Top 5 Instruments for Self-Taught Musicians


Posted 3 weeks ago in More

Vinyl8.com – May 2025

Here are the top 5 easiest instruments for self-taught musicians—straight from a lifelong musician who’s been there.

5 Instruments You Can Learn Without a Teacher

Can I learn a musical instrument on my own without a mentor/teacher?

Well, as they say, “Nothing is impossible in this world.” So yes, you absolutely can.

At first, learning any musical instrument can be frightening. You may simply not have the funds for lessons at this time, or you may be nervous to try it out in front of others. That’s why self-teaching has become such a popular option — and I fully support it. I really do.

With YouTube tutorials, apps like Walk Band, OnlinePianist, Perfect Piano, and Synthesia — and even AI tools — there’s a whole world of learning resources at your fingertips.

All you need is the willingness to learn. So, in this article, I’m going to share the top 5 musical instruments you can start learning on your own, from home. Of course, we’re talking about the basics here — to become a true virtuoso, you’ll probably need a mentor down the road. But let’s take the first steps together.

 

You Can Learn These 5 Instruments by Yourself

The Everest Music team is made up of both self-taught and professional musicians, but we are all of one mind. We can tell you that all it really takes is patience, time, dedication, and, most importantly, a love for music. That’s all.

 

Harmonica

The harmonica is small enough to fit in your pocket, so you can practice anywhere. There’s not much you can do wrong, and it won’t sound bad to people around you if you stay in the lower register (holes one through six) and don’t blow too aggressively.

It’s forgiving, fun, and surprisingly expressive once you get the hang of it. An ideal instrument for beginners.

 

Ukulele

Another instrument that’s hard to fail at is the ukulele. You will definitely be able to find the one you like, because the ukulele is available in a variety of sizes, shapes, woods, and patterns. However, don’t think of it as a smaller guitar. In my opinion, it’s a wonderful instrument in its own right.

But the ukulele is a great option if you want something simpler that sounds like a guitar. Its nylon strings are softer on the fingers than steel ones, which can cause painful calluses.

You can start enjoying the ukulele after learning just 4 to 16 chords — many of which you can master in a month or less.

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Guitar

If the piano is the king of musical versatility, the guitar is the queen. You’ll find it in almost every genre, from rock and folk to pop, jazz, and classical.

Guitars, especially electric ones, are typically self-taught. Sure, lessons can make it faster and less painful. But in the guitar world, self-taught players are everywhere (and widely respected).

You’ll be amazed how many of the truly popular songs rarely use more than 3–5 chords.

  • Acoustic Guitar

There’s a bit of a learning curve at first — figuring out how to produce a clean sound, get your finger positions right, and strum or pick with rhythm. But compared to fretless string instruments, it’s much more approachable.

Obvious benefits of learning guitar are improving your concentration, memory, and fine motor skills in children and adults.

A good beginner’s acoustic guitar can cost anywhere from €50 to €150.

  • Electric Guitar

Electric guitar players have always been DIY learners — back in the day, they’d slow down tapes and learn by ear. And today, the community still welcomes self-teaching with open arms.

Electric guitars start at around €100 and are a little easier on the fingers than acoustic ones. The start is easy — just plug in, and you’re ready to rock.

I would recommend the following set of songs for beginners:

– “Horse with No Name” – America

– “Wonderwall” – Oasis

– “Ring of Fire” – Johnny Cash

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Piano

Undoubtedly, one of the safest options is to play the piano or keyboard. In my opinion it is the easiest of all for a beginner. Press a key — and the right note comes out. Simple as that.

The majority of other instruments require you to learn both the fundamentals of the instrument and music. Here, you can start by focusing only on the fundamentals of music. You’ll sound good from day one, even with no prior experience (as long as your piano is in tune!).

It may seem insignificant, but you’ll quickly realize how this puts you in the “driver’s seat” of actually creating music with the piano compared to if you pick up a violin. Additionally, it is an extremely versatile instrument that can be used in pop, rock, jazz, and classical music.

The cost of a basic electronic keyboard model can be as low as €70.

 

Drums

Drums can also be good if you’re not too concerned with playing melodies and just want to feel the rhythm. But they do require a good internal sense of timing. In my opinion, that can be tricky to develop without a teacher.

Still, if you have the passion and patience, you’ll be surprised how far you can go with YouTube tutorials. Plus, once you’re decent at drums, you’ll always be in demand for bands, gigs, and jam sessions.

However, I ranked them a little lower on the list for a few additional reasons:

  • A beginner drum set can range from €200 to €500.
  • They take up space and can be tricky to move.
  • Acoustic drums are loud — really loud. Your neighbours will hear them.

But there is always an alternative, and of course, these are electronic drums. They’re quiet (with headphones), portable, and ideal for late-night practice. If noise is an issue, this is the best option.

Beginner Songs to Try:

– “We Will Rock You” – Queen

– “Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson

– “Back in Black” – AC/DC

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My Rough Plan for Every Beginner and Self-Taught Musician

Here’s the path I recommend for anyone just starting out.

  • Master the basic chords. Start by learning and practicing scales — Sa Re Ga Ma… or the Western equivalent: C D E F G A B. This will help train your fingers and your ear.
  • Pick a simple song. On the keyboard, “Happy Birthday” is a great place to start — the chords are easy to find online.
  • Practice with variation. Repeat it numerous times, altering the intervals between each stroke. Keep doing that until you get the exact melody you want.
  • Keep practicing. Even once you’ve “mastered” a piece, keep returning to it.
  • Level up with a new song. It might take an hour to learn just one stanza — that’s perfectly fine. Be patient with yourself.
  • Maybe someday, write your own. Composing comes later. But who knows — that question’s for your future self to answer.

It’s never too late to become a musician. Whether you’re 7 or 70, and trust me, here at Everest Music, we’ve helped people in their 80s find their perfect instrument.

So don’t wait. Pick one up, press play on that first tutorial, and let the music begin.

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