Well … no. Surprised? So are some of my beginning mandolin students. Not that you should forget about playing that cool little instrument, just don’t be misled by the small size.
Wondering what instrument to pick up? Here’s a list of suggestions, based on my years of experience. After you decide on an instrument, consider lessons with me. I teach via Skype from anywhere in the world. Contact me here.
Easiest string instruments
Ukulele
It’s only got four strings, they’re nylon (which is easier on the fingers than steel) and some chords only require one or two fingers. They’re amazingly versatile little things – you can play everything from “You Are My Sunshine” to “Good Riddance.” They’re very portable and inexpensive too. Great for kids because of their small size but lots of adults play them too.
Lap dulcimer (aka Appalachian dulcimer)
Most have three strings (or three sets, with two strings so close together they count as one). On one string (or set) you play the melody line. The others are drones – you don’t press them down, just include them in your strum. You’ll be playing a song within a few minutes of sitting down to play. It’s possible to play chords on it too. Here’s Cyndi Lauper playing hers:
Don’t confuse the lap dulcimer with a hammered dulcimer. I think you have to have a physics degree to play one of these:
Autoharp
Even though I still have nightmares about grade school music and the teacher who played one of these, I have to admit that they’re really easy to play and damn, if Janis Joplin played one they can’t be bad. You need a sense of rhythm to strum but you don’t have to do much with your other hand but push buttons. Want an A chord? Press the A button. It’s almost as easy as Guitar Hero.
Somewhat easy string instruments
Guitar
I’m a teeny bit biased since I’ve played one for forty years. They’re versatile, portable and you can find lots of instruction material. It’ll take a while to build up calluses, especially if you have one with steel strings. I’d stay away from this guitar though:
Banjo
If it’s tuned to an open G (as they often are for bluegrass), you’ve already got a chord without pressing down any strings with your left hand. Other chords require just a couple fingers and not much of a stretch. After playing awhile you can incorporate the melody into the chords, bringing you up higher on the coolness scale.
Electric bass
After you learn a couple of bass line patterns, you can start plugging them into your favorite songs. It’s not a solo instrument unless you’re Stanley Clarke but it’s a lot of fun and great for a jam or in a band.
Not to be confused with a stand-up or acoustic bass. They have no frets and frankly, scare the bejesus out of me. Looks like a nice ride though:
Instruments that are a bit of a challenge
Mandolin
If you already play guitar these aren’t so bad. However, if you don’t play an instrument at all, I suggest starting on one of the above instruments because strings are harder to press down on the mandolin. It’s something about the way they’re constructed. Also, while there are some great two finger chords you can do, it’s really in your best interest to learn those four finger chords bluegrass players often use. Those take a while and require some finger strength and flexibility.
Twelve string guitar
If you already play a six string they aren’t hard and they sound ultra cool. However, sometimes you have to have the strength of a ninja to press down the strings. They can be a pain in the arse to tune too.
Speaking of tuning
Get a tuner. They don’t cost very much and will save you a lot of headaches. There are apps that’ll work too as well as websites (google “tune guitar”) and videos that can help.
How to learn these fabulous instruments
Get a teacher. If you live in Ottawa and want to learn guitar, ukulele or mandolin, I’m your woman. If you live elsewhere, check out my earlier blog about finding a teacher. You can also teach yourself. I’ve got a blog about where you can get material.
Here’s a video where I demonstrate some of these instruments
*****************
I teach guitar, ukulele and mandolin via Skype. Contact me here for details. If you’re in Ottawa, ON, you can come to my studio.
Did you find this post helpful? If so, please think about keeping me in coffee and my cats in kibble. And it’s only $2. Merci y’all.
Jamiebobamie 
Mt. dulcimer and bass guitar are easy to learn to play, but much trickier to learn to play well. The basics are easier on both, especially if you already play guitar; but I think bass is a bit tougher to learn as one’s first instrument (the late John Entwistle notwithstanding). But both instruments are more complex than one would think when it comes to distinguishing oneself on them. I play both, and not at the beginner level, but virtuoso status is another world removed fr even where I am. Another good beginner instrument, especially for a guitarist, is baritone uke–tuned like the top four strings of a guitar. One trick that will help guitarists transition to banjo or dulcimer is to become familiar with playing in open G tuning first–gets you thinking morally. Of course, there are six string banjos and 12 string mandolins if you want to take the easy way out and not have to learn new timings and chords. Tommy Tedesco made a killing as a studio variety-string player that way: tuning everything like a guitar.
