10 Easiest Instruments to Learn How to Play

Some instruments can take years and years to learn and master. So unless you’re an artist who years to be free of this miserable life and take refuge in music – just try one of these easiest instruments to learn how to play. It will get the girl (or guy – perhaps…forget it – no it won’t, just be sure to show some skin while you’re playing said instrument), impress on the high school resume and be a convenient musical break during painful family get-togethers.

You can speed things along with really great music lessons like the ones found at the Irish Arts Center.

These are the most painless, plain sailing and straightforward instruments you can learn, but it would be wrong to call them unchallenging! The beauty of music lies in the fact that every instrument has its own place and importance, and even the easiest instruments to learn how to play forms an integral part of the music and the ensemble as a whole. Once you’ve mastered your instrument, there is a world of opportunities to excel in your art. Even a simple rhythm instrument like a tambourine can add a shine to the music when played at the exact pocket, at the right pulse!

The instruments on our list are just the ones which are the quickest to adopt and take the plunge at. In no time can you master your craft and start out by playing a few songs or join a band right away. Some only need a good timing and you could get the craft down. The art, however, depends on you! You can take your time and let it mature within you. And, even these instruments have a great potential to develop your art in.

If music is your calling and different instruments give you a feeling of exhilaration, be sure to browse through the 11 Most Expensive instruments in the World to find some of the most exquisite and grand instruments that exist in the world! They are the ones of the best make, created by the best craftsman in the world and only the best have ever gotten a chance to play them.

For now let’s check out the easiest instruments to learn how to play to start playing right away! Here’s the list.

10. Ukulele

Typical Price: $28 Mahalo Ukuleles MK1TBR Kahiko Series Soprano Ukulele

Nope, that’s not a little guitar. It’s a Ukulele! Essentially used in Hawaiian music, but in the recent past it has been the darling of pop music also. And, with only four strings, it is way more uncomplicated than the guitar and much sweeter sounding to strum along to a catchy tune to. The nylon strings have it easy on your fingers and the chord shapes are easy-peasy too!

Ann Haritonenko/Shutterstock.com

Ann Haritonenko/Shutterstock.com

9. Xylophone

Typical Price: $20 ProKussion Professional Wooden Soprano Glockenspiel Xylophone (X-Series)

Remember the little variation of the percussion instrument we used to play as kids? Well, that’s xylophone for you. One of the instruments that even kids can try their hand at playing but is just as important for the orchestral rhythm section. And, once you’ve mastered the craft you can try your hand at some related instruments like the African marimba or the balafon.

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8. Autoharp

Typical Price: $300 Oscar Schmidt OS45CE The Appalachian Electric Autoharp

A unique stringed instrument is a kind of chord zither which has a series of bars attached to its body which when pressed down allows playing of a desired chord. It has extensive usage in folk music, while being uncomplicated to play and easy on the ears!

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7. Pianica

Typical Price: $30-$130 Yamaha P37D 37-Key Pianica

A pianica or a melodica is actually a reed instrument but in the form of a piano. The keys make it easier to play and unlike a piano you do not need to learn both-hand coordination. These are popular in music education but have also been used in mainstream music since 1960s.

yoshi0511/Shutterstock.com

yoshi0511/Shutterstock.com

6. Kazoo

Typical Price: $5 A to G Music Kazoo (set of 8)

The little instrument is as simple as it can get. The wind instrument adds a buzzing sound when sung or blown into it. If you’re too lazy to try out other instruments, the kazoo might just be the thing you need!

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5. Bongo

Typical Price: $50 Tycoon Percussion 6 Inch & 7 Inch Ritmo Bongos – Mahogany Finish

Amazing percussion instrument that is really easy to play too! The Afro-Cuban instrument has wide usage in Latin and Cuban music. If you are into genres like salsa or Afro-Cuban Jazz, this should be your instrument of choice. And, there is no dearth of opportunities and rhythm patterns you can try exploring when you get confident enough.

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4. Tambourines

Typical Price: $20-$30 Remo Fiberskyn Tambourine – Quadura Deep Red, 10″

Let’s admit it any kind of music is sort of incomplete without the good old tambourine. The percussion instrument is pretty straightforward; with metal discs that adds the jingle-jangle to any rhythm section. If you want something to start out in a band right away, the tambourine is the way to go!

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3. Irish Whistle

Typical Price: $10-$20 Feadog FW01 Irish Whistle Brass D

The Irish tin whistle or a penny whistle is a simple wind instrument with a distinct sweet metal sound that is recognizable in Irish Folk and Celtic music. The instrument has also found its place in popular music and can be learned within a week or two of practice.

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2. Harmonica

Typical Price: $10-$40 Hohner Piedmont Blues Harmonica Set

The reed instrument has a wide usage across genres be it jazz, rock, folk or pop. And, it makes for a great choice to learn some tunes. One can learn the craft in a couple of weeks. Singer-songwriters can easily incorporate the instrument into their songs for solos.

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1. Triangle

Typical Price: $5-$10 Trophy Triangle 5 in.

Another percussion instrument that is very simple to play and no major skills are required to play it initially. Well, only perfect timing maybe. Its presence can be found in classical music as well as in folk to some extent.

Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH/Shutterstock.com

Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH/Shutterstock.com

These were the easiest instruments to learn how to play and try your hand at music!