What Is the Easiest Musical Instrument to Learn for Adult Beginners? (2023)

FAQs

What is an easy instrument for an older person to learn? ›

The Piano

One of the simplest musical instruments that seniors can easily learn is the classical piano. An instrument that requires practice as well as hand-eye co-ordination is the ideal choice for individuals above the age of 50.

Ukuleles are cheap and fun to play. They are one of the easiest stringed (and fretted) instrument to learn. The size makes them an easy start for both children and adults alike. They only have four strings, and they are closer together than on a guitar.

Several studies point towards piano playing making the brain run much more efficiently overall.

The easiest instruments to learn are ukulele, harmonica, bongos, piano, and glockenspiel. Learning these instruments as an adult will be straightforward and accessible, and we've included step-by-step tips for each below.

Clarinet

Musicians consider the Clarinet as one of the quietest musical instruments in a wind band.

1. Violin. The violin is a wooden stringed instrument that's part of a larger family of similar instruments. It's the smallest and highest-pitched instrument in its family and normally has four strings, although some violins can have five.

Older adults still have the ability to learn, so don't feel you need to give up on this. Older adults actually benefit from taking on more hobbies and extracurriculars to keep the brain active and stimulated, so picking up a new instrument is a perfect way to do just that.

Totally false. While it is possible (and easier) for your cognitive functions to forge new paths during childhood, that doesn't mean that you can't learn to play music as an adult. In fact, because of your life experiences, you're able to bring all of that information to the process.

What instrument takes the shortest to learn? ›

Piano or Keyboard

The piano is arguably the easiest musical instrument for kids to learn and there's a ton of easy songs to learn. It's a great way to introduce children to music, mostly thanks to the simple, logical layout of the keys.

No, forty is not even close to being too old to learn how to play an instrument. In fact, many adults start playing instruments much later, at retirement age for instance.

Of course, if you are older than 9, you can still learn to play an instrument. Teenagers and adults who attend music lessons experience many of the same benefits as younger children. It's never too late to learn.

The simple answer to this question is NO, you are never too old to learn music or to play an instrument. Assuming you can still use your hands to hold a fork and knife or catch a ball, there are two main things you need to learn to play an instrument.

If you're looking to calm your nerves, harp music might do the trick. A University of Arizona study explored the healing powers of music and showed that patients are most eased by the harp.

1. Ukulele – Easiest Instrument to Learn and Play. Loved for their tropical sound, ukuleles are really easy to learn which is why they have become extremely popular in recent years. Well over a million ukuleles are sold every year.

Overall, the guitar is easier to learn than the piano. If you consider the layout, learning songs, the ability to self-teach and a few other things, it is an easier instrument. However, it's the easiest on average for everyone. This means for people of all ages.

Yes, you can be self-taught and choose to learn to play an instrument at home through online content. However, although the internet is rich in information, learning from a teacher makes all the difference, especially in art and music.

While the violin has the steepest learning curve, it is also one of the most rewarding instruments, as it is capable of producing an extremely wide range of sounds.

A new study suggests that learning a musical instrument like the piano may help people deal with mental health difficulties like depression and anxiety.

Which is harder flute or clarinet? ›

It is easier to start to play flute. Why? The flute is less demanding physically, lighter than clarinet, has less complicated fingerings, and it doesn't have to rely on a reed to produce sound.

The good news is this: You do not need to be able to read music to learn any musical instrument. Whether you're considering trumpet, piano, guitar, drums, or something else entirely - reading music is not an absolute necessity.

The most popular instruments they sell are the saxophone, flute and clarinet, with the least popular being the tuba, French horn and the bassoon. We caught up with them to find out more about these endangered instruments.

The piano reigns supreme as the ultimate solo instrument. It has 88 keys as well as the ability to play complete orchestrations. It's pretty obvious that the piano is the king of solo repertoire – it's not even close!

Although flute is a better and easier option than a violin to learn, you must follow your passion. You can choose any instrument to play but your interest is something that will make the journey easier.

“Is the violin harder to learn than the guitar?” The short answer is: Yes, the violin is harder to learn than the guitar. There are several reasons for that. First of all, the violin does not have a fretboard, which means you will have to find every tone by ear.

