Musical instruments that are easy to learn to play. What musical instrument is best to learn to play? The easiest tool to learn

Many musical instruments require years of study and practice to become proficient in playing them. But if you are looking for quick results, then our list will help you. These are the most “painless”, most easy to use tools you can imagine. However, don't think that everything is that simple. The beauty of any instrument is that each of them has its place and role, and even the simplest of them become an integral part of any composition. Once you master your instrument, the world will open before you. the whole world new opportunities. Even the simplest rhythm instrument, such as a tambourine, makes music shine with completely different colors if it is “placed” in the right place.

Widely used in blues, folk, country, jazz, rock and pop music. However, you don't have to be Bob Dylan to enjoy the sounds of the harmonica at home. You can learn to play a few tunes in just a couple of weeks, and that's great.

Since its invention by Christian Friedrich Ludwig Buschmann in 1821, the instrument has grown in popularity. And after the advent of the Hohner chromatic harmonica, the repertoire that could be performed on such instruments expanded significantly. The first recordings of the harmonica were made in the United States in the early 1920s, although this instrument was recorded on film in silent films as early as 1894.

After World War II, when the soldiers returned home, there was a rise in the black ghettos, which was naturally reflected in the music. Young Southern musicians (Little Walter, Junior Wells, Snooki Pryor) now played harmonica through a microphone and amplifier. The “Mississippi saxophone” (as the harmonica was called in American slang) could now solo to the accompaniment of an orchestra. In the 50s, rock and roll exploded the patriarchal silence of the then music scene. And the harmonica found itself at the forefront of the youth rebellion, which drew inspiration from the black American blues.

A pianica is actually a reed instrument shaped like a piano. There is no need to coordinate the movements of both hands - press the keys of one, blow into the mouthpiece, and that's the end of it.

The instrument was invented by the German company Hohner in the late 50s. Already from the beginning of the 60s, piano became popular all over the world. The piano was first used as a serious musical instrument by Phil Moore Jr. on the album Right On, recorded at Atlantic Records in 1968. She is also often associated with Jamaican dub and reggae artists of the 1970s. Henry Slaughter played the piano solo on the song I'll Remember You, recorded by Elvis Presley, which was included on the Spinout album.

The kazoo may take one of the first places in the ranking of tools for the laziest, but without losing an ounce of charm. The instrument fits into your pocket and is very easy to use - you just need to sing or blow into it, playing some notes. If you are a lucky owner of an ear for music, then consider yourself lucky - you already know how to play the kazoo.

The use of kazoos is widespread among skiffle music performers - an Anglo-American style (guitars, melodica and washboard as a rhythm instrument), but we are all well aware of how bravely recent years the instruments travel between styles, so even if you don't intend to play skiffle, you will find a use for the kazoo.

In Russia, a tool similar to the kazoo has been known for a long time - it is a comb with tissue paper placed on the teeth. It was used to special effect by Evgeny Vakhtangov in the music for the play “Princess Turandot” - at the right moment the violinists put down their violins and played a waltz on combs.

Let's face it - none musical style It wouldn't be complete without a good old tambourine. Only a seriously concerned fanatic would undertake the search a performer who has never used this instrument. And everyone can play it. If you have problems with a sense of rhythm, another simple invention will help with them - a metronome. And after a few lessons, you can easily accompany your friends at rehearsals, pretending to be a full-fledged musician (just kidding).

The use of the tambourine and its varieties are mentioned in accounts of life in ancient colonies in Greece, China, Rome and India, as well as several times in the Bible. Later he reached medieval Europe, where it was used in operas, ballets and games. And then, in the 19th century, the tambourine became popular in America, where street bands played banjos and fiddles, and it was used as the main percussion instrument.

8. AUTOHARP

The autoharp does not look like a harp at all, but rather resembles a zither (Russians, in turn, adamantly call it a gusli). The instrument has chord bars with dampers that, when pressed, dampen all strings that are not in the desired chord. To a person accustomed to playing, for example, the guitar, such mechanics may seem rather strange, but in reality everything is much easier.

