Learning a musical instrument at an advanced age sounds like a big hurdle at first. But there’s no question that it also has enormous benefits for the brain, motor skills, and most importantly, the soul. Music helps release endorphins in our brain, thus, increasing our happiness levels. If you’re interested in learning a new instrument, here are four exceptional options to choose from.
1. Ukulele
The ukulele is an affordable and easily accessible musical instrument that is also super exciting to play. With only four nylon strings, the ukulele is easy to pick up in just a few weeks. The best part about learning the ukulele is that it acts as a strong foundation for adults looking to play the guitar. The ukelele can be used to play all sorts of music genres, despite its size.
With its simple chords, you can engage in a singalong with your friends, playing anything from blues to R&B and everything in between. If you’re within the Worcester area, looking for a ukulele, you can search online for “music shop Worcester,” for access to countless shop options.
2. Bongos
Next up is the bongo, another popular instrument and a very easy one to learn as an adult. If you love listening to salsa music, you probably know a thing or two about this amazing instrument. The bongo features two conjoined drums and works in a similar way to a drum kit.
No doubt, it’s an ideal instrument for beginners, as it’s easy to play (and catch a rhythm) without any prior knowledge. Learning or playing the bongo is mostly community-based, which means you’ll be a part of a drum circle having fun with strangers and friends alike.
3. Harmonica
Also known as the Blue Harp, harmonicas are another great choice for adult beginners in the music world. It’s suitable for all sorts of musical genres, from jazz and blues to rock and even country music. Like many adults who have tried it, it’s a pretty straightforward instrument to play.
In addition to being easy to learn, it’s also easy to carry around, thanks to its portable design. This means practising your harmonica can be done anytime and anywhere you find yourself.
4. Piano
It’s commonly assumed that learning an instrument as an adult is difficult because you need the flexibility to properly coordinate both hands at once. This might be true; however, some instruments like the piano are quite easy to pick up at a simple level. The piano acts a strong foundation for learning other musical instruments. It teaches you hand coordination tactics that help with reading sheet music, which helps you read other instruments easily.
All in all, learning a new instrument can be done on your own, through virtual platforms, or in music schools with other music enthusiasts. Of the four instruments listed above, you can always graduate to other ones with ease. Other instruments you can learn as an adult include the drums, banjo, and guitar. Don’t procrastinate; choose an instrument and start learning today.
