Hello! My main instrument is guitar and bass, and have been playing it for 8 - 9 years now. I like to play a lot of music genres -- started with Rock and Metal and right now I mostly only play Jazz, Blues, Hip-hop, and a bit of orchestra/film music.
I am looking for recommendations for music instrument that is versatile and can play at least the latter types of music I've mentioned. Other than versatility, I need the instrument to be portable (or at least not too big, think trumpet size), can be played with a mute/able to be played softly, and is able to play chromatically. I kind of prefer it to be a blown instrument, but anything will do!
Some things I've already tried:
- Melodica: I still play this. Only annoyed by the connotation that this is an instrument for kids in school, otherwise it's nice! I've recorded a couple of songs with it as a makeshift brass section.
- Recorder (soprano): It's too tinny and piercing for me. Plus the same reason as melodica and "instruments for kids in school". Still playing it a bit nowadays.
- Fife: I have a Yamaha YRF-21 -- it sounds and feels like a Yamaha plastic soprano recorder, except with a flute headjoint.
- Diatonic harmonica/chromatic harmonica: Diatonics are definitely lovely for blues! Same with chromatics and Jazz!
- Kazoo: Oh well...
Some things I want to try. I need help whether I should go and try or avoid one of these:
- Trumpet/Cornet: I really, really want to learn this thanks to Chet Baker and Miles Davis, but the loudness and how people said about how hard it is to learn without a teacher has put me off on buying and learning one.
- Clarinet: Looked for something that sounds like a saxophone, and found more about reed instruments. From the videos I saw, it's portable enough for my need!
- Flute: Since I have tried to play a fife, I think the logical next step is to try this instrument next.
- Recorder (alto): I don't like how sharp soprano recorders sound -- even with a DIY plastic mute. I was hoping an alto recorder will sound far less piercing and much more mellow.
- Ocarina: I've had a plastic one, but I lost it. I might want to get one that sounds the least piercing and can play chromatically with no problem.
- Xaphoon/mini sax: I don't know where I read it, but people seem to say to avoid it since it's going to be a waste of money since it's a "toy", according to professional players.
- Yamaha Venova: Same as above, except much more expensive.
Submitted August 29, 2021 at 01:27AM by fiery_treehouse https://www.reddit.com/r/Learnmusic/comments/pdoots/help_me_choose_a_versatile_and_portable/?utm_source=ifttt
Javier Rodriguez
Saturday, August 28, 2021