If you were to visit every country in the world, you would find a lot of differences. From culture to culture, we have different languages, foods, and value systems. But if there’s one thing that we can all share, it’s a love of creating music.
But just because creating music is universal doesn’t mean it’s always easy, especially for aspiring musicians. If you want to make music but aren’t sure where to start, our guide to the easy, intermediate, and difficult musical instruments will help you choose.
Easy Instruments
Voice
Ok, we know—singing isn’t technically playing an instrument. But the definition of a musical instrument is “a device used to make music.” So, guess what? You are a musical instrument!
Singing is so simple that you can functionally do it without training. Of course, if you want to expand your range and improve your tone, lessons will help you achieve vocal greatness.
Guitar
If you’ve ever watched the guitar playing in the movie August Rush, calling the guitar easy may seem silly. But the guitar’s nature makes it easier to memorize chords and teach yourself how to play.
Additionally, both your left and right hands are moving cooperatively. As the hand on the fretboard switches, so does the hand on the strings, which can’t be said for every other instrument on this list.
Intermediate Instruments
Piano
When you’re playing the piano, you’re playing two different tunes at the same time, in a sense. Two different notes, two different rhythms, two different clefs. If rubbing your tummy and patting your head at the same time is tricky, you can see how learning this instrument could be tough.
But other aspects make the piano a little less challenging. For one, the layout is straightforward and intuitive, and it doesn’t take some intricate technique to make the instrument make noise.
Difficult Instruments
Cello
Remember that thing we said about needing technique to make an instrument make noise? We were actually talking about string instruments. If you aren’t holding your bow correctly and pulling it at the right angle, you will sound like a 1-star chef sharpening his rusty knife on a chalkboard.
But the cello does have the benefit of being somewhat ergonomic. You get to sit when you’re using it, and you don’t have to put your head at too strange of an angle to see what you’re doing.
Violin
Violins, on the other hand, have every challenge of playing the cello without any of the ergonomics. Balancing a violin on your shoulder takes its toll after a while, especially if you don’t have a half-decent shoulder rest. Not to mention that having your instrument on your shoulder makes achieving those tricky bow angles even tougher.
There are easy, intermediate, and difficult instruments out there, but that shouldn’t discourage you as a musician-to-be. All it should tell you is how much work you’ll need to put in to reach your goals. Here at Eliason, we want to help you reach those goals, whether you’re looking for Portland guitar lessons or stumbling through the fiddle.
