Blog#5

What Instrument Will You Choose?

Learning how to play a musical instrument is fun and relaxing. There are dozens of instruments out there that are simple and easy to get started with. While the options listed below may be some of the easiest instruments to learn, there’s no need to limit yourself!

Whatever instrument you choose, excelling at music will eventually feel easy and natural, just as long as you’re genuinely engaged in your lessons and have a dedicated teacher who will nurture your inner musicality along the way. 

1. SINGING

This is your instrument! There’s lots of fun to be had here. Sing solo or join a choir. Good for stress release, personal development and confidence building. Learn your favourite music be it opera, pop or from famous shows.

2. PIANO

The modern piano has 36 black and 52 white keys, making a total of 88 keys and is played using a keyboard. The piano was first invented around 1700 and is used for many types of music including classical, jazz, traditional and popular. Often thought of as the best musical instrument to begin playing it is highly versatile, has a wide-range and a grand ability to change dynamics.

Learning to play the piano is a very creative and rewarding experience. You will develop concentration, perseverance and emotional expression. It will also enhance your fine motor skills and concentration whilst improving memory and focus. It is also a very calming and relaxing musical instrument to learn.

The piano may seem complicated — after all, you need to learn to coordinate both hands at once — but it’s actually one of the easiest instruments to learn. Because the notes are all laid out in front of you, it’s easier to understand than many other instruments. Although you can play wrong notes, you can’t ever play out of tune the way you can with other instruments. Moreover, due to its popularity, you’ll have no shortage of useful learning materials when you choose piano as your instrument!

Interesting fact - There are over 12,000 parts in a piano, 10,000 of which are moving.

3. ELECTRIC GUITAR

The electric guitar is a string instrument. Invented in 1931 the electric guitar is basically a guitar that uses a pick-up to convert the vibration of its strings - which are typically made of metal, and which occurs when a guitarist strums, plucks or finger-picks the strings - into electrical impulses. The electric guitar usually has 6 strings but can sometimes have up to 12 strings.

Learning to play the guitar can aid in developing your creativity and rhythm whilst improving your concentration, focus and memory skills.

Interesting fact - the electric guitar is capable of producing numerous styles of music such as jazz, rock, blues, funk, soul and metal all from just 6 six strings.

4. DRUMS

Drums are percussion instruments and are the oldest form of instruments, existing in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They are naturally played by being struck with different tools known as beaters; anything from wooden sticks to wire brushes to bare hands. Some drums are tuneable whilst others are non-tuneable. Drums produce sounds by the vibration of a stretched membrane known as the head. The head covers either one or both ends of a hollow body which is known as the shell.

Learning the drums improves coordination, motor skills and rhythm whilst enhancing focus, concentration, memory and self-confidence.

Interesting fact - The drums are one of the world's oldest instruments and have carried the same traditional shape for thousands of years.

5. VIOLIN

The violin is a string instrument and is the smallest and highest-pitched instrument in its family. Typically, the violin has four strings and is usually played by drawing a bow across its strings. Violins are important musical instruments in a wide variety of musical genres including jazz, country, metal and folk music.

Learning to play the violin has great benefits including improving coordination, concentration and discipline.

Interesting fact - The violin is actually a very complex instrument. More than 70 different pieces of wood are put together to create the violin.

6. FLUTE

The flute belongs to the woodwind family and produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening. The pitch of the sound is changed when the player opens or closes the various holes in its body. Beginners' flutes are often made from nickel or silver-plated brass whilst professionals use solid silver, gold and sometimes even platinum flutes. Wooden flutes produce a dark sound whereas silver flutes produce a brighter sound.

Playing the flute is relaxing, improves co-ordination, concentration and self-discipline.

Interesting fact - Leonardo da Vinci, George Washington and James Madison all played the flute.

7. CELLO

The cello is a bowed stringed orchestral instrument that is versatile with a rich voice. A member of the violin family, cellos are most closely associated with European classical music. The cello is normally made from wood and the top and back are traditionally hand-carved.

Playing the cello encourages both teamwork and leadership skills and teaches general music knowledge. It is a great instrument for confidence building whilst improving concentration and focus.

Interesting fact - The cello has been described as being the musical instrument that is closest sounding to the human voice.