Instrument Guide
Instrument Guide: 8 orchestra instruments and what starting is like
Violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, clarinet, trumpet, and horn. For each instrument: difficulty, time to a first piece, rental and purchase costs, lesson format and fees, a roadmap for the first 2 years, and the hardest parts.
Strings
ViolinViolin · 1–3 months to your first pieceA first sound comes right away, but intonation and posture are a lifelong projectViolaViola · 1–3 months to your first pieceBigger and deeper in sound than the violin, with one small wall: the alto clefCelloCello · 1–3 months to your first pieceA comfortable seated posture and a register like the human voice; the challenges are intonation and a steady bowDouble bassDouble bass · 1–2 months to your first pieceThe instrument that supports the base of the orchestra. Intonation is relatively forgiving; stamina and size are the wall
Woodwinds
FluteFlute · 1–2 months to your first pieceLight and easy to carry. The first sound (embouchure) and breathing are the first wall, then you improve quicklyClarinetClarinet · 1–2 months to your first pieceThe first sound is relatively easy. The challenges are the 'break' (crossing registers), reed care, and transposed parts
Brass
TrumpetTrumpet · 1–2 months to your first pieceIt looks simple with three valves, but your lips make the notes. Endurance and high notes are the challengesHornFrench horn · 2–4 months to your first pieceThe mellowest and among the hardest of the brass. The overtones are close together, so 'finding the right note' is a lifelong project