Picking Musical Instrument

I played the altogether sax in high school. I used my uncle's sax. He played in clubs andwas killed in WWI. Learning to play was easy, unlike the flute and strings that require nuances.

Why do you want to play an instrument? To make music that will perhaps relax you, to join a band or orchestra or group, to entertain, etc?

And do you live in an apartment, or does anyone in your household need quiet (young child sleeping, other people doing homework etc)?

A saxophone can be beautiful, but it doesn't lend itself to quiet soothing music. A guitar can be played quietly, and one doesn't need a group in order to play a song. An electric keyboard can be used with headphones.

Just some things to think about?

What do you like? I took piano as a child because I liked listening to piano.

Do you like saxophone music? I would suggest only picking up an instrument you like already listening to. I would go to a music store where they could help you select a brand an appropriate instrument for your level. I think buying a brand new saxophone without ever trying it before would be a be a mistake ..

Sometimes you can rent instruments from music stores too - if you don't want to make the commitment. That's what they do with kids in band (thankfully, mine haven't always liked it after a month or two..).

morning
don't buy ANY instrument until you know for sure you like it... RENT one..
my son plays of all things, the accordion.. however, before ever buying one, he had to stick with it for a year , which he did, and then we bought him his own... many instructor not only offer lessons but may have a rental you can use.. go that route first... my cousin plays the sax... or did for a long time, now he enjoys singing.. so it was good they never bought him his own and instead he used his dad's.. however, his sister plays the drums and still does and she owns her own set.. again, rent or borrow.. but don't buy until you are completely committed..
good luck

First, I am going to disagree with the comment that you won't teach yourself. I do agree with choosing something you like to listen to. My daughter was introduced to guitar in 6th grade but the class was only 3 weeks so did not learn much with playing. She taught herself how to play and just yesterday bought yet another acoustic guitar (used but in great shape). She can play Beatles songs, Johnny Cash "Hurt". Taylor Swift, Band Perry, and several others--including hard rock. No lessons except watching several youtube videos of people explaining how to play and figuring out the chords.

Check out the vidoes on youtube for learning to play and see if anything strikes you as not appealing, then you can strike out that instrument as a choice.

ETA: I remember my daughter is also teaching herself how to play the keyboard. One thing she has done often is visit a music store and talk to the people there. They have actually gotten to know her and talk to her whenever she goes in. I would suggest visiting a store and ask about different instruments and what skill is needed to play. What are the pros and cons of what you are considering. And renting is a good way to see if it fits you. I rented a drum for one of my girls in 5th grade. It was not expensive.

I played the Tenor Sax for about 6 years in school. I had been playing the violin, but when we moved, they didn't have orchestra, so I got the sax. I do have to say that woodwinds are one of the easier instruments to play. I personally like the Tenor because it is a B flat key, which is the same as the flute, oboe, clarinet and piano. That way if you do want to play other parts, you can do it with the sax instead of having to buy different music in a different key. The sax also has fingering that is easy to understand because the fingerings follow the musical staff the same as the piano. If you decide to go with the Alto sax, the instrument is lighter, but it is in E flat I believe, so that makes a difference.

Personally, I would stay away from brass because the keys help, but most of the notes are done with the mouth and throat. I personally don't have that skill. The violin is also a good one, but it does hurt your fingers, and they will get marks and callouses. I remember the tips of them bleeding from the strings. Also, making sure that your violin is tuned correctly is very difficult and could be dangerous if you tighten the strings too tightly.

I hope that helps. Playing music is one of the most inspiring things I have ever done!

I started on Flute and stuck with it. It's fairly easy. I think the brass instruments would be the hardest due to having the notes depend on how tight your lips are and how hard you blow.

Most woodwinds are easy too. You pick up one finger after the other. Sax, flute, clarinet, oboe, etc....

