You might wonder what you should start with if you’re a beginner musician interested in mastering the ropes of making music on various instruments.
With numerous potential solutions, settling on the best can be impossible. You don’t have to worry because our in-depth guide will help you select the ideal musical instrument for your needs. We’ll help you choose the instrument that best fits your ability and way of life: guitar, piano, drums, or violin.
We’ll talk about everything you need to know before buying your first stringed instrument or learning to play the piano, from your ability level and preferred genre to your budget and space constraints.
Advantages of Learning an Instrument
Learning an instrument can open you to opportunities but requires time, practice, and commitment. Yet, there are several benefits for those who continue with it. Among them are:
Relief from Anxiety
One of the best ways to reduce stress is to learn to play an instrument or listen to music. Study participants who listened to soothing music before exposure to a stressor had considerably lower cortisol levels than those who did not.
Immunity Booster
The immune system benefits from both musical enjoyment and musical expression. Immunoglobulin-A is a natural killer cell created due to these actions and is responsible for the destruction of viruses. Pick up an instrument the next time you feel a cold coming on.
Growth of the Brain
Researchers have shown that musicians’ brains have a higher volume of grey matter, giving them a distinct advantage in processing and remembering new knowledge.
Professional musicians were shown to have the highest grey matter in a brain analysis compared to amateur musicians and non-musicians.
List of Recommended First-Time Music Equipment
Beginners can choose from a wide variety of relatively easy instruments to pick up and play, allowing them to have a feel for music while also learning the basics. The following are some of the greatest for budding musicians:
Piano
As one of the most often played instruments, the piano is a common target for anyone seeking musical proficiency. You may play songs in various styles.
As you’ll often be playing different melodies with each hand, playing this instrument will improve hand-eye coordination. If you know how to use a computer keyboard, you know half the battle is over.
Due to the widespread appeal of the piano, you may find a few local instructors. But if you can’t afford or find the time for private lessons, there’s still hope. Video seminars, online courses, and digital sheet music are all easily accessible thanks to the internet.
Many of the greatest artists of all time did not have formal training. It is optional to read music notation. It’s possible to learn songs by sight, thanks to the abundance of online tutorials that show you exactly which keys to press in what sequence.
In addition to the previously mentioned advantages to your health, developing your piano playing skills also has the added benefit of exposing you to a broader range of cultural expression as you explore different musical genres.
Guitar
Most people would agree that the guitar is the “coolest” instrument. Electric, acoustic, classical, and bass guitars, among others, offer a wide range of tones and rhythms.
Simple musical concepts like chords and scales are easy for most individuals to pick up. Then you can focus on the other aspects of playing the instrument that will bring you to your desired mastery. But with practice, you’ll be able to perform different music.
A guitar may also help you make new friends. You may be able to perform in local bars and cafés as a band member. The guitar is an excellent choice if you want to play an instrument that has the power to unite an audience.
Drums
The drums are the perfect outlet for your inner rock star. The drums are the only musical instrument that gives you complete freedom of volume and expression.
Learning to play the drums is relatively easy, but it is highly recommended that you do it under the guidance of a professional instructor. A few months of dedicated drumming practice are sometimes required before playing consistent, solid rhythms. Learning to play the drums has several advantages, some of which are listed here.
- To release tension, nothing beats a good game.
- Listening to them makes you feel more assured because playing loud requires bravery.
- Learning to count out beats on the drums can aid with learning fractions.
- You’ll be utilising all four limbs and putting in much effort to coordinate them, so they’re a tremendous physical and mental challenge.
The only downsides to playing drums are the initial investment required to purchase a drum kit and the additional storage space required. To prevent disturbing the neighbours, you can use headphones with an electronic drum set; the kits tend to be smaller and cheaper.
Ukulele
If you’re looking for a string instrument, the ukulele is a fantastic option for a starter instrument. It contains just four strings and is relatively compact.
Ukuleles are fantastic for beginners because of their portability; you may practise whenever and wherever you like. After all, regular and consistent practice is a cornerstone of success when learning to play an instrument.
