The Easiest Instrument to Learn: 9 Options for Beginners

Choosing the right musical instrument to learn will significantly impact your musical journey. When selecting an instrument, one key factor to consider is your interest in different types of instruments, such as woodwind instruments, brass instruments, or those from the guitar family.

1. Types of Instruments

Each category offers unique sounds and playing techniques that can influence your overall experience. Woodwind instruments, like the clarinet or flute, require specific breath control and embouchure techniques, whereas brass instruments, such as the trumpet or trombone, focus on lip vibration and air support.

On the other hand, string instruments, including those from the guitar family, offer a different tactile experience and may appeal to you if you're interested in exploring both rhythm and melody.

2. Reading Music

Another important consideration is your willingness to engage with music theory and read music. Some instruments, such as the piano and guitar, provide a more straightforward approach to understanding musical theory due to their visual layout and the ability to play multiple notes simultaneously.

Others might have a steeper learning curve, requiring dedicated practice to master complex techniques and develop a solid understanding of musical theory. For example, while learning to read music is essential for many instruments, the ukulele or harmonica might offer more immediate gratification with simpler chord progressions and less emphasis on reading music.

3. Solo vs. Ensemble

Consider whether you wish to make music alone or with others, as some instruments are more versatile for solo performance while others shine in group settings.

4. Playing by Ear

Ear training is another factor to keep in mind, as different instruments can enhance your ability to recognize and replicate pitches and rhythms.

Instruments that require precise tuning, such as the violin, can improve your ear training skills, while more forgiving instruments, like the ukulele, offer a more relaxed approach to developing a musical ear.

5. Motivation

Finally, think about your long-term goals and interests. If you dream of creating your own music or performing popular music, select an instrument that aligns with those aspirations.

Instruments with a broad range of applications and a vibrant community of learners — such as the guitar or keyboard — may offer more opportunities for growth and enjoyment in your musical journey.

Each instrument contributes different sounds to the musical landscape. Exploring different sounds and understanding how each instrument fits into your broader musical goals can help you decide whether to stick with one instrument or expand to other instruments over time.

1. Bongos

Bongos are a pair of hand-played drums, traditionally made from wood. They are played by striking the top of the drums with the fingers and palms for a vibrant, rhythmic sound. Bongos are versatile and can be heard in a wide range of musical styles, especially common in Latin and jazz music.

The simplicity of bongos lies in their design and playing technique; players can achieve a wide range of sounds using basic hand movements. If you are interested in percussion instruments the bongos are a great place to start because you can lean into an improvisation style with the hand drumming.

The compact size and relatively straightforward rhythm patterns make bongos an accessible instrument for beginners, allowing them to quickly produce pleasing rhythms and engage in various musical styles without much prior musical experience.

2. Castanets

Castanets are percussion instruments often associated with Spanish and Latin American music, but they are also used widely in music originating from Portugal, Italy and Switzerland.

Consisting of two wooden shells held together with a string, castanets are played by looping the strings around the thumbs and fingers and opening and closing the hand to click the shells together. Castanets produce a sharp, crisp sound.

Castanets are considered easy to learn due to their simple mechanism and the minimal coordination required — basic clicking patterns are intuitive and can be mastered quickly. Their lightweight and portable nature also contribute to their accessibility, making them a popular choice for beginners looking to explore rhythm and percussion instruments.

3. Drums

Drums are a diverse family of percussion instruments with various sizes and shapes, commonly used to provide rhythm and support in various genres.

The fundamental aspect of learning drums is understanding rhythm and coordination, which can be approached in a modular fashion — starting with basic beats and gradually advancing to more complex patterns.

The hands-on approach to drumming, combined with the use of various drum kits and practice pads, mean drums are relatively easy instrument to start learning, though they get tricky quickly. The immediate feedback and satisfaction from producing rhythmic sounds make drumming an engaging and accessible choice for new musicians.

