aaamusic | On 21, Jan 2021

Choosing a musical instrument and learning how to play it is one of the most exciting things. Whether you are trying to pick up a new hobby or start your music career, choosing the right instrument will be a really rewarding experience.

One of the simplest ways to pick a good instrument is going to the shop, trying out a few options, and choosing the one you like. However, it isn’t that simple. Lots of factors come together to determine the best instrument for you. 

Here is a breakdown of the things you need to keep in mind when trying to find the right instrument.

1.    Do You Have Company?

Are there people around that would be willing to play with you? Some music types and instruments are best used in social settings. You may have trouble playing them alone. Drums, for example, are best played with others.

2.    What Music Do You Enjoy?

The type of music you enjoy determines the instruments that you should buy. If, for example, you enjoy acoustic music, a guitar would be a better choice than drums. Instruments are huge investments. If you choose one that does not suit your music style, you may soon be back in the stores looking for something else. That would be a waste of both time and money.

Some instruments are versatile enough to accommodate different tastes in music. However, others are very specific. Fiddles, for example, can accommodate different music types. However, a sitar is a lot more limiting.

3.    Will You be Playing and Singing at the Same Time?

If singing is as important to you as playing an instrument, you should pick an instrument that lets you do that. If you will be singing solo, your best options are guitar and piano. Even though you can play other instruments, you may have trouble achieving the range of sound and fullness you need for a solo performance

4.    Experiment Before Committing

Experiment with a few instruments before settling for one. The best way to know if you like an instrument is by playing it and checking out instrumental guides. Get your hands on every instrument you think you might like. You will get an idea of how it feels and whether it is fun for you. Most instrument stores will be happy to let you play for a few minutes while you wait to make a decision. They may even show you things that you didn’t know. 

5.    Budget

How much can you afford to spend on a musical instrument? Even though most instruments come in a wide range of prices, some of them are generally cheaper than others. The price generally depends on the cost of manufacturing.

6.    What Is Practical?

Think about your lifestyle and situation and determine the most practical instrument. For example, even though you may love drums, they may be too noisy for your household. You may need digital drums that you can use with your headphones or conga drums as they are softer. If you have a small storage space, small instruments are a better choice than bigger ones.

7.    Can You Find a Trainer?

If you wish to learn a new instrument, finding a trainer should not be too hard. If you have to travel to a different town to find a teacher, you are unlikely to enjoy playing the instrument. With guitars and pianos, for example, you can find an instructor within a few miles. However, you may require more effort if you want to learn Cajun-style diatonic accordion. Even though you shouldn’t give up on learning rare instruments, you should be ready to put in more effort. You may have to work with a teacher remotely.

8.    Time

How much time do you have to spend learning or playing an instrument? Even though all instruments require you to invest a lot of time, some of them are more demanding than others. With some instruments, you can become a decent player without investing a lot of time. An instrument like the kora, for example, requires you to invest lots of time. Guitars and djembes, on the other hand, are a lot easier to learn.

9.    Physical Limitations

Do you have any limitations that could make playing some instruments difficult? If, for example, you have the poor lung capacity, a saxophone may not be your best option. If you can’t lift heavy objects, an upright bass may not be your best option.

There are many musical instruments and all of them are great. However, they aren’t always right for you. Pick an instrument based on your budget limits, physical limitations, your preference, and the amount of time you have to play.