Whatever your age, it’s always a good time to pick up a new skill – and for many people, learning an instrument is very rewarding. If this is you, you’re probably thinking, “What instrument should I learn?”. There are so many out there to choose from!
Luckily, some instruments are easier to get to grips with than others, and there are a few that beginners tend to gravitate to. In this guide, we’ll talk about these instruments, discussing the benefits of learning them and who they’re best suited to. We’ll also provide some specific instrument recommendations. So, hopefully, by the end of the article, you’ll have a better idea of what instrument you should learn.
If you’re a parent and your child is going back to school soon and perhaps starting music lessons, you might be wondering what instrument is suitable for them. This guide will be useful for you too!
In a hurry?
| Instrument | Why learn it? | Our instrument recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Acoustic/classical guitar | You’ll learn how to solo with cool riffs and arpeggios and strum with rhythmic chords. | Yamaha F310 Acoustic Guitar |
| Ukulele | This is perfect for all ages thanks to its compact size, four strings, and easy chord structure. | Hartwood Sonata Armrest Electro-Concert Ukulele |
| Drums | You’ll learn invaluable timing and rhythm skills and become the solid foundation of any band or ensemble. | BDK-22 Rock Drum Kit by Gear4music |
| Digital piano/keyboard | You’ll develop a deep understanding of harmony and chords, and you’ll learn musical techniques such as legato and staccato playing. | Casio CDP S110 Digital Piano X Frame Package |
| Trumpet | Not everyone will gravitate towards the trumpet as their first instrument, but it’s great for those who want a commanding instrument that stretches across many different genres. | Student Trumpet by Gear4music |
| Violin | You’ll become the heart of the orchestra if you master the violin, and you’ll never run out of pieces to play – whether they’re solo or ensemble pieces. | Primavera 90 Violin Outfit |
| Cello | For a more ambitious strings player, the cello offers an incredibly beautiful, rich sound that you’ll never grow bored of. | Student 3/4 Size Cello with Case by Gear4music |
| Recorder | Ideal for complete beginners, this will help you get to grips with the absolute basics of music. | Aulos Descant 303A Dark Brown Elite Recorder |
| Clarinet | With a versatile sound and a range of sizes available, the clarinet is ideal for developing breathwork and finger agility. | Buffet Prodige Bb Clarinet |
| Saxophone | You’ll learn all the techniques needed to play with rhythm, swing, and a good groove – ideal for jazz. | Buffet 100 Series Alto Saxophone |
| Flute | Slightly more difficult, the flute is great for really developing breathwork and creating a gorgeous, airy tone. | Student Flute with Case by Gear4music |
| Harmonica | This is the most portable instrument you can pick up and take with you anywhere – so you’ll always be able to practise. | Harmonica by Gear4music |
What instrument should I learn?
Acoustic/classical guitar
Whether it’s a classical guitar or just a standard acoustic, this is an excellent instrument to learn. It caters to a wide age range – suitable for children and adults – and while it takes time to master, it’s extremely rewarding!
Available in various sizes and styles, from parlour to dreadnought to jumbo, it accommodates different playing styles, genres, and sizes of players.
Learning the guitar offers numerous benefits, including enhanced cognitive abilities, improved finger dexterity, and creative expression. It also encourages discipline and patience in children, and there’s no better feeling than when all your hard work has paid off and you’ve nailed your favourite guitar riff!
More technically, playing the guitar requires techniques such as fingerpicking, strumming, and chord transitions – and these develop coordination and fine motor skills.
Furthermore, the guitar is a very popular instrument and mastering it will mean you have a strong foundation for branching into other string instruments.
We recommend…
Ukulele
The ukulele is an ideal instrument for beginners of all ages due to its manageable, compact size and simple chord structure, suiting younger learners and adults alike.
Mastering basic chords is relatively easy, enabling quick progress that will motivate you to keep learning more.
With various sizes like soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone, you can choose what’s the most comfortable and suited to you – each size also has a slightly different tone, so you may even want to expand your skills across a couple!
Learning the ukulele cultivates musicality, rhythm, and finger dexterity. And even better, it’s an affordable option compared to many instruments.
It may be seen as an “easy guitar” but it’s a superb instrument in its own right and has been used across many famous tracks. Have a read of our Easy Ukulele Songs for Beginners guide to see just how popular it is!
The uke can seriously encourage creativity and you may even find yourself writing catchy tunes with it. Plus, it reduces stress and can provide social benefits – ukulele ensembles are very popular!
