If There's One Skill You Wish You Had...

[Grebfromgrebland]

Just now, davieG said:

Not a skill but a wish that I still had sufficient hearing to listen to music, the radio, especially comedies podcasts etc.

 

I don't have a musical bone or rhythm in my body but my son and MrsG, who is a prolific songwriter and to hear what they have produced would give me so much joy. 

Pardon?

[davieG]

Just now, Grebfromgrebland said:

Pardon? 

Do you wish you had the skill to think of something original 

[AKCJ]

I want to be able to play an instrument perfectly (probably piano) without spending the years of practise needed to get to that level.

[filbertway]

If I had the time to dedicate to it, I'd love to be class at darts. Especially as that sweet honey pot is growing every year atm.

Fly around the world getting paid to do something you're good at whilst not having to maintain some mad strict diet. Class.

[Xen]

I'm woefully inept at anything musical so it'd be nice to change that and actually be able to sing. Quite like going to karaoke as I've got a few friends who are amazing singers, but I've never and would never get up and sing myself. Far too self concious for that, but at least if I could hold a tune I wouldnt shy away so much haha.

 

On a more practical level, I've been trying to learn to code for years on and off. Some of it has stuck, some of it I seem to have a mental block and never get past the basics. A shortcut to success would be welcome  

 

I think I'd pick carpentry though (and general handyman stuff really). My dad's great at it and so is my brother but it definitely skipped me, and now I'm a homeowner I'm really wishing I was a bit more self sufficient in that sense 

[Parafox]

12 hours ago, Alf Bentley said:

learn to play the accordion

My dad made me go for accordion lessons when I was about 12. I have no idea why.

 

I found it the most difficult instrument to learn.

 

I still have the accordion in the loft.

[Greg2607]

12 hours ago, Bellend Sebastian said:

Not that long ago I'd have said be able to play cool guitar solos but I can sort of do that now, so I'd say be able to write top pop hits to give to the chart bothering acts of the day. 

 

I saw a documentary years ago where a very camp man who wrote 'Like a Virgin' was showing how he threw it together on a piano in a few minutes and I thought it looked like being able to do that would be the best fun. 

 

Like that Lin-Manuel Miranda bloke that's done a lot of the Disney songs over the last few years (I'll ignore Hamilton, which I think is shite) - imagine being able to churn out songs like that - just knowing that people will love them. A proper gift

this is blasphemy of the HIGHEST order!!! 

[Raj]

kissing me c0ck

[Blueman1967]

Play an instrument, or learned a language, or learn how to spell properly

[MPH]

I’d like to be good at something. ANYTHING.

[bovril]

19 hours ago, Alf Bentley said:

 

You are increasingly adopting the persona of a character in a classic novel - perhaps something by Jane Austen, no, Henry James? 

I was hoping for post war Evelyn Waugh 

[Bellend Sebastian]

7 hours ago, Greg2607 said:

this is blasphemy of the HIGHEST order!!! 

Perhaps one for the unpopular opinions thread. The bloke has more talent in a fingernail than I have in my entire body but there's something about stage musicals - even his - that makes me just want to drink

[Bellend Sebastian]

If I can learn to play the guitar then I think anyone with hands can

[Jattdogg]

6 hours ago, Raj said:

kissing me c0ck

Beastiality?

[Unabomber]

Like others have said definitely piano 

[Guest worth_the_wait]

Sporting wise ... I'm a bit of jack-of-all-trades, master of none.

 

I can do most sports to an average/passable-decent level (football, cricket, rugby union, cycling, athletics, swimming, basketball, etc etc) and all the other usual indoor ones (snooker, pool, darts, table tennis, etc etc).    But never outstanding at anything.     I just wish I was brilliant at something.   Anything!    

 

 

[STEVIE B]

I think playing most musical instruments at a high level would be amazing.....guitar, piano, saxaphone. Personally the violin would be my choice.

[NJFox]

Love seeing so many remarks about music. Being a former music teacher and actively performing musician brass musician, it works wonders for your mind, spirit, cognitive health and more. Plus, it's one of the few skills that you can share with others that brings joy to all. Have traveled our country and the UK, all because of music. Said to my wife the other week, when we're old, senile, and my memories are gone, as long as we can still connect with music and smile/feel, we'll be OK.

 

And most importantly for this lot...it's not too late to learn! So many incredible books and online resources that can get you started on all varieties of instruments.

Edited 19 September 2025 by NJFox

[Sampson]

Not really a skill but I’d love the ability to do and understand practice science - like physics or biology experiments for example. Be able to see and properly understand molecules or cells and understand what we actually are.
 

For more practical things I wish I could properly build structures with my hands like carpentry or bricklaying while also understanding the engineering/architecture behind it. Would love to have said I built my own shed or something bigger.

Edited 19 September 2025 by Sampson

[Parafox]

7 hours ago, Raj said:

kissing me c0ck

 

Does that mean you want a very long and flexible neck? Like an ostrich, maybe,

[Parafox]

1 hour ago, Bellend Sebastian said:

If I can learn to play the guitar then I think anyone with hands can

 

I think if you've got good co-ordination and still be able to separate the left from right it's not too difficult.

 

I learnt play the drums and that required all 4 limbs doing different things at the same time. It took a while and I'm no way accomplished but I can pick up a rhythm pretty quickly whilst listening to a song where I can fill in the drum track.

 

 

[STEVIE B]

35 minutes ago, NJFox said:

Love seeing so many remarks about music. Being a former music teacher and actively performing musician brass musician, it works wonders for your mind, spirit, cognitive health and more. Plus, it's one of the few skills that you can share with others that brings joy to all. Have traveled our country and the UK, all because of music. Said to my wife the other week, when we're old, senile, and my memories are gone, as long as we can still connect with music and smile/feel, we'll be OK.

 

And most importantly for this lot...it's not too late to learn! So many incredible books and online resources that can get you started on all varieties of instruments.

One thing that l find amazing is that musicians make it look so easy, it looks so natural.......almost effortless. 

Practice & a passion for their art, l guess.

[Raj]

In all seriousness i wish I would have learned an instrument( My lad is taking guitar lessons).

And learn languages.

[Spiritwalker]

1 hour ago, Unabomber said:

Like others have said definitely piano 

Yeah it would be the piano for me as well. I have absolutely no music or artistic ability at all.

[boots60]

Ide luv too bee gud at spelin