The Most Fun Instrument to Play, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the instrument you think is the most fun!

Updated on May 8, 2024 06:27

Choosing an instrument to play can feel like a monumental decision, especially for those embarking on their musical journey or looking to add another sound to their repertoire. A fun instrument can transform practice sessions into exhilarating moments of joy and fulfillment, making each note played a delightful experience. Thus, understanding which instruments bring joy to players can be incredibly beneficial. This site offers a unique opportunity for novice and experienced musicians alike to cast their votes and impact the rankings of instruments based on how enjoyable they are to play. By participating, users contribute their perspectives, building a community-guided resource that helps future musicians make well-informed choices. Let your experiences shape the guide and help others find the joy in music making.

What Is the Most Fun Instrument to Play?

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56
votes
francesco from Italia · CC BY 2.0

Electric guitar

Adolph Rickenbacker

With its endless possibilities for distortion, effects, and shredding solos, the electric guitar is a favorite among rockers and metalheads alike.
The electric guitar is a stringed instrument that utilizes electronic pickups to convert the vibration of its steel strings into electrical signals. It is played by fretting the strings and plucking or strumming them with a pick or fingers, and the sound is then amplified through an amplifier and speaker. The electric guitar is known for its versatility, wide range of tones, and ability to produce various effects.

Body Type: Solid body or semi-hollow body

Number of Strings: Usually 6, but also available in 7, 8, 9, or 12-string variations

Pickups: Single-coil or humbucker

Scale Length: 24.75 or 25.5 inches

Neck Construction: Bolt-on or set-in
2

33
votes
Ukulele

Its small size and simple chord progressions make the ukulele an accessible and fun instrument for beginners. Plus, it's often associated with tropical, carefree vibes.
The Ukulele is a small stringed instrument that originated in Hawaii. It belongs to the guitar family and typically has four strings. It is known for its small size and unique sound, which is bright and cheerful. The instrument is played by strumming or plucking the strings with the fingers or a pick.

Size: The Ukulele usually comes in four sizes: Soprano, Concert, Tenor, and Baritone. The Soprano is the smallest and most standard size, while the Baritone is the largest.

Tuning: The standard tuning for a Ukulele, from top to bottom string, is G-C-E-A. However, alternative tunings are also common depending on the music genre played.

Materials: A Ukulele's body is typically made of wood, such as koa, mahogany, or spruce. The fretboard and bridge are commonly made of rosewood or other hardwoods.

Frets: Most Ukuleles have 12-15 frets, allowing players to play a wide range of notes and chords.

Strings: Traditionally, Ukuleles have been strung with gut or nylon strings. However, modern Ukuleles often use synthetic strings, which offer better durability and sound quality.
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20
votes
Drums

Whether you're pounding out a beat for a rock band or getting lost in a jazz groove, there's something undeniably satisfying about hitting things with sticks.
The drums are a percussion instrument that consists of various drums and cymbals played with drumsticks or hands. They are known for their powerful and rhythmic sound, making them an essential part of many music genres.

Components: Snare drum, bass drum, toms, hi-hat, crash cymbal, ride cymbal, etc.

Sound Production: Striking drumheads and cymbals with drumsticks or hands

Materials: Typically includes wooden drum shells, metal hardware, and synthetic drumheads

Size: Drums can vary in size, ranging from small piccolo snares to large floor toms

Tuning: Drumheads can be tuned to produce different pitches and tones
4

16
votes
Piano

The piano's versatility and range make it a great instrument for playing anything from classical to pop music. Plus, there's something magical about being able to create such a full, rich sound with just your fingers.
The piano is a versatile and majestic musical instrument that belongs to the keyboard family. It is beloved for its rich harmonies, wide dynamic range, and the ability to play melodies and chords simultaneously. The piano has a timeless appeal and is often considered one of the most beautiful instruments in the world.

Number of keys: 88

Sound production: Acoustic or digital

Types: Grand piano, Upright piano, Digital piano

Range: Seven and a quarter octaves (A0 to C8)

Strings per key: One to three
5

15
votes
Saxophone

The saxophone's smooth, soulful sound has made it a staple of jazz and blues music. Plus, it's a lot of fun to play around with different techniques and sounds, like growling or bending notes.
The Saxophone is a versatile woodwind instrument with a conical shape and a single-reed mouthpiece. It is made of brass and commonly played in jazz, classical, and contemporary music.

Range: The saxophone has a wide range, from low B♭ to high F or F♯.

Types: There are various saxophone types, including soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones.

Transposition: The saxophone is a B♭ transposing instrument, meaning when a player reads a C, it sounds as a B♭.

Keys: Most saxophones have approximately 20 to 23 keys, allowing for a wide tonal and chromatic range.

Construction: The saxophone consists of a brass body with keywork, a neck, and a detachable mouthpiece.
6

7
votes
TenIslands · Public domain

Bass guitar

Leo Fender

Often overshadowed by its six-stringed cousin, the bass guitar is a crucial component of any band's rhythm section. Plus, it's just plain fun to play those low, rumbling notes.
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument that belongs to the guitar family. It is designed to produce low-pitched sounds and provide a rhythmic and harmonic foundation in various music genres, particularly in rock, jazz, and funk. The bass guitar typically has four to six strings and is played by plucking the strings with the fingers or using a pick.

