What intstruments/ensembles are good for a young composer?

I am wondering what kind of ensembles or instruments one might write for if they are new to composition. Something that maybe isn't too complex? I know obviously like piano but what about string quartets or something? what would you recommend? also where could I find information about writing for whatever it is you recommend? thanks

What moves you? Obviously solo music is "easier," but then you have to handle maintaining interest -- not a easily done task.

String quartets are alright, but the biggest thing for me would be what moves YOU. You'll always find it easier to write for what you feel right with, if that makes any sense.

What moves you? Obviously solo music is "easier," but then you have to handle maintaining interest -- not a easily done task.

String quartets are alright, but the biggest thing for me would be what moves YOU. You'll always find it easier to write for what you feel right with, if that makes any sense.

thats a good point

Yeah, its all very personal and varies significantly from individual to individual. I, for example, find it significantly easier to write 8 part divisi choir music (or double choir) than solo piano. I can write out a full length, fully orchestral movie score off the rough draft of a screen play, but find it quite difficult just to write a simple symphony.

It all depends on YOU. What YOU find interesting, what YOU hear in your head and what comes naturally to YOU. My best advice would be to experiment a little. You should be able to at least get a general idea of what area fits you best pretty quickly. Try writing a string quartet, a piano solo, a vocal solo w/ accompaniment, an SATB choir piece, a symphony AND a few different instrumental solos (plus whatever else you can think of like concerti, advent garde, electronica etc.). You don't need to finish each piece, but you should push yourself until you have written at least 1:00 of play time on each - sometimes you feel like it's not going anywhere, but you just need to hit your second wind. See what comes naturally and easiest and go from there. Focus on that for a while and then try your hand at incorporating the experience you've picked up into a new area.

What works best for me is writing for an instrument I am familiar with so you know what you can do. I started writing for SATB which wasn't too hard for me since I have quite some choir experience. Later I wrote some pieces for piano which also wasn't too hard since I play the piano. Currently I'm working on String Quartet compositions which I think is harder for me since I don't have any experience playing string instruments. But ofcourse, that's a challenge. So my advice would be, start writing for (a) instrument(s) which you are familiar with and once you get the hang of it try some other settings or see how you can apply your compositions to other instruments. Good luck!