Choosing your first instrument
Pick the instrument that plays the music you want to make, then buy one that is easy to play: low string action on a guitar or ukulele, touch-sensitive keys on a keyboard. A comfortable beginner instrument matters more than a famous brand or extra features.
Hear the difference first
The same chord, C (C, E, G), on each of the three instruments. Tap to compare the sound.
- Guitar: x-3-2-0-1-0, 5 notes sounding. C on guitar
- Piano: C–E–G, 3 notes sounding. C on piano
- Ukulele: 0-0-0-3, 4 notes sounding. C on ukulele
The ukulele sounds bright and close, the guitar full and ringing, the piano clear and even. None is better; they suit different music.
Quick decision table
| If you want to… | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Strum and sing along as soon as possible | Ukulele (concert size) | Soft nylon strings, many one- and two-finger chords, small and cheap |
| Accompany songs, folk, singer-songwriter, campfire | Acoustic guitar | Loud on its own, the standard for strummed songs |
| Play rock, blues, indie or metal | Electric guitar with a small amp | Light strings, low action, the sound of those styles |
| Classical, flamenco, bossa nova, or the gentlest start on guitar | Classical (nylon-string) guitar | Soft strings, wide neck for finger-picking |
| Understand theory, read music, play pop or classical piano | Keyboard or digital piano | Every note visible in a line, both hands, melody and chords together |
| Make music on a computer | Keyboard (61 keys, USB/MIDI) | Doubles as a controller for music software |
Choosing a first guitar
Acoustic, electric or classical
Steel-string acoustic guitars are what most people picture: loud, bright, no power needed. Their strings are the hardest on fingertips at first. Electric guitars have thinner strings set closer to the frets, so chords like F are easier to press, but you need an amp (a small practice amp or headphone amp is fine). Classical guitars use nylon strings, which are soft and warm-sounding, with a wider neck that suits finger-picking; the wider neck can feel like a stretch for chords.
Size
Full size suits most teenagers and adults. 3/4 and 1/2 size guitars exist for children and for travel. Among acoustics, smaller body shapes (often called parlor, concert or auditorium) are more comfortable to hold than large dreadnought bodies, especially for smaller players.
Action: the thing that matters most
Action is the height of the strings above the frets. High action makes every chord harder and sounds sharp when you press. It's the most common reason beginner guitars feel impossible. When buying, press a string at the 1st fret and at the 12th: it should go down without a fight. Many shops will set up a guitar (adjust the action) for a modest fee, and it can transform a cheap instrument.
Choosing a first keyboard
61 or 88 keys
A piano has 88 keys. A 61-key keyboard covers five octaves, which fits every chord and most beginner and pop material, and is lighter and cheaper. Choose 88 keys if you want to play classical repertoire or plan to move to an acoustic piano; both hands spread wider there.
Weighted or unweighted
Weighted (or hammer-action) keys resist like an acoustic piano and build finger control. Unweighted or semi-weighted keys are lighter and faster to play, fine for chords and synth sounds. If piano is the goal, weighted keys are the better long-term buy.
Touch sensitivity
Touch-sensitive (velocity-sensitive) keys play louder when you press harder. Without it you can't learn dynamics, so treat it as essential. Also look for a sustain pedal input and a headphone socket.
Choosing a first ukulele
Ukuleles come in four common sizes. Soprano is the smallest and has the classic plinky sound. Concert is slightly bigger with more room between frets, a good default for adult hands. Tenor is bigger again, fuller in sound. Baritone is tuned differently (like the top four strings of a guitar), so standard ukulele chord charts don't apply. Soprano, concert and tenor all use standard GCEA tuning, the one on our ukulele chord pages.
Budget ranges
Rough US ranges for a decent beginner instrument, new, as a guide only. Prices change often and vary by region and sale; check current listings.
| Instrument | Typical starter range | Spend more if… |
|---|---|---|
| Ukulele (soprano or concert) | Tens of dollars to around $150 | You want solid wood and better tuning stability |
| Classical guitar | Around $100 to $300 | You'll play mostly finger-style |
| Acoustic guitar | Around $150 to $400 | Action and tone matter to you; a solid top helps sound |
| Electric guitar plus small amp | Around $200 to $500 | You want a better amp; it shapes the sound as much as the guitar |
| 61-key touch-sensitive keyboard | Around $100 to $300 | You need built-in speakers that sound good |
| 88-key weighted digital piano | Around $400 to $900 | You want a better key action and piano sound |
Used instruments are often better value, especially guitars and keyboards. Check that the neck is straight, the tuners turn smoothly, every key sounds, and the action is low.
Accessories that matter
- A tuner. A clip-on tuner works in noisy rooms; our free guitar tuner and ukulele tuner work in the browser.
- A stand. An instrument in a case gets played less. One on a stand in the living room gets picked up.
- A capo for guitar, to play songs in any key with open chords. See how a capo works.
- Spare strings and a few picks for guitar.
- A sustain pedal and a stand at the right height for a keyboard.
- A metronome: our online metronome is free.
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- Acoustic guitarsSteel strings, full size or 3/4
- Classical guitarsNylon strings, gentler on fingers
- Electric guitar packsGuitar plus small amp and cable
- 61-key keyboardsTouch-sensitive, portable
- 88-key digital pianosWeighted keys, full range
- Concert ukulelesA bit roomier than soprano
- Clip-on tunersWorks in noisy rooms
- Guitar and ukulele standsKeeps it out and ready
- Sustain pedalsCheck polarity for your keyboard
Once it arrives
Tune it, then learn two chords the first day. Our beginner guides take you from there: guitar, piano and ukulele. If you'd like a structured course, compare the guitar learning apps and piano learning apps. And when a chord like G7 comes up, look it up here and hear it before you play it.
First instrument questions
What is the easiest instrument to learn first?
For playing chords and singing along quickly, the ukulele: four nylon strings, small frets, and many one- or two-finger chords. For understanding music theory, the piano, because every note is laid out in a straight line. Guitar sits in between and is the most versatile for accompanying songs.
Should an adult beginner start on acoustic or electric guitar?
Choose the one that plays the music you want to play. Electric guitars usually have lighter strings and lower action, so they are easier on the fingers; acoustics need nothing plugged in. Motivation matters more than the small difference in difficulty.
Do I need weighted keys to learn piano?
Not to start, but they help if you plan to play acoustic piano or classical pieces later, because weighted keys build finger strength and control. For chords, pop and learning with an app, a touch-sensitive 61-key keyboard is enough.
What size guitar does a child need?
It depends on height and arm length more than age. Smaller bodies such as 1/2 and 3/4 size guitars suit younger children; most teenagers and adults use full size. If you can, have the child hold the guitar in a shop: they should reach the first fret comfortably with a slightly bent arm.
What accessories do I need with a first instrument?
A tuner (clip-on or an app such as our guitar tuner), a stand so the instrument stays out where you will pick it up, spare strings for guitar, and picks. For a keyboard, a sustain pedal and a stable stand at the right height.
Is a cheap instrument a waste of money?
Not if it plays well. The problem with very cheap instruments is rarely the sound; it is high action and poor tuning stability, which make chords hard to press and keep sounding wrong. A shop setup can fix most of the action problems on a guitar or ukulele.
Guidance is based on instrument features, not hands-on product testing. Updated September 2026.