Hi,
I'm an interesting case. Gift-challenged (I'm not trying to be humble), I'm learning the guitar (classical), the piano and the violin. I find the piano the easiest. The violin is VERY difficult, but the one I love the most. I study several hours per day. The piano, sometimes I pass weeks without playing. When I go back, in a few hours I'm producing something nice (for my poor standards).
Though quite difficult, the guitar is an incredible instrument. I can play nice things on the guitar, very difficult pieces, beautifully. And I've been playing it for less than 3 years. If I'd play my guitar in public (and I have), people would enjoy it. The piano, yeah, too, but I know very few pieces. The violin, I wouldn't dare to play it in public just now. Mind you, I'm talking about playing for a "public" of non musicians (family and friends), just normal people who likes a bit of classical music.
The violin difficulties are not only about intonation. The bowing's so complicated! So complicated! I'm learning ricochet, for instance... Jeez... if you don't love it (I love it), you will give it up...
But then, I listen to Liszt's étude d'éxécution transcendante no.12, or 4, then to Paganini's variations on god save the king (violin), or Paganini's carnival of venice (violin), and I think, at that high level, they're all surely equally difficult.
Sight reading: easy on the violin, OK on the piano, impossible with the guitar. I don't know a single piece by heart on the violin, nor on the piano. I play reading. For the guitar, I have to memorize the piece.
So, from my own experience, if you're gift-challenged like me, and you want quick rewards, try the classical guitar, or the piano. If you're willing to work VERY hard to get the easiest piece sounding just about acceptable, if you're willing to be really humble and to be confronted with your limits, your weaknesses, then, the violin is for you.
I can play the guitar or the piano late at night. The violin: no way! I'm always self-conscious when I'm practicing, sorry for the neighbors. I'm always telling them to hit the wall if it becomes unbearable! They say they like it and they wish they could hear it better! There must be something terribly wrong with their ears!
I was told about the French Horn: it's VERY difficult to get started. Very difficult. But once you get the kick of it, it's not so hard.
Just my 2 cents.
BTW: somebody said nobody likes the viola. I love it! I'd like a violin with five strings to get that fantastic viola C string. It's beauuuuutiful! Viva the viola!!