Number of strings: 4, 5, or 6

Scale length: 34 inches (standard)

Body shape: Various shapes (e.g., Precision, Jazz)

Pickups: Single-coil or humbucker

Tuning: E, A, D, G (for 4-string)
Bass guitar in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular instrument in Australia
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6
votes
Banjo

With its twangy, folksy sound, the banjo is a great instrument for playing bluegrass, country, and other traditional music styles. Plus, it's a lot of fun to experiment with different picking patterns and techniques.
The banjo is a stringed instrument with a unique sound and charm. It typically consists of a circular body covered with a stretched membrane, a fretted neck, and strings that are usually plucked or strummed. The bright and twangy tone of the banjo is often associated with folk, bluegrass, and country music.

Number of Strings: Usually 4 or 5 strings, but can range from 4 to 9.

Body Shape: Typically round or oval-shaped, with a drum-like body.

Resonator: Some banjos have a back plate, called a resonator, which projects sound forward.

Head/Tone Ring: The stretched membrane on the banjo's body, called the head, can be made of various materials like plastic or animal hide. Some banjos also feature a metal tone ring for added clarity and volume.

Frets: The neck of the banjo is usually fretted, providing precise pitch control.
8

5
votes
Harmonica

The harmonica's compact size and portability make it a great instrument for playing on the go. Plus, it's a lot of fun to experiment with different keys and note-bending techniques.
The harmonica is a wind instrument that is small, portable, and played by blowing air through reed chambers. It creates musical notes when the player inhales and exhales into it. It is known for its unique sound and versatility in various music genres.

Type: Wind instrument

Number of reeds: Multiple

Reed material: Brass, stainless steel, or bronze

Number of holes: 10 or more

Key range: Usually spans two or more octaves
9

8
votes
Trumpet

Whether you're playing in a big band or a brass ensemble, the trumpet's bright, powerful sound is hard to ignore. Plus, there's something thrilling about hitting those high notes.
The trumpet is a brass instrument that is widely recognized for its bright, piercing tone and its versatile range. It is characterized by its cylindrical shape and a flared bell at the end. The trumpet is played by buzzing the lips into a mouthpiece and manipulating the valves to change the pitch.

Range: About 2.5 octaves (approximately F#3 to C6)

Material: Brass (typically yellow brass or rose brass)

Bell Diameter: 4.75 to 5.25 inches

Bore Size: 0.460 to 0.470 inches

Valves: Typically three piston valves
10

12
votes
Theremin

The theremin is an electronic instrument that produces sound by detecting the position of the player's hands in the air. It's a bit of an oddball choice, but it's a lot of fun to experiment with the eerie, otherworldly sounds it can produce.
The Theremin is a unique and fascinating electronic musical instrument that is played without any physical contact. It is often considered one of the most fun instruments to play due to its ethereal and otherworldly sound.

Playing Technique: The Theremin is played by moving the hands in the proximity of two metal antennas, which control pitch and volume.

Pitch Control: The vertical antenna controls pitch, with higher positions producing higher pitch.

Volume Control: The horizontal antenna controls volume, with closer proximity resulting in louder volume.

Continuous Tone: Unlike traditional instruments, the Theremin produces continuous tones without any discrete notes or intervals.

No Physical Contact: The player does not touch the Theremin while playing, as the movement of hands in the proximity of antennas generates electromagnetic fields that are then interpreted to produce sound.

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Discussion

Ranking factors for fun instrument

Ease of Learning

How easy is it to learn the basics and start playing songs on the instrument? Easier instruments might be more fun for beginners, while more challenging instruments can be more fun for experienced musicians.
Versatility

How versatile is the instrument in terms of playing different styles of music or adapting to different musical situations? A more versatile instrument might be more fun to play because it allows for more creativity and experimentation.
Social Aspect

How fun is the instrument to play with other musicians or in a group setting? Some instruments naturally lend themselves to group play, while others might be more enjoyable as solo instruments.
Physicality

How enjoyable is the physical experience of playing the instrument? This includes factors like the tactile sensation of playing, the weight and balance of the instrument, and how comfortably it fits in your hands or against your body.
Expressiveness

How much room for individual expression does the instrument offer? Instruments with a wide range of tonal and dynamic capabilities may be more enjoyable to play, as they allow for more personal touches and variations in performance.
Portability

How easy is it to transport and set up the instrument? More portable instruments might be more fun to play because they can easily be taken to different locations or social situations.
Personal Connection

How connected do you feel to the instrument? Instruments with a strong cultural, historical, or personal significance can be more enjoyable to play because they create a deeper emotional connection to the music.
Aesthetics

How visually appealing is the instrument? While this may seem superficial, enjoying the look of an instrument can add to the overall fun of playing.
Cost and Accessibility

How affordable and accessible is the instrument? Price and availability can affect how easily someone can start learning and enjoying the instrument.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most fun instrument to play. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or instrument is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2670 views
165 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each instrument once every 24 hours. The rank of each instrument is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most fun instrument to play

Music is one of the most enjoyable forms of art, and playing an instrument can be a great way to express oneself creatively. But with so many different instruments out there, which one is the most fun to play? This is a question that many musicians and music enthusiasts have pondered over the years. Some instruments are more challenging than others, but they can also be more rewarding. Others are easier to learn but may not be as satisfying to play. Ultimately, the answer to this question will depend on personal preference, skill level, and the type of music one enjoys playing. In this article, we will explore some of the most popular instruments and discuss what makes them fun to play.