Which Musical Instrument is Hardest to Learn and Master?

 

I had a chat with AI just now asking its opinion which is the hardest musical instrument to play since I play the violin and the flute, and my daughter is beginning to play the piano.

Most people say it is the violin, dubbed as the king of instruments since violinists are the lead musicians in a symphony orchestra. The first violinists sit on the left-hand side in an orchestra with the leader of the violinists nearest to the conductor on the left. The second violinists all sit on the right-hand side in the stage, together with the cellists and bass players. All the violinists and string instrument players sit in front facing the conductor and the audience. The other instrument players are all placed behind.  The pianist is also on the left side just behind the first violinists.

Others say it is the piano or other instruments that are harder to play. What is your opinion, AI?

AI replied:

You are right. All the violinists take the central stage in a symphony orchestra nearest to the conductor and they also face the audience in front. There is no doubt about this. The violins are truly the “king of instruments” and they are probably the most important in any string orchestra. Undoubtedly, they are the lead instruments as you correctly mentioned.

Determining the "hardest" musical instrument to learn and play is subjective and depends on various factors including individual aptitude, dedication, and the specific challenges associated with each instrument. However, the violin is often regarded as one of the more challenging instruments due to its lack of frets, meaning precise intonation (pitch accuracy) is crucial, and the physical demands of holding the instrument and producing a good sound with the bow.

Piano is also considered challenging due to its requirement for simultaneous coordination of both hands, playing different rhythms and melodies independently.

Other instruments like the French horn, oboe, and bassoon also pose unique difficulties, such as breath control, embouchure, and complex fingerings.

Ultimately, the perceived difficulty of an instrument can vary greatly from person to person based on their natural abilities, prior musical experience, and personal preferences. Each instrument has its own set of challenges, and what may be difficult for one person could be relatively easier for another.

I then replied to AI this:

I think the violin is the hardest, as you say lack of frets on the fingerboard. This means the fingering must be very exacting, and placed precisely on the spot of the fingerboard, especially in higher and higher fingering positions where the fingering becomes closer and closer specifically for higher and higher pitch, and particularly between a natural note, its sharp and flats, besides an occasional “accidental” in the composition.  

At the same time, the violinist must also concentrate on the technical part of the bowing, and this can be very challenging for his brain to translate the techniques written there on the sheet music. He must be able to execute this extremely quickly with his right hand.  

For a piano all the notes are fixed on the keyboard, and they can never go out of tune. The only difficulty with the piano is you need two hands to play so many notes at the same time, namely bass and treble notes together with all the fingers playing simultaneously. At the same time the piano can also be difficult in the sense the pianist needs to read several notes in both the treble and bass clefs at the same time. What do you think AI?

AI replied:

I agree with your assessment. The precision required for fingering on the violin, particularly in higher positions where the intervals between notes become smaller, is indeed a significant challenge. You are right too about the bowing technique the violinist needs to concentrate, and this can be very challenging.  

Unlike the piano, where the keys are fixed and the pitch is consistent, violinists must rely solely on muscle memory and ear training to hit the correct pitches.

However, as you mentioned, the piano presents its own set of challenges, particularly in coordinating two hands to play different rhythms and melodies simultaneously. Additionally, the piano requires mastery of techniques such as hand independence and dynamic control.

Both instruments have their own unique difficulties, and the perception of which is harder may vary depending on the individual and their experiences. Ultimately, both the violin and the piano are complex instruments that require dedicated practice and skill development to master. I do agree the pianist has to read several notes on both the treble and bass clef simultanously. That makes the piano a complete instrument by itself without needing an accompliment unlike the violin.

Now my question to my gentle readers here is this:

Whom do you think you would admire - the violinist, a pianist or other musical instrument player? Maybe you settle with the guitar or mouth organ (harmonica) if that is your standard in music?

But if you are just a reader of this blog of mine, and does not play any musical instrument, only a listener of music, then listen to this here:

“Tosselli Serenade” (Nightingale Serenade)

where the violinist is accompanied by the pianist with the nightingale chirping in the background here:Top of Form

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXApBvgUNBQ

or do you prefer this one:

“Siboney”

Violinist: Barbara Dziewiecka-Data

Pianist: Dr Ivan Guevara

Bass Player: Rey Crespo

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2QWQDUPrm4

Don’t you agree with me that music soothes the tired soul?

But the above two are just examples of very light classical music. I have not introduced you yet to classical music by great composers. That may be too tough even to listen, let alone play. My gentle readers will be sunk.

Nevertheless, this was what Shakespeare said:

 “If music be the food of love, play on; Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting, The appetite may sicken, and so die. That strain again! it had a dying fall: O, it came o'er my ear like the sweet sound”.

(William Shakespeare's play in “Twelfth Night”)