What I Would do if I Could Learn Any New Instrument

One of the things that I've come to appreciate most about my music degree is my new familiarization with various instruments. Before, I'd heard of certain instruments, but I couldn't always match a sound or a physical instrument to the name. Now, I'm quite pleased with how easily I can listen to an orchestration and pick out the various instruments, particularly wind ones!

Now, this may not seem like such a big deal, but it's wonderful. It helps me to appreciate music more when I listen to it, and it also has helped me foster a new appreciation for certain instruments. Take this one, for example:

(Photo from http://www.alexandertechniquecentrevienna.com/bassoon.html)

This brilliant instrument is called the bassoon. It has a lovely, full deep sound, a hilarious name, and looks like the hookah the caterpillar smokes in Alice and Wonderland.

However, as cool as the bassoon is, there is one instrument that has stolen my heart. Before, the violin appealed to me. It's still gorgeous (as are most stringed instruments, really... classical guitar, anyone? Cello?). I used to desperately want to learn the flute, as well! Now, if I could learn any new instrument, I would learn:

Yes, for all of you musically aware Russian robots, this wonderful instrument is called the oboe. It has such a full, smooth, consistent sound. It sounds soulful... I'd describe it as almost reedy, but maybe that's just because it's a wind instrument. Anyway, the point is, I have fallen absolutely in love. It is so gorgeous. If you don't believe me, give this clip (from The Mission) a chance. It's one of the most gorgeous pieces of music, I think. Just listen to a couple of minutes! You will fall in love if you have a soul! 

  

Anyway, I really don't have the time to learn a new instrument at this point in my life, but that doesn't stop me from appreciating how gorgeous this one is (and maybe having a few regrets about never even thinking of learning it until university). An oboist can steal my heart any day.

-Laura