A Beginner's Guide to Learning Musical Instruments as an Adult | A Genre-Specific Guide to Enjoying Music from Scratch

"I wanted to study music during my school days, but never had the opportunity" "I watched my children's lessons and became interested in learning myself" — More and more adults are starting musical instruments. It's never too late to begin learning an instrument as an adult. Brain plasticity is maintained even after adulthood, and by continuing with the right approach, you can certainly reach a level where you can enjoy music. This time, we'll introduce the knowledge necessary for adult beginners to learn instruments by genre.

Things to Consider Before Choosing an Instrument

The first thing to consider when choosing an instrument is "what kind of music do you want to play?" Selecting an instrument that matches your favorite music genre or artist creates motivation that lasts through practice.

Next, think realistically about your "practice environment." Large instruments like pianos require installation space, and acoustic instruments can cause soundproofing issues in apartments or condominiums. Digital pianos, headphone-compatible digital instruments, and relatively quiet instruments (like ukulele and flute) are strong options when your living space is limited.

Cost (instrument, materials, and lesson fees) is also an important factor. Most beginner instruments can be purchased for around ¥20,000 to ¥50,000, but if you take lessons, there will be additional monthly fees.

Piano and Keyboard

**Piano is the most popular choice for adults starting to learn instruments.** It's easy to produce individual notes, and the mechanics of sound are visually easy to understand, making it well-suited for studying music theory.

For beginners, it's practical to start with a digital piano (one with realistic key touch, around ¥30,000 to ¥100,000). Acoustic pianos offer more expressive power, but they come with tuning costs, space requirements, and soundproofing issues.

You can start on your own, but taking lessons at a music school (2-4 times per month, around ¥7,000 to ¥20,000 per month) will help you develop correct technique and progress efficiently. Combining lessons with apps (Simply Piano, Yousician, etc.) has also become popular recently.

Acoustic and Electric Guitar

Guitar is a versatile instrument that can be used for many genres including pop, rock, folk, and bossa nova. It's also popular because it opens up various ways to enjoy music, such as singing while playing and participating in bands.

**Acoustic guitar** can be started with entry-level models for around ¥20,000 to ¥50,000. You can practice without an amplifier in any location, but for the first 1-2 months until your fingers adjust, pressing the strings will cause finger pain. This is something everyone experiences, and it becomes less noticeable with practice.

**Electric guitar** produces sound through an amplifier, so at home you can practice quietly using a headphone amplifier. The strings are thinner and easier to press than acoustic guitar, which means less finger pain when starting.

Ukulele

Ukulele is one of the easiest instruments to start with due to its small size, light weight, and only four strings. Entry-level models cost around ¥10,000 to ¥30,000, and since there are fewer strings to learn, chords are easier to master. Many people can play several songs within their first month.

Its modest volume makes it appealing because you can play it freely at home, while traveling, or outdoors. It works well with many genres including Hawaiian music, pop, and folk songs, and it's easy to enjoy singing along with.

Wind Instruments and Other Instruments

**Flute and saxophone** are popular wind instruments for adults. Flute is relatively quiet and popular among women, while saxophone pairs well with jazz and pop and offers a rich sound. We recommend taking lessons for wind instruments to develop proper technique.

**Traditional Japanese instruments such as sanshin, shakuhachi, and koto** are increasingly offered at schools that welcome adult beginners. As interest in Japanese culture grows, sanshin is particularly popular with those who want to learn it alongside Okinawan culture.

Regardless of which instrument you choose, the first 3 months are the most important period. Creating a habit of touching the instrument every day, even a little, is the shortest path to reaching a level where you can enjoy music. Instruments are a hobby you can enjoy throughout your life. We hope you find the perfect instrument for you.