The Top 10 Easiest Instruments to Learn
Learning to play an instrument can be a daunting task, some people might shy away just because of the challenging nature it presents. However, that doesn’t have to be the case, as there are easy instruments to learn and get in touch with your musical self.
It’s been scientifically proven that musical training keeps your brain in shape, plus, you might climb a few positions on the social ladder.
Surprisingly enough, it’s pretty easy to master the basics of some musical instruments. These allow you to quickly enjoy playing and get started. Of course, it takes many years to master any instrument. You can constantly develop and learn new things, year after year, which is a great part of being a musician.
Here’s the list of ten instruments that are easy to pick up and start playing.
1. Ukulele
The Ukulele is an extremely rewarding and easy instrument to start playing.
Beginners will love the fact that they use nylon strings, which are very easy on your fingers.
As for the playing itself, you can get the basics pretty fast. For instance, you can learn how to play “Somewhere over the Rainbow” via a ukulele tutorial for beginners and impress your relatives when you play this song at the next Thanksgiving dinner.
If you're interested in getting your hands on one, we recommend the Official Kala Learn to Play Ukulele Soprano Starter Kit.
Beginners will love the fact that they use nylon strings, which are very easy on your fingers.
As for the playing itself, you can get the basics pretty fast. For instance, you can learn how to play “Somewhere over the Rainbow” via a ukulele tutorial for beginners and impress your relatives when you play this song at the next Thanksgiving dinner.
If you're interested in getting your hands on one, we recommend the Official Kala Learn to Play Ukulele Soprano Starter Kit.
2. Recorder
If you’re more into woodwind instruments, then a recorder is a great starting point. This simple instrument is played by pressing the holes on it with your fingers and getting the tones you need for the song you want to play.
You can easily play some famous tunes on the recorder. Here you can learn how to play “Greensleeves” in a jiffy. Since the recorder isn’t an expensive instrument, get one right away and start playing it at once.
A great, affordable option is the Yamaha YRS-23Y Soprano Recorder.
You can easily play some famous tunes on the recorder. Here you can learn how to play “Greensleeves” in a jiffy. Since the recorder isn’t an expensive instrument, get one right away and start playing it at once.
A great, affordable option is the Yamaha YRS-23Y Soprano Recorder.
3. Harmonica
For starters, you should get a diatonic harmonica in C, because that’s the easiest key for harmonica beginners.
The entire harmonica playing philosophy is based on the inhaling and exhaling patterns.
Therefore, feel free to play with your harmonica on your own, to get the feel of the instrument.
Of course, using some lessons for harmonica beginners can also come in handy in mastering the basics of this instrument.
We recommend the 'Fender Blues Deluxe Harmonica' in the Key of C, which is pictured above.
The entire harmonica playing philosophy is based on the inhaling and exhaling patterns.
Therefore, feel free to play with your harmonica on your own, to get the feel of the instrument.
Of course, using some lessons for harmonica beginners can also come in handy in mastering the basics of this instrument.
We recommend the 'Fender Blues Deluxe Harmonica' in the Key of C, which is pictured above.
4. Acoustic Guitar
The guitar is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Apart from the basic division into the classical, acoustic and electric guitar, each of them can come in many variations.
It's very easy to get started with playing the guitar. All you need to know is a few chords and strumming patterns. With that under your belt, you will have the skills to be able to play tens of thousands of songs!
Look how much you can get out of the guitar just by playing two chords in this absolute beginners lesson:
A great acoustic guitar for beginners is the Fender FA-115 Dreadnought Set
It's very easy to get started with playing the guitar. All you need to know is a few chords and strumming patterns. With that under your belt, you will have the skills to be able to play tens of thousands of songs!
Look how much you can get out of the guitar just by playing two chords in this absolute beginners lesson:
A great acoustic guitar for beginners is the Fender FA-115 Dreadnought Set
5. Electronic Drums
Electronic drums are really easy to start playing on, and they cause much less hassle with family, neighbors, and the drummer's hearing!
The great thing about the latter is that they’re easier to handle, carry and play.
You have a kit consisting of pads, a kick drum and a drum module that can be easily carried around and installed wherever you want.
Due to its electronic nature, you can choose some integrated drumming samples and play the drums along.
Check out the best electronic drum set article on Electronic Drum Advisor to help you choose which one is right for you.
The Alesis Nitro Mesh Kit is a fantastic and affordable electronic drum set for beginners. It includes all-mesh pads, which is something that was only available on higher-end drum sets just a few years ago.
The great thing about the latter is that they’re easier to handle, carry and play.
You have a kit consisting of pads, a kick drum and a drum module that can be easily carried around and installed wherever you want.
Due to its electronic nature, you can choose some integrated drumming samples and play the drums along.
