I have no musical experience

[Dougald]

I strongly recommend getting a ukulele.
Easier on the fingers than a guitar, you'll be playing three chords within the hour. From then on, it's all fun.
There's a fabulous set of instruction books available from http://www.fleamarketmusic.com/
Pop songbooks, old style songs, jazz, even classical, it's all there.
Make sure you spend no less than $100 on your uke, there are lots of cheap ones out there, but they don't play in tune.
Either Concert or Soprano size are best to start with.
And they are great fun to collect, I now have 10! Theres banjo ukes, resophonic ukes, tenor, baritone sizes, vintage Hawiian ukes.
Sure, you can only play one at a time, but then again, you can only wear one kilt at a time!
Ukes are getting pretty popular, most cities have some sort of club. It's great fun to play with others, and it's a good social evening.
Have fun!

[Noel Christian Riddell]

I have no musical experience whatsoever, and was looking to change that. Suggestions?

Good luck with your pursuit Rawlinson (and McMath). Whatever you choose, make sure you have a decent quality beginner's instrument. Even a budget-friendly guitar can be properly set up so that it's easy to play.

Lots of teachers will come to your house (your comfort zone) and give lessons for 30 - 45 dollars/hour. I've taught guitar a few times...

Make certain you have an electronic tuner handy to help you along as you train your ear. There are books, videos, and internet tutorials galore. It's a perfect time to learn.

You can take a few lessons on the instrument of your choice to get some basics down and spend months and years with self-study. You'll get out of it what you put into it and the rewards are great.

Just be cautious of learning bad habits early -they can take ages to reverse!

It's a great journey. Enjoy!

[Rawlinson]

I'm noticing the commonality of "find a teacher;" I think I'll talk to the folks in the music department here at Pitt sometime this week (once I find out who/where they are). I'll let you guys know what course of action I decide on. Maybe I could get someone to teach me to play the pipes down the street at Carnegie Mellon....

[piperdbh]

The more I've thought about this, the more I'm going to recommend a single-note-at-a-time instrument, such as any wind instrument, and after a while with it, then progress to the chord instruments, like guitars and pianos and stuff.

And I just now saw that you're in Pittsburgh. Make sure to eat lots of ice cream and fries from the Big O while you're learning.

[Ozark Ridge Rider]

If you are interested in folk music, and have a bit of a sense of rhythm, and your ear will tell you whether one note goes up or down from the last, then you might have a lot of fun with a lap dulcimer.

Probably the easiest stringed instrument, and there are dulcimer clubs around most cities where you can find support and instruction (it doesn't take much)

[Rawlinson]

Opinions on whether a harmonica be a good first instrument or not? I already have one, so it'd just be a matter of finding a teacher.

[Hothir Ethelnor]

whistles anyone?

I am a self taught whistler. I play by ear and with my hands reversed (bad habit and all...)

It hasn't hurt me on the whistle but starting on some pipes will make me change my ways.

But yeah, whistles are easy to learn by ear and just as easy to memorize music with.

[saxandpipes]

whistles anyone?

I am a self taught whistler. I play by ear and with my hands reversed (bad habit and all...)

It hasn't hurt me on the whistle but starting on some pipes will make me change my ways.

But yeah, whistles are easy to learn by ear and just as easy to memorize music with.

Whistles is a good suggestion, or recorder -I know it sounds a bit like primary school, but you will find that most musicians played piano or recorder first. Recorder (or whistle) is a great base for going onto flute, saxophone, more whistles, bagpipes (to an extent) and more. It will help you become used to reading notes and having them more or less work instantly (not the case with flute, sax, pipes necessarily).

Recorders are cheap, so if you do decide to go with guitar I'd suggest getting a recorder anyway, and learning to read music with that.

Perhaps don't start with pipes until you are quite sure you have the desire (and time), as they are expensive, and there is a lot to master, apart from just reading notes and fingering. But that of course is a great goal, as you can then wear a kilt when you play!

The crossed hands thing is very interesting. I never noticed it until getting more involved in folk music- you'd be surprised how many great players have played with the wrong hand on top (and not just whistles or pipes). Of course it also skips generations- think how the child learned to play- mirroring their father or mother play... and thats how those things were passed on.

Cheers,

Michael

[ohiopiper]

If you are near Carnegie Mellon and have a desire to play the pipes, ask to sit in on a few practices. Not the advanced players yet, but other beginners. See if it strikes a chord with you before you invest anything other than a couple hours.

Playing the pipes is a big investment, mostly in time and effort. Putting your toe in the water costs you up to $100 bucks for a practice chanter, usually much less. Closer to $50 for a decent one. I recommend Dunbar by personal use, others have just as good a reputation. Pipes come later and are usually saved up for while learning on the PC, so no sudden hit to the wallet.

[Rawlinson]

CMU is but a stone's throw away; I may have to check into that. If I remember correctly, they're the only university in the States where you can major in bagpipes.