad thing is, your beer glass slides off. A piano is hard to carry to a buddy's house, but your beer stays put..
To me it depends upon the type of music you want to play. I have been (trying to) play guitar for 55 years and am still learning. My wife gave me a keyboard about 25 years ago and, after a while I realized I would be better off putting my time into becoming a better guitar player. I have picked up my grand daughter's uke, but it is not something I would play at a gig.

Best
Les

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Tuba.

2 ideas for figuring this out-

I'd have all three instruments professionally serviced to make them the best instruments they could be. Tell (whoever does the work) basically what you said here- that you are trying to take up an instrument, and in addition to finding out what you want to play, are trying to figure out if your particular (guitar/piano/uke) is worth a darn anyway. You might have a really good piano, or an 'okay' guitar, or a POS piano and a great uke. Find out what they really are, not from investment perspective, but playability perspective. Trying to learn on a POS will drive you from it. A well setup good instrument will encourage you.


Lessons vs. youtube?
Go straight to youtube. What piano songs do you want to learn? What guitar songs do you want to learn? Spend time searching to see what's out there. Jump right in.

TON of stuff out there.

Use in person lessons too, but more as a musical therapist to give you tips to keep you on track. You will have more to interact with a teacher with if you dive into youtube first. They'll be able to give pointers and set you straight in areas you may not even aware you need help in.
Choosing a teacher- go right into a bar/venue, find someone you like, and ask them if they give/know someone who gives lessons.

I used to play guitar but- have pretty much forgotten most songs.
Lately I've been watching these videos to relearn stuff-

Back from mtv unplugged:



This is a better bowed instrument song, but wtf, why not?



Now- more bach in a piano tutorial:


I prefer all three of these as they are visual and sound.
I would learn as much as possible, present myself to the instructor, and say "Here's what I've been working on- now straighten me out"

edit - now youve got me watching this guy. Great teacher:

[Chocaholic]

Played guitar for decades. I can play every chord known to man and every scale on the fret board. But can’t cobble together more than a couple barely recognizable tunes…and I sing like a rusted door hinge.

When YouTube became a thing I kept seeing video after video of 8 year old kids wailing away with a level of effortless finesse I only dreamed of. To this day, they pile on. Amazing musical talent on display from children to adults across the spectrum.

As such, I came to the conclusion that any monkey can learn chords, scales and finger picking but in the complete absence of talent there will be no music made. As such, I’ve lined it from my list of things I was going to do in retirement and absolved myself of the frustration. I quit.

[Seahawk]

Can you guess which one I wouldn't?



Just kidding. I can't carry a tune in a Sony Walkman, so...

[flatbutt]

cd55, what do you want to learn? Do you want to pluck out a few songs around the backyard? Do you want to learn about music in some depth?

The piano will teach you so much more about music than either guitar or uke. But if you can play guitar, you can play uke and you can't travel with a piano.

[The Synergizer]

Yep. You either got it or you don't.

I say guitar, but have realistic expectations.
Learn the cowboy chords and it will sound good.

I think of all the kids I went to grade school with where we all actually studied music. Back when it was a more normal part of the curriculum. Every kid got an instrument and professional instruction. Violin, piano, drums, brass section, on and on. Most learn fundamentals but then wash out and put the instrument in their closet. One did end up playing violin in a symphony somewhere though.

For most, an acoustic guitar becomes a piece of fine art, or furniture in the end. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Or, if you get a Martin, Taylor, Gibson, it may go up in value in twenty more years if you take care of it. Probably not though since they're cranking out so many now. I always wanted a Gibson Hummingbird but that wouldn't be the best use of $4,000 for me.

Still, you may have untapped talent you're unaware of.

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Played guitar for decades. I can play every chord known to man and every scale on the fret board. But can’t cobble together more than a couple barely recognizable tunes…and I sing like a rusted door hinge.

When YouTube became a thing I kept seeing video after video of 8 year old kids wailing away just shredding with a level of finesse I only dreamed of. To this day, they pile on. Amazing musical talent on display from children to adults across the spectrum.

As such, I came to the conclusion that any monkey can learn chords, scales and finger picking but in the complete absence of talent there will be no music made. As such, I’ve lined it from my list of things I was going to do in retirement and absolved myself of the frustration. I quit.

[futuresoptions]

I would choose guitar. Look up easy two chord songs on Youtube and once you get those mastered move on to three chord songs etc... YourGuitarSage and MartyMusic are good channels to start with. Good luck, most of all, have fun! Once you get a handful of songs under your belt, go do some open mic nights at local venues. Gets you and the wife out of the house for the evening and is a lot of fun!

[javadog]

Watch enough YouTube videos by Rick Beato on music theory and you’ll come to the conclusion that it’s best just to go walk across the room, put on a CD, sit back on the couch and enjoy.

[futuresoptions]

Originally Posted by javadog

Watch enough YouTube videos by Rick Beato on music theory and you’ll come to the conclusion that it’s best just to go walk across the room, put on a CD, sit back on the couch and enjoy.

LOL! True story!

[stevej37]

If I knew that I could learn to play well any of the three...it would be piano.

To me, no instrument sounds better than the piano when played by an expert.