Fun Musical Instruments to Learn for Beginners

Learning to play an instrument is a lifelong skill that can bring immense joy. It's often the beginning of a new journey that requires patience and dedication, but it provides numerous rewards to those who stick with it. For new musicians, the sheer number of instrument options can be overwhelming. This article explores various fun and accessible instruments for beginners, considering factors like ease of learning, cost, portability, and potential for fostering a long-term interest in music.

The Benefits of Learning an Instrument

The benefits of learning a musical instrument extend far beyond simply acquiring a new skill. Playing an instrument can be a serious stress reliever. Listening to music and playing an instrument increases the immune system, according to physiologists Daniel J. Letivin and Mona Lisa Chanda. These activities help produce immunoglobulin-A, a natural killer cell, which kills viruses.

Musicians also tend to have a larger amount of gray matter in their brains, which provides them with greater information-processing power. A study compared the brains of professional musicians, amateur musicians, and non-musicians and found the most gray matter in the brains of the professional musicians.

Key Considerations When Choosing an Instrument

Before diving into specific instruments, it's essential to consider a few key factors that will influence your learning experience and overall enjoyment.

Your Goals: Think about the type of music you enjoy and would like to play. If you envision yourself singing along, a keyboard or acoustic guitar might be ideal. If you dream of joining a rock band, consider bass guitar or drums.
Abilities: If possible, try out a few different instruments to see what feels more natural. Finger size, hand size, coordination, and other physical factors can influence which instruments are a good fit.
Cost: Beginner-level instruments are available for a range of prices. Some instruments, like acoustic guitars or electric keyboards, are generally more affordable than others, such as grand pianos or tubas.
Passion: This is perhaps the most crucial factor. If you are genuinely interested in and excited about an instrument, you'll be more motivated to practice and persevere through challenges.

Easy Instruments to Learn

Here are some instruments that are considered relatively easy to learn, making them excellent choices for beginners:

1. Ukulele

The ukulele has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, and for good reason. This petite instrument is a great choice when you’re looking to get started learning an instrument young. The size of the ukulele and reduced number of strings (four strings vs. a guitar’s six strings) make it easier for smaller children to handle. It also allows them to develop and strengthen their finger dexterity. And, like guitar, students often find the ukulele repertoire to be fun and engaging. It is relatively small in size and has four strings. Another advantage is that ukulele is a good precursor to the rest of the instruments in the string instrument family.

The ukulele is quite popular in schools these days. Even badly played, it’s less “screechy” than the recorder, which was the school instrument in my day. I don’t know about learning from scratch, but in recovery from a head injury that meant I lost the use of an arm for a few years, the uke was a way back to playing the guitar, which was my original instrument. I would suggest the tenor ukulele in preference to the smaller concert size, as it gives a little more space for fingers.

The ukulele is a very forgiving instrument, in terms of finger pressure and chord position - the F and D minor chords are only one finger different, so beginners’ mistakes don’t sound too awful. It’s a different matter to get really good on the uke, although some are virtuosos - check out James Hill playing Billie Jean. He also has a series of how-to videos that are quite the feat of coordination.

2. Recorder

The recorder is often celebrated for its simplicity and is typically the first woodwind instrument that children learn. Topping the list of simple instruments and known as one of the easiest instruments to play, the recorder is not only lightweight but also versatile, facilitating the transition to other instruments with similar finger placements. This combination makes it an ideal choice as the easiest musical instrument to learn for adults and children.

The recorder’s reputation often precedes it. For some parents, just the mention of this instrument is enough to make them shudder, but not everyone is going to sound incredible as soon as they pick something up. For many of us, the recorder was the very first instrument we ever learned. The reason for this is that the recorder is incredibly easy to learn. It’s a great instrument to provide some basic musical knowledge to children. It doesn’t take a lot of breath capacity to make some sound on a recorder, so it’s great for students with growing lungs. Recorders can be made of wood or plastic and are relatively inexpensive.

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However, the recorder tends to have more limited resources to encourage learning than some of the other instruments. Also, there may be fewer songs/genres you see "fit" the sound of the recorder well. I personally see the recorder as a good short-term instrument to learn a couple songs on rather quickly.

3. Harmonica

Many consider the harmonica the easiest instrument to play. It’s small, simple, and you can start making music almost immediately. Although mastering the complex blues rhythms can be challenging, it also provides a deeply rewarding opportunity to develop your musical skills and expressiveness. One of the easiest instruments you can try, which is also very popular in a variety of musical styles, is the harmonica. The great thing about harmonicas is that no matter what note you play, it will be in key, which means even complete beginners can sound good. Plus it’s a small, lightweight instrument that you can easily fit in your pocket, allowing you to practice on the go!

