I used to know how to play the piano, in fact I was pretty good at it.
But after suffering a traumatic brain injury I no longer remember how to play at all
I've tried a few times since finally recovering but it's like the connection between my brain and my fingers just isn't there like it used to be and the notes on the sheet music kinda float around.
It's like I've started over from the beginning with a higher difficulty and it's so frustrating because I know I used to be able to play some of the super simple songs from memory.
It's been 5 years since the head injury. I'd love to learn again, but it's been such a struggle to even start.
Oh god, I can't even begin to imagine what that feels like. I'm glad you recovered, but that sounds horrible to have to go through.
If you want some inspiration or hope, look up Pat Martino. After a brain haemorrhage he had to have part of his brain removed, which apparently included crucial parts relating to musicianship. He was a virtuoso before, but completely forgot how to play guitar. This was at 36 years old, but he managed to re-learn guitar enough to be considered a virtuoso once again post-haemorrhage. I think I read brain scientists were stunned, science it should have been impossible. But the brain is a fascinating organ and apparently he managed to form new neural pathways using intact tissue.
A jazz guitarist who suffered hemorrhage and seizures in the 80s. Had to have part of his brain removed.
It took 7 years of practicing for him to return to playing properly after the amnesia.
It's a struggle no doubt, but if you want it then it's possible.
Having tried to pick up a new instrument in adulthood it definitely feels more difficult but to be honest the key thing I had when learning as a kid was time.
As a kid I could work at it in big chunks of time and progress that felt great. In adulthood I have to accept I'm chipping away at the rockface with how little time to put in.
It is possible to make progress though and I've learned to delight in the small wins.
I still play my first instrument and can't imagine the loss I'd feel if all that work over many years went away so you really have my sympathy. But if you love it, please don't give up.
Music is a life long hobby that's really good for you, and that's a valuable thing.
I see this illustrated in the anime “Your Lie in April”. The protagonist sees notes floating, but he also can’t hear the sound of the piano if he plays.
Not so much a traditional instrument, but I would love to learn how to make music through software like Sony acid pro. I had a friend once who did it and he did some really great stuff.
Guitar. There are so many songs I love that I wish I could play. Stuff by Alan Gogoll for example. But he's very skilled and would take years to get even close to him.
Cello, I love the sound and atmosphere of it. But at some point you need to make choices. I've played the clarinet as a kid and I have piano lessons since a year or two, so for now I'll focus on the latter. Can't have it all. 🙂
Oboe. Close enough to what I already know, but the double reed would make it an interesting challenge.
If practicality, storage and transport were magically not an issue, then the harp. But I’m temporarily playing a contra-bass clarinet and that thing is a beast, so I’d not pick up large instruments going forward.
I always wanted to learn how to play piano. I absolutely love the sound, but I'm missing several fingers, and I know it'd be really disheartening to always have a bunch of music I'd never be able to play due to not being able to hit all the keys for complex chords.
Saxophone. I know how to play keyboards, a couple of stringed instruments, and drums. I don’t know how to play any wind/brass instrument other than the flute.
I've always wanted to learn to sing, ever since I was a kid. I even started taking lessons before I went through a major life change that pushed all of that aside. I meant to come back to it but I realised recently it just doesn't matter to me enough to pursue it compared to other things I want to achieve. And it really never became fun for me: it seems like the only way to improve is to 1) make it a team sport, which isn't an option for me, 2) start improving from when you're young enough that you're not self-conscious, or 3) painfully just listen to yourself be awful until you improve as an adult. Which is totally 100% doable, but pretty joyless & not worth the time investment for me rn.
Piano. I can play acoustic and electric guitar (yes, they are the same instrument, but you play them differently, and I can play both styles very proficiently), bass guitar, ukulele, drums, various percussion instruments, and I sing. I even played a stand-up bass one time and I was able to play it just fine after 5 minutes of dicking around. I have tried many times to learn piano but it's so damn hard. I can get by enough to record some basic stuff with some editing fuckery. But I'm nowhere near good enough to just play a song all the way through with it sounding good and without tons of mistakes.