The ukulele also serves as a great introduction to other string instruments. After learning the fundamentals of a string instrument, you can advance to something more substantial, such as a guitar or cello.
- Besides its obvious musical merits, the ukulele’s portability and diminutive size are major selling points.
- Lightweight.
- Affordable.
- There are fewer strings. Thus chords are simpler to learn and memorise.
Musical instruments for kids to learn on
A Good Choice For Kids
Playing the Xylophone
Most kids can name the tunes of songs long before they can understand the words. Everyone can learn to play the xylophone. Your kid will be instantly drawn to the xylophone because of the bright colours and the fun animations featured on most of them today.
Hand Percussion
Imagine instruments like shakers, hand drums, bells, rattles, etc. These instruments are perfect since even the youngest children can pick them up and start making music immediately.
Children can benefit from dancing in several ways, including improved coordination and developing a sense of rhythm.
Recommended for Middle Grades
Piano
Anybody, regardless of age, can benefit from learning to play the piano by honing their focus, relieving tension, boosting their confidence, and improving their skill.
Drums
For this reason, some parents may be hesitant to purchase a drum kit for their children. Even though it’s not the most peaceful instrument, kids enjoy it since they can use their whole bodies to make music.
Suggested for Older Kids and Teens
Violin
Playing the violin well takes work. If your kid has the self-discipline to practise diligently and eventually succeed at the violin, they can learn to play any instrument. Tone, pitch, coordination, and stamina are just some advantages.
Flute
Practising the flute takes time! Keeping one’s hands and arms raised for long periods is rugged, and children should know this. You’re in luck if you play this and want to switch to the clarinet.
Harmonica
The harmonica is the least popular option among the listed instruments. Yet, it is an excellent option for newcomers. This small and reasonably priced instrument may go anywhere you go.
You can’t play off-key on the harmonica, so the adage goes. Learning the harmonica can also help you breathe more easily and expand your lung capacity.
Moreover, harmonica playing can be incorporated into rehabilitation programmes for stroke patients, as it helps to build muscle in the face and improves hand-eye coordination. Fans of the blues, folk, and country will find the harmonica to be an indispensable instrument.
Trumpet
The trumpet is your best bet to start on brass. Students learning instruments needing extended periods of posture holding, such as the flute, must be physically capable.
Cello
Like violins, cellos are played by pressing the bow against the instrument’s four strings. They are much bigger, making a deeper base tone, and the form makes them simple to tune and play.
The cello is an excellent first instrument since it teaches the basics of using a bow and strings and provides practice with holding a large, hollow instrument.
If string instruments aren’t your thing, woodwinds are another great group. Among these instruments are the flute and other reed instruments.
Conclusion
Indeed, picking up an instrument can vastly improve one’s quality of life, but doing so takes dedication, time, and practice.
Learning an instrument can help with stress and anxiety, strengthen the immune system, increase brain size, and enhance motor skills, including hand-eye coordination.
To get a sense of music and learn the fundamentals, beginners can choose from various simple instruments to pick up and play. The piano is popular among beginners because of its versatility and ability to perform songs in various styles.
Most people can pick up the piano and start playing within a week since it’s accessible. Now more than ever, people anywhere may participate in educational opportunities, including video lectures, online courses, and digital sheet music, because of the widespread availability of the internet.
Learning to play the piano has other benefits, like opening up new avenues of cultural expression as you experiment with different types of music. A wide variety of tones and rhythms may be achieved with the guitar, making it the “coolest” instrument.
If you want to unleash your inner rock star, taking drum lessons from a qualified instructor is necessary. Playing a game is an excellent way to de-stress, and drumming is a great way to practise counting and fractions simultaneously.
The main drawbacks of playing drums are the cost of drum equipment and the space it takes up in your home.
Using headphones with an electronic drum kit is a great way to avoid bothering the locals. The ukulele’s mobility and small size make it a good choice for beginners. It’s also an excellent way to ease into playing other stringed instruments like the guitar or cello.
