What musical instrument is the easiest to learn?

Playing a musical instrument is a wonderful skill that comes with many benefits, from reducing stress to improving memory. And while it can take time and patience to truly master an instrument, the good news is there are plenty of options both for beginners looking for an easy start and for established musicians looking to add to their repertoire. So read on for your guide to the easiest musical instruments to learn, what you should consider when picking up a new instrument and top tips for keeping it safe.

• The harmonica

Never write off the humble harmonica – it’s possibly the easiest of all musical instruments to learn for both beginners and trained musicians. Widely used across musical genres, from blues to rock and roll, the pocket-sized harmonica comes in a specific key which means you always play in tune.

• The flute

For something more orchestral, the flute is your next best bet. It’s small, light and – once you have mastered how to blow over the mouthpiece – easy to learn. The flute is also one of the most affordable instruments and, due to its popularity in orchestras and bands, offers plenty of opportunity to play with others.

• The ukulele

The ukulele is universally considered one of the easiest instruments you can pick up. Essentially a mini guitar, its small size and four nylon strings make it particularly perfect for young beginners, or those looking for an easy stepping stone into stringed instruments. With just a handful of chords under your fingers, you will soon be able to enjoy playing songs.

• The guitar

The natural step up from the ukulele, the guitar is one of the most popular musical instruments in the world. Guitars are versatile in size and style, ranging from classical to bass to acoustic, and the basic technique is straightforward. As soon as you have grown accustomed to the feel of the strings, you can pick up new chords and tunes quickly.

• Drums

Drums must be one of the most fun instruments to learn and they are great for your coordination. Drums are a core part of the rhythm section – holding down the tempo for bands and orchestras alike – and the basics are easy to pick up. Don’t worry about size or volume of drumkits, these days a good digital kit will give you the same experience through headphones.

• Piano

While the piano may seem daunting, it’s actually one of the easiest musical instruments to learn simply because all the notes are spread out in front of you, so you can see what you are playing. It’s tuned for you so there’s no need to worry about intonation or pitch. And because it combines treble and bass, it gives you the full musical range without the need for an accompaniment. If an acoustic piano is a little beyond your budget, keyboards and digital pianos offer fantastic affordable alternatives.

• Trumpet

If the bold sound of the brass section appeals to you, then the trumpet is an excellent starting point. The cheapest, lightest and most popular brass musical instrument, the trumpet is easy for beginners to learn and – once you’ve mastered the rudiments – you can use your skills across nearly all the brass family.

 So what next?

Find a good teacher
Now you’ve chosen your instrument, how will you learn? You might want to begin by teaching yourself, but finding a good tutor will always help you make good progress and prevent you picking up bad habits.

Play to your strengths
If you already play a musical instrument, think about what’s the most suitable to learn next. For example, if you are a violin player, branching out into another stringed instrument is likely to be easier and quicker than starting a wind or percussion instrument – it depends what you would like to achieve.

Protect your musical instrument
Finally, once you have invested in a new instrument, how will you protect it? The cost of musical instruments can vary from a few hundreds of pounds to many thousands. If it gets damaged, lost or stolen, your house insurance may not be enough to cover it and it could push your premium up. That’s why we always recommend musical instrument insurance, which covers your instrument at all times, whether you’re at home, with your tutor or at practice. So if anything goes wrong, your instrument – and your new skill – are protected.