As you progress, you’ll develop skills in fingerpicking, strumming patterns, chord transitions, and ear training.
We recommend…
Drums
Drumming, great for beginners of all ages, lets you unleash all those little rhythms you find yourself tapping onto desks or with your feet. Getting the hang of basic beats is surprisingly quick, making you feel like a rock star in no time.
Plus, drums come in all sizes and styles, from compact bongos to full-on drum kits – so there’s plenty to choose from.
But drumming isn’t just about making noise. It’s also a stressbuster and a mood lifter. You’ll groove better, your coordination will improve, and your brain’s multitasking abilities will get a boost thanks to limb independence.
You’ll also develop great concentration and timing skills that are transferrable to other instruments, whether you’re into pop, rock, jazz, or anything in between. The drums are a band’s backbone, so it’s a great instrument to learn!
We recommend…
Digital piano/keyboard
A digital piano or keyboard is an excellent choice for learners of all ages, catering to children, adults, and seniors alike. Its user-friendly interface and adjustable settings make it relatively easy to master, allowing for swift progress.
Available in various sizes and styles, from compact portable keyboards to full-sized digital pianos, you can choose what suits your space and needs.
Learning a digital piano/keyboard offers numerous advantages as it introduces you to music theory, melody, and harmony. As a pianist myself, I can vouch that it’s an exceptionally rewarding instrument to learn, and having all the keys laid out in front of you makes it easy to learn scales and chords.
Additionally, digital pianos tend to be more affordable than pianos. As you play, you’ll develop finger dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and an understanding of musical notation. Plus, you’ll learn different playing techniques like fingerpicking, chord progressions, and ornamentations that add an extra flair.
Keyboards also offer various instrument sounds and recording capabilities, encouraging creativity in composition and arrangement.
We recommend…
Trumpet
The trumpet is a commanding, gratifying instrument that’s suited to learners of various ages, from youngsters to adults. It requires dedication to get to grips with and master, but its initial learning curve is manageable, making it accessible to beginners.
Trumpets come in different sizes and styles, accommodating your playing style and musical genre preferences, from classical to jazz.
Learning the trumpet offers numerous benefits. It develops lung capacity and breath control and enhances core muscles. Plus, it trains ears for pitch and tone accuracy, refining aural skills. And when you practise scales, articulations, and embouchure techniques, you’ll develop finger dexterity, precision, and coordination.
As your skills progress, you’ll experience the joy of performing solos and ensemble pieces, building confidence and stage presence.
We recommend…
And for a quieter practice session, we recommend the Yamaha SB7J Silent Brass for Trumpet
Violin
The violin is a timeless instrument that’s perfect for anyone, from kids to adults. It’s not the easiest of instruments to master, but the effort is worth it.
There are plenty of different sizes for different ages, so your little one won’t be hugging a giant violin. In fact, we have a whole article dedicated to violin sizes here. Learning the violin will sharpen your focus, boost your coordination, and give you a newfound appreciation for music.
It’s especially rewarding when you’re playing as part of an ensemble – whether that’s a string quartet or an orchestra. Many classical pieces are written for the violin, so you won’t run out of things to add to your repertoire.
Even better, your fingers will become extremely nimble as you dance on those strings. Plus, your ears will become finely tuned, giving you a deep understanding of music.
We recommend…
Primavera 90 Violin Outfit, Full Size with Gold Level Set Up
Cello
The cello is an excellent instrument for beginners due to its versatility and approachability. Suitable for ages 7 and up, it offers a rich, emotive sound. Though it takes time to learn and master, the basic techniques can be grasped relatively quickly.
Available in various sizes to accommodate different ages, its diverse styles, from classical to contemporary, cater to a range of different musical interests.
Learning the cello encourages patience and discipline, and enhances cognitive abilities. Particularly in beginners, the cello develops skills like finger dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and ear training. Its rich, resonant, and luscious sound is then sure to motivate you to keep practising.
We recommend…
Recorder
The recorder is an ideal starting point for beginners, suitable for ages 5 and up. Its simple design makes it easy to learn basic techniques – which is why it’s very common in schools!
Available in various sizes, including soprano, alto, and tenor, it accommodates different hand sizes and preferences.
Learning the recorder enhances breath control and finger coordination, and it introduces musical notation, laying a foundation for future instrument exploration.
It also teaches essential skills like rhythm, pitch, and teamwork when playing in groups. Plus, it’s affordable and portable, so it can easily be taken to and from lessons or performances.