There is some debate about the origin of the instrument. Around the same time, two Germans on opposite sides of the Atlantic were working on its creation without agreement: the German immigrant Charles Zimmerman came up with the design of a musical instrument in Philadelphia with a mechanism for muting certain strings while playing, and gave it a name; and Karl Gutter of Markneukirchen created a model which he called the Volkszither (folk zither), and it was this that was most similar to the modern autoharp.

Nowadays, the autoharp is used by many folk musicians, and PJ Harvey became its next popularizer, playing the instrument in some compositions from the album ‘White Chalk’ (and continuing to perform with it to this day).

When a love for music comes (sooner or later this happens to everyone), you can do several things: turn up the volume in your headphones, become a regular at concerts and operettas, or learn to play yourself. Fortunately, this does not require you to drag a piano to the 9th floor and spend several months learning to copy notes by hand. You can learn to play on your own quickly if you choose the right instrument. Founder music school Guitardo Alexander Kazakov gives advice on what it could be.

Balalaika: three strings ─ one week

A simple-looking relative of the guitar with a complex inner world for lovers of everything “Russian” and folk. Have you ever imagined that you could learn to play the balalaika? If you listen to a melody from a fairy tale or a professional musician play, it may seem that there is nothing difficult to repeat. In fact, one single melody can be learned in a week of daily rehearsals. Start by observing the technique and try to repeat not only the strikes on the strings, but also the position of the body. It is very important how you hold the instrument in your hands. Whether we are relaxed or tense ─ all this will affect the speed of learning and the quality of the result. If you start playing and hear strange sounds, such as rattling, check your instrument for professional suitability. It happens that loosely screwed parts spoil the sound of the melody as a whole. When both you and the balalaika are in the mood to play, it’s time to start practicing.

“Pluck”, “strike”, “clang” - start with these methods of influencing the strings to extract the first sounds. The “pinch” is made with the thumb of the right hand. It’s hard to imagine, but you need to apply the maximum force of a specific one finger when, for example, when you “hit,” we put energy into the forearm. To ensure a good melody, begin to quickly distinguish between “pinch” and “blow”. In the first case, the finger strikes one string, in the second - all. “Rattling” is a gesture familiar to the listener, when the musician’s free hand moves clearly up and down, and the index finger extracts melodic sounds from the instrument. Try to repeat it, but the main thing is to remember that the balalaika does not like nails. Everything is done with the soft side of the finger. The sounds should be confident, but not harsh.

Ukulele: "Aloha!"

Want to host a Hawaiian music concert on the Pacific Ocean? Even if, instead of the ocean, the Volkhonka waves splash outside your window, this is not a reason to deny yourself the sound of a gentle melody. You can buy a ukulele in any Russian city, all you have to do is learn how to play. Choose one of four instruments: by the way, they come in different sizes and sounds, respectively. The smaller the guitar, the thinner the sound. Familiarize yourself with the structure of the ukulele. In general, this applies to every instrument. First, look from all sides, visually examine the details. This is as important as reading the instructions for a new technology. You need to have an idea of ​​what you're dealing with (even if you're holding a small guitar that looks like a kid's version). After getting acquainted, we simply set up and play. If you have difficulty tuning, contact a guitarist you know or use a tuner on your computer.

When we are convinced that the ukulele is not out of tune, we can extract the first sounds. Sheet music in standard GCEA tuning is searched on the Internet. They need to be memorized, otherwise even a simple melody will seem complicated. If you've never played the guitar, it will take some time, but the knowledge will last a lifetime, even if you stop practicing. We play with our right hand, pressing the strings with our left - there seems to be nothing new here, but there is one point. You can start learning chords when you confidently pluck the strings and see the difference between open play and frets that are played closed. Scary? Nothing. Believe me, it’s easier than learning to play the guitar: after all, whatever one may say, there are only four strings.

