Everyone should try to learn a musical instrument at some point in their lives. Yet, often, people refrain from doing so because the prospect of learning a musical instrument can seem too daunting. While there are some instruments like the bagpipe, which have a steep learning curve, there are plenty of other instruments that are a lot less demanding. Here are the Top 10 Easiest Musical Instruments to Learn.
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A Few Ground Rules First Regarding Learning to Play Musical Instruments
Different people will have different definitions for “easy to learn”. To avoid any confusion, here are a few criteria that we have considered while choosing these ten instruments.
- Accessibility of lessons – This will play a big role in how easy it will be to learn the instrument in question. An instrument could technically be easier to play, but if lessons aren’t readily available, it will be a difficult instrument to learn.
- Cost of the instrument – If the musical instrument is too expensive, then it will automatically end up being out of the reach of most people, irrespective of how easy it might be to play.
- Availability of the instrument – The Instrument should also be readily available. This would also help with ease with which you can source spare parts and find repair and setup options.
- The time taken to play along to your favorite song – A huge factor in learning a musical instrument is motivation. Being able to play along to your favorite song can act as a huge boost for your motivation, and the sooner you can do that, the likelier it will be that you won’t give up.
Now that we have gotten all the criteria out of the way let us take a look at the Top 10 Easiest Musical Instruments to Learn in no particular order.
Bongos
The Bongo is so easy that you can start playing along with your favorite song on the first day itself. This Afro-Cuban instrument is readily available, relatively inexpensive, and quite compact. You do not need any additional equipment to play the bongos. Learning to play this percussive instrument properly doesn’t take too much effort either. It is also a versatile instrument and can be used in many different musical settings. Just make sure that you practice in a manner that isn’t annoying to those living with you or close to you.
Ukulele
If you want to learn to play a cool instrument, then the Ukulele may just be it. Unlike the guitar, the Ukulele is a bit more accessible as it is much more readily available and compact. You can easily fit one in a backpack. The playing techniques are a lot easier too. Many of the chords require only one finger. The nylon strings are also easy on the fingers, and there are plenty of good free tutorials available that will easily get you through the first few stages of learning to play the Ukulele.
Guitar
The guitar may not be everyone’s first choice when it comes to instruments that are easy to learn, but hear us out. There are a few reasons why the guitar is actually an easy instrument to learn. For starters, the guitar is perhaps one of the most popular musical instruments out there. This means that everything from the instrument itself to high-quality lessons is easily available. The learning curve is perhaps the steepest among all the instruments on this list. Still, the ease with which you can get all the necessary learning resources and the coolness factor associated with guitars makes it well worth the extra effort.
Recorder
If you love the sweet sound of a flute but find the instrument a bit too intimidating, then the recorder might be the perfect instrument for you. It is so much more affordable and is one of the easiest woodwind instruments that you can learn. It is also a great stepping stone for the more serious and difficult to learn woodwind instruments.
Thumb Piano or Kalimba
Most exotic instruments can be difficult to procure and be even more difficult to learn than traditional instruments. The Thumb piano or Kalimba is a happy exception in both cases. It is an instrument that also has a very rich and interesting history. Moreover, it is perhaps one of the most affordable and compact instruments on this list. If you want to learn an instrument that is off the beaten track without being demanding, then the Kalimba is perfect for you.
Cajón
This is another instrument that has a pretty storied history while being incredibly simple and easy to learn. To top things off, it also doubles up as a great place to sit. Its simplistic nature should not fool you, though. It might seem like a rudimentary Instrument that doubles up as a piece of furniture, but in the right hands, it can create great music. The cherry on top of this great sundae is the affordable price range that the Cajón comes in at.
Tambourine
Not everyone wants to or has the time to learn even an easy-to-play instrument. Similarly, there are many who would love to be a part of a musical ensemble without learning to play an instrument in the first place. If you are in either of these categories, then the tambourine is just the musical instrument you should get. All you need is a good sense of rhythm, which isn’t very difficult to develop, and strong palms and wrists, which you can grow in a few weeks. Once you do that, you can play along to a huge selection of songs and even get on the stage with a band.
Electronic Drums
Just go watch a drum solo, and there is a good chance that you will want to learn how to play the drums. Sadly, traditional drum kits take up a lot of space, are too loud, and a little difficult to get started on. Electronic drums are a great alternative. They are much more compact, their loudness can be controlled, and most importantly are easier to learn.
Keytar
If the choice came down to a guitar or a keyboard, the guitar is much cooler while the keyboard is easier to learn. The Keytar offers the best of both worlds. It is relatively easy to learn while also affording you the opportunity to look cool, similar to a guitar. It does come at a slightly higher price point, though.
Piano/Keyboard
Like the guitar, the piano or the keyboard is not as easy to learn as most of the other instruments on this list. However, just like the guitar, the keyboard or the piano is an incredibly popular Instrument. This means that finding great tutorials and other forms of learning materials is extremely easy. You can also get great keyboards at affordable prices. Unlike the guitar, though, the piano or keyboard has a much gentler learning curve. To put it simply, this is the easiest option when it comes to popular mainstream musical instruments.
Easiest Musical Instruments to Learn – To Sum Things Up!
While any one of these musical instruments would be a great choice, it is your temperament that matters the most. All these instruments will still require a certain amount of effort. Still, as long as you are willing to put in a little time on a regular basis, you will get to achieve one of the most satisfying and gratifying accomplishments of your life – to become a musician.
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