We recommend…
Clarinet
The clarinet is a fantastic choice for beginners. Its relatively straightforward technique and versatile sound make it approachable for newcomers from the age of 8. And it’s available in various sizes, with the Bb clarinet being the most common, accommodating different hand sizes.
Learning the clarinet enhances breath control and finger agility, and it teaches intonation, rhythm, and expression while promoting focus and patience.
There are also plenty of opportunities to join an ensemble – clarinettists are always in demand! While mastery of advanced techniques requires dedication, beginners can achieve enjoyable results relatively quickly. Plus, it can be used for classical, jazz, and contemporary applications, offering a gateway to diverse musical genres.
We recommend…
Saxophone
The saxophone is an excellent choice for beginners, suitable for ages 9 and beyond. It does take time to become proficient, however, you’ll be able to pick up the basic skills fairly quickly.
With various sizes like alto, tenor, and soprano, you can find a saxophone that feels comfortable and suits musical preferences.
Learning the saxophone is great for breath control and finger agility. More technically, it teaches intonation, articulation, and phrasing, promoting expressive playing.
Its versatile sound fits various genres, from classical to jazz and pop, and as it’s both a solo and ensemble instrument, it encourages collaboration and performance skills.
We recommend…
Flute
Now, this is one of the more difficult instruments to learn, but it’s one of the most beautiful sounding and incredibly rewarding.
Available in various sizes, including the standard C flute and smaller piccolo, the flute caters to diverse preferences and hand sizes.
Like other woodwinds, the flute is great for breath control and finger dexterity, but it also imparts skills like precise pitch accuracy, tone production, and rhythm awareness, enhancing listening abilities.
The instrument’s versatility spans classical, folk, and contemporary genres. And through solo playing and ensemble participation, the flute is sure to give you a lifelong appreciation for music.
We recommend…
Harmonica
Finally, we have the humble harmonica, ideal for beginners thanks to how accessible it is across all ages. It’s relatively simple to master and covers a diverse range of sizes and styles. Plus, it’s one you can just pick up and take with you wherever you go! You can have it in your pocket ready for when you want to start playing.
With limited notes and straightforward techniques, basic melodies can be achieved fairly quickly on the harmonica. It enhances hand-eye coordination, finger dexterity, and rhythm perception, and you’ll also learn musical skills like pitch recognition as your ear training develops naturally.
We recommend…
Why should I learn an instrument?
Learning a musical instrument offers a huge range of benefits that are not only great for musical skills but also for personal well-being.
Firstly, engaging with music instils discipline through consistent practice routines. This commitment cultivates a strong work ethic and time management skills that can extend to other areas of life – something which is invaluable for children to learn at a young age!
Secondly, playing an instrument has been linked to improving executive brain functions. It enhances cognitive skills such as problem-solving, memory, and multitasking. This mental workout strengthens neural connections and can lead to better academic and professional performance.
Furthermore, musical training refines coordination, as playing an instrument requires precise finger movements, hand-eye coordination, and rhythmic synchronicity. These skills can extend to improved motor skills in everyday tasks.
Learning an instrument also offers a creative outlet, enabling you to express emotions. Music is a language to convey feelings and ideas, encouraging emotional intelligence and artistic expression.
In addition, music’s therapeutic qualities can aid in stress management. Engaging with an instrument provides an immersive and enjoyable escape from everyday life, reducing stress and helping you relax. In fact, the act of playing can trigger the release of dopamine and endorphins, contributing to a positive mood.
FAQs
What is the easiest instrument to learn?
If you’re a complete beginner, these are the easiest instruments to learn:
- Ukulele
- Guitar
- Drums
- Harmonica
- Piano
What instrument should a 13-year-old learn?
At the age of 13, a child is old enough to pick up and learn an instrument such as the violin, cello, flute, and clarinet. These instruments offer great cognitive benefits, hand-eye coordination, finger dexterity, and a good understanding of harmony and rhythm.
Which is harder: piano or guitar?
Despite both being suitable for beginners, the guitar is harder to learn than the piano. Piano notes are laid out in a more logical way than guitar, meaning it’s easier to get to grips with. However, the guitar uses different skills, such as fingerpicking and strumming – which are fun and rewarding to learn.
Final thoughts
Whether you’re wondering, “What instrument should I learn?”, yourself, or looking for one for your child, this list is sure to help. These are the best instruments for beginners, all offering many different benefits and skills.
We have plenty more guides on our blog, and many are about beginner instruments – if you need some more recommendations!
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