Compare 18 instruments by difficulty, starter price and how fast you can play your first song. Then pick the one that fits your music, budget and lifestyle.
There is no “best” instrument to start with. The best one is the instrument you want to pick up every day. Filter by family and look at the three numbers on each card: difficulty, starter price and time to your first simple song.
A small four-string instrument from Hawaii. Soft nylon strings do not hurt your fingers, and four simple chords are enough for hundreds of songs.
💡 The easiest start for adults and kids. Choose a soprano or concert size.
The instrument you already have. Singing trains your ear, breathing and rhythm, and it helps with every other instrument you learn later.
💡 Warm up for 5 minutes, drink water and never force high notes.
A pocket-sized wind instrument central to blues, folk and country. It is cheap, portable and you can play simple melodies within days.
💡 Buy a diatonic harmonica in the key of C; most lessons use it.
The most popular instrument for singing along. It needs no amplifier, fits almost every genre and lets you play songs after learning a few chords.
💡 Fingertips hurt for the first 2–3 weeks; that is normal and passes.
The voice of rock, blues, metal and indie. Thin strings and a low action make it easier on the fingers than an acoustic, but you need an amplifier or headphones.
💡 A starter pack with a small amp or a headphone amp is enough.
Four thick strings that connect rhythm and harmony. Every band needs a bass player, and simple bass lines are fun from the very first week.
💡 Learn to play together with a drummer or a metronome: timing is everything.
The best instrument for understanding music: all notes are laid out in front of you. You can play melody and harmony at the same time.
💡 Start with a digital piano with 88 weighted keys if your budget allows.
An electronic instrument that creates sounds from scratch. Perfect for electronic music, pop and film soundtracks, and great for creative experiments.
💡 Try free software synthesizers on a computer before buying hardware.
DJs mix recorded music, match tempos and build a journey for the dance floor. A controller and software are the modern way to start.
💡 Learn beatmatching by ear, not only with the sync button.
The engine of a band. Drumming builds coordination as your hands and feet play different rhythms. It is loud but extremely fun.
💡 Electronic drums with headphones keep peace with the neighbours.
A bright, singing wind instrument used in classical music, jazz and folk traditions around the world. Producing a clear tone takes some practice.
💡 The recorder or the Irish tin whistle is a cheap way to test your interest.
The iconic sound of jazz, soul and funk. The alto sax is the usual beginner choice: it is lighter than the tenor and easy to hold.
💡 Renting for the first months is a good idea; reeds are sold separately.
Bright and powerful, heard in jazz, classical, Latin and ska. Only three valves, but the sound is made by your lips, which takes time to train.
💡 Practice short sessions: tired lips play badly and learn nothing.
One of the most expressive instruments, used from classical to folk and pop. There are no frets, so finding the right notes requires a very good ear.
💡 Take lessons with a teacher from the beginning to build correct posture.
A large string instrument with a deep, warm voice close to the human voice. Played sitting down, it is more comfortable than many expect.
💡 Rent first; a teacher will help you pick the right size.
The long-necked Indian string instrument with a shimmering, buzzing sound, famous thanks to Ravi Shankar and the Beatles. It has sympathetic strings that ring by themselves.
💡 Learning the sitar goes hand in hand with learning ragas; find a guru or an online school.
A fretless, pear-shaped lute at the heart of Arabic, Turkish and Persian music. Its warm sound and the freedom of fretless playing are perfect for maqam scales.
💡 Guitarists adapt quickly, but ear training is essential without frets.
The Chinese two-string fiddle with a voice that can sound like singing or crying. It is played upright on the knee with a bow between the strings.
💡 It is affordable and compact, but intonation needs patient daily practice.
Prices are rough estimates for a new entry-level instrument; used instruments are often 30–50% cheaper. “First song” means a simple song with regular practice of about 20–30 minutes a day.
Twenty minutes every day is better than three hours once a week. Use a metronome (try ours), learn songs you actually like, and record yourself once a month: hearing your own progress is the best motivation.