Blog

There are many things that seniors can do with their spare time. One of the best ways is to learn new musical instruments or teach themselves how to play an instrument they already know. There are a lot of instruments that seniors can learn to play, but not all musical instrument lessons are made equal. In this article, we will explore some of the best musical instrument for seniors to learn and what benefits they offer. Just pick the best one that suits your tastes and abilities!

How to Get Started

If you’ve been considering learning to play a musical instrument but haven’t made that first step, you’ve come to the right place! Here are some pointers on how to get started learning as an older individual:

• Choose an instrument that you really like. This way, the learning process should be much easier and more fun!
• Don’t expect to be a musical genius right out of the gate. Like with other things in life, practice makes perfect, so if you take your time and practice daily for about 30 minutes at a time – you’ll see results and improve your skills!
• Choose a size that works for you. If you’re older, it’s important to have an instrument that’s comfortable enough for you to play without pain or strain on your muscles, limbs or joints.
• Choose a weight that is appropriate for your strength level as well as the type of material from which the instrument is made. For instance, if you choose an instrument with heavy metal fittings, it may be easier to break than one with lighter materials.

Learning to play an instrument can be really fun. You will get better at it over time. For starters, music has been shown to help the brain grow and improve cognitive awareness in the aging process. This is why so many retirement and senior communities offer music and singing as a regular part of the community activities.

Benefits of playing musical instrument

Music is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. It helps us relax, sleep better at night, boosts our moods when we are feeling down, reduces blood pressure levels in the body, improves memory function, and even makes us smarter! Yes, you read that correctly – playing musical instruments can actually make your brain work faster by giving it more oxygen. This means that music is one of the best activities you can do when you retired & bored!

So if you want to learn a musical instrument, it will be good for you because:

• Music has been shown to have a positive effect on the brain, improving memory and cognitive function
• Learning an instrument can help seniors stay active in their later years
• A study of elderly people in a care home found that those who played music had better sleep quality
• Playing an instrument has also been shown to reduce loneliness among seniors, because it’s a great way to make new friends or connect with old ones
• You don’t have to be able to read music – it’s all about listening and feeling the beat of the song
• Seniors can learn how to play instruments from online tutorials or by joining a community group for musicians of all skill levels
• The benefits of learning musical instruments include improved mood, decreased feelings of depression, increased socialization with others, and more opportunities for physical activity outside the home

Studies have also shown that learning an instrument can help to reduce stress, improve sleep patterns and even help with mild cases of depression. Learning any one musical instrument helps the brain learn other instruments as well as how to work as a team – skills that can be useful in life.

Keep in mind though, there are some musical instruments which are more difficult to play than others and it is best to pick something easy enough but also fun at the same time. If you’re ready to learn, keep reading and select the one that’s best for you!

# Ukulele

The ukulele is a small and portable instrument that can be easily stored in any size bag or closet. It has few strings, making it easier for beginners to play correctly as well so they’ll enjoy mellow sounds because this type of guitar isn’t too difficult compared with other instruments such as guitars which have six courses on the neck.

The most popular type of Ukulele is the Soprano, which has a range from G3 to C6. The Tenor Ukulele is bigger and has a wider neck than the Soprano, with a range from A3 to E7. The Baritone Ukulele has an even deeper sound and larger fretboard than the Tenor, with a range from F#4 to Bb7.

There are also Concert and Double-necked versions of these three types available for sale online. These instruments can be used in all sorts of genres such as jazz, rock n’ roll, folk music etc., making them versatile for any musician or singer looking for their next instrument! You can find out more about each type at Ukulele Tricks, where you’ll also find reviews and videos that show off what they sound like!

# Guitar

Guitar players, rejoice! The guitar is a favorite among seniors because it can be played seated and doesn’t require much movement. Senior citizens with arthritis will love this instrument too – they’re perfect for when you want to relax in your favorite chair or recliner after making music on the piano all night long.

The best musical instrument ever…the guitar has enough full sound that allows people of any age or skill level sit back comfortably while still hearing their own fingers at play without straining themselves from moving around too much which often causes pain as we get older.

The best guitars for seniors are the acoustic or classical guitar. They can be easily stored away in closets and under beds, making them perfect instruments to take with you on vacation! The best part of all is that these guitars come pre-tuned so no need to worry about learning how to tune it yourself before playing a single note!

Other types of guitars include-

• Electric guitars: They sound like the guitar in a concert.
• Resonator guitars: They make a strong sound and they can be played in front of an audience.
• Lap steel guitars: They are different from other types because they have strings on them, but you play them with your fingers instead of your hands.

check out websites like Ultimate Guitar to find tabs.

For now, though the best two would be either classical or acoustic guitars for seniors but remember that, any instrument will feel great if your heart is in it!

