Top 10 Easy Instruments to Learn

 
They say it takes 10 000 hours of practice to master a craft, with these instruments maybe less. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten easiest musical instruments to learn. 
 
For this list, we’ll be looking at instruments that are not terribly hard to learn and play. We aren’t saying that these instruments are easy – far from it. Rather, they are simply easier to learn and play than others.
 
 

 
Often mistaken for a little guitar, the ukulele is actually a completely different beast, and it produces a sweet sound. It’s also much easier to learn, so there’s that as well. The ukulele only has four strings instead of six, so learning the basics and picking up some simple chords won’t take too long. With a smaller neck and fretboard, it is also easier on the fingers to make those chords than on a guitar. Like all instruments, becoming an excellent ukulele player takes years of practice, but getting a hang of the mechanics can take just a few hours, or less. With a bit of practice, you’ll be playing your favorite pop songs in no time.
 
 

 
There really isn’t much to the xylophone. This percussive instrument consists of various wooden bars which are struck with a mallet. Due to its nature, the xylophone is very easy to pick up and play. While producing actual music on the xylophone can be very difficult, simply learning the feel and the notes of the instrument will take no time at all.Plus, the bars are laid out in a similar fashion to a piano, so anyone with piano experience should find the xylophone a logical instrument to play.
 
 

 
The harmonica is not only tiny and transportable, it’s very easy to pick up! You simply stick it in your mouth and blow – voila, you’re playing music! Of course, the harmonica is hard to play WELL, but learning the basics is relatively simple. You can practice anywhere at any time (well, maybe not on the subway). Also, the notes are already in key, which is a huge help for beginners. Novices might not sound like Blues Traveler, but they’ll be producing some pleasant-sounding music no matter what. 

   

 
How hard could it be? The maraca is a rattle which serves as a percussive instrument, and they are quite common in Latin and Caribbean music. They usually come in pairs, and you…well, you shake them. And that’s about it. It’s an easy instrument for children to pick up and play (even if it may get a little irritating), and it makes for a fine companion to rock and roll songs. If Cuban Pete can do it, so can you.
 
 
 
 

 
Actually, no, we take that back. THIS instrument can be irritating when given to a kid. Cymbals typically come in pairs and are typically smashed together to create an authoritative or frenzied sound. For single or standing cymbals, you can play them with drumsticks or brushes to create distinct sounds and beats. They sound incredible in an orchestra, and luckily for everyone, they are pretty easy to learn. You won’t make it into an orchestra with those skills alone, but you’re still technically playing an instrument.
 
 

 
Dwight Schrute would probably kill us if he heard us talking down the recorder. The recorder is very similar to the Irish whistle not only in sound, but in ease of play as well. Recorders are usually given to very young children in school, as they are cheap (well, the school ones anyway), and they make for a great starter instrument. The fingering on the recorder is quite simple, and it’s much easier than other woodwind instruments, like the flute or clarinet. Of course, mastering the recorder is something else entirely, but for casual musicians, it makes for a great introduction.
 
 

 
This is certainly an interesting little instrument. The kazoo is a tiny little thing which the player hums into (rather than blowing into like typical wind instruments), and it results in a very distinct buzzing or vibrating sound. It can be challenging to get the hang of the humming (particularly if you have experience with wind instruments), but once you get going, the kazoo is a cakewalk. Sure, some people may consider it more of a vocal enhancer than an instrument, but an instrument it is, and a very easy one to play at that – if a little annoying.
 
 
 

 
Have you ever wanted to try the drums but were too intimidated by their size and number? Turns out that you don’t need a Neil Peart-sized kit to sound good on the drums. Just get yourself some bongos and you’ll be all set! The bongos are a percussive instrument with a heavy presence in Cuban music, particularly salsa, and they are relatively easy to manage. Like all drums, the bongos are very difficult to play well, but with some practice and a good sense for beat and timing, they make for a great alternative to the more intimidating drums.
 
  

 
The tambourine is featured in many genres of music throughout the world, from classic rock to classical music to Turkish folk, and its wide-reach may be indicative of its relative ease. The tambourine doesn’t consist of much – a plastic or wooden frame, a drumhead, and metal jingles called “zils.” It’s small size and ease of transport make this a great beginner’s instrument, and while controlling the tambourine may be intimidating at first, you’ll be casually playing it in no time. It’s a great addition to any song, and it’s very easy to pick up and play. It’s a win-win. 
 
   
 

 
It’s a triangular piece of steel which you hit with another piece of steel… We joke, but the triangle can be an insanely tough instrument to master, especially regarding its tone and pitch. However, this list isn’t easy instruments to MASTER, it’s easy instruments to LEARN, and it doesn’t get much easier than the triangle. The triangle has earned a reputation throughout the years for being a simplistic and somewhat silly instrument, but it’s still an integral part of a band’s percussion line-up, and you better not miss your cue! 
 
Do you agree with our picks? Can you think of any other simple instruments to learn? For more easy top tens published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.