Harmonicas are easy to make sound okay right out of the box. That said, an advanced musician who’s not already familiar with it will have a lot of fun working on technique to make them sound great.

4. Keyboard

Pianos and keyboards are part of their own category and a favorite for beginner musicians because they are easy to start playing right away. New students can usually start playing simple songs and melodies relatively quickly, providing them with a sense of accomplishment that will foster excitement about their music studies and motivate them to build strong practice habits. Piano students usually pick up playing melodies and simple songs early on. Keyboards tend to be easier because they are relatively lightweight and can be moved more simply than a full-sized piano. A piano or keyboard is a great way to learn how to read music and play your favorite songs. The piano stands out as a foundational tool for those new to music, offering an extensive introduction to sheet music, chords, and musical styles. It challenges beginners but soon becomes one of the easiest musical instruments to learn with practice. This versatile instrument allows musicians to explore a variety of genres and techniques. There are many beginner keyboards (or electric pianos) and songbooks that are available for a low cost. Keyboards also take up less space in your home than an acoustic piano. On an electric keyboard, you can control the volume, use special sound effects, and even compose your own music in no time.

There are, like the guitar, a seemingly endless amount of resources to help one to learn piano. Also, pretty well all songs sound great on a good keyboard (sometimes modification of the song is needed). Also, I'd say learning the chords of a couple songs is really easy on the piano. Timing the two hands and intricate melodies are usually what trip up players, but learning chords on a piano is pretty easy. The melodic parts can be added later.

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The piano is probably not the easiest instrument to learn, but it has a huge advantage over all others - that the scale (starting at C) is immediately displayed via the white keys. The pattern of black and white keys, when first playing C major scale, illustrates the pattern of tones that make the major scale, which anyone will recognise as do-re-mi etc. I play the piano, so I am biased, but I believe that a foundation on the piano makes learning other instruments - guitar, woodwind, violin - much easier.

5. Guitar

There’s a reason why so many people start playing the guitar, usually, the acoustic guitar. Part of the popularity is the variety of styles you can play, but it’s also the accessibility and relative ease of learning that the instrument offers. Achieving the highest proficiency levels can take decades, but learning to play your favorite songs is much simpler, making it one of the easiest instruments to learn in many aspects.

Guitar is another extremely popular instrument for beginners. While chords are a little trickier and will take beginners more time to tackle, guitar students can start plucking and playing basic songs early on. Keep in mind that acoustic guitars have a significantly shorter learning curve than electric guitars. Another great thing about choosing guitar for your young musician? It’s relatively easy to get the hang of chords and strumming, and once you have learned a couple, you can play a song pretty quickly. The guitar is a great instrument to learn because it also teaches students a different form of musical notation. If you want to get started with guitar, it’s a great idea to begin with nylon strings. These are less tough on little fingers. Guitar players who use steel strings usually develop calluses on their fingers from playing (something they’re often quite proud of). Also, take into consideration the size of the guitar. Encouraging your child to learn the guitar will exercise valuable skills but also might help create an incredibly enjoyable life-long habit.

You can be playing some chords in a few minutes, which means you’re most of the way to playing a song. There are loads of sites with the chords for every song you can imagine and you don’t need to learn to read music, as there’s tablature: six lines that represent the strings and a number that tells you at which fret to hold down the string. It’s much simpler than standard notation.

The acoustic guitar is one I'd personally recommend, but I don't know your taste or situation. It has a moderate learning curve. It's compact in the sense that it can be carried in a car or in a case. You may be thinking "guitars aren't cheap," but, starting out, you can get a guitar for less than $100 at times. You can easily find one for less than $200 (compare this to "cheap" wind/brass instruments). The main thing is making sure the neck is in good condition and has a consistent tuning down the neck. Good strings can make even a cheap acoustic guitar sound fairly good. Again, there's nothing needed to amplify the sound. Finally, there are a HUGE amount of online resources helping you to learn various songs for the guitar. Also, I've yet to find a single song that doesn't sound good with the sound and note range a guitar offers.

