I came across this site and thought I may take a chance to get some good advice. I am 32 and want to learn an instrument. I played the clarinet for about a month (lol) many years ago. I don`t remember anything but I remember I enjoyed it. So, my question is, what should I choose? I fancy the sax, flute or clarinet. They appeal to me very much. Which is easier, more enjoyable, take less breath for a smoker and less noisy for the neighbours. I know I may sound a bit mad but I want to achieve this life goal of mine!

Thanks for any advice!

Well I don`t know anything about these instruments... but if you want advice, I`d suggest to give up smoking.

I know, I know but hey ho. That`s another life goal (if I don`t die of it earlier). I have another Q while I`m here. Should I start to learn how to read music now before I buy my `piece`?

well why dont u learn guitar, guitar players just stick the cig into the headstock.
plus u can turn down ur amp and still play without neighbors messing with u.

i would actually get an instrument and then learn to read music. the other way doesnt seem to make much sense.

I would suggest starting on clarinet. I`m a freshman music education major, and although saxophone`s my main instrument, I can also play flute and clarinet. It just seems to me that a lot of people start out on clarinet, and then if later you want to, it`s fairly easy to switch over to saxophone. I wouldn`t do flute because it uses lots of air, and since you do use the cancer sticks, it might be kinda tough.

i`ve always felt that the bassoon takes less air than the clarinet. i tihnk it`s because it requires less air pressure.

kick the habit, then try the bassoon. it`s fun and it`s relatively quiet. or start on clarinet then move to the bassoon. or flute or sax, but bassoon is still better. flute requires a lotta breath. and the sax is ihh. everyone plays sax... haha.

Do you have an approximate range of prices you intend to pay? Saxes I think are a bit more expensive than clarinets and flutes, and clarinets aren`t that expensive, but if you want to do bassoon later, better start saving money! They do cost a heck of a lot, and plus it`s gonna be hard to find one except the internet. Clarinet is a good choice, but it might be hard for you to re-sell, because maybe the clarinet might have smoke-odors... anyways... I guess, your choice?

Clarinets and flutes are about the same in price range, unless you intend on getting a really good instrument, which can be in to the $2000 price range. But you don`t really need something that expensive, unless you plan to play prefessionally. Saxophones are more expensive. An alto can range from $800 - $2000. Tenors cost a little more than altos, anywhere from $500 - $1000 more.
As for what you should start on, its probably best to you with clarinet, since you already have some background on that instrument.
Flutes that more air than clarinet and saxophone do, so you might want to stay away from them until you either quit smoking or build up your lung strength.
Finally, saxophones are similar to the clarinet in may ways. The alto uses almost the same amount of air as the clarinet and same fingerings as the upper register of the clarinet. Flutes also have almost those same fingerings.
Once you learn to play one, the others come easily. Good luck!

Thanks all for the advice. I may go with clarinet after all (although I really want to learn sax). I don`t want to spend too much, in case I get bored. Maybe two hundred pounds for a second hand one? But they may be cheaper here in Turkey where I`m working, since the clarinet is used a lot in Turkish folk music (and one can always haggle). happy making music.

Well I dont know anything about those instruments but I think the flute is overrated, no offense to any flute players,but thats just what I think.

how can you say that when you admitted you dont know about flutes

I personally suggest piano/keyboard. They are very easy to learn, and provide the basis of most music, meaning that, if you wanted to, later on you could switch to almost any other instrument! Piano/keyboard takes less than 6 months to learn!

I would also suggest piano/keyboard. It`s a lovely instrument and it`s always there if you have a piano (like I do). On the other hand, if you want neighbour friendly, I would choose the flute, but that requires a different style of breathing compared to sax and clarinet. Saxophone is my main instrument and I really love it. But clarinet is nice also.

Main advice: Go with something you really love and have a passion for, because learning it will be easier for you because you`re determined.

Good luck!!!

Jay,

While "everyone plays the sax", fewer people who do play it can play it well (especially in my school, lol). That`s the goal of every committed instrumentalist, is it not?

I say, start with clarinet. If you don`t like it its alot easier to switch from clarinet to flute\saxophone than the other way around.