I heard guitar or piano potentially, but when I asked about piano many said it's basically required to read sheet music or at least basic sheet music.
I have tried learning sheet music several times through a single year on and off and it never makes sense to me. I can't even tell what note a note is on a staff because it keeps shifting (not dyslexic but same behavior for sheet music reading).
I have a pretty bad ear but don't want to give up.
I tried electric guitar but it hurts a lot due to my Klippel Feil (fused neck), scoliosis, and limited mobility in my left arm aka sprengal deformity (elevated scapula bone).
Piano I tried as well but didn't like that a "full" arrangement of piano involves both melody and rhythm or whatever the left hand usually does. I want an instrument that relies mainly on melody or still is "complete" if it only does the melody or lyrics to a pop song.
Also own a bass guitar but it was too deep sounding plus its role in pop music tends to be less prominent in my opinion.
I tried a drum kit for a month but couldn't lift my left arm enough plus it was too loud even as an electric kit.
What should I do at this point? I don't do singing due to being embarrassed, my cleft palate, and such. I also have partial hearing loss.
Today I called my primary care and they said they wanted to see me in 2 days, but my dad (also a doctor) said they will just tell me to stop playing guitar or stop altogether.
Submitted February 02, 2026 at 08:57PM by zenithbehemoth8 https://www.reddit.com/r/Learnmusic/comments/1quc53p/besides_singing_what_instrument_is_best_to_learn/?utm_source=ifttt