It all comes down to what you will actually like and feel comfortable playing when choosing the ideal instrument for you. You should also choose an instrument that will drive you to improve. Consider some of these questions before committing to an instrument to help you make your decision.
What musical styles do you enjoy?
This may sound simple, but consider this: if you love listening to acoustic folk music, drums, as entertaining as they may appear, may not be the best choice. But truly get into this question. A musical instrument is a significant time and financial investment, so make sure the type of music you’d be playing meets the bill. Some instruments are more adaptable than others; for example, after you’ve mastered fundamental violin fingering and bowing, you may specialize in one genre or dabble in many, but the sitar is more limited. ​​
Does it project a positive image of you?
You’re more likely to play an instrument that you fantasize about playing. If you fantasize about plucking your fingers along a guitar, you should concentrate on the instrument. Alternatively, you might try out a range of other stringed instruments to see what works best for you.
How much time do you wish to devote to the instrument?
All instruments will take a significant time commitment if you want to become a very exceptional musician, but with less time, you may become a reasonably competent or passable player, depending on your needs. Don’t bother with something like the kora unless you’re willing to put in substantial hours; instead, something like basic rhythm guitar would be a better fit.
If you truly want to compose music but don’t have a lot of time to practice, a simple rhythm instrument like the djembe is a perfect option.
What are your physical constraints?
Don’t try to play upright bass if you can’t lift something heavy. If you don’t have a lot of lung capacity, you should reconsider playing the saxophone. You can certainly transcend just about anything if you have the drive to play something that will be physically demanding for you, but be prepared for some struggle.
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Does it pave the way for other instruments?
When you study piano, you will also discover the fundamentals of music theory, sight reading, ear training, and finger skill, which will help you learn any other instrument much more easily. Learning to play the guitar may lead to learning other stringed instruments such as the ukulele, bass, mandolin, and banjo. All other percussion instruments become second nature after you’ve mastered the drums.
We hope you found this information useful. Here is a fun fact! People used to play with animal horns in ancient times.
Featured Image: Youth Are Awesome, uploaded June 2016, accessed March 2022
