I would say go with piano, for a few different reasons:

-You probably won't need to buy a piano as long as you are still going to school, which I'm assuming you are. That way, you can try it for free without wasting money on an instrument you don't know if you will like.
-You don't need to be that good at piano to sound good and/or play popular music.
-It's something you can just do for fun when you are sitting around a piano with your friends

Falcynn

United States3597 Posts

October 07 2008 16:04 GMT

#22

On October 07 2008 23:47 JohnColtrane wrote:
ah sweet, thanks for the link, although i was leaning towards a fretless model because i love the sound of a fretless bass, any experience with those? also, is getting a 5 string bass a worthy investment? know any models that are fairly cheap and are of decent/good quality? thanks

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Vintage-Modified-Fretless-Jazz-Bass?sku=519637
mostly the exact same model

oh as for 5 strings, it depends on what you plan to do with it. In general most people I know who play 5ers usually get it so when they play anything in a dropped tuning, they can just play on the low B string without worrying about retuning.

Also some people who like to solo a lot will get a 5 string with a high C instead of the low B for an extra higher range.

I don't have much experience with them though, but in general I find you can play just about anything with a standard 4 string.

If you really want to get into it this is a great forum
http://www.talkbass.com/
a lot of really knowledgeable guys willing to help out with just about anything, and a couple of pros post there too (I think Beck's former bassist/NIN's current bassist has his own sub-forum there).

lesser_good

Canada698 Posts

October 07 2008 16:30 GMT

#23

trombone because if u master one brass u master all

Fontong

United States6454 Posts

October 07 2008 17:51 GMT

#24

On October 08 2008 01:30 lesser_good wrote:
trombone because if u master one brass u master all

uhh...then it makes the least sense to use trombone, its the only brass that doesnt use valves. In any case, the statement isn't correct. trumpet is a better choice though since it has valves and is cheaper than tuba or euphonium. and easier than french horn. a switch to a different brass instrument would be pretty easy.

french horn is the coolest tho, imo.

Chromyne

Canada561 Posts

October 07 2008 18:43 GMT

#25

As a former French horn player, I can say without bias that it is the best brass instrument, but it's true it may be more difficult and uses different fingering than the majority of other brass instruments.

Chef

10810 Posts

October 07 2008 19:07 GMT

#26

Cello mother fucker, those things are sick. And the Chevalier in Blood+ plays a cello

Don't get a trombone unless you want to get really good at giving blow jobs. In fact... Don't get any wind instrument unless it's a piccolo, you're 4 feet tall, and you plan on dancing in the shire. I can appreciate wind instruments but... I would never want to play one.

Not_Computer

Canada2277 Posts

October 07 2008 20:30 GMT

#27

between those two, I'd pick Cello

I also suggest the clarinet cause it's the most awesome uncommon instrument. (i play it of course)

and of course piano, but everyone has/will say that.

antiq

Slovakia191 Posts

October 07 2008 21:06 GMT

#28

Cello between those two, I just like it better. But consider your possibilities, if there's only a slim chance you'd be able to play with someone else, I would recommend something that can play the whole harmony (guitar / electric guitar, piano or maybe an accordion [nah:p]) rather than just the melody.. for practical purposes, you can sing while playing or just add some atmosphere to conversations etc.
But if you have a chance of joining an orchestra, go for it.

HeavOnEarth

United States7087 Posts

October 07 2008 21:48 GMT

#29

+1 for cello

kefkalives

Australia1272 Posts

October 07 2008 23:13 GMT

#30

Shinji from evangelion also plays cello. omg 2 anime characters!

skyglow1

New Zealand3962 Posts

October 07 2008 23:25 GMT

#31

Cello out of those two, and if you're willing to, violin is great (I play violin).

Jizz

Australia224 Posts

October 08 2008 02:55 GMT

#32

Any cello players on TL?
the bass strings are E A D G are they similar to the cellos? because if its exactly the same i would already be able to play the cello.I do play the electric bass. Most people think its just an easier way to play double bass but its completely different soundwise. The electric bass is boring imo. I try to play the piano every day in music class, i feel its the easiest instrument to teach yourself, seeing as you only need to know where one note is to find all the rest of them. I tried guitar and failed back when i was 12, i might try and pick it up again.

Cello/violin. hmmmm

EtherealDeath

United States8366 Posts

October 08 2008 03:02 GMT

#33

Go Cello. Cello is awesome sexy, I like the sound so much. Plus its strings aren't thin as heck, so your fingers don't hurt after mass practicing like they would with violin, and to an extent viola (for me anyways). Although... why did you name yourself Jizz :-P

KH1031

United States862 Posts

October 08 2008 03:25 GMT

#34

Hmm...

How about Air Guitar?

You get to look cool without all the practice!

But between the two you listed, I like cello better. It sounds sexier.

Jizz

Australia224 Posts

October 08 2008 06:30 GMT

#35

On October 08 2008 12:02 EtherealDeath wrote:
Go Cello. Cello is awesome sexy, I like the sound so much. Plus its strings aren't thin as heck, so your fingers don't hurt after mass practicing like they would with violin, and to an extent viola (for me anyways). Although... why did you name yourself Jizz :-P

Jizz is jazz in new zeland language

skyglow1

New Zealand3962 Posts

October 08 2008 07:16 GMT

#36

It is? o_O Or are you making fun of our accent

!
I think between cello and violin they are equally awesome. I don't play cello but I always thought it looks like a pain to manage such a big instrument, but I guess if you're used to playing a double bass then that wouldn't be a problem. Maybe violin will give you experience playing in treble clef as you said and to complement your experience in playing at the lower range of notes?

JohnColtrane

Australia4813 Posts

October 08 2008 08:07 GMT

#37

treble clef is easy, just remember every good boy deserves fruit and FACE

XuoriG

Canada165 Posts

October 08 2008 10:25 GMT

#38

So you are reading the C-clef ? Its always a pain in the ass for me, when im singing in my Solfege Course at school :S

I think its more useful for you to learn Cello (if you read C-Clef), trombone will give you an all new experience though.

HeavOnEarth

United States7087 Posts

October 12 2008 22:19 GMT

#39

On October 08 2008 11:55 Jizz wrote:
Any cello players on TL?
the bass strings are E A D G are they similar to the cellos? because if its exactly the same i would already be able to play the cello.I do play the electric bass. Most people think its just an easier way to play double bass but its completely different soundwise. The electric bass is boring imo. I try to play the piano every day in music class, i feel its the easiest instrument to teach yourself, seeing as you only need to know where one note is to find all the rest of them. I tried guitar and failed back when i was 12, i might try and pick it up again.

Cello/violin. hmmmm

Cello strings are C G D A
I play cello.

HeavOnEarth

United States7087 Posts

October 12 2008 22:20 GMT

#40

On October 08 2008 19:25 Rutluv wrote:
So you are reading the C-clef ? Its always a pain in the ass for me, when im singing in my Solfege Course at school :S

I think its more useful for you to learn Cello (if you read C-Clef), trombone will give you an all new experience though.

Isn't it just called bass clef?