<p>Yeah... my mom is willing to buy me either one. The problem is I don't know which one to get. I play the saxophone already, so I already know how to read notes and stuff. lol. I really like how the bouzouki sounds and it's more in my ethnic background. The problem is that I'd probably have a hard time finding a teacher. Could I teach myself, or could a guitar instructor teach me? The violin also sounds amazing but it's just...I don't know. lol So which one should I get?</p>
<p>Well, to begin...</p>
<p>Yay for being ethnically Greek!</p>
<p>So, I might be a little biased in this, but get a Bouzouki. It can be as easy to learn as guitar, depending on how many pairs of strings you get on it (one pair acts as one). The only thing that would vary is the tuning, but I personally think it makes it easier to play (The 4 paired string one is commonly tuned to ADAD these days, but you can get it turned like a bass guitar if you wish). A guitar instructor sorta could teach you, but you can teach yourself. Plus...it just sounds extremely cool.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Yeah, it does sound amazing.</p>
<p>I love the violin to death, but the bouzouki sounds rather awesome as well... The problem with learning the violin, at least in the beginning, is that it can tend to sound rather unpleasant before you start to get the hang of it. My mom, for instance, used to wash the dishes while I was in my first year of playing, to drown out the screeching. :-) On the other hand, once you improve it is really great because there is a huge variety of literature out there, from string quartets to loads of solo stuff.
But then, the bouzouki, which I am obviously less framiliar with, would probably have a fairly gigantic repertoire because, in addition to whatever music may be written specifically for it, you could probably play lots of arrangements. And it sounds, as mentioned above, quite awesome. Really, I don't think you can go wrong! Good luck with whatever you do decide to play.</p>
<p>
[quote]
The problem with learning the violin, at least in the beginning, is that it can tend to sound rather unpleasant before you start to get the hang of it.
[/quote]
I agree. I had that problem for a while as well.</p>
<p>Yeah, that's what I'm worried about--the screeching. lol</p>
<p>In any case, I wouldn't buy a violin right off. Rent first. Good violins are both expensive and idiosyncratic, and before buying one you'd want to have enough experience on the instrument to have an idea of what qualities you want in yours. Many places have rent-to-own programs. I would imagine it would be a lot tougher to rent a bouzouki, but you may want to ask whoever you'd buy one from if you could rent or borrow one for a week so that you can try it out before shelling out your money.</p>
<p>I found a bouzouki for only $130 so it's not that much money. However, if I stick with it and become good then I'd like a better one. On the other hand, "good" violins start at around $200 on ebay.</p>
<p>Then again, buying a violin from ebay is a bit like chosing a girlfriend from an online dating service. You can learn something about her from her "stats", but you won't really know what she's like until you meet her. Not a big deal if all you want to do is go out for a movie, but if what you're looking for is a more serious relationship...</p>
<p>..you might end up hooking up with a 50 year-old named Clyde by mistake!</p>
<p>bump.......</p>
<p>I'd recommend the violin.</p>