Instruments: Question for those who play.

[Hoss Ragen]

I played the piano a little bit in elementary school, but I fell out of it. The lady who taught me was a multi-instrumentalist, which I greatly admired, but she was a religious fanatic who, for example, thought that classic rock bands 5th graders wouldn't listen to anyways were Satan's work. She was a little odd that way and therefore didn't really inspire me. But it did teach me how to read music and understand time signature. I have a Fender Rhodes passed to me by my mom's husband which I like to noodle on sometimes

Over the years, I started to collect records from thrift stores: Afro-Cuban, soundtracks to 60s and 70s B-movies, all types of jazz from bop to out-there fusion, James Brown-style funk, obscure small-label folk made in someone's basement, hard-as-nails wizard rock...you name it. That inspired me to start playing the drums. I learned my rudiments, learned how to "swing" notes, learned the mechanics and history behind how different rhythms other than standard 4/4 rock beats work. I'm far from great...I have yet to crack open one of my practice books and sit down for, say, a whole two hours and practice with intense focus, but I play often and whenever I feel like it. I'm just starting to get the hang of the interdependence between limbs.

[mummifiedstalin]

Banjo will help your fingerpicking speed. And it'll also get you away from strumming and flatpicking if that's all you do on guitar. Plus, if you learn clawhammer style, you'll be able to do something on guitar that few guitar-only players know how to do.

Personally, I think that learning a classical stringed instrument, or even just snagging a violin to play "fiddle" tunes, will really help your left hand. Learning to play without frets really increases your left hand's speed and accuracy, especially with unusual chord formations on guitar. Guitar players, even good ones, often fall into habits of having a few positions that they rely on, but playing a stringed instrument that requires you to put your finger RIGHT THERE makes your left hand come alive again.

I'm a terrible fiddle player, but after screwing around with one for a few years, I found that I suddenly got really good at playing "jazz" chords on guitar.

And if you want to get good at rubbing your stomach while patting your head, learn the accordion.

Edit: I just realized how old this thread was. Well, here's an answer to a year-old question.

[SpUd_Jr]

I really want to learn the piano. Would something like this: keyboards-midi.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-YPG535-package?sku=500528

be a good starting investment?