Music is a powerful tool that enriches our lives in numerous ways. Not only can music vastly improve mental well-being by reducing stress and releasing dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, but it is also a means of social and emotional connectivity. While you can reap the benefits of music by simply listening to it, the ability to play an instrument opens up an entirely new realm of possibilities. Playing an instrument engages both sides of the brain, enhancing memory, spatial reasoning and creativity. If you’re eager to learn how to play a musical instrument, consider the following beginner-friendly options anybody can play.
Melodica
A melodica is a handheld instrument featuring a mouthpiece into which the player blows to produce sound and a piano-style keyboard to alter the pitch. Although this instrument is ideal for players with base-level piano/keyboard skills, it is also suitable for beginners. If you’ve never played a piano or keyboard before, start by learning a few basic notes. You can then experiment with blowing into the mouthpiece to create simple melodies.
Otamatone
The otamatone is a simple synthesiser of Japanese origin. Often dismissed as a novelty instrument, this quirky musical toy resembles an anthropomorphic music note – namely a quaver – with eyes and a mouth. The player creates sound by squeezing the otamotone’s face, which opens its mouth, whilst altering the pitch and creating melodies with the touch-sensitive stem. The emitting electronic, slightly nasal-sounding hum has often been compared to that of a theremin or a stylophone.
Bongos
The bongos are one of the most accessible percussion instruments available. While the origin of the bongos is relatively unclear, music historians believe that its earliest appearances can be traced back to an eastern region of Cuba, the Oriente Province, during the late 19th century. Today, this Afro-Cuban percussion instrument features in many musical genres, including Afro-Cuban jazz and Latin. The bongos are the perfect starting point for beginner percussionists, the basics of which are exceptionally easy to acquire.
Harmonica
Few people in the world are unfamiliar with the evocative tones of the harmonica. This free reed wind instrument, also known as a French harp or mouth organ, has long been associated with blues and folk music and is relatively beginner-friendly. There are three fundamental categories of harmonica:
- Diatonic, which features the notes of a specific scale.
- Chromatic, which features all the notes in the chromatic scale.
- Tremolo, which is similar to a diatonic harmonica, but with two reeds per note.
Swanee Whistle
A swanee whistle is a type of wind instrument consisting of a metal tube and a piston that can be lengthened or shortened to alter the pitch. Swanee whistles create a unique sliding sound many recognise from the 1970s children’s television series The Clangers. Although this instrument is closely associated with comedy, pantomime and cartoon sound effects, the swanee whistle also has its place in “serious” music, including jazz and orchestral pieces.
Ukulele
The ukulele is a member of the lute family, which are small stringed instruments, including the mandolin, the oud and the cittern. Contrary to popular belief, the ukulele is not a traditional Hawaiian instrument. In fact, it was introduced to Hawaii by Portuguese sailors in the late 1800s. However, due to its charm and ease of playability, it quickly gained popularity and was even incorporated into performances at royal gatherings thanks to King Kalākaua, who was very fond of the small guitar-like instrument.
Kazoo
The kazoo is a quirky American instrument invented by Macon native Alabama Vest during the 1840s. The kazoo consists of a hollow pipe with a hole in it. The hole is covered by a thin membrane that vibrates, amplifying and distorting the player’s voice to create the distinctive buzzing sound the kazoo is renowned for. This instrument requires little to no musical expertise – if you can hum a tune, you can play the kazoo.
Tambourine
The history of the tambourine is ambiguous, but it appears in historical writings as early as 1700 BC, and there is evidence to suggest that early versions of this percussion instrument were played in ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome. This cheerful instrument resembles a shallow drum with bells or discs called “zills” attached to the wooden or plastic frame. Provided you can keep a steady beat, the tambourine can be a relatively easy instrument to master.
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