Which musical instrument would you like to play professionally?

So you’ve decided you want to turn your musical hobby into a professional journey. Still, you’re torn between twiddling the ivories and shredding the electric guitar—or maybe even something else entirely? You’re not alone. This article will serve as your go-to guide for understanding what makes each instrument on our poll list a unique and fulfilling choice for pursuing a professional career in music.

Before diving into each instrument, remember what Quincy Jones once said, “Your music can never be more or less than you are as a human being.” So, choosing an instrument isn’t just about the sound or the genre. It’s about what resonates with you at a core level.

Drums

Starting off our list with a bang (literally!), we have drums. When people think of drummers, they often envision someone pounding away with sticks, setting the tempo for the entire band. It’s a high-energy choice, perfect for those who like to be the heartbeat of the music.

Why Choose Drums:

• You’re a natural-born rhythm keeper.
• It’s a whole-body workout.

“To be a drummer, you also have to be a musician.”

– Neil Peart

Fun Fact: The world’s largest drum kit has over 800 pieces and took 36 years to assemble!

Saxophone

Sultry, smooth, and synonymous with jazz and blues, the saxophone is an instrument of emotion.

Why Choose Saxophone:

• Incredible range of expression.
• A go-to for multiple genres like jazz, classical, and pop.

“You don’t play the saxophone, you let it play you.”

– Charlie Parker

Fun Fact: As a child, Adolphe Sax, the saxophone inventor, survived several near-death experiences. Now his creation provides life to countless pieces of music.

Electric Guitar

The electric guitar is arguably the poster child of rock ‘n’ roll. If you enjoy standing out and making a statement, this could be your instrument.

Why Choose Electric Guitar:

• Known for its versatile sound.
• Offers the chance to be the star of the show.

“The guitar is the easiest instrument to play and the hardest to play well.”

– Andres Segovia

Fun Fact: The world record for the fastest guitar playing is 330 BPM (beats per minute), set by Brazilian musician Tiago Della Vega.

Flute

The flute has been charming audiences for millennia. It’s portable, versatile, and an elegant choice for aspiring musicians.

Why Choose Flute:

• Easily transportable.
• High demand in both classical and modern music settings.

“The flute is not an instrument that has a good moral effect; it is too exciting.”

– Aristotle

Fun Fact: The oldest known flutes, made from bird bones and mammoth ivory, are over 35,000 years old!

Guitar

If the electric guitar is too flashy for you, perhaps its mellower cousin, the acoustic guitar, is more your speed.

Why Choose Guitar:

• It can be self-taught.
• It is one of the most popular instruments in the USA.

“The guitar is a small orchestra. It is polyphonic. Every string is a different color, a different voice.” –

Andrés Segovia

Fun Fact: In the United States, more guitars are sold than all other instruments combined!

Cello

Ah, the cello: The instrument that can make you weep one minute and dance the next.

Why Choose Cello:

• Known for its deep, emotional tone.
• A staple in orchestras and chamber music.

“The cello is like a beautiful woman who has not grown older but younger with time, more slender, more supple, more graceful.”

– Pablo Casals

Fun Fact: Yo-Yo Ma’s cello is 266 years old, and its worth is estimated to be in the millions!

Clarinet

Often underappreciated but never overlooked, the clarinet has a playful yet profound sound that can fit into any musical style.

Why Choose Clarinet:

• Compact and portable.
• Adaptable to multiple musical genres.

“The clarinet is the perfect instrument: it can express emotion as well as the human voice.”

– Benny Goodman

Fun Fact: The clarinet was a late bloomer, joining the orchestra in the 18th century, hundreds of years after many other instruments.

Keyboard

If you’re looking for an all-encompassing instrument, look no further than the keyboard.

Why Choose Keyboard:

• Wide array of sounds and settings.
• Great for composers and songwriters.

“Life is like a piano. What you get out of it depends on how you play it.”

– Tom Lehrer

Fun Fact: The largest keyboard ensemble consisted of 175 keyboardists playing simultaneously in Sri Lanka.

Piano

The grandparent of the keyboard, the piano is an instrument of sophistication and skill.

Why Choose Piano:

• A beginner-friendly choice.
• Central to many forms of music.

“Life is like a piano; the white keys represent happiness and the black show sadness. But as you go through life’s journey, remember that the black keys also create music.”

– Ehssan

Fun Fact: A concert grand piano has a total string tension of over 30 tons!

Violin

Elegant, expressive, and challenging, the violin offers a plethora of rewards for those who master it.

Why Choose Violin:

• Compact size makes it portable.
• High demand in orchestras and bands.

“When you play a violin piece, you are a storyteller, and you’re telling a story.”

– Joshua Bell

Fun Fact: The most expensive violin, the “Lady Blunt” Stradivarius, was sold for $16 million in 2011.

Other

This is for all the rebels and free spirits who dare to be different! There’s an instrument for everyone, whether it’s the harp, bagpipes, or even the triangle.

“Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.”

– Frank Zappa

Fun Fact: In the U.S., the kazoo was one of the few musical instruments to be mass-produced during the 20th century.

Conclusion

Choosing a professional instrument is like selecting a lifelong companion—it has to fit you. Remember, as Duke Ellington put it, “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing.” So choose wisely and don’t forget to enjoy the ride.