4. Guitar

The guitar is a versatile stringed instrument with a fretted neck and a hollow or solid body, producing sound through strumming or plucking its strings.

Its ease of learning comes from the relatively straightforward process of forming basic chords and simple melodies. With only a few fundamental chords, beginners can start playing popular songs quickly, making it an appealing choice for new musicians.

Additionally, the guitar's widespread use in various genres and the abundance of learning resources, such as online tutorials and instructional books, further enhance its accessibility and appeal for learners of all ages.

5. Harmonica

The harmonica is a small, extremely portable wind instrument with multiple reed chambers. It is played by blowing or drawing air through these chambers, which causes reeds to vibrate and produce sound. The harmonica is commonly associated with bluegrass and blues, but it can accompany most musical genres.

Thanks to its intuitive design, beginners can quickly produce pleasant sounds and simple melodies without needing advanced techniques. You can quickly master the basic chords, and then it all comes down to a dedicated practice for mastering the instrument.

6. Keyboard

The keyboard is one of the easiest instruments to learn due to the visual layout of the keys, which helps learners understand musical scales and chords intuitively. It's also a versatile electronic instrument that can simulate various instruments and sounds, making it a popular choice for beginners.

You can play basic melodies and chords with minimal hand coordination, and many keyboards come with built-in learning modes and accompaniment features that facilitate the learning process. This combination of visual aids and technological support makes the keyboard an accessible and engaging instrument for new musicians.

7. Recorder

The recorder is a simple wind instrument with a straight, cylindrical body and a set of finger holes. It is often made of plastic or wood and is played by blowing air into the mouthpiece while covering and uncovering the finger holes to produce different notes.

The recorder is one of the easiest instruments to learn, thanks to its straightforward fingering system and the relatively simple technique required to produce sound. Its clear and distinct tone, combined with the availability of beginner-friendly music books and educational resources, makes the recorder a popular choice for introducing new players to the basics of wind instruments and musical notation.

8. Tambourine

The tambourine is a handheld percussion instrument featuring a circular frame with metal jingles (or zills) attached around its edge. It is played by shaking or striking the frame with the hand, producing a bright, jingly sound.

The tambourine’s ease of learning comes from its simple playing technique; shaking or tapping the instrument can create rhythm with minimal effort.

Its versatility in various musical settings — from rock to folk to classical — and its straightforward method of sound production make it an accessible and enjoyable instrument for beginners to explore rhythmic patterns and enhance their sense of timing.

9. Ukulele

The ukulele is an ideal instrument for beginners, as it's one of the easiest instruments to learn. The ukulele is a small, stringed instrument with a similar structure to a guitar, but with a more unique sound with a notably higher pitch.

The ukulele is also one of the more affordable instruments and is lightweight to carry around. Its softer nylon strings are easy on the fingers, so you can avoid some of the physical difficulties that come with learning other string instruments. The ukulele also has only four strings while a guitar has six, making for more simple chords.

With simple chord structures and an approachable fretboard layout, players can quickly learn basic chords to play music of different styles. With the frets so close together, the ukulele can be a great choice for children or someone with smaller hands.

Since the ukulele is a popular choice for first-time musicians, free learning materials are readily available online. Once you've mastered a few chords, there are thousands of songs you can play on the ukulele.

When embarking on the journey of learning musical instruments, early success can be highly motivating. Achieving basic proficiency with a simple instrument or mastering a few chords on the electric guitar can provide a strong sense of accomplishment and encourage you to continue learning.

Selecting the best instrument for your personal learning experience can depend on various factors, including your musical interests and goals. Some people might be drawn to the electric guitar for its versatility and prominent role in popular music, while others might prefer the richness of classical music offered by instruments like the piano or cello.

Focusing on the easiest musical instruments at the beginning might offer a smoother learning curve and quicker gratification, but don’t shy away from the more complex instruments if they align with your interests. Each instrument, whether it’s the classical piano or an innovative electric guitar, offers a unique path to create music and expand your understanding of musical expression.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.