How to Choose the Right Musical Instrument for You
GET STARTEDWould you love to learn how to play a musical instrument, but don’t know where to start? Choosing an instrument really boils down to what you will feel comfortable playing and what you will enjoy. Enjoyment will help you to stay motivated whilst learning to play.
In order to help you choose the right instrument for you, you should ask yourself these questions.
Do You Enjoy the Sound?
This is a crucial question to ask yourself before you buy a musical instrument. In fact, it is probably the most important question. Before you select an instrument, try out several different types of instruments to make sure that you find one that you deeply enjoy. If you choose an instrument solely by the way it looks, but are not keen on the sound, the chances are higher that you will not be motivated to practice and will put it down as soon as you get started practicing.
Is it a Good Size for You?
Another important consideration is whether the instrument is a good size for you.
“Carrying an instrument that is heavy and cumbersome may put you off playing it regularly,” says Christopher Warren, a music marketer at Writemyx.com and Britstudent.com. “As an example, if you love the sound of the cello, but are a small height and build, the size and weight of the instrument may put you off. It would also not be very practical to manoeuvre and transport around.”
It is very important that you feel comfortable with the instrument that you have chosen to play and be able to move and position your hands and body around the instrument with ease.
Are You Strong Enough?
Physical strength and stamina are tested more with certain instruments than others. For example, woodwind and brass instruments both require a great deal of breath control. A drum kit requires stamina and endurance. The double bass needs strength. Although you can train and develop these skills over time, it should be considered in the early days to make sure that you have enough of the relevant strength to get started.
How Does it Look?
If you can visualize yourself playing an instrument, then you are much more likely to practice playing it. What instruments do you see yourself playing in your dreams? If it is a bass guitar that you are strumming, then this is what you should focus on.
Are You Comfortable Performing?
Another factor to consider when choosing the perfect instrument is how comfortable you are with the idea of performing in public, as this can play a big part. If playing in a band makes you cringe, then you should avoid instruments like the drums, as their main goal is to integrate with other instruments in a performance.
Are the Skills Transferrable?
“With an instrument like the piano, the knowledge that you will gain will give you a solid foundation of music theory,” says Cynthia Drees, a blogger at Nextcoursework.com and Australia2write.com. “This will include sight reading, ear training and finger dexterity. These skills can all be used to learn other musical instruments in the future.”
Similarly, an instrument like the guitar helps teach the skills needed to play other string instruments, like the banjo, bass and mandolin. If you can play the drums, then all other percussion instruments will come naturally. A saxophone player will find himself being able to turn his hand to a clarinet quite easily.
What is Your Budget?
Instruments come in a variety of prices and some instruments are much more expensive to buy than others. Having a clear idea of your budget before deciding on the right instrument for you will be helpful. However, don’t let it stop you from learning to play the instrument of your dreams. You may want to learn piano, but don’t be put off if you can’t afford a baby grand piano. You can start on an entry-level keyboard and work your way up as your skills improve and you save money. It is actually a good idea to start with an entry-level instrument, just in case you find that you don’t enjoy it after a few weeks of practice.
Darryl Martin
Darryl Martin is a proof-reader and writer for both Academicbrits.com and Phdkingdom.com. He writes and edits articles relating to technical content, marketing psychology and music studies. A highly creative problem-solver, his primary aim is to find solutions for any challenges. You can read more of his work at Thesis Help.