Beginner Guides

Learn How to Play Musical Instruments

Browse beginner tutorials by category, choose an instrument, check the difficulty rating, and start with a practical practice plan.

Instrument Categories

Bagpipes

🎶 9 tutorials

Bagpipes

Learn how to play bagpipes.

Brass Instruments

🎶 18 tutorials

Brass Instruments

Learn how to play brass instruments.

Electronic Instruments

🎶 18 tutorials

Electronic Instruments

Learn how to play electronic instruments.

Folk & World Instruments

🎶 31 tutorials

Folk & World Instruments

Learn how to play folk & world instruments.

Keyboard Instruments

🎶 20 tutorials

Keyboard Instruments

Learn how to play keyboard instruments.

Percussion Instruments

🎶 64 tutorials

Percussion Instruments

Learn how to play percussion instruments.

String Instruments

🎶 61 tutorials

String Instruments

Learn how to play string instruments.

Woodwind Instruments

🎶 49 tutorials

Woodwind Instruments

Learn how to play woodwind instruments.

Choose Before You Buy

New

Beginner Instrument Guides

Choose by budget, noise, portability, musical goals, and opportunities to play with others.

Interactive

Compare Instruments

Compare two popular beginner instruments across practical considerations.

Personalized

Find Your Instrument

Answer four practical questions and receive beginner-friendly suggestions.

Alphabetical Instrument Index

Acoustic Bass Acoustic Guitar Agogo Bells Alto Clarinet Alto Flute Alto Saxophone Alto Trombone Appalachian Dulcimer Ashiko Autoharp Bagpipes Balafon Balalaika Bandoneon Bandura Banjo Bansuri Baritone Horn Baritone Saxophone Bass Clarinet Bass Drum Bass Flute Bass Guitar Bass Saxophone Bassoon Bell Tree Biwa Bodhrán Bombarde Bongos Border Pipes Bouzouki Bugle Bulgarian Gaida Cabasa Cajón Castanets Celesta Cello Charango Chimes Cimbasso Clarinet Classical Guitar Claves Clavichord Concert Bass Drum Concert Flute Concertina Congas Contra-alto Clarinet Contrabass Clarinet Contrabass Flute Contrabassoon Cornet Cowbell Crash Cymbals Crotales Darbuka Davul Def Digital Accordion Digital Piano Digital Saxophone Dizi Djembe Dobro Dombra Domra Double Bass Doumbek Drum Machine Duduk Eigenharp Electric Guitar Electronic Cello Electronic Drum Kit Electronic Keyboard Electronic Percussion Pads Electronic Violin English Horn Erhu Esraj Euphonium Finger Cymbals Flexatone Floor Tom Flugelhorn Flute Fortepiano Frame Drum French Horn Gadulka Galician Gaita Gayageum Gemshorn Geomungo Glockenspiel Gongs Grand Piano Great Highland Bagpipe Groovebox Guiro Guitar Guqin Guzheng Hammered Dulcimer Handbells Hardanger Fiddle Harmonica Harmonium Harp Harpsichord Helicon Hi-Hats Hichiriki Irish Flute Irish Uilleann Pipes Kalimba Kemenche Keytar Khene Kobza Komuz Kora Koto Lever Harp Lute Lyre Mandocello Mandola Mandolin Maracas Marimba Mbira Melodica MIDI Controller MIDI Guitar MIDI Wind Controller Morin Khuur Mridangam Musical Saw Native American Flute Ngoni Northumbrian Smallpipes Nyckelharpa Oboe Oboe d'Amore Ocarina Ondes Martenot Ophicleide Organ Oud Pakhawaj Pan Flute Panpipes Penny Whistle Piano Piccolo Piccolo Trumpet Pipa Pipe Organ Pocket Trumpet Psaltery Quena Rainstick Rebab Recorder Reed Organ Resonator Guitar Ride Cymbal Riq Ruan Sampler Santoor Sarangi Saraswati Veena Saxophone Scottish Smallpipes Sequencer Serpent Shakers Shakuhachi Shamisen Shawm Sheng Single Reed Sitar Slapstick Sleigh Bells Slit Drum Snare Drum Soprano Saxophone Sousaphone Spinet Splash Cymbal Stage Piano Steel Drum Suona Surdo Suspended Cymbal Synthesizer Tabla Taiko Talking Drum Tam-Tam Tambourine Tambura Tanpura Tarogato Temple Blocks Tenor Saxophone Theremin Timbales Tin Whistle Tiple Tom-Toms Trautonium Triangle Trombone Trumpet Tuba Tubular Bells Turkish Tulum Udu Ukulele Upright Piano Veena Vibraphone Viola Violin Virginal Wagner Tuba Waterphone Whip Wind Gong Wood Block Workstation Keyboard Xiao Xylophone Yangqin Yaylı Tanbur Zither Zurna