Organ Piano accordion Synthesizer Harpsichord Harmonium[3] X Research source Keytar
Mandolin Banjo Ukulele Lute Take it slow when you’re first learning guitar. Around 20-30 minutes of practice per day is a good amount for beginners. [6] X Expert Source Aaron AsghariProfessional Guitarist & Instructor Expert Interview. 27 August 2019.
Violin. This is generally seen as the “lead” instrument in the world of strings. It has an excellent range, is easy to hold, and is sublimely expressive in a way that few other instruments can even try to be. Viola. Somewhat larger than a violin, it’s deeper and darker in tone. Therefore, if you aren’t really a fan of high squeaky notes, a viola might be a better choice. If you have longer arms, and larger hands, the viola might be easier for you. Cello. The cello is much larger than the violin and viola and must be played sitting down, with the instrument between your knees. It has a rich, deep tone akin to a male human voice, and while it can’t reach the heights of a violin or viola, it is immensely lyrical. Upright bass. This is the lowest-sounding member of the violin family. In classical or chamber surroundings, it’s most often played with a bow and occasionally plucked for effect. In jazz or bluegrass (where you will often find an upright bass), it’s generally plucked and occasionally bowed for effect.
Trumpet Trombone Tuba French horn Baritone Sousaphone Alto horn Bugle Flugelhorn Piccolo trumpet Mellophone (a marching version of a horn)
Flute, piccolo, or fife Saxophone Clarinet Oboe Bassoon Kazoo Harmonica Recorder Ocarina Tin whistle English horn Pan flute/panpipes Quena Bagpipes
The drum set Vibraphone, marimba, xylophone, and glockenspiel Bells and cymbals Congas and bongos Timpani Kalimba
iPad. If you have one, you probably know by now there are some truly amazing musical instruments that defy categorization. Tap on the screen and a voice emerges from a puddle of blue on a green background. Flip apps, and now you’re playing a vintage ’80s synth that cost $50,000 then, and $. 99 now—and sounds better. Have you got a couple of turntables? To be a great DJ takes a lot of skill and a lot of practice, and anybody who tells you that’s not music is wrong.
Concertina Button accordion Melodica Theremin Harp Autoharp Zither Otamatone Erhu (Chinese two-stringed fiddle) Guqin (Chinese stringed instrument) Pipa (Chinese 4-stringed instrument) Guzheng (Chinese instrument, kind of like a plucked piano) Sitar Dulcimer Koto (Japanese harp)
Typically, if you want to sign up for a band or orchestra at your school, call-outs are regularly held during which the directors allow you to experiment with instruments and select one. Go to one of these call-outs and check out all the different kinds of instruments. Most instrument stores are excited to share their instruments with you and let you give them a shot. They might even be able to show you a few things.
You can begin making your decision from the instruments that are available. You can also ask the director which instruments they are short of—he or she will be very grateful if you can fill an empty spot.
If you’re younger or still losing teeth, you may find it hard to play some brass instruments because your teeth aren’t very strong yet. If you have small hands or fingers, the bassoon may not be for you, although there are bassoons made for beginners with some keys for small hands. Think of how braces will affect your tone, especially for most brass. Find out whether you’ll need them, or when any current braces will come off. [13] X Research source
Do you find yourself thrumming along to the bassline, or do you go into wild air-guitar frenzies? Perhaps you should look into stringed instruments. Do you thrash the air drums and beat your fingers on the table constantly? These are all great clues about what your “natural instrument” might be, and it involves hitting things with sticks, hands, or both!
One of those picks is your instrument. The first one came straight off the top: it might be what you really want to play, or it might be just what you associate learning music with. With each successive pick, you focused more on what you wanted. By the fifth choice, you may have been digging for an answer. It’s a safe bet that all would be instruments you would enjoy, but which is the best choice? It all depends on who you are, and how you’re going to learn.
