The Most Popular Instrument in Australia, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the instrument you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 4, 2024 06:40
Choosing the right instrument can be a pivotal moment for many Australians, impacting not only personal enjoyment but also potential educational and career opportunities. To aid in this decision, knowing which instruments hold a place of affection among the masses can be incredibly useful. This insight helps in understanding trends and, perhaps, in making a choice that aligns with broader preferences and opportunities.
Here, you have the power to cast your vote and see how your favorite instruments stack up against others in real-time rankings. By participating, you contribute to a clearer picture of musical trends across the nation. Your involvement not only reflects public opinion but also guides newcomers in making informed decisions about which instrument to pick up.
What Is the Most Popular Instrument in Australia?
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169votesThe guitar is one of the most popular instruments in Australia due to its versatility and widespread use in popular music genres.The guitar is a stringed instrument that is widely popular in Australia. It is recognized for its versatile sound and the ability to be played in various genres of music, ranging from classical to rock. The guitar consists of a hollow or semi-hollow body with a soundboard and a neck, along which the strings are stretched. It is played by plucking or strumming the strings with either fingers or a pick.
- Number of Strings: Usually 6, but can also have 7 or 12 strings
- Body Shape: Various shapes, including dreadnought, auditorium, and stratocaster
- Tuning: Standard tuning: E-A-D-G-B-E
- Fretboard: Made of wood, commonly rosewood or maple
- Pickups: Electric guitars have pickups for amplification
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218votesThe piano is a popular instrument in Australia due to its versatility and use in classical, pop, and jazz music.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
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317votesDrums are popular in Australia due to their use in rock, pop and electronic music.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
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415votesThe violin is a popular instrument in Australia due to its use in classical music and folk music.The violin is a string instrument that belongs to the violin family. It is the smallest and highest-pitched instrument in this family. The violin is known for its elegant and curved body, which is usually made of wood. It has four strings, typically tuned in fifths, and is played by drawing a bow across the strings or by plucking them with the fingers. The violin produces a warm, rich, and melodious sound that is often described as one of the most beautiful in the world of music.
- Body Shape: Curved and hourglass-shaped
- Number of Strings: 4
- Materials: Typically made of spruce or maple wood
- Strings: G, D, A, and E (tuned in fifths)
- Bow: Usually made of Pernambuco wood with horsehair
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515votes
TenIslands · Public domainBass guitar
Leo FenderThe bass guitar is a popular instrument in Australia due to its use in rock, pop and jazz music.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 6 of 10 in Most fun instrument to play
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611votesThe saxophone is a popular instrument in Australia due to its use in jazz and popular music.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 Bâ™ transposing instrument, meaning when a player reads a C, it sounds as a Bâ™.
- 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.
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77votesThe ukulele is a popular instrument in Australia due to its simplicity and use in folk and popular music.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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88votesThe harmonica is a popular instrument in Australia due to its use in blues and folk music.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
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96votesThe flute is a popular instrument in Australia due to its use in classical and folk music.The flute is a woodwind instrument that belongs to the aerophone family. It is known for its elegant and enchanting sound, making it one of the most beautiful musical instruments. The flute produces sound by blowing across a hole near one end of the instrument, which causes the air to vibrate and create a melodic tone. Its simplicity and versatility have made it a popular choice in various musical genres, including classical, jazz, and folk.
- Type: Woodwind instrument
- Materials: Typically made of silver, gold, or other metals
- Length: About 67 cm (26 inches)
- Range: About three octaves
- Key: C key (most common), but also available in other keys
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106votesThe banjo is a popular instrument in Australia due to its use in folk and country music.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.
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Ranking factors for popular instrument
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Number of players or learnersDetermine the number of people who play or are learning to play the instrument across the country. This can be done by surveying music schools, community groups, and online forums.
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Cultural significanceAnalyze the role of the instrument in Australian culture and music history. This includes its presence in traditional music, folk music, and contemporary genres.
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Availability and affordabilityConsider the accessibility and cost of the instrument to the general population, including the availability of lessons, instrument dealers, and opportunities for practice and performance.
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Popularity in music educationFind out how often the instrument is included in music curricula for children or adults, from beginner to advanced levels.
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Influential musicians and bandsLook at the popularity of Australian musicians and bands that prominently feature the instrument in their performances and recordings.
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Presence in popular musicAnalyze the frequency with which the instrument appears in popular music genres and concerts or festivals, including both live and recorded music.
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Representation in music competitions and awardsConsider how often the instrument is represented in Australian music competitions and awards, such as the ARIA Awards or music talent shows.
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Local instrument productionResearch if the instrument is manufactured and produced locally in Australia, contributing to its popularity.
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Social media and online presenceInvestigate the popularity of the instrument on social media platforms, YouTube channels, and other online communities, where enthusiasts discuss and share performances and tutorials.
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Recent trends and developmentsExamine if the instrument has experienced a surge in popularity due to recent events or developments, such as exposure through a popular movie or TV show, or the influence of a new popular musician or band.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular instrument in Australia. 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
- 1808 views
- 171 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 popular instrument in australia
Australia is a country with a rich musical history and a diverse range of musical tastes. From classical to contemporary, Australians have a deep appreciation for music and the instruments that create it. When it comes to the most popular instrument in Australia, the answer may not be as straightforward as you might think. While some might assume that the guitar is the most popular instrument, there are many other contenders vying for the top spot. From the piano to the violin, the saxophone to the drums, Australians have a love for a wide variety of musical instruments. In this article, we will explore the most popular instruments in Australia and the reasons why they hold such a special place in the hearts of music lovers across the country.
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