Because of its vibrant colours and entertaining animations, a xylophone is a great option for young children. You may get a good sound for very little money by using hand percussion.
The text focuses on the instruments that elementary, intermediate, and secondary school students should study. Shakers, hand drums, bells, rattles, and so forth are all such instruments.
Dancing has several positive effects on children, especially on younger children, such as enhanced coordination and the development of a feeling of rhythm.
Playing the piano as a youngster or adolescent can help them concentrate, relax, feel more secure, and develop their talent. Improve your tone, pitch, coordination, and stamina on the flute, and you’ll be ready to take on any instrument when your child or teen is a teenager.
Among all the available instruments, the harmonica is universally despised. The harmonica is an inexpensive and portable instrument.
For those recovering from a stroke, it can be crucial to learn to breathe again. The harmonica is a must-have for blues, folk, and country music lovers.
The trumpet is your best bet if you want to start with brass. If you want to start with strings, the cello is an excellent choice because it provides experience handling a vast, hollow instrument and teaches the fundamentals of utilising a bow and string.
Woodwind instruments, such as the flute and other reed instruments, are fantastic alternatives to string instruments.
Content Summary
- If you are a beginner musician interested in learning the fundamentals of playing music on different instruments, you may wonder what you should do first.
- When there are several options, picking the best one might be difficult.
- Our comprehensive guide will lead you to the perfect musical instrument for your needs so that you can relax.
- We’ll work with you to determine which of the guitar, piano, drums, and violin best fits your skills and lifestyle.
- Wait to go since we’ll cover everything from your skill level and favourite genre to your budget and space limits that you need to know before purchasing your first stringed instrument or beginning piano lessons.
- Learning an instrument is an investment in one’s future that can pay dividends in many ways.
- Despite this, there are several upsides for those that stick with it.
- Cortisol levels were much lower in study participants who listened to calming music before exposure to a stressor.
- Musical expression and listening to music can both boost immunity.
- Pick up an instrument the next time you feel a cold coming on.
- Studies have indicated that musicians’ brains have a more excellent grey matter, giving them a unique advantage in processing and remembering new information.
- Grey matter in the brains of professional musicians was much higher than that of amateur musicians and people who were not musically trained.
- Some of the best for aspiring musicians are listed below. Piano The piano is one of the most popular instruments. Therefore it’s natural for aspiring musicians to focus on mastering it.
- Because of its versatility, you can play music from various genres.
- Playing this instrument is excellent for hand-eye coordination because you’ll learn to play various melodies with each hand.
- The piano’s popularity means that some teachers in your area can help you get started.
- But, there is still a chance for those who need more resources to take individual classes.
- Now more than ever, people anywhere may participate in educational opportunities, including video lectures, online courses, and digital sheet music, because of the widespread availability of the internet.
- Most of the world’s top creators in any field got their start without ever attending college.
- Being able to read music notation is optional.
- Online lessons show you the duplicate keys to press in the precise order, making it feasible to learn songs by sight.
- Besides the apparent positive effects on your health, learning the piano and expanding your musical horizons will also help you better understand other cultures.
- Almost everyone thinks the guitar is fantastic.
- Various tones and rhythms are available from various guitars, such as electric, acoustic, classical, and bass.
- Most people can quickly and easily learn fundamental musical ideas like chords and scales.
- You’ll be free to concentrate on the other areas of your instrument playing that will ultimately lead to your success.
- Yet with time and effort, you can play various songs.
- Making new acquaintances is one potential benefit of learning guitar.
- You could play in coffee shops and pubs as a band member.
- Performing for close friends and family members is one alternative.
- A guitar is an excellent option if you want to play an instrument that can bring a crowd together.
- Drums If you want to unleash your inner rock star, the drums are the way to do it.
- The drums are the only instrument you may play at any volume and with any emotion.
- Although picking up drumming is simple, you should seek expert instruction to ensure success.
- Consistent, strong drum rhythms can take a few months of work.
