Easy musical instruments to start 2025 on a sweet note
New year, new you? Learning a new skill will put you right on track, and playing a musical instrument is one of the simplest skills to acquire. It has wide-ranging benefits:
Cognitive abilities – Aids concentration, memory and problem-solving
Emotional wellness – Promotes dopamine release, calmness and self-expression
Social skills – Helps people bond across cultures and backgrounds
Whether you’re a total beginner or have played music before, the right instrument can make your musical journey enjoyable and fulfilling. Here are 10 easy musical instruments you can grasp within weeks or even just days.
Ok, easy for you… but perhaps not necessarily fun for your neighbours. Don’t ‘over-practice’ late into the night, people.
1. Ukulele – The perfect starter instrument
Time to Learn: 1-3 months
Price of basic model: S$30 – S$150
The ukulele is one of the quickest instruments to pick up. With only four strings and basic chords, you can play simple songs in just a few weeks. Mastery and more complex strumming patterns will take longer, but beginners can enjoy playing songs within a month or two.
Buy now Amazon
2. Piano: Start with the classics
Time to Learn: 3-6 months (for basic songs)
Price of basic model: S$300 – S$1,500
If you’re learning to play simple songs and familiarising yourself with basic chords and scales, it can take about 3-6 months to be comfortable. Mastery of more complex pieces may take several years, but most beginners can start playing recognisable melodies quite quickly.
Buy now Amazon
3. Guitar: Aspiring rockstars
Time to Learn: 2-4 months (for basic chords and songs)
Price of basic model: S$100 – S$300
Like the ukulele, you can learn to play basic songs on the guitar relatively quickly. Mastering strumming patterns and chord changes might take 2-4 months of regular practice.
Buy now Amazon
4. Drums: Feel the beat
Time to Learn: 3-6 months (for basic beats)
Price of basic model: S$400 – S$1,000
Learning to play basic rhythms and simple beats can take around 3-6 months with consistent practice. Building coordination between your limbs and mastering more complex rhythms may take up to a year or more.
Buy now Amazon
5. Recorder: Simple but beautiful
Time to Learn: 1-2 months (for simple tunes)
Price of basic model: S$10 – S$50
The recorder is one of the easiest instruments to start with. Within a couple of months, you should be able to play basic tunes and simple melodies. Mastering breath control and playing more complex pieces may take longer, but most beginners get up and running quickly.
Buy now Amazon
6. Harmonica: Your pocket companion
Time to Learn: 1-3 months (for basic melodies)
Price of basic model: S$20 – S$60
The harmonica is relatively simple to start playing. With a bit of practice, you can play basic melodies and simple blues riffs within 1-3 months. Becoming proficient with bending notes and advanced techniques may take longer.
Buy now Amazon
7. Violin: Elegant and expressive
Time to Learn: 6-12 months (for basic tunes)
Price of basic model: S$150 – S$500
The violin is more challenging to master, especially in the beginning due to the bowing technique and finger placement. Within 6-12 months, you could learn to play simple songs, but mastery of advanced techniques and complex pieces will take several years.
Buy now Amazon
8. Saxophone: For the jazz enthusiast
Time to Learn: 3-6 months (for basic songs)
Price of basic model: S$600 – S$1,500
While the saxophone has a learning curve, most beginners can get started playing basic melodies after 3-6 months. You’ll need to work on breath control, embouchure, and finger technique, but progress can be rapid for simple tunes.
Buy now Amazon
9. Flute: Light melody
Time to Learn: 3-6 months (for basic songs)
Price of basic model: S$20 – S$200
Details: Like the saxophone, the flute requires a focus on breath control and embouchure, but you can start playing simple songs in 3-6 months. Developing the control for more complex pieces will take a year or more of consistent practice.
Buy now Amazon
10. Electric Keyboard: The Flexible Alternative
Time to Learn: 2-4 months (for basic songs)
Price of basic model: S$50 – S$500
Similar to the piano, the electric keyboard is easy to start learning, and beginners can play simple melodies and chords within 2-4 months. The advantage of a keyboard is the ability to experiment with different sounds and features, making it an enjoyable instrument for beginners to explore.
Buy now Amazon
The post Easy musical instruments to start 2025 on a sweet note appeared first on SETHLUI.com.