I hate auto-correct: that’s “MODALLY”
I’m just talking about beginning to play an instrument. Playing melodies on a dulcimer is really easy. Chords take a little more effort, for sure.
And yeah, not everyone can be Stanley Clarke but it’s not that hard to learn a few bass patterns.
I always wondered how to think more morally. Gotta love auto-correct.
I had no idea my instrument scared you Jamie! So, it’s not about size, eh?
Yes folks, it’s a standup bass!
Jim, can you stand on your bass like that?
II’ll try . . . if you agree to pay for the repairs!!
You drive a hard bargain, sir.
Thanks, Jamie, for a nice piece that covers a broad subject. Seeing the pic of the guy standing on his standup bass, I’ve gots ta ask if you’re familiar with rockabilly legend Ray Campi? He’s definitely gettin’ a bit up there in age, but he STILL climbs his bass like Hillary on Everest, balancing the thing on its foot, playing and standing on TOP of the thing. Absolutely remarkable! Good thing there are ways to play it without carabiners and a belay seat!
– Larry Wines
Glad you enjoyed it, Larry. Ray sounds like a hoot.
Thanks for the suggestions. My son and I (he is 9 and I am mid 40) love Bluegrass music. We recently went to a festival and at the raffle we won a concert size resonating Uke from Kala. Neither of us has played an instrument but we are excited to learn. Are their any books you would suggest? I picked one up that has some basics incorporating TAB music but I feel like it is sorta cheating and I end up relying on it. I have only made it to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star so if this is a bad habit I think it can still be easily broken. Thank you from steering me away from the Mandolin for now – even though that is my favorite sounding instrument. After your descriptions above I am tempted to get a dulcimer to accompany the Uke…but I am getting ahead of myself. Thank you.
You can’t go wrong with Mel Bay books. You could also see if there’s a ukulele group in your town. Many of them have slow jams which are perfect for beginners. Or, you could look into classes at an arts center – generally they’re affordable.
Tab isn’t a crutch and can prove useful. It’s actually older than standard music notation. I think it was lute players who first used it.
Don’t discount the mandolin! It’s a great little instrument. Maybe after getting a few chords down on the uke, you could look at a mandolin.
Thank you for the quick reply! I will check out your recommendations and keep an eye on the Mandolin for the future. And thanks for the reassurance on the tab music!
Pingback: Include music in your New Year resolutions | Jamiebobamie
I found this thread searching for string instruments for adults. I am curious to explore a string instrument after playing piano for 30 years and was looking for something other than guitar. I love mandolin music but today tried one at a store and felt like I had giant fingers and couldn’t isolate the pairs of strings with my left hand at all! Would you think it would be best to start on the guitar just to get comfortable with the finger positions and then later transfer to the mandolin once I can feel more precision in my finger pressure?
Mandolin is easier for my students who already play guitar. It’s certainly a related instrument. It doesn’t matter how big your hands are, some of the best mando players are big men.
I have no experience on stringed instruments whatsoever. I write a lot of songs and poems and have a lotta melodies in my head which I would like to strum out. Acoustic guitar is what I am thinking soundwise. But what would you suggest for a beginner?
Definitely the ukulele.
I chose the ukulele as my first musical instrument.I figured if I can’t learn to play a 4 stringer, I might as well forget it!
Instruments to stay away from : violin, mandolin, lute, any instrument that requires Herculean set of lungs
Laughing about that last one. I’m not one for wind instruments, either, unless it’s a kazoo.
I went from rusty percussionist to charango. I’ve never played strings before and I don’t recommend going this route. I’m still trying to figure out how to really read tablature but all of my sources are in Spanish, and their tabs seem to be a little different also. I guess i’m glutton for punishment but it’s a beautiful sounding instrument.
It is a beautiful instrument. If you’re really motivated and have a good ear, it might work. If you want to try something more accessible I highly recommend the ukulele.