A roundup of recommended instruments to start fresh: instruments I’d love adults to take up as a hobby
If you love music, many of you may be thinking about starting an instrument as a new hobby.
Playing an instrument has great depth; it takes a lot of practice to improve, and once you can play a full piece, it becomes so enjoyable that you’ll find yourself getting more and more absorbed.
In this article, we’ll introduce a range of instruments recommended for starting as a new hobby.
In addition to popular instruments like piano, saxophone, and guitar, we’ve also picked out some slightly unusual ones, including traditional Japanese instruments and folk instruments from around the world.
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Recommended instruments to start anew: Instruments I hope adults will take up as a hobby (11–20)
shakuhachi
The shakuhachi has been played in Japan since long ago.
There are different schools and traditions, so it can seem intimidating, but because it’s a bamboo instrument, there are options that are more affordable and easier to obtain than you might expect.
If you don’t have time to take lessons, learning through videos is also a good choice.
While the embouchure is unique, the fingerings are similar to a recorder, so it’s one of the instruments you can start without much resistance.
Getting familiar with a traditional instrument can open up a whole new world.
And although it’s an ancient Japanese instrument, once you learn the fingerings you can also play pop or jazz.
clarinet
The clarinet is a famous woodwind instrument that many people likely first heard in nursery rhymes during childhood.
While it’s strongly associated with classical music and wind ensembles, did you know it’s also commonly used in jazz? Its soft, warm tone is soothing both to play and to listen to, making it a perfect choice for those starting music as a hobby.
It’s relatively approachable for beginners, so it’s popular not only among students but also as an instrument to start learning in adulthood.
mandolin
The mandolin has a cute, small, rounded shape.
It has eight strings, but since they’re tuned in pairs to the same pitch, you can play it like a four-string instrument, similar to a violin or ukulele.
Because its sustain—especially in the higher register—is limited, it characteristically uses tremolo when holding notes.
You can also play chords on a mandolin, so it works for singing while playing.
There are electric mandolins as well, letting you enjoy a wide range of genres from rock to classical.
It’s a recommended instrument for anyone looking to start a new string instrument.
DJ
DJs have a cool image, but unlike practicing an instrument over and over, what matters more is what tracks you choose, what music you want to introduce, and other kinds of knowledge that differ from traditional instruments.
There are many types of DJs—like hip-hop DJs known for techniques such as scratching, and club DJs—so it’s best to figure out what you’re aiming for and choose accordingly.
Rather than sticking to a single genre, exposing yourself to a wide range of sources will help you grow as a DJ.
ocarina
The ocarina, whose name means “little goose” in Italian, is appealing for its warm tone.
It’s mainly made of ceramic, though affordable plastic versions are also available.
While its shape is different, its mechanism is similar to that of the recorder, so if you’ve played the recorder before, you should be able to start without much resistance.
These days, besides classes, there are many videos that provide explanations, so beginners can feel at ease.
And if you get tired of playing alone, why not join an ocarina club where you can enjoy ensemble playing?
shamisen
The Tsugaru shamisen, which spread in the Tsugaru region of Aomori Prefecture, is a familiar instrument there, with live performances held in various places such as folk-song taverns.
Thanks to artists like Hiromitsu Agatsuma, interest among younger people who want to play it has likely increased.
Changing the tuning depending on the piece is a feature not often seen in Western instruments.
Because it can also be used to accompany folk songs, you can sing and play the shamisen in a singer-songwriter style.
While the instrument isn’t exactly cheap, there are reasonably priced options such as those with synthetic leather.
In conclusion
We’ve put together a comprehensive introduction to instruments we recommend starting as a new hobby.
In addition to classics like guitar, drums, piano, and saxophone, we’ve also covered some rarer Japanese traditional instruments, electronic instruments, and even folk instruments from around the world.
Some of these can be played at home at a volume that won’t bother your neighbors, so if any instrument catches your interest, give it a try!