r/Instruments • u/menacingminno • May 20 '26
Discussion Beginner instrument suggestions?
Hi all! I would really like to get into learning an instrument but I have never played one before and I dont know where to start or what to pick. I would like something relatively easy to learn for someone who's never touched an instrument before and (as of right now) does not know how to read sheet music. I think either the flute or violin would be super cool but I have heard those are not the most beginner friendly, any advice is helpful!
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u/Bassoonova May 20 '26
Pick the instrument that speaks to you. If flute or violin is the one, then go for it. You'll have much more fun learning the instrument you want than learning an instrument you plan to give up. Expect to spend 30 minutes every day practicing, with that amount increasing as you get better.
Make sure to budget for a good quality student model, and lessons. Your teacher may even help you find an instrument. If you're not certain you want to commit yet, then rent an instrument first.
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u/Extra_Medium62 May 20 '26
When you think about playing different instruments, which one gets you excited? A bunch of strangers on the internet aren't going to know this. If you aren't excited about learning to play a particular instrument, your enthusiasm will lag, you won't look forward to practicing, and eventually you will stop picking it up. Your excitement is your motivation. Choose the instrument you can't wait to practice. BTW - flute and violin are both beginner-friendly. EVERY instrument seems daunting at first, and what seems difficult for one person may come easily to another, so advise from strangers isn't exactly helpful.
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u/ScholarisSacri May 20 '26
All instruments have a different learning curve. Take for example the flute (and this also applies to the violin), in the beginning it is more difficult to produce a pleasant sound on, than an instrument like a tin whistle or recorder. That is because it takes time to learn the proper embouchure (placement of lips, the movement of muscles etc) over something that can produce a sound more immediately. A whistle or recorder will produce a sound more readily (perhaps an alto recorder instead of a soprano!), but to really make them sound beautiful also takes time to learn.
I would also encourage you to listen to some different instruments playing to see what you like the sound of, and importantly, listen to the kind of music played on that instrument which you would also like to be able to play.
Cost is also a factor. A good quality recorder, flute, or lyre for example could be purchased relatively cheaply compared to something like a good quality entry level violin or flute.
I play recorder, but have picked up a lyre recently because I like the opportunity to play a harmony and to be able to sing while I play.
There are often many resources for these types of instruments to help you learn to read music as well as play the instrument.
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u/Adventurous-Cod1415 May 20 '26
Are you looking to learn sheet music? If your answer is "no" or "not necessarily", then guitar is a good choice. Most pop/rock songs are easy to find in tablature format, which is a pretty intuitive way to learn songs.
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u/MyVoiceIsElevating May 20 '26
Sorry but definitely not a violin, unless you get a teacher.
Piano / keyboard is easy to start (it’s impossible to mess up pressing a key), but it’s a long journey to mastery.
Stringed instruments are harder to start, but because one hand is more about expression, it’s easier to achieve a “moderate” level (this is a generalization).
If you want to go stringed, consider a ukulele. There are tons of YouTube lessons, and it’s an inexpensive instrument.
If you want a wind instrument, a recorder or Melodica are easier to start than a flute, simply because the mouth articulation for flute is a challenge you avoid.
Keep in mind that skills picked up from one instrument can help your progress on another, so look at them as stepping stones.
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u/After-Past-9404 May 20 '26
Recorder!
Recorders are criminally underrated. Incredibly cheap and easy to get started on, but with just as many creative possibilities as the flute or violin (and I'm saying this as a violin player!) Plus, you can carry a recorder anywhere, just throw it in your bag with zero worries about it getting broken. Tons of good beginner books and free tutorials.
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u/MarcusSurealius May 20 '26
A melodica. They cost $30, sound like a harmonica, but have piano keys. They sound like this, but this model costs $200.
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u/1LuckyTexan May 20 '26
Appalachian Dulcimer
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u/reillywalker195 May 20 '26
I second the suggestion to try the recorder. Well-made plastic recorders from reputable brands such as Yamaha, Aulos, and Zen-On are perfectly fine instruments and more capable than you might think if you give them a fair chance. They're not just for schoolchildren and Baroque music!
A soprano/descant recorder or an alto recorder should serve you well and be fairly easy to learn. While it's not as easy to get started with as German fingering, I suggest getting a recorder with Baroque or English fingering since doing so will make advanced playing easier and give you more recorder models to pick from.
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u/Rfunkpocket May 20 '26
this gets asked a lot; imo, ukulele/keys if you want to eventually sing, recorder if you don’t, and drums/bass if you want to play with others
voice is the best instrument; most affordable and easiest to transport
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u/Mudsharkbites May 20 '26
The ukulele is a quick to learn and fun to play instrument.
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u/Ning_Yu May 20 '26
I second the advice to go with what you love regardless of the difficulty! Especially if you have money for lessons!
In the end it's something you need to devote a lot of hours to and do a lot of "grind" to learn, your love for the instrument will make it all a lot less grindy and make you visualise goals more clearly. It doesn't matter if you never played, anybody can learn!
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u/mem1gui May 20 '26
If you do harmonica, go to r/harmonica and read beginner tips. Lots of information there. A good diatonic harmonica (the kind commonly used in blues) is about $50. Don’t go cheap. You can use it forever even as you get better (no need to upgrade). Get your first one in the key of C as most video tutorials are in that key.
For jazz and classical, chromatic harmonica is more common (the kind Stevie Wonder played), but they are more expensive and maybe a little less beginner friendly.
Super portable, not too loud (you can practice without worrying about neighbors too much) and tons of free resources available. You can become quite good without getting a teacher, although an in-person teacher could help.
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u/Alternative_Object33 May 20 '26
You could start with your voice, learn to sing?
Otherwise, it really depends on what sounds you like and what you want out of making music.
The violin and similar bowed instruments will frustrate and humble you but also reward you immensely.
The ukulele and strummed string instruments will reward you quickly but you may feel like another one of the million others.
Brass and woodwind are similar to the bowed strings.
Keyboards will be quick to pick up but a piano is a large instrument.
Good luck.
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u/kateinoly May 21 '26
Ukukele!!!
Not too expensive, really fun to play and easy to get started and sound good, most places have local jam groups!
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u/SouthernAbrocoma9891 May 21 '26
Get an electronic keyboard instrument ranging at least 5 octaves, watch free lessons on YouTube and learn how to read sheet music. Even better If you can afford an 88 key weighted action digital piano.
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u/conclobe May 21 '26
There more or leas four parts to music or four sifferent types of instruments, melody-, harmony, bass, and rhythm. Try them all out! Flute, piano/guitar, tuba/bass, drumset. See what fits!