Everyone in elementary school here starts with recorder. You can buy a plastic one that sounds reasonable for less than $10. Mine are made from rose wood, cost hundreds of dollars and sound amazing. I have played them for years and love that i can bring one with me anywhere. We have a basic Yamaha guitar that my kids play by reading tablature (it shows the strings and where to place your fingers so no need to read music). We also have an electronic keyboard that teaches you to play songs by lighting up the keys. I think wind instruments might be hard to start since you actually have to build up your lungs to have sufficient breath and reed instruments are difficult to get a sound out. BUT I think you should go with the instruments that "speaks" to you. Find a teacher, take some lessons, get advice on the level of instrument to buy. I bought a silver Yamaha flute when I played and with my teacher went to the Powell Flute factory where they let me play a gold top of the line flute just for fun and it is amazing how a better quality instrument makes it easier to sound great. So don't buy the cheapest thing but also realize price does not necessarily equal quality. Choose an instrument, find a teacher, have an intro lesson to discuss what to buy or rent, and have fun!

Have you played a reed instrument in the past? If not, I'd reconsider.

I agree with those below who say to take some lessons and rent your instrument. That way you can try some things out before you commit. If it were me...I'd choose a violin. I love the violin.

Rent one and take lessons. If you don't like it you can switch to something else without the expense of an instrument. When my kids were in school we rented instruments the first year they played. If they decided to stick with it I purchased the instrument the second year. If they changed to something else I rental again. This saved me thousands of dollars over the years.

I just started learning the cello. I've played piano since I was 4 as well as a number of other instruments. Just renting the instrument from a rent to own music shop - that way repairs and adjustments are covered, and I'm particularly short, so a full size is too large for me - thank God I didn't buy! I could change the size without trouble and the cost of the rental goes toward the purchase. If I purchase early, I get a discount off the final price. I also would recommend renting because if the instrument is foreign to you, it will be harder to know whether the quality of the instrument is good or needs repair. Cheap or used instruments can cost a lot more in the long run with repairs and maintenance. By renting one, I'm able to learn what to look for in a cello when it's time to buy.

By the way, I disagree that you can't teach yourself. You absolutely can if you have a base of musical knowledge. I have learned through almost three cello books in less than two months by myself. I just started taking lessons, and the teacher is very impressed with what I've accomplished and is just making corrections to my technique that are specific to playing a cello (bow position, etc.) There are TONS of youtube videos giving very specific directions on how to play - the only thing it can't do is give you feed back or answer specific questions, although 9/10 there is another video that answers your next question! If you have limited musical knowledge, it might be tough. But I've never not played music, so to me it was second nature.

my music teqacher informed me that if you learn piano first then you can learn any other instrument easily. so i started there and i can also play a clarinet, flute and piccolo and any simple precussion instrument but not a set of drums
my parents rented everything i learned on but purchased the piano. for my kids i have a full sized keyboard that was about 100$ which works well for learning simple stuff.

I suggest you go to a local music store or music school where you would be enrolling, and discuss options. You aren't going to teach yourself, dear!

ETA: And yes, Veruca, I think SOME people can teach themselves an instrument to some degree if they have a good musical background. But I didn't think there was any chance of that happening with a reed instrument (you can't teach yourself embouchure very well), and with such a vague and general question, I assumed there was little instrumental or musical experience. If I'm wrong, I apologize. But 99% of first-timers would not choose alto sax, and 99% of experienced musicians would not ask the question so openly with no specifics about what they had already learned/mastered.

I would actually think sax and reed instruments would be some of the harder ones....but if you have the desire that is what really matters

You have your percussion instruments: piano, drums, cymbals....

You have your reed instruments: saxophones, clarinets...

You have your wind instruments: flute, horn...

You have your stringed instruments: violin, viola, guitar, harp....

Etc....to all of that above....plus your international versions of the above.

You should consider the space you have to store the instrument and the level of noise you are comfortable making in your living quarters.

I would not recommend you buy anything new, but go to a music store and peruse, ask questions, take a beginner class. Then go on Craigslist, Ebay, Kijiji, or to a pawn shop educated with brand names. When we lived in Seattle there was one particular pawn shop locally known for selling local student, used instruments. We picked up our daughter's clarinet for a fraction of what it would have cost to rent it for the year. They often need a tune up, but well worth it.