How To Choose Your Instrument

Choosing an instrument is a decision that can affect the rest of your life. It’s much akin to deciding which foreign language to study in school. There’s no wrong answer, but you’ll need to compile a careful pro vs. con list if you want to make an educated decision. Some people don’t need the help, they just know what to play, but if that’s not you, here are some suggestions for how to go about making the big decision. Oh, and here’s a sort of silly quiz that can make the decision for you.

Opportunity/Fit

If you meet three guys named John, Paul, and George who need a drummer, get yourself a kit. Otherwise, think about the value playing a specific instrument will bring you.

Are you extremely opinionated and blessed with a good voice? Grab a mic and start learning. Do you have quick fingers and like to hum your own songs in your head? Guitar or bass sound good. If you prefer the traditional company of orchestral folks to the sometimes unruly behavior of the punk rock scene, the violin may be calling. An instrument is an extension of your personality, don’t forget that. The piano and guitar are far and away the most popular instruments out there--there’s more interest in these two instruments than almost all others combined. They both are great for learning music theory, and they’re useful in just about all types of music. You can find piano chords in hip hop, bluegrass, rock, pop, and beyond, and the guitar is equally versatile. Harp and flute may offer the chance to play solo gigs or join up in an orchestral setting, and there’s a smaller community of players within which to make a name for yourself (although that means it’s highly competitive). The bass guitar is less glamorous, but unless you’re in The White Stripes, you’ll generally need a bassist in the band.

Cost

There’s a big difference in the price of instruments, and since there’s no such thing as “Free Money”, you’ll need to budget.

A starter mountain dulcimer might cost you anywhere from $80 to $100, and you can find a similar or lower price for other stringed instruments like the guitar or ukulele. As you improve you’ll need an upgrade, but for starters these are relatively inexpensive instruments to play. Auxiliary equipment needs to come into play as well. Amps and connector cords can cost a pretty penny too, so try to think globally about your costs before making the initial purchase.

The harp or drums, on the other hand, don’t come quite as cheap. Starter and junior kits can come in at around $150 nowadays, but as you improve you’ll want better shells and cymbals and pedals and drum heads, etc. A cheap harp can run around the same as a drum set, but oftentimes will cost over $200 even for a beginner, especially if you want 22 strings rather than a smaller version.

The bottom line is this: you can only spend what you can afford, so set your limit and work backward.

Upkeep

Every instrument requires upkeep, but the costs of different instruments vary widely in this regard. Drum kits need new drum heads and drumsticks constantly depending on how hard you play. If you’re a jazz drummer who focuses on smooth strokes you’ll pay a lot less than a metal drummer who literally thrashes through sticks, heads, and cymbals with alarming frequency (not to mention earplugs). Stringed instruments will also need new strings and occasional trips to the doctor for surgery, so don’t forget the extra costs in time and money of upkeep; it’s like forgetting the cost of maintenance, gas, and insurance in owning a car.

Transport

A harmonica can come with you everywhere, even on an airplane. Bigger instruments, such as the double bass, aren’t as friendly in that regard. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of transporting your instrument whenever you move or have a recital or gig, it’s best to aim for a guitar or smaller. Fortunately, through the power of Lessonface, you don’t have to worry about transport to and from music lessons.

Teacher Proximity

(Just kidding, not a problem with Lessonface.com.)

Related:

• How Much Should You Practice Your Instrument
• The Benefits of Music Lessons
• Our Hand-Picked List of Music Teachers