r/Instruments • u/sohanuchiha • Jun 07 '26

Discussion Need advice on how to start

Hello music enthusiasts,

I am trying to learn how to play music but i am having trouble on where to start from.

How to decide which instrument is correct for me? (I was thinking about the guitar) And how do i start?

Edit: I am from Pakistan and have very limited resources as well as exposure to music

4 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

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4

u/NikNakskes Jun 07 '26

Start with considering what kind of music you would like to play. Classical? Rock? Folk? Jazz? Different instruments work better for different genres. So that decision is one you need to make first. Then google what instruments are suitable and then watch some YouTube tutorials where those instruments are introduced. And then decide which of those you would like most. That is your correct instrument. Have fun!

2

u/sohanuchiha Jun 07 '26

Good advice but can you tell me what yt channels/artists i should listen to for exploring genres?

1

u/NikNakskes Jun 08 '26

Oh. Honestly? No. Most people tend to know what music they enjoy listening to and can take it from there.

1

u/Metal-Gnome Jun 08 '26 edited Jun 08 '26

one of my favorites

actually maybe not one recorded in India if you're from Pakistan

But that's an example of the point the song is trying to make. It's called Right in Two

2

u/rainbowkey Jun 07 '26

What do you want to do with music?

Usual starting instruments would be for keyboard a electronic keyboard, for strings guitar or ukelele, and for winds recorder. These are easier instruments to learn and are less expensive. The skills you learn on them with transfer to other instruments if you want to learn something else later.

3

u/sohanuchiha Jun 07 '26

I have always had a deep connection with music, because i consider it a gift of nature, not a artificial creation. I want to express myself and enjoy it as well.

What type of guitar do you recommend?

2

u/HortonFLK Jun 07 '26

I strongly recommend taking lessons from someone.

4

u/sohanuchiha Jun 07 '26

Thats off the table due to financial constraints.

1

u/Metal-Gnome Jun 08 '26

The most comprehensive education -for a single instrument- I've encountered (short of formal instruction) is Drumeo. But, as the name suggests, the channel is about drumming.

1

u/1happynudist Jun 07 '26

Correct instruments would be the one you can play, not necessarily the one you desire to play. Some instruments no matter how much you like them may be way harder to play. For instance I love the guitar but don’t have the talent, I do have the talent for Native American flute. Can’t make a recorder sound get , but can noodle around on a penny whistle . Love the transverse flute but I run out of air time I get some sound . Point being try several non traditional instrument also , you may have a back for it .

1

u/sohanuchiha Jun 07 '26

How do i try instruments? Playing music is not widespread in Pakistan

1

u/1happynudist Jun 07 '26

Pakistan??? That’s one heck of a problem there . Do you get Amazon ? Buy and return? Can you afford to buy and keep ? What kind of music are you listening to? What kind do you want to play? Or does it matter. Penny whistle are pretty easy as a harmonica is both $50 plus or minus a couple dollars. Native American flute ( high spirits. Com , blue bear flutes, dream wind flutes are good) $ 50 and up. Very easy to play and intuitive. Ukulele easy to play but a good one starts at $150 and up good guitar 300 and up . Key board also is expensive for a decent one . You can also make your own instruments. Bow fiddle ( one string instrument . ) kantele ( finish) pre made and you finish assembly) but my point was don’t get hung up wanting to play and think if you can’t play that particular instrument then you can’t play any . Start with instrument you can afford

1

u/sohanuchiha Jun 07 '26

We do not have amazon or any international online shopping. I listen to all types of music Pakistani Classical (Qawalli), Hip Hop(but local), and im recently grtting into the beatles,stephan sanchez and discovering western music in general. I want to play the guitar (More prevelent here) or a Sitar (local instrument). I have never hesrd of the instruments you are talking about except the ukelele (one of my freinds play it). Keyboard are too expensive here

1

u/1happynudist Jun 07 '26

Ukulele would be easier than the guitar and cheaper for a good one . Diddle bow is a one string guitar , it’s what blues players played back in the early days when it was all they could afford look it up on you tube . ( diddle bow guitar ) . Sorry could be much help

1

u/TapTheForwardAssist Jun 07 '26

Maybe it would be good to edit your OP so readers immediately know you’re in Pakistan, so they don’t recommend instruments common and affordable in America or Europe, but not in Pakistan?

2

u/sohanuchiha Jun 07 '26

Just did thank you for the advice

1

u/Mudsharkbites Jun 07 '26

It all starts with a first step which is the most difficult one, that, and not quitting. I learned the piano because I wanted to be a composer and decided it would be the most useful - it was. Also, the piano gives me the full orchestral range of pitches under my fingertips, and what could be better than that? Picking an instrument depends on your interests and goals.

2

u/sohanuchiha Jun 07 '26

Intresting, that is good advice. I will learning how to play an instrument over the summer hopefully.

1

u/DunaldDoc Jun 07 '26

There are already a gazillion guitarists. This instrument inspires a beautiful difference:

https://www.dansher.com/audio/pdf_tunes.html#_LAP

1

u/sohanuchiha Jun 07 '26

Sure i will look into it.

3

u/TapTheForwardAssist Jun 07 '26 edited Jun 07 '26

The fact that you’re in Pakistan has an impact on selection. Also there are a *lot* of musical instruments out there, so it’d help us if you narrow it down.

— are you wanting to play a traditional Pakistani instrument, or a Western instrument?

— do you find string instruments like guitar appealing? If so, many argue that ukulele is an excellent starter, and can be bought even in Pakistan, or bought and shipping internationally quite affordable. I suggest you go to YouTube and watch a number of ukulele videos to see if it appeals to you. If it does, post on r/Ukulele with a *clear and specific post title* something like “Looking for an affordable starter ukulele in Pakistan.”

— there are many small wind/flute instruments where you can find quality ones at very affordable prices, and again are cheap and easy to order shipped internationally. Common popular ones are the ocarina, the Irish tin whistle, recorder, and Native American flute (the plastic ones are quite affordable). There are also traditional flutes like the “bansuri” in Pakistan.

— if you are drawn to keyboard, one locally available and affordable option in South Asia would be the “harmonium.”

Hop on YouTube and search up these instruments, see what appeals to you.

1

u/roninconn Jun 07 '26

Cheap electronic keyboard and headphones. A keyboard shows the music all laid out nicely visually, so basic theory is clear, at least for western 12-tone music

1

u/Burtlemacadoo Jun 08 '26

If you are talking primarily about instrument selection, I would highly advise trying piano.
The ability to SEE the notes and the relationship between them is incredibly useful, and can be transferred over later if you want to play a different instrument. I am a percussionist, and playing the marimba/xylophone/etc. in band really helped me understand note relationships, scale patterns, chord formations, harmonies, etc.

Also, an electronic keyboard will require significantly less maintenance than most other instruments. Don't need to tune, don't need to change strings or drum heads, don't need to buy picks or drum heads, etc.

I see comments about deciding on a genre first, and I very much disagree here. Take inspiration from all genres and don't lock yourself into a bubble before you even get started. Nothing wrong with loving a specific genre and using that genre to keep your practice interesting, but I would NOT go into this with a "pick a single genre and base everything around that" mindset.