An instrument's level of difficulty to learn is a significant consideration when choosing a musical instrument. The violin is harder to learn than the piano as the player must learn to play in tune with a pleasant sound. With the keyboard, pitch, and fundamental aspects of sound quality, are built-in.

Children are growing new brain cells all the time, so when they're learning music, some of those brain cells are devoted to playing their instrument. Adults, on the other hand, have to work with the brain cells they already have and create new connections, or synapses, between them.

What is the easiest orchestra instrument to learn? ›

Perhaps one of the easiest orchestral instruments to learn is the timpani. The timpani usually comes in a set of 2, 3 or 4 drums.

Although there is no precise agreed-upon time frame, music teachers often state that mastering an instrument requires 1 – 3 hours per day of study, practice, and rehearsal over 10 – 15 years. Musical mastery varies based on the specific instrument played and the commitment made to mastering it.

The piano is possibly the most versatile of all instruments because it is played in almost every genre and can be accompanied or played solo. It will take patience and determination to play well, but once you master it, you may have a good chance at pursuing a career!

Three easy and popular woodwind instruments for beginners are flute, clarinet, and alto saxophone because of their size, weight, and complexity. Learning any of these requires a degree of concentration best suited to students at least 10 years old, when they can learn to read music without difficulty.

If it's just for a fun hobby, think about the kind of music you enjoy most. If it's Bob Marley, you probably want to learn guitar; if it's Alicia Keys, you probably want to learn piano. It's not always that simple, but if the music you love is driven more by either instrument, that's an excellent place to start.

You are never too old to learn guitar. You can start learning guitar at any age. While younger people tend to learn faster, you are still capable of learning guitar as a beginner whether you are 30, 40, 60, or even 70.

Learning to play the piano as an adult can be intimidating. Many people limit themselves because they think they are too old or that it's too late to start something new. The good news is, it's never too late to start.

Anyone can learn to play the violin, at any age. Mastering a new skill, regardless of what it is, always involves desire, discipline and determination; and learning violin is no different. Your age does have a factor in how quickly you'll be able to adapt to the instrument.

Being a concert pianist I would have to definitely say, without a doubt, the instrument which has the highest skill ceiling is the instrument that most children everywhere around the world has already played at least once.

The violin can be a challenging instrument to learn, especially as an adult, so it's important that you find a teacher who has experience teaching adult learners.

Which musicians started late? ›

For a beginner, it is easier to learn and memorize the notes on a piano because they repeat in the same pattern across all the keys. To make things even easier, most piano teachers will start off with teaching only the white keys for adults (a total of 7), or all black keys for kids (a total of 5).

The oboe just might be the hardest instrument to play because it can take significant time — even years — for a player to produce a musical sound. Most people learning an instrument will become frustrated or demotivated if it just doesn't sound good, so many oboe beginners give up.

Overall, the guitar is easier to learn than the piano. If you consider the layout, learning songs, the ability to self-teach and a few other things, it is an easier instrument. However, it's the easiest on average for everyone. This means for people of all ages.

On average, it takes about 300 hours of practice to learn the basic chords and feel comfortable playing the guitar. If you practice for two hours a day – every day – it will take five months to master the basics. If you practice for an hour every day, it will take you ten months.

For someone who practices around 30 minutes a day, 3-5 days a week, with medium intensity, it'll take roughly 1-2 months to play beginner guitar songs, and approximately 3-6 months to confidently play intermediate and slightly more advanced songs with technical elements.

So, yes, you can successfully learn guitar by yourself. However, it will go faster for you and save you some trouble if you use good resources. And some things about learning guitar will go smoother with a skilled teacher. But it is entirely achievable to learn guitar on your own!

Perhaps one of the easiest orchestral instruments to learn is the timpani. The timpani usually comes in a set of 2, 3 or 4 drums. What is this? Each of those drums is tuned through the use of a foot pedal.

Although there is no precise agreed-upon time frame, music teachers often state that mastering an instrument requires 1 – 3 hours per day of study, practice, and rehearsal over 10 – 15 years. Musical mastery varies based on the specific instrument played and the commitment made to mastering it.