The choice of your first instrument is typically not something to be taken lightly. After all, it can take a long time to learn some instruments compared to others. It can take longer still to become adept at playing quality music. It is also something of a milestone, similar to purchasing your first car or receiving your first pay cheque. Music is part of our DNA; it’s a universal language understood across the world.

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There are plenty of instruments from which to choose. As a result, it can be confusing for those looking to take their plunge into learning to play an instrument. Do you go for something familiar, or something a little more exotic? Are the instruments within your price range? How long will it take me to lean the instrument? These are just a few questions you will probably ask yourself as you try to figure out which instrument is best suited for you.

How serious are you about your first instrument?

The first question to ask yourself would be whether or not you are entirely serious about choosing your first instrument. It can help you figure out whether or not you should consider the more challenging instruments to play. After all, it would be a shame to spend money on an instrument and the lessons, only to end up giving up halfway due to the whole thing taking too much effort. There are some instruments out there that require a tremendous amount of effort, which is why it is crucial to figure out just how serious you are about picking up an instrument.

A good starting instrument would be the piano. There are plenty of cheaper electronic alternatives out there, and it also has the advantage of helping you learn about musical notes and their potential combinations. For those who cannot read music, the piano is often the most user-friendly of the instruments. The next in line would be the guitar.

How much space do you have in your home?

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The next thing to consider would be your living space, and how practising your musical instrument could affect others around you. For example, you might be interested in trying the drums, but if you happen to live in an apartment with many neighbours, you will likely have complaints. It can be challenging to go for an extremely loud instrument in a small home.

As if that was not enough, a drumset will also take up quite a bit of space – which is troublesome for people who live with you. Some decent instrument choices for people in smaller houses would be wood instruments as well as some string instruments.

Do you have access to quality lessons?

Another question to ask yourself would be just how accessible the lessons are in your area. While the Internet provides plenty of opportunities to improve your musical ability, there is nothing quite like having access to quality lessons. If you have musicians in your area willing to tutor you in specific instruments, it is often reason enough to make an informed decision.

That said, there are also instruments out there that can give you access to quality lessons no matter where you live. For example, you can take up banjo lessons at jofflowson.com, and there are plenty of other quality musical resources to choose from.

How much money are you willing to spend?

Perhaps one of the main things to consider would be how much money you are willing to spend when it comes to learning your first instrument. Going for a drum set can be expensive – and you also have maintenance to consider. The same thing goes for instruments such as the saxophone, where you have to worry about the variety of parts to purchase. Even something as simple as going for a guitar will have you eventually purchasing strings. That said, a guitar is not nearly as expensive an investment as many other instruments, which is why it is often so accessible.

It would be a shame to neglect specific instruments just because of the price point. If you are genuinely serious about learning and mastering your instrument, you can be flexible with your choice of instrument. After all, gaining skill could very well open new doors of financial opportunity for you!

How willing are you to take up a challenging instrument?

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The reason why some people choose the more challenging instruments is due to their passion for that specific instrument. If you are not picky about what you intend to play, you could go for something simple like the piano or the guitar and have plenty of fun. On the other hand, if you have a lot of passion for something in particular, you will very likely overcome the many challenges that come with such a musical instrument. There is nothing quite like learning to play the music that you truly love to play. It can soothe the soul and can be extremely rewarding.

It is all up to you

While there are plenty of things that could very well make things challenging for you to take up a specific instrument, it is crucial to note that it all depends on your personal preference. If you have a casual approach when it comes to instruments, there is very little to worry about. You can follow the tips above and end up playing something that is tailor made for your preferences. On the other hand, if you have the passion to learn just one instrument – you already have the best one in your head. The only thing to worry about now would be the accessibility of lessons – but even that is still dependent on your passion to learn through Internet videos.

Without a doubt, searching for the best instrument can be quite challenging. However, it is well worth the time, money and effort. The tips above are enough for anyone looking for their first instrument to have a wonderful time – without necessarily breaking the bank in the process!