Hehe, I'm not overly optimistic about learning harp... I can play pretty much anything half-decently after only a few lessons, and know my theory. With a month or two of lessons and practice I'd be somewhat decent, although of course I wouldn't be GREAT for quite a few years! That takes dedicated practice.

**Rant ahead*

The only instruments that have ever been a pain are oboe and clarinet, and that was mostly because my fingers weren't the right size for the holes and I didn't like them enough to put up with the pain of trying to get my fingers to fit. And I don't like strumming on guitar, but can fingerpick well, and even do hammer-ons and hammer-offs. (Assuming I've practiced enough for callouses!) I also learned the basics of Suzuki cello in 4 months (twinkle variations and some other pieces), and was complimented by my teacher as the fastest student she'd ever had. (Of course, I was 17-18 or something like that at the time... she usually started with the really young ones.)

Also, piano is a pain because the way I was holding my hands for that was painful, and I tend to like having medium nails, which exacerbates the problem. I don't read music fast because I am nearsighted and the music has to be exactly 12 inches from my nose... but I can play.

I've been playing flute for only two months now regularly and am getting compliments on my tone, although I can't play Swallowtail Jig as FAST as I'd like, yet. *Wink*

I pick up any musical instrument quicker than most, and have a good ear. (And that's not bragging, that's confidence born from previous experience and the opinions of others.)

**Rant off*

Maybe I will rent one, as then at least I can work out arrangements properly. It's so frustrating to just have a tiny piano and a flute and not be able to FEEL the instrument when writing parts.

As for how long it would take, I was asking about the building of it, not the learning.