Harmonica: Western Romance

The main thing here is to put on a checkered shirt and make friends with a Western accordion. You can play melodies without special education, but you still have to remember some things. The sound will be made on inhalation if you understand one simple thing- there is no need to be overly zealous in supplying air streams or, especially, blowing into the instrument. Before playing, completely relax your face and wrap your lips tightly around the harmonica. When you realize that it has already become difficult at this stage, it’s time to start learning in all seriousness.

If you want to master the game on your own, a mirror will come in handy. Control the position of your mouth, learn to direct the air flow so that you can control the sound and move from playing whole chords to playing individual notes. This will take some time, but the result will help you relax while playing confidently. By the way, this instrument goes well with vocals, so you can create a great duet with your loved one.

Tambourine: the art of hitting correctly

If you do not have the task of making it rain, then it is not necessary to learn how to play the tambourine seriously. But if you want to drone with worldwide fame, check out the talent of the famous tambourist Tim Kubart. Surely now you will be inspired to play the rustling instrument. To do this you need a tambourine and a sense of rhythm.

A secret for those who are serious: learn to play quietly. Playing the tambourine has its own charm: you can hit with full power, swinging your arm from the shoulder, if this is the climax of the melody, or provide a gently “vibrating” sound that enhances the effect of a jazz composition.

Try to be appropriate and light: do not play along with a tambourine throughout the entire composition. Feel where the tambourine is needed and where you can give your hand a rest. If you doubt yourself or the tambourine, go back to listening to Kubart: he will inspire you to play well (and smile from ear to ear).

Xylophone: every child can do it

Many people experience music for the first time in infancy. Parents buy their first xylophones and babies realize that they can now control sounds other than crying. You can learn to play simple tunes today - it's inexpensive but fun. First, determine what tool you are dealing with. Many people mistakenly think of a xylophone as an instrument with a metal top. In fact, the xylophone is the sound of wood. This means we use a wooden hammer to beat the rhythm on wooden plates. Manufacturers offer children a wide selection of metallophones, and sometimes “plasticophones”. Let's still give preference to the classic version.

So, first learn the notes. It’s corny, but the xylophone will teach you this quickly and painlessly. Label each plate with a pencil to help you remember it faster. Next are two scenarios. Play simple melodies using printed sheet music or play by ear.

Maracas: music played in a whisper

You don't need any musical education to play the Indian rattle. Only desire, the ability to learn a certain algorithm and good hearing. If you are not yet familiar with this instrument, start with one maracas and play along to any tune. You need to shake the maracas from your hand or elbow. The duration of the hissing sound will depend on this. There are certain formulas that, once you learn them, there will no longer be a blank wall between you and the maracas. When you have confidence and a sense of rhythm, start playing two.

2. Autoharp.
If you have knowledge of chords and are willing to learn, the autoharp is for you. A big plus is that all strings except those involved in the chord are muted, so you won't be out of tune while playing.


3. Comb.
This musical instrument is not only easy to learn to play, it is also easy to make. All you need is a comb and tissue paper. Wrap the comb in paper and off you go.


4. Kazoo.
A kazoo is a small metal or plastic cylinder that tapers to a point. A metal plug with a tissue paper membrane is inserted into the middle of the cylinder on top. It is very easy to perform music on a kazoo - you just need to sing into it, and the paper membrane will change your voice beyond recognition.


5. Bongo.
Learning to play the bongo is very easy. A bongo is a combination of two drums that are connected together. To play it, it is held between the knees. The surface of the bongo is struck with the palms and fingertips.


6. Diamonds
Tambourines are small drums that are held in the hand. Some types of tambourines have metal bells attached to them, which begin to ring when the performer strikes the membrane of the tambourine, rubs it, or shakes the entire instrument. You can shake it, hit the surface of the tambourine with your fingers or knuckles, or use any other methods depending on what works best for you. This is a very simple musical instrument.


7. Drums
Although the drums seem very difficult, they are easy to learn to play if you have a sense of rhythm. You don't have to start with a full drum kit when you start learning. Just learn to play us bass drum or hi-hat. The most important thing in this case is the sense of rhythm.

