After a few tries Ian has found an instrument that he's interested in pursuing further: The Upright Double Bass. Classical, jazzy, strong, and unpopular. There was piano - which he took for a summer during Summer Curriculum, and hated it.
Then there was violin - which he was okay with, but couldn't get excited about. Also, the violin is a very popular instrument, and Ian is not one to be drawn to "what's popular." Also, there's a lot to the violin. It's complicated, and...difficult. He wasn't interested in making that little squeaky instrument sound musical.
There is the guitar, which he likes, but it's not "classical" and is a more "for fun" instrument. And now that he's getting a bit better (after 7 months, or so) he's finally picking it up in his "free time" and wants to keep it in his room (only his most valuable items live in his room).
We considered introducing a horn (trumpet, maybe) but, despite external appearances, horns are difficult to play.
Don't misunderstand, he's not looking for "easy." Just..."uncomplicated." Guitar is uncomplicated. Even, to a certain degree, the piano is uncomplicated. You just press a key. Sure, there are LOTS of keys, and your fingers have to be coordinated, but its not really technically complicated to *produce a decent sound.*
So we went through the list of options. Has to be something for which there is a local instructor. We considered harmonica (which he was excited about), but there are no teachers (and no real future with it). We considered the cello, but after investigating the upright base, we learned that the strings align with the guitar - making the transition for HIM much easier. Naturally (with the bass guitar being very popular) the upright bass and guitar "go together." AND he's a "big guy" with a low voice and is quintessentially a young man. He's classical. He's jazzy. He's unpopular. He is a bassist.
