Learning an instrument

I'm trying to learn to play the harp. So far I can pick out twinkle twinkle little star which was also the first tune I learned to play on the violin years ago.
I haven't had much time as I'm still very busy working!(thanks to ATOS

My sister in law is learning to play the tenor sax and doing very well. I keep meaning to start the piano (again) but never seem to have the time. I'd love to play the harp, Galen as it's one of my favourite instruments.

I think you can just about learn to play anything so long as you have the time to practice.

My parents were great musicians - my mum a cellist and pianist, my dad played clarinet and saxophone. Both our daughters were excellent musicians too. Totally by-passed me though ... and I am very jealous of those who do play.

OH never had the chance as a kid (no money) nor as a young adult (worked VERY long hours, for many years 140hrs a week- and even at end of career, about 90). Now retired, he has taken up the accordion, has a great teacher (very pretty too, hmmm) and absolutely loves it and has made incredible progress. Anyone who learns an instrument 60+ has my total admiration. I'm sure it is great against Alzheimers too.

It is easier to learn an instrument when you are young - maleable brains!
This is particularly true of the piano because you need to internalise the distance between notes or you spend your whole time nodding your head up and down looking at the music and the piano!

But it is not impossible to learn as an adult - I started the flute at age 30. It depends what your aim is - and it is important not to expect to reach virtuoso standards!

What you need is to learn an instrument that you can play with others as that is one of the great joys of being able to play.

I would suggest the recorder - it is easy to learn and there are lots of amateur "just-for-fun" groups around - U3A have one round here. The tin whistle is also a good one - easy and fun and you can sometimes find community bands who you can play with. Harmonica is a bit more difficult but fun.

Or join a community choir - you have an in-built instrument to enjoy!!

The harp is basically a piano so same problem
Actually my worst problem is that on the violin the right hand figures the treble cleft and on the harp it's the other way round!
Also I've got to learn the bass stave.

I'm left handed so that could work for me. Now to find a harp.

Hmmm - pianos don't come with seven three-position pedals!

Many more years ago than I care to count, I wrote the arrangements for an album, and used a harp on some of the tracks. The young lady who was booked to play was pleased that I hadn't just written a bunch of glissandi - I tried to do something more interesting. She said I should come round to her place and she would let me have an hour of so on the harp - a very generous offer which I was anxious to take up - but before I could she was killed in a tragic riding accident... Life is a bitch sometimes.

I love the harp solo in Karl Jenkins' Requiem - In Paradisum.

I have a Celtic harp! No foot pedals, just sharping keys. It was only cheap, but does have quite nice tone! My friend Chiara Capabianco plays the concert harp. I met her when she was the harpist on cunard s queen victoria, she is currently playing for weddings in India.

Merlot got mine on eBay. You can get better but for a beginner these are fine. I would love one made by the welsh or Irish harp makers but they are horrendously expensive.

As my father used to say 'the only thing I can play is a gramaphone'. This in a family where everyone else was/is musically talented. I did try various instruments and practiced very hard but I seem to lack some kind of Brain to Finger co-ordination. I kept hoping that it would be like learning to drive or to swim - that one day it would suddenly just click and I would find that I was actually playing rather than having to concentrate the whole time on the mechanics - but it was not to be, I never got any better than plink plonk.

Sadly, my multi-talented sister has had to give up playing her guitar, as her arthritic hands can no longer shape the chords. I also know an older piper with the same problem. We have been wracking our brains to think of an instrument that can be played when your fingers often feel like a bunch of bananas . Even DH (the world's very best drummer) finds that he now gets cramp in his hands when playing, as a drummer is constantly changing their grip on the sticks.

Wow - thanks folks - very positive and it seems that a one man band would be the way to go.
I too am still working Galen (possibly just to stick two fingers up to the tax man) so time is an issue but I will keep you posted as to progress

If you do decide on a recorder , Biker, look at the Society of Recorder Players web site .This is a nationwide organisation and they will be able to advise you as to which instrument ( which can be quite inexpensive), suggest some local teachers to get you started, invite you to the next Branch meeting and be generally helpful. If you need any more information you can PM me. There is nothing quite like making music together at any level of ability. As I frequently told my Recorder evening class '' There is room for us all'' Good luck.

Ukuleles are very popular at the moment, cheapish and easy to play. Forget George Formby they now have a whole new image.

Aka I've booked for Ukelele Orchesta at St George's Bristol on June 6th.
matinee.evening performace fully booked.
I heard them about 4 years ago and shortly afterwards bought a ukelele for my GS's birthday.It is now languishing in what was his bedroom at my son's house.
Think I might rescue it and have a go.Lessons available at local music shop. I did learn to play accoustic guitar in my 40s so that might help.

Soon be able to have a Gransnet Ensemble!

Good on you Maniac let us know how you get on.

I joined a uklelele group just over a year ago. I'd never played a uke or any other instrument before, but relied on their 'pick it up as you go along' philosophy.

Playing with a group is great as there are always enough people who know what they're doing to drown out those who dont. With arthritic fingers some chords are tricky so I just strum those bits.

You're right Aka, forget George Formby, we're much too cool for that!

I wonder if Queen or Iron maiden has ever been done on a Uke?

We play a mean Fat Bottomed Girls Biker. Also, Don't Stop Me Now.

Great fun