Typical genres: folk, rock, academic music

Price: from 500 rub.
Pros: The recorder, like the related pipe and whistle, is much cheaper than the more professional transverse flute. It is with the recorder that little wind players begin their studies in music schools. This compact instrument is easy to store and take for a walk, so if you are a lonely shepherd or a romantic minstrel at heart, you will love the recorder.
Cons: In the early stages, it will be difficult to avoid the unmelodic, brain-shattering whistle, and the tuning of the recorder may seem quite illogical to a beginner.

2. Kazoo

Typical genres: skiffle
Price: from 200 rub.
Pros: Kazoo captivates with its price and tiny size. If you get such a toy, you will not be disappointed. But the biggest advantage of this instrument is that even a person completely far from music can master it in 15-20 minutes. To play the kazoo you just need to sing (or rather, hum) into it, and no theory will be useful for this.
Cons: The sounds of a kazoo, especially inexpensive ones, are most reminiscent of the voice of Donald Duck, and with this animated quack you are unlikely to become a serious musician in the eyes of others (and in your own too).

3. Jew's harp

Typical genres: folk
Price: from 500 rub.
Pros: Like the kazoo, the harp fits in the hand and is inexpensive when it comes to modifications for beginners, but it is a much more serious-sounding instrument. Learning to play the jew's harp occurs rather on an intuitive level, and the process itself is similar to meditation. The Jew's harp has long become “their” instrument among many peoples, and they believe that its vibrations are transmitted to a person and put into a state of light, controlled trance.
Cons: Without understanding the correct position of the instrument, a musician runs the risk of damaging his teeth with a jew's harp. You can endlessly discover new techniques for playing the harp, but its creative potential is still limited: for example, if you want to perform not viscous dark folk, but rock and pop songs, you should reconsider your choice. In principle, you can play them on a harp, but that, as they say, is what it is.

4. Glockenspiel

Typical genres: indie, pop, academic music
Price: from 1000 rub.
Pros: The light sounds of a glockenspiel (or glockenspiel) are unlikely to irritate anyone. Even if you hit the plates in a completely random order, the result will still look like a magical and mysterious melody. There is a high probability that you will not start mastering this instrument from scratch: in childhood, many had toy glockenspiels (or xylophones, whose plates are made not of metal, but of wood), which differ from “adults” only in the number of notes and colors .
Cons: For a thousand rubles you can only get a children's glockenspiel, the bars of which are unlikely to be enough to play more complex melodies than “Little Christmas Tree” and “Blue Sleigh”. This will be enough for a start, but if you don’t want to waste your money on toys, you’ll have to prepare at least 3000 for a more or less decent instrument. And the price of a professional glockenspiel completely breaks through the ceiling and goes far beyond the amount that the average person is willing to spend on one single instrument.

5. Harmonica

Typical genres: blues, folk, rock and roll
Price: from 400 rub.
Pros: Despite the apparent simplicity, harmonica has long been firmly established in popular music. You can hear it in a huge number of the most important songs of the 20th century (here you have The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and The Rolling Stones), so problems with the repertoire are unlikely. The classic harmonica fits easily in your pocket, making it easy to store and carry with you whenever you want to feel like a traveling bluesman.
Cons: Playing a diatonic harmonica (these are the most popular) is reminiscent of trying to represent something exclusively on the white keys of a piano, so at some point you may find it impossible to play the song you are interested in without mastering special techniques. In addition, each diatonic harmonica has its own key, which also imposes its own limitations (just take C major for starters).

6. Melodica

Typical genres: rock, pop
Price: from 1700 rub.
Pros: Do you like the sound of a harmonica, but are you intimidated by its tuning or confused by its limited range? Try to master melody! The range of genres in which it was used is actually much larger (from Joy Division to Red Hot Chili Peppers, from Depeche Mode to Faith No More). It is much easier to understand the structure of melodic music - at the same time, get familiar with keyboard instruments, and this can be useful in many places.
Cons: From a physical point of view, playing the melodica is more difficult: it requires good breathing, finger technique, and coordination.

