Musicngear recognizes the transformative power of music in young minds and hearts. That’s why we recommend starting any musical journey with the right gear.
We will begin by exploring the percussion family of instruments, some of the easiest to learn for beginners. The next instrument is the guitar, a favorite of children who want to play rock songs.
Guitar
What is the easiest instrument to learn? If you’re looking for an instrument that is easy to learn and fun to play, the guitar may be your perfect match. In addition to being an essential part of many musical genres, it also strengthens your self-discipline and perseverance as you push yourself to practice daily.
Another great option is the ukulele, which has only four strings instead of a guitar’s six and can be much easier on your fingers. It can also be a great way to introduce rhythm and melody more simply.
The acoustic guitar is also ideal for beginners because it’s lighter and more affordable than electric guitars. Silent playing is a great technique to start practicing, where the guitarist moves their fingers across the fretboard and fingered different chords without strumming. This helps to build up strength and speed. Also, the acoustic guitar is very portable and can be played anywhere.
Ukulele
Whether you’re a guitar player looking to add variety to your repertoire or want an easy instrument to take to the beach, the ukulele is a fun and social choice. Its happy sound makes it an excellent addition to a picnic or campfire, and its size makes it easy to carry.
Once you’ve learned your first few chords, practicing strumming patterns that allow you to play in time with a beat is a good idea. A metronome is a great tool to help with this, as it beeps in sequence at set speeds.
It’s also important to remember that how you hold your ukulele affects its sound. For example, you must keep your fingernails short on your fretting hand (the left one) to press the strings against the frets properly. It’s also better to play on the point of your fingers rather than the fingerprint to avoid muting the strings below your fingers.
Keyboard
While it may take longer to become a piano virtuoso than other instruments (the famous 10,000 hours), it’s perfect for beginners because you can easily see the notes and intervals on a keyboard. You can also play chords with your left hand, making the keyboard an easy option for those with trouble reading standard music notation.
Depending on your needs, you’ll want to choose between an arranger keyboard or a workstation keyboard with solid MIDI connections. Arranger keyboards will automatically accompany you with a backing track, which can be helpful when learning or practicing.
If you’re a beginner, consider getting a portable keyboard with a built-in learning system that lights up keys in a specific order to help you learn songs faster. These special keyboards are less expensive than a traditional piano and don’t require a lot of space to set up.
Trombone
The trombone is sometimes called the ‘king of instruments’ and doesn’t come cheap, but you can get started with an affordable name-brand student model. There are also many cheaper used options available – be sure to choose a reputable seller and check that it comes with a case, mouthpiece, and lubricants, as these will make a big difference to your playing.
Playing a trombone is not the easiest instrument to master, and you will need patience, consistent practice, and a good teacher. Like all musical instruments, coordinating your breath, embouchure (lip and mouth position), and slide movements can take time to learn.
Whether you want to play music as a hobby or to gain professional skills, active music-making is an excellent addition to any lifestyle. It’s proven to benefit mental and physical health, from pain reduction and stress relief to cognitive improvement and emotional regulation.
Harmonica
Often called a blues harp or mouth organ, the harmonica is a hand-held rectangular instrument with evenly spaced air channels and metal reeds that produce musical tones. Each reed’s length, weight, and stiffness determine the note produced.
Harmonica players widen their lips over one or more holes to blow or draw air through them. They may also change the shape of their lips or tongue, open and close their mouths, and breathe with different pressures to alter the sounds produced.
The harmonica is a versatile and portable instrument. Abraham Lincoln carried one in his pocket, frontiersmen like Wyatt Earp played with it, and even astronaut Walter Schirra used a harmonica and bell to perform a Christmas Eve show aboard Gemini 6. A diatonic harmonica has five main parts: two outer covers, two brass reed plates (one for drawing and the other for blowing), and a plastic or wooden “comb” that contains the holes.
Flute
Whether you’re interested in rock, classical, or contemporary flute music, there’s no doubt that the instrument has enjoyed its heyday of late.
The flute is a woodwind instrument that doesn’t require a reed, so you won’t have to worry about constantly purchasing and making reeds. Flutes are also less expensive than other wind instruments, and it’s possible to rent one if you’re not sure if you’ll stick with the instrument long-term.
As you learn to play the flute, be patient. Remembering which keys need to be pressed for each note, in the beginning, can be difficult, so be sure to practice slowly. As you become more comfortable with fingerings, add additional notes and gradually increase your tempo.