help me decide which musical instrument to learn [GA ENDED]

Bump. Voted Guitar.

You should learn to play the Ruler. https://www.amazon.com/SUCK-UK-Music-Ruler-Guidebook/dp/B002UTD17S

Chopsticks.

The keytar.

/thread

I would definitely say the guitar or ukulele, they're both versatile, portable, and most importantly highly self-sufficient. It's easy to learn the basics for either of them and there's a hell of a lot of stuff you can do with them once you start learning more advanced things. They're also pretty interchangeable, once you know one you can very quickly adapt to the other (and also to other instruments like mandolins, electric guitars or bass). I would say it's easier to go from guitar to ukulele than vice versa though. Another huge advantage of the guitar is that there's an enormous amount of learning resources online to help teach you. I haven't personally ever looked into what there is for mandolins but I would expect it to be much harder to find lessons online.

If you don't want to ruin your fingers I'd stay away from the electric guitar though.

As for tips, I would say don't dismiss music theory. A lot of people I know taught themselves a few chords on guitar so that they can play a couple of songs, but shied away from learning any of the theory behind music. Learning the theory will give you a much better knowledge of how to play, and will allow you to create your own music much more easily than if you only knew some songs.

Edit: If you have any questions I'm more than happy to try to answer them but (disclaimer) my knowledge of music is very limited

Voted guitar, I suggest learning a song you personally enjoy. Learn a couple chords and you can play something nice.

I'd say the ukelele is easier than the guitar... only four strings and a more open tuning. It's not hard to change to the guitar later.

The harmonica is quite easy to pick up and learn. It took me about a week to be able to play tunes on one (but it takes a lot longer to get the tone right). If you wanted something more melodic, you could also consider a tin whistle.

Piano/keyboard

I'd say get a keyboard/ piano you can get stickers that label what the keys are and you can get sheet music that has the keynotes on it. That's how I learned to play when I was 4-5. If you want some really portable go for guitar. Now if you want plenty of free lessons for that you can always go to https://www.justinguitar.com/ and I'm to lazy to link it properly.

I voted guitar, but do note that an electric guitar is going to be easier on your fingers than an acoustic. It's not the material that the strings are made of, it's the amount of pressure required to apply, and acoustics generally are more difficult to play in my experience - require more strength in your hands. As to easy on your fingers - If you play regularly for a few weeks though you'll build up callouses and won't even notice after that. It's just the price you pay.

As to learning - if you like the eagles and folk music I'd suggest starting in the vein. Learn chords and strum along sing. You can do alot just learning 4-5 chords. Start with G, C, D and Em and you can play so much.

I voted for guitar, because this is the instrument I'd want to learn. But correct answer is "the one YOU like more". Why listen to someone else opinion? And, if you really like some instrument - it would be easier to learn it, because it you will enjoy the process of learning.

Guitar,

If you are interested in understanding music, the easiest (in my opinion) is the piano — it has a very logical and clear layout of notes, everything just goes from low to high, sequentially. So I'd recommend that as the easiest way to start learning music from. Then, once you know at least a little bit about notes / octaves / keys / chord progressions (circle of fifths, tonic/subdominant/dominant chords), it will be simpler to learn anything else. In my case, I learnt guitar first, but most of it was just dumb memorizing. When I started learning the piano I finally understood many things, and it is more fun to play either now that I don't only know the "how", but also the "why".

But, of course, the piano as an instrument is neither cheap nor portable, so that's a big downside.

There are only two instruments that I would consider for myself: Guitar or the piano.

Guitar is a very common instrument, so it might be good to learn it just for that, but it's not a favorite of mine.

Flute will be hard if you're not familiar with embouchure. You have to get your lips puckered -juuust- right.

I'd suggest an ocarina personally. It's simple to use and easy to get the hang of midrange notes.

If you really want to go strings I'd suggest ukulele.

Also learn how to use a metronome. There's tons online.

I was in concert band for ten years and marching band for four when I was in school. Played clarinet myself.

The pan flute, of course. Its majestic and hauntingly beautiful tones will sooth your soul.
or the guitar

View attached image.

"looking for something somewhat easy to start out with that won't take ages to learn."

There isn't such thing as an easy instrument. Sure some have their own difficulties for different reasons, but if you are interested to progress in it and not just learning to play a couple of basic songs, every instrument requires a lot of studying, patience and dedication. How fast you progress depends only on your effort and not on the instrument itself.

My suggestion is to watch basic instructional videos for some of the instruments that you have on your mind and see how you feel for each one of them.

Try using to play sampler/sequencer. Lots of opportunities ;)

How serious are you taking it? I mean, go to classes and such? Or just get a book and practice at home? Because with the last option, a guitar and Rocksmith may be a nice introduction to see if you like it. You'd still need a teacher to learn everything proper down the line, but just to see if you like it at all it may be a good start :)

I liked playing the trumpet personally :c but it does take a while to learn and consistent practice to strengthen facial muscles and lungs to be able to play it well and for longer ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) Taking an extended break from most instruments allows for you to pick it up without much trouble, with a trumpet you need to rebuild up the face muscles and lungs all over again

Cello is a wonderful instrument. I love the sound.

Of course, the easiest instrument to find lessons for is the guitar, which is definitely worth learning.

harmonica is the easiest one, so it's a more realistic choice.
Or learn the guitar , so you'll be able to play ukulele and mandolin

I tried learning electric guitar but the music theory completely turned me off of it. I find it waaay too boring for me to actually learn anything. I will give you the advice of trying to learn some music theory without having the instrument, because if you're like me, you'll spend a lot of money on the instrument to later leave it in some dark place in your house (selling instruments is harder than it sounds).

You could go with either an electric guitar or a bass guitar. I personally started with bass guitar myself. :)
Like Manipulator said, there's a game called Rocksmith 2014 that can help you learn guitar/bass (it uses real guitar/bass as controller) if you got no one to teach you. It has lots of classic rock songs.