7. Tambourine

Typical genres: rock, heavy metal, folk
Price: from 500 rub.
Pros: Don’t think that the place of tambourines and tambourines is only in rhythm lessons for kids. Almost any rock band can find songs that use these instruments. With a tambourine, you will perfectly improve your sense of rhythm, without which there is no way in music, and over time, maybe you will start singing along, remembering Robert Plant or Alex Turner.
Cons: The tambourine, of course, is not intended to play melodies, and not everyone can get seriously interested in rhythmic patterns.

8. Kalimba

Typical genres: African music
Price: from 1000 rub.
Pros: The soft sounds of the kalimba are very pleasant to the ear and resemble melodies from a music box. This is not the most common tool, so those who like to stand out and impress friends will be quite pleased with it.
Cons: With the rarity of an instrument comes certain disadvantages. Finding a kalimba in a music store, especially at a reasonable price, can be difficult, and some sellers may not even understand what you want from them.

9. MIDI keyboard

Typical genres: electronic music, indie, pop (in fact, anything up to orchestral soundtracks)
Price: from 3500 rub.
Pros: A MIDI keyboard is several times smaller than a piano and most synthesizers, but its capabilities are much wider, because it only works when connected to a computer (in some cases, a tablet and phone can also work), where you can upload absolutely any library of instruments. This is also an excellent option for those whose music playing is not to the liking of those at home: just connect headphones to the computer and play as much as you want, whenever you want.
Cons: Prices are steep. Compared to the other instruments on this list, the MIDI keyboard is already an expensive instrument, and each additional button and fader adds significant cost. The instrument itself does not produce any sounds, which may also be a disadvantage for some. Not suitable for ardent fighters for the purity of acoustic sound.

10. Ukulele

Typical genres: pop, indie
Price: from 1800 rub.
Pros: If you want to pluck the strings, but the guitar is still scary or for some reason is not suitable, take a closer look at the ukulele. This is not a mini guitar, as some people believe, but the principle of play is certainly similar to interacting with a six-string friend. The advantages of the ukulele compared to its background are its compactness and, as a result, ease of learning (at least here you are less likely to encounter fingertips that ache the very next day and hands that do not stretch into the desired position).
Cons: There are not many disadvantages to the ukulele, except for the fact that some people simply do not like its ringing and cheerful sound.

11. Guitar

Typical genres: rock, metal, folk, indie (I could go on and on)
Price: from 3000 rub.
Pros: It’s not for nothing that many great people started with the guitar (and continued on it, and became great with it). The guitar draws you into music like nothing else, and you can rediscover this instrument endlessly. Whatever genres you prefer and whatever goals you pursue, be it music career Whether playing for yourself or entertaining friends at parties, the guitar will be your best friend.
Cons: Size and volume, especially if you prefer to bypass the traditional stage of a classical or acoustic guitar and immediately decide to please the neighbors with your exercises on an electric guitar connected to an amplifier. By the way, even if you start learning the usual way, one day you will probably want to get hold of an electric guitar. And behind it will come pedals, processors, expensive cases and stands for your precious one, cooler guitars, more powerful amplifiers... It can be really difficult to stop. And why?

1. Feel free to buy old musical instruments

   It’s not very often that instruments are sold in the context of “mileage – 1000 concerts, mosh pits and hits on the stage, I’m giving away the remains, embellished with a new layer of varnish,” which will really affect the sound of your purchase. Usually this is the scheme “bought for myself/gifted/wanted to give the child to music school, but it didn’t work out, and a good instrument stands idle and gathering dust.” Such unclaimed instruments are often in good or even excellent condition, and you will also save a lot of money (trust the person who received about a dozen instruments this way and subsequently did not cause any complaints).

2. Trust but verify

   If possible, take a more musically savvy friend with you to the store or to a meeting with the previous owner so that he can authoritatively check the condition of the instrument. If this is not possible, it doesn’t matter, but you shouldn’t just trust the seller. First watch a YouTube video for beginners (you can take specific recommendations on choosing instruments, or just instructions on how to play for beginners) to understand where things ring, bend and unscrew. This will give at least a minimal idea of ​​what your purchase should look like.