6. Drums and Percussion

Beginners seeking to learn to play percussion instruments are typically directed toward three-piece drum kits. The three pieces offer players the essential percussion sounds so students can learn the fundamentals of rhythm. A drum kit can have a steeper learning curve, but beginners can learn the basics on other percussive instruments such as the snare drum, bass drum, glockenspiel, and xylophone. A drum set you may see in a rock band may be too challenging to start with, but percussion instruments are good when looking for easy instruments to learn. Bongos, congas, or snare drums are all great options for learning how to keep a steady beat and create rhythmic patterns. This can be tough to master, but you will also need less musical theory to get started playing with others. Drums are also great for experimenting with rhythm and musical style.

Handheld percussion can be made from wood, metal, or plastic, and are usually shaken, scraped, or struck with a stick or your fingers or palm. These musical instruments are some of the easiest instruments to play, making them perfect for beginners or a group of beginners - start a percussion band! The capacity for handheld percussion to blend with popular music and enhance the rhythm alongside melodic instruments makes these staples in any musical ensemble.

7. Flute

Flute is a fantastic starter instrument in the woodwind family. Unlike the clarinet, oboe, or bassoon, the flute doesn’t have a reed, so it’s a bit simpler for learning the basics of playing a woodwind instrument. Outside of choir, band instruments are the first to enable students to perform in an ensemble. So if you’re looking for a way for your child to make new friends and build teamwork and communication skills, flute or another band instrument are great choices.

The flute, like the recorder, is an aerophone, so it requires no reed. The sound comes not from blowing directly down the air column but rather from air flowing across the opening by the mouthpiece. This instrument teaches beginner musicians to sit with good posture and helps develop strong lung capacity.

8. Saxophone

The saxophone is another great beginner-friendly woodwind instrument. The saxophone’s fingering system is relatively easy to understand, and its distinct sound is extremely versatile for different genres, making it an appealing choice for young musicians. The reed is part of the mouthpiece and vibrates when the instrument is played, which is where the sound comes from.

I’m not especially musical, but the tenor sax has the keys in the same place as the recorder in its lower range (B-A-G-F-E-D), has a key to get you the upper register and sounds way cooler than a recorder as a novice player. You also mainly play the keys with your fingers in order - hard to explain, but not notes all over like on a keyboard or different tempos with each hand. A two-finger note is played with the top two fingers of the left hand, a three-finger note with the top-three left-hand fingers. A five-finger note is played with all the left-hand fingers and the top right. A seven-finger note is played with all the left fingers and three of the top right. There are some exceptions, but the basics are basic.

I honestly thought I was the coolest kid ever when I learned to play the Pink Panther theme. Like much of Henry Mancini’s stuff, it sounds fine if you can play it in tune and in time, but as your skills advance, you can make it sound increasingly great with more swing, nuance, espression. Same with the sax solo in Baker Street - the notes aren’t that hard, but you can make it sound increasingly epic as you improve. The main drawback is that the instrument is not cheap, but there are pawn shops. Sometimes, you can rent them from music stores. The classical repertoire is almost non-existent, but you’re more than covered by jazz, pop and big band arrangements.

9. Violin and Cello

Kids can start violin lessons as early as age four, so it’s a great beginning instrument if you want your child to get started young. Its small size makes it easy for small children to handle and learn the basics of strings instruments on. In beginning violin classes and lessons, kids learn proper string technique, critical listening skills, and basic musical concepts. Another perk of the violin?

Similarly to violin, cello is one of the best strings instruments for beginners. Although significantly larger than the violin, the cello is still relatively easy for beginners to handle and teaches the basics of strings technique. It’s also an extremely versatile instrument, allowing musicians to play everything from the bass line to melody.

Cellos, like violins, are played with a bow that’s pressed against the four strings of the body. They are significantly larger and create a lower, base sound, and the shape makes it easy to tune and play. Learning to play the violin is a good choice for beginners because it is versatile, can be played solo or in a group, and can be used in a variety of musical genres.

Tips for Mastering Your Chosen Instrument

No matter which instrument you choose, consistent practice is key. Here are some tips to help you on your musical journey:

Develop a Practice Schedule: Even though there are many easy instruments to learn, you won’t master them overnight. The only way to get good is to practice at least a little each day, so try to work a practice time into your schedule and stick to it.
Seek Out Education: Music is a complicated subject that encompasses music theory, performance, technique, and many other aspects. To help make sense of it all and track your progress, it’s a good idea to seek out music education that can keep you on the right track. There are many free learning materials and beginner musician apps out there.
Remember to Have Fun: The most important thing is to enjoy the process of learning and making music. Choose music that you love to play, and don't be afraid to experiment and explore different styles.

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