- Several benefits can be gained through learning to play the drums, some of which are described here.
- A fun game is the best way to relieve stress.
- You’ll feel more confident in yourself as you listen to them because making loud music takes guts.
- Counting drum beats is a great way to practise counting and addition.
- The main drawbacks of playing drums are the cost of drum equipment and the space it takes up in your home.
- You may play without bothering the neighbours with an electronic drum set because you can use headphones with this instrument.
- The ukulele is an excellent choice for someone just starting on a stringed instrument.
- It is tiny, with only four strings, and easy to transport.
- Since ukuleles are so easily transportable, novices can hone their skills whenever and wherever they like.
- After all, practising regularly is the most critical factor in becoming a proficient musician.
- You can use the ukulele as a stepping stone to learning other stringed instruments.
- Once you’ve mastered the basics of playing a string instrument, you can go on to a more complex instrument like a guitar or cello.
- The ukulele’s mobility and small size are huge marketing features in addition to its undeniable musical merits.
- This makes chords easier to pick up and retain.
- The xylophone is an instrument accessible to everyone who wants to learn.
- Almost any modern xylophone will capture your child’s attention with its eye-catching design, including various engaging animations.
- Let your mind wander to the sounds of various shakers, hand drums, bells, rattles, etc.
- Perfect for kids of all ages since even the youngest can take them up and start playing music immediately.
- Dancing has numerous benefits for kids, including enhanced coordination and the introduction or refinement of rhythmic awareness.
- This is why some parents might think twice before getting their kids a drum set.
- Because they can use their entire bodies to create music, children find this instrument enjoyable despite its disruptive nature.
- It doesn’t matter what instrument your child chooses to learn to play; they can be successful if they have the discipline to practise regularly.
- These benefits include improved tone, pitch, coordination, and stamina.
- Time is required for flute practice.
- Children should know that lifting their hands and arms for long periods is challenging.
- You’re in luck if you play this and consider learning the clarinet.
- Still, it serves as an excellent introduction for first-year students.
- This portable, low-cost device may be taken virtually any place.
- As the adage goes, you can’t harmonise out of tune.
- As a bonus, increasing your lung capacity and playing the harmonica can help you breathe easier.
- Since playing the harmonica helps to strengthen facial muscles and enhances hand-eye coordination, it can be incorporated into rehabilitation programmes for stroke victims.
- The harmonica is a must-have for blues, folk, and country music lovers.
- The trumpet is the way to go if you want to start on brass.
- Students of instruments like the flute that need prolonged posture holding should be in good physical health.
- Cello Like with violins, the four strings of a cello are plucked with the bow.
- They are considerably easier to tune and play because of their shape, and their larger size allows them to produce a deeper bass tone.
- A cello is an excellent option for a first instrument since it introduces students to the fundamentals of playing with a bow and strings while giving them experience with the weight and balance of a vast, hollow instrument.
- A fantastic alternative to string instruments is the woodwind section.
- The flute and other reed instruments are examples.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Easiest Musical Instrument To Learn For Beginners?
The easiest musical instrument to learn for beginners is subjective and depends on personal preference. However, many people find that the ukulele, keyboard, and recorder are relatively easy to learn.
What Is The Best Musical Instrument For Children To Learn?
The best musical instrument for children to learn is also subjective and depends on their age, personality, and interests. However, some popular instruments with children include the piano, violin, guitar, and drums.
What Musical Instrument Is The Most Versatile?
The piano is often considered the most versatile musical instrument because it can play multiple notes and chords at once, making it suitable for a wide range of genres and styles.
What Musical Instrument Is The Most Difficult To Learn?
The most complicated musical instrument to learn is also subjective and varies from person to person. However, instruments like the violin, oboe, and French horn are notoriously challenging due to their complex technique and physical demands.
Is It Possible To Learn Multiple Musical Instruments At Once?
Yes, it is possible to learn multiple musical instruments at once, but it can be challenging and may require a lot of dedication and practice. Prioritising and managing your time effectively is essential to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