# Bongo Drums

Bongos are one of the best musical instrument for seniors to learn because it is comparatively easy to learn. Also they have a very soft sound so no one else will be disturbed if you decide to play them in public! They are also very easy to carry around with you, making them the perfect instrument for travel or vacations! Plus, bongos are also adjustable, you can play them with your hands or your feet!

You’ll want to make sure that the bongos themselves are not too heavy though before you purchase them – this way they will be easier to carry around. And also, don’t forget about carrying cases for these drums either. If you’re planning on playing somewhere where your drums are going to be traveling, you’ll want something that’s both lightweight and durable.

# Mandolin

The mandolin is an excellent choice for seniors to learn because it doesn’t require much movement and the strings are not too hard to press down. If you’re thinking about learning an instrument, but aren’t sure which one would be best this time around with your arthritis problems – try out the Mandola! It has a bright sound that will make any age group happy. There are various types:

• The Acoustic Mandolin –  the most popular type of mandolin and also the one that is easiest to play
• The Electric-Acoustic Mandocello – this type has both acoustic and electric capabilities, which makes it great for playing in different settings or venues with different sound requirements
• The Banjo Style Guitar Mandola – this instrument can be played like an acoustic guitar but can have a banjo-style tone when plugged into an amplifier or PA system.

# Piano

Why is the piano such an amazing instrument for seniors? It’s because it requires very little movement of your fingers to make music happen. This means that anyone with arthritis or limited mobility will be able to play without too much pain! You’ll find, in addition, these best pianos also come equipped with lighter touch keys and shorter key travel distance – which makes playing easier on you as well!

What types should I look out at shopping around town?? Here are some pointers: First off there’s upright vs grand models – each has its own specific use depending upon your space and setting.

• Upright pianos are best for small rooms, where you won’t have room to keep a grand piano upright. They come in all different colors and usually, the first thing you’ll need to do is make sure that there’s enough storage on the top of it to hold your sheet music or books.
• Grand pianos are more popular and come in two varieties: baby grand and the full-size. Baby grands are designed for smaller rooms and usually range from 4’8″ to 7’6″ – which makes them perfect for hallways and sunrooms! On the other hand, full-size pianos can fit into large rooms and have the reputation of being the best instruments for weddings to come out from!

Don’t forget to take a look at piano store furniture as well – they can often be a great way to save space in your home. But you’ll want something that has a lot of storage or organization built-in so that you can move around your piano at ease.

# Flute

The flute is a great musical instrument for seniors to learn because it only has six open holes on each side. This means you can cover the other five with your fingers to prevent air from leaking out and causing sound when playing without making any noise! Playing this saves energy (and pain) in both hands as well, which makes it difficult or painful to hold otherwise due to hand problems like arthritis that make holding onto things more challenging than usual.

What types should I look out for when shopping around town?? There are three types of flutes:

• The piccolo is a smaller version of the standard concert flute and is easier to play than full-size models because it usually has an octave key. Its size allows you to play higher notes much more easily than when you play the larger models.
• The alto flute is larger than the piccolo and has an open G key – making it much easier to hold when playing. You’ll also notice that you have three keys instead of one for this instrument, which makes moving up and down the scales (and through various notes) very easy.
• The standard flute is usually the hardest to play because it’s the largest and least-adjustable model. It also requires a lot of air to blow through, making it more difficult for seniors with breathing issues like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

However, you should be aware that according to the Arthritis Foundation, you should not buy a flute made from nickel silver because it contains high levels of nickel. As a result, it is believed to be bad for those who have arthritis or similar problems.

# Violin

Learning how to play the violin has been shown in research studies over time, with an increase in blood flow and even cognitive function! Not only does it help seniors who can’t move their fingers as well due to aging but also stimulates brain growth. Learning the best musical instruments such as violins will not cost too much or be difficult at all because they’re usually starter level beginner instruments that anyone could learn quickly on if you put your mind into learning them – don’t worry about being a pro overnight either; I’m sure once we get started playing anything feels easy after a while.

Learning any type of stringed instrument is a great exercise for our hands while building new skills like coordination between hand positions which benefits both fine motor skill development and overall memory function. And also! The violin has the added benefit of being portable, so you can take it with you everywhere – which is perfect if you’re looking for something to take on vacation or even just practice in the living room after dinner 🙂

There are four sizes of violins that beginners may choose to get started playing: 1/32, 1/16, ¼ and full.

A beginner may want to choose a violin made out of maple wood with spruce fittings (maple: tonal qualities; spruce: lightweight) and also use horsehair for the bow. According to String Visions, “These two characteristics make an ideal combination in producing a quality instrument that is both affordable and easy to play.”