Check out the best electronic drum set article on Electronic Drum Advisor to help you choose which one is right for you.
The Alesis Nitro Mesh Kit is a fantastic and affordable electronic drum set for beginners. It includes all-mesh pads, which is something that was only available on higher-end drum sets just a few years ago.
6. Tambourine
This round instrument consists of a shallow wooden construction and bells or jingles attached to it. It can be played along songs in different music genres. Due to its rudimentary nature, you should simply listen to the rhythm of the song and play the tambourine accordingly.
However, if you want to learn to play the tambourine in accordance with some rhythmic rules, watch this tutorial, provided by the World Drum Club.
If you are thinking about getting one, we recommend the Remo TA-5210-70 Fiberskyn Tambourine.
However, if you want to learn to play the tambourine in accordance with some rhythmic rules, watch this tutorial, provided by the World Drum Club.
If you are thinking about getting one, we recommend the Remo TA-5210-70 Fiberskyn Tambourine.
7. Keyboards
Modern electronic keyboards are often the top pick of music beginners.
Modern keyboards can sound great, including samples from classical sounds of piano and a variety of other instruments to modern synthesizer sounds.
Indeed, if you stick with white keys only, which means that you’re playing in C-major, you can easily master some simple melodies. And if the composition you’re playing is accompanied with a proper back rhythm, you can soon start playing entire songs.
While you can play them on your own, it’s clever to go through some keyboard lessons for beginners and accelerate your progress.
Have a look at this great video below for starters:
If you're just getting started with one, a great beginner keyboard to get is the RockJam, 61-Key Portable Keyboard.
Modern keyboards can sound great, including samples from classical sounds of piano and a variety of other instruments to modern synthesizer sounds.
Indeed, if you stick with white keys only, which means that you’re playing in C-major, you can easily master some simple melodies. And if the composition you’re playing is accompanied with a proper back rhythm, you can soon start playing entire songs.
While you can play them on your own, it’s clever to go through some keyboard lessons for beginners and accelerate your progress.
Have a look at this great video below for starters:
If you're just getting started with one, a great beginner keyboard to get is the RockJam, 61-Key Portable Keyboard.
8. Maracas
A set of simple and very fun percussion instruments.
You hold them in your hands and rattle along with the rhythm of the song.
Again, while maracas can be played in a simple manner, there are some pretty complex maracas patterns that you can learn later.
We recommend the Meinl Percussion PM2BK Standard Concert Maracas, as they are affordable but also made of great quality.
You hold them in your hands and rattle along with the rhythm of the song.
Again, while maracas can be played in a simple manner, there are some pretty complex maracas patterns that you can learn later.
We recommend the Meinl Percussion PM2BK Standard Concert Maracas, as they are affordable but also made of great quality.
9. Bongos
When you take a look at people playing bongos, it doesn’t seem too demanding; it’s just two drums and a person hitting them. At this point, it’s important to explain the difference between these two closely related drums. In a nutshell: bongos are smaller drums and congas are bigger drums. They’re both played with hands.
Again, you can just sit at those drums start playing them in accordance with your own feeling for rhythm, given that you have one.
Even if you don’t possess any rhythm talent, you can always learn how to play the bongos.
If you want to get your hands on a good set, check out the Tycoon Percussion 6 Inch & 7 Inch Ritmo Bongos
Again, you can just sit at those drums start playing them in accordance with your own feeling for rhythm, given that you have one.
Even if you don’t possess any rhythm talent, you can always learn how to play the bongos.
If you want to get your hands on a good set, check out the Tycoon Percussion 6 Inch & 7 Inch Ritmo Bongos
10. Bass Guitar
Mastering the basics of the bass guitar is pretty simple.
You need to follow the rhythm and play your bass in coordination with the kick drum.
If you remain persistent in practicing this instrument, you can soon become a band member, since there’s always a lack of bass players out there!
A great option is the Ibanez 4 String Bass Guitar, Right, Walnut Flat (GSRM20BWNF). It comes from a great brand, and it's likely to last you a long time.
You need to follow the rhythm and play your bass in coordination with the kick drum.
If you remain persistent in practicing this instrument, you can soon become a band member, since there’s always a lack of bass players out there!
A great option is the Ibanez 4 String Bass Guitar, Right, Walnut Flat (GSRM20BWNF). It comes from a great brand, and it's likely to last you a long time.
Summary
There are many factors that go into the decision of choosing any instrument, such as your age and what type of music you like to play. However, there are some instruments on this list which will be easier for everyone to pick up and learn than others.
People of all ages can benefit from learning to play an instrument, so there’s no age limit to keep in mind when deciding which is the easiest instrument for you.
In addition to being enjoyable and rewarding, playing a musical instrument will have positive effects on your health – both physically and mentally – as well as social standing.
