There are many factors to consider when helping your beginner musician choose the right instrument. Age is a huge factor, as younger children may need to gain the skill to hold and play an agent simultaneously.
The piano is a great choice for beginners of all ages, as it doesn’t require holding an instrument and is perfect for building musical foundations like understanding rhythm, learning scales and more.
Guitar
A guitar is a popular instrument that can be played acoustically and electrically. An acoustic guitar is generally recommended musical instruments for beginners because it does not require external electronic amplification to be heard. It features a hollow body that amplifies the vibration of the strings acoustically.
Learning guitar chords is an essential part of becoming a competent guitarist. While learning songs without knowing any chords is possible, learning a few simple ones will help you sound more authentic and progress quicker when playing guitar.
Usually, the letter names of the different notes that make up a chord are written on a fretboard or in tablature to identify and remember them easily. Chords are also often referred to as major and minor, depending on the sounds of the chord.
Some acoustic guitars feature a dreadnaught shape, a large model with a flat back and are popular among acoustic guitar manufacturers. Other acoustic guitar models have narrower and more rounded backs and are known as a concert or auditorium-style guitars. Some acoustic guitars have six sets of double strings called 12-string guitars. Bass guitars are also a popular accompaniment to the standard acoustic guitar and are tuned an octave lower than the classical six-string guitar.
Ukulele
The ukulele is an instrument that has become increasingly popular over the past few years, with artists like Grace VanderWaal, Ingrid Michaelson, Eddie Vedder and Merril Garbus of tUnEyArDs all making use of the happy-sounding instrument in recent hits. The ukulele’s unique charm and bright sound have helped it come back into the mainstream, with many musicians turning to it for a fun new sound or even to change things up musically.
Several ukulele sizes are available, each with unique qualities and sound. The soprano ukulele is the most popular type and is easily recognizable for being the smallest. It’s a good option for children or those with small hands but may be challenging for those with larger fingers. Fortunately, other options exist, such as the concert ukulele, which is more spacious and better suited to those with larger hands.
Other options include the baritone ukulele, the largest in the family and can achieve deeper tones than its counterparts. However, it also requires a different tuning, which can be challenging for those unfamiliar with the instrument. Some ukes have been “hybridized” by creators who want to combine the best of other stringed instruments into the compact ukulele form.
Recorder
For beginners, the recorder is an ideal instrument. It’s light in weight, easy to grip, and produces a rich sound. Its lengthy history has found its place in various music genres. You can find it in traditional classical, folk and even modern pop music. You can hear an alto recorder playing in the Harry Potter soundtrack and a bass recorder playing the main riff in The Mandalorian.
It’s important to teach students how to control their breathing when playing the recorder, as blowing too hard or fast can cause the instrument to collapse and produce unwanted sounds. It’s also important to ensure students have a tight seal around the mouthpiece when playing.
Please encourage students to practice their rhythm skills by using the clapping, saying or singing activities in Reading Rhythmic Patterns (PDF). Once they feel confident in these rhythms, try composing their two-note songs in 2/4, 3/4 or 4/4 time signatures.
Violin
The violin is a bowed string instrument used in classical music since the 16th century. It is closely related to the cello, viola and double bass. The violin’s sound is brighter and has a higher pitch than the viola’s. It is played in the first section of a classical orchestra alongside the viola, which plays harmony and accompaniment an octave lower.
Violinists must learn to correctly put their fingers on the strings to ensure they are playing the notes “in tune.” This is called intonation. Eventually, they will also learn how to use vibrato, which changes the intonation of each letter by making it sharper or flatter. In addition, they will play chords, and some styles of music require the musician to change the tone by plucking each string at different times or even playing them all at once (pizzicato).
Beginners learn pieces and exercises that don’t require great left or right-hand technique and then gradually build up their skills and confidence. They will also practice playing with the bow and developing a comfortable posture for holding the violin. This is important to prevent hunching, making producing a clear and beautiful sound on the instrument difficult. A good violinist can keep the device in a natural, comfortable position while standing or sitting.