3. It's a person playing, not a guitar.

   Some beginners pay too much attention to the subtleties of sound, or even want everything at once. If it’s an electric guitar, then Fender for 70 thousand, if it’s a piano, then... no, not a piano, let’s just have a white piano! In the early stages, all this is just a waste of money. When a person first begins to learn, he is unlikely to understand why a Gibson is better than his father's old guitar of unknown manufacture and how the sound of mahogany differs from the sound of poplar. Of course, you shouldn’t buy a piece of plywood either, so as not to completely discourage yourself from playing, but investing a huge amount in your first instrument is not the most rational decision. Ultimately, if you find yourself outgrowing your instrument, starting to hear its flaws and hitting the ceiling of its capabilities, you can always aim for a new, more expensive and advanced option.

Most musicians find it difficult to be without music for a long time, especially if music is an integral part of personality and an important aspect of life. Unfortunately, most tools are difficult to transport - they cannot withstand moisture, shock, and much more. Transporting a piano, for example, is a completely different matter.

But don't worry - there are a number of miniature musical instruments that can help you pour out your soul at the right time, anywhere on our planet.

Guitar

Yes - the guitar may not be the smallest stringed instrument, but it is a good resonator for a relatively low price and does not weigh that much either. If you also get a water-repellent cover, then you won’t have to worry (and get bored) on the road.

Mandolin

Mandolins require a little more maintenance and take longer to tune than other string instruments, but good choice instrument, because the mandolin is much smaller than the guitar. But for musicians with thick fingers, it is better to practice playing at home first.

Accordion

Of course, there are miniature models that are more convenient for transportation. The main thing is not to skimp on the price. Pay attention to the manufacturer, because the sound quality of the instrument depends on it.

Autoharp

A unique folk instrument is the autoharp. It's similar to a zither, but it's much lighter, can be held in your hands or on your lap, and is much more enjoyable to play because it has buttons like an accordion.

Ukulele

Famous this guitar popularly known as the “ukulele” is another good accompaniment instrument. Cheap, and most importantly universal. Of course, it cannot compare in terms of resonance quality with a mandolin or guitar, but the ukulele sounds very nice.

Violin

Yes, perhaps this is one of the most difficult strings (in terms of expression), but if you play the violin without problems, then it will be a wonderful companion for you on the road.

Erhu

Two string Chinese violin. This instrument requires good hearing and nimble hands. When traveling, this kind of instrument will clearly attract attention to you, and the main thing is to have a good case for it.

Longitudinal flute

Probably each of us has tried to play the longitudinal flute. It certainly doesn't have a very wide range, but it is light and creates a fun atmosphere with its sound, which is reminiscent of ballads and fairy tales.

Clarinet

Not the lightest tool on this list, but definitely easy to transport, as it fits conveniently into a special case. But you need to be careful with its pads, they can easily get damaged, especially in subtropical zones.

Flute

It's a rather complex instrument - it's difficult to play well, but it's a little easier than the clarinet. As in the previous case, the pads will require additional care.

Harmonic

Harmonica is almost synonymous with the word “travel”. The harmonica is light, inexpensive, durable and fairly easy to learn to play. Moreover, they come in all kinds of tones, literally for every taste and ear.

Ocarina

The device is so light and sleek that you can even wear it as a necklace. A cheap ceramic (or wooden) instrument that's easy to learn to play, but doesn't have a very generous range.

Bonus – Your mouth

Don't forget - you can always use your ligaments and throat to imitate musical instruments, sing, whistle, quack, meow and buzz. Whatever comes into your head, because it’s much better than annoying and prolonged silence. Moreover, singing is a good exercise for the lungs and a chance to lift your spirits.

So instead of an extra pair of pants, take a musical instrument on the road and people will flock to you faster than for a new iPhone!