It’s never too late to start learning a new skill, such as cooking, painting, or wood-working. One of the most rewarding things in life is challenging yourself to learn something new, something that you can put your energy and passion into. One of the most rewarding skills is to learn music. It is something that everyone enjoys, and can be easily done solo or with a group of individuals who share your passion. If jazz music is your thing, or you’re just looking to step outside your comfort zone, there are plenty of jazz instruments that are easy to learn and extremely fun to play. Here are a few recommendations for the best jazz instruments you should start learning to play right now.
Trumpet
The quintessential jazz instrument, trumpets have a sound like no other. If you want to follow in the footsteps of the many famous jazz musicians, such as Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie, this is the instrument for you. The trumpet may be the hardest instrument on this list to master, however, and committing to the instrument means mastering breathing exercises and lip exercises that help you produce the constant air stream you’ll need to play this brass instrument. If you don’t want to end up with puffed-out cheeks like Dizzy, however, you’ll have to work hard to maintain good form while playing.
Piano
While the piano is often thought to be an instrument associated with classical music, it’s also an iconic part of jazz music. Easy to learn but difficult to master, it is one of the first instruments many people choose to learn. It is also one you have probably encountered at some point in your life, and may people already know simple chords just from playing around casually. Playing the piano in a jazz style requires an extra sense of rhythm, however, that you may not have learned in your second-grade music class.
Saxophone
Another great instrument that is easy to learn, the saxophone is integral to many jazz songs but also transcends many genres. A great saxophone solo can really make a song, such as “Baker Street” by Gerry Rafferty or the iconic sax solo in “Careless Whisper” by George Michael. If you’re looking for a jazz instrument you can play in a variety of genres, the saxophone is perfect for you. Just make sure you have a well-insulated place to work on your sax skills, as you can’t turn the volume down while practicing!
Bass
The bassline in a song is often considered the foundation of the piece, particularly in jazz music. It is one of the easiest instruments to play on this list and doesn’t require the complex chord progressions that you’d need to learn on a regular guitar. Just a great sense of rhythm and the ability to pluck out a few notes will have you creating the perfect “base” for a jazz piece in no time!
If you’re a big fan of jazz and want to incorporate music into your next party or work function, start looking for jazz bands for hire in your area. You may even develop enough of a skill set by then to get on stage with the band and play a few tunes!