When it comes to protecting your instrument, you’ll want a hard case for safety purposes. A soft-shell case will be sufficient if you’re mainly going to be playing in one location (like an apartment) but a rigid case would be better for travel so the violin doesn’t get damaged.

Violin stands are also necessary because you don’t want to put the instrument down somewhere that might damage it. A stand is the best way to keep your violin safe and secure when you’re not playing, so it’s worth investing in one of these for this instrument especially because of its smaller size.

# Cello

The cello is the best musical instrument for seniors to learn because it’s bow-based instead of finger-based. This means that hand fatigue and pain are reduced over time, making playing easier! You’ll find excellent lessons online or local libraries have books on how to play this beautiful stringed bass in no time at all with just a little practice from home–and maybe even some buddies along the way if you want company while learning your craft.

As a senior, you’ll need to be concerned with making sure that your instrument is not only the right size but also the correct weight. String instruments such as cellos vary depending on their size and what kind of tone they produce so choosing one can be challenging on its own before even getting started playing.

But this isn’t too difficult to figure out at all.

First, you’ll need to know how big your body is so that you can choose the size of the cello that fits your frame best–ranging from ¼, ½ or full. You should also note which hand position you normally use for playing musical instruments because it will affect what size instrument accommodates your dominant hand (stronger, bigger hand) more so than the other.

Another thing to consider when choosing a cello is what kind of finish you want on the instrument because some are made with harder fittings while others have softer padding for added comfort on long playing sessions. There are also options of whether or not you want to pick up an electric cello – but these are obviously not traditional instruments so keep that in mind when you’re making your purchase.

Cellos also come with different types of bowstrings that suit different skill levels and budgets. You can buy a cello bow that’s made out of carbon fiber, fiberglass, or wood depending on the quality you want to get out of your instrument. Carbon fiber is the most expensive of these options but it’s also the easiest to keep your bow in tune with because it holds tension longer, offers greater control over sound dynamics, and produces subtlety. Fiberglass bows are less expensive than carbon fiber but more expensive than wood which you should only choose if you’re a beginner – or playing a budget instrument.

Beyond these basic guidelines, you’ll want to keep in mind that string instruments are often made from rosewood and ebony with fittings usually being either solid or laminated for strength and durability purposes. You don’t need a lot of fancy accessories when choosing a cello as a senior but it’s important to make sure that you’re purchasing a good quality instrument that’s not only the right size and weight for your age, but also meets all of your other personal stringed instrument needs as well!

# Harmonica

The harmonica is a portable musical instrument that can be played anywhere at any time. It only has 12 notes, which makes it easier for people who have arthritis or limited hand mobility to learn how to play than other instruments do!  Although the harmonica is considered one of the easiest instruments to learn how to play, you’ll want to start off with a basic model and work your way up from there if you’re just starting out with this musical instrument.

After determining what key you want your harmonica in, which can be F or G major, then choose a beginner model for your first harmonica. You can choose from many beginners or junior harmonicas, such as Hohner’s “Little Lady” and Suzuki’s “Band-Aid.”

Playing a harmonica is very easy once you get the hang of it. It takes some practice to become an expert even if you are playing simple songs but this instrument is a good choice for seniors because it only has 12 notes and it’s very lightweight.

Another important thing to remember when playing the harmonica is that you’ll need to learn the proper breathing techniques, such as how to breathe in and out while simultaneously inhaling and exhaling. Also, holding your mouth at a certain angle will help with playing and producing a clear sound.

You’ll want to make sure that you hold the harmonica between your lips and not in your hands because this will take away from how well you’re able to play it. It’s also important to keep in mind that playing the harmonica is all about breath control, practice, and knowing where the notes are located on the instrument.

Even if you’re older and lacking musical skills, there are many options available for learning an instrument. You can start with an inexpensive keyboard that will help you to get the feel of how a musical instrument works, and then if you’re still interested in playing after a few years’ time, you can choose from many instruments such as guitar, saxophone, piano or drums.

So as you can see, the best musical instruments for seniors are not difficult to find or learn how to play. All that is required of you is a little bit of patience and the willingness to have fun learning something new. Keep in mind, these best musical instrument lessons will take time but it’s worth every second when you’re making beautiful music!

That’s it for now, if you have any thoughts on the best musical instrument for seniors to learn – don’t hesitate to comment here! We look forward to hearing from you, till next time!

YOU CAN ALSO READ :

*15 Post Retirement Activities You Can Choose To Avoid Depression

*What Are the Stages of Retirement & What to Do During That Time?

*Best 10 Dress Code Ideas: What to Wear to A Retirement Party?

*Best Retirement Party Decorations Ideas to Make It Memorable

*Best Emotional Support Dogs: 12 breeds for Seniors and Retirees