IF you could start again...which orchestral instrument would you learn?

[salymap]

I would prefer a woodwind instrument, having seen the players with tubas etc struggle with them.

Even cellos and double basses are a problem sometimes. I am torn between learning the clarinet or oboe, much too late but fun to dream.

What about you ?

[cloughie]

I would prefer a woodwind instrument, having seen the players with tubas etc struggle with them.

Even cellos and double basses are a problem sometimes. I am torn between learning the clarinet or oboe, much too late but fun to dream.

What about you ?

I'd go for clarinet, then having perfected that saxophone - ideal combination for serious classical playing and pop/rock/jazz.

[Flosshilde]

I would like to be able to play the cello, mainly so that I could play Bach's suites (or at least try). And the organ would be fun, even if there wouldn't be much scope for playing at home.

[salymap]

I would like to be able to play the cello, mainly so that I could play Bach's suites (or at least try). And the organ would be fun, even if there wouldn't be much scope for playing at home.

Not too late Flossie. Gamba won't mind my saying that he is 90 and still plays the cello and viola da gamba.

Get started at once.

[vinteuil]

... for me, I think the bassoon.

Ideally it wd be the French horn - however I think it is such an extremely difficult instrument, and I don't believe I wd attain anything like an acceptable competence

[Petrushka]

French horn or percussion for me. Always dreamt of playing the bass drum in the Verdi Requiem, the cymbals in the finale of the Tchaik 4 or timps in Bruckner.

[Flosshilde]

I don't know, Saly; I've made lots of attempts to learn Italian, which must be about the easiest language to learn, & not managed it, so the chances of me learning to read music are pretty negligible I think

[Simon B]

Always dreamt of playing the bass drum in the Verdi Requiem, the cymbals in the finale of the Tchaik 4 or timps in Bruckner

In order these are:
Satisfying if nerve wracking (not technically difficult, but the zones of delivering the goods in the Dies Irae and the risk of the head splitting overlap!)
Painful (if the conductor insists on damping every note as they sometimes do) but fun as long as everyone goes for it
Exhausting ("*how* many dozen bars of ff roll?!")

You need a robust nervous system (and a strong back for all the lifting) for this lark however.

If I could start again I'd still choose timps/percussion, though it'd be a close run thing with trumpet.

[Ferretfancy]

Having been "put to the piano" at too early an age, I never learned. I would love to try again, seeing myself as a Lisztian figure throwing my head back with soulful glances into the heavens, a bit of a Lang Lang really.

Failing the piano, it's the tam tam for me, Francesca da Rimini anyone?

[antongould]

As an old scoundrel the piano obviously .....

[teamsaint]

I don't know, Saly; I've made lots of attempts to learn Italian, which must be about the easiest language to learn, & not managed it, so the chances of me learning to read music are pretty negligible I think

If you can read and write English, and make fancy pots, reading music will be a doddle !!

[salymap]

French horn or percussion for me. Always dreamt of playing the bass drum in the Verdi Requiem, the cymbals in the finale of the Tchaik 4 or timps in Bruckner.

or the triangle in the first Liszt piano Concerto

[MrGongGong]

I would definitely go for the tray of crockery (as used in Ligeti's Apparitions)

[EdgeleyRob]

or the triangle in the first Liszt piano Concerto

Quite fancy a go at firing a cannon in the 1812.

Seriously though piano for me.
How long would it take to learn Alkan's symphony for solo piano ?

[teamsaint]

Quite fancy a go at firing a cannon in the 1812.

Seriously though piano for me.
How long would it take to learn Alkan's symphony for solo piano ?

Dunno, but your man turned up on CD review this morning I think.