Not all instruments are great for beginners. Some are harder to hold, while others require a lot of patience and practice to sound great on. The instruments I have listed below are great starter instruments. In fact, I like to refer to them as gateway instruments, because they are an exceptional introduction into the world of music.
That said, they are also instruments you can continue to play for a lifetime. I don’t want to give the impression that you NEED to progress past these at some point; however, if you do want to learn harder instruments down the road, these definitely make it easier to transition.
Ukulele
Inexpensive and exceptionally easy to play, the ukulele only has four strings, making it far less complicated than say, the six-string guitar. It also sounds great after only learning a few chords. In fact, most of the ukulele songs I know only encompass 3-4 basic chords, so you can sound very polished straight out of the gate. Check out some of our favorite ukulele songs here.
If you have always wanted to learn guitar, the ukulele is a great introduction to that instrument at a fraction of the price.
You can get a really great ukulele for around $50 here.
Harmonica
If you enjoy bluesy, folksy music, then this is a great instrument to start with. You also don’t need to know a lot of music theory in order to start playing, and it has a big advantage that any note will be “in key”. Plus, just like the ukulele it is extremely portable and inexpensive, so it’s a low-risk instrument to start with. Whether you want to blow the folk style harp like Bob Dylan or explore the nuances of jazz and blues like Toots Thielemans, you can work on your skills no matter where you are!
The basics involve breathing in and breathing out to create different sounds. The placement of the harmonica in your mouth and the position of your hands will influence the notes you make. It’s that simple!
If you are interested in purchasing one, this one has a rich sound.
Bongo Drums
Drum circle anyone? If percussion is more your liking, then this portable instrument is much easier to start with than a full drum set.
Learning an instrument like the bongos improves your rhythm, which is a skill you’ll use across all other instruments.
Although difficult to master, these drums are one of the easiest instruments to learn the basics on. You can purchase beginner drums here.
Piano/Keyboard
This may seem like an odd one to list, because it certainly can be complicated; however, it is still one of the easiest instruments to start out on. Because the notes are all laid out in front of you on the piano, it’s easier to understand than many other instruments. And although you can play wrong notes, you can’t ever play out of tune the way you can with something like a guitar.
To learn, you’ll need to first master the basics of music theory, so I do recommend purchasing a book or taking a few lessons – I taught myself with a book.
And if you are looking for a more portable option, there is always the keyboard!
Recorder
The recorder is one of the easiest instrument to learn by far. That’s why it’s so prevalent in schools!
It serves as a great introduction to rhythm, creative thinking, and music theory. It is simple at its core, with no bow, strings, reeds, or anything else – you just blow! These instruments are also small, making them great for tiny, nimble fingers. You can purchase one for less than $30 here.
In Conclusion:
Whatever musical path you choose, it’s most important that you have fun. All of these instruments are very social, which makes them great for impromptu jam sessions and also easier to stick with.
