Want more music? Check out Innersleeve, WatchMojo's new music podcast! th-cam.com/play/PLXtYorCEjScR7Hjc3CLotRzQyxG_tvLis.html Can you play any of these instruments? Let us know in the comments
Basically what I thought lol. How did they include viola and not double bass. I don’t care that double bass wasn’t included, but the fact that viola is in there????
she says 6 string instruments are hard 😆has she learned violin, cello, or double bass, Viola those have 4 string are very hard 2 play one wrong placement on the stings you play the wrong note.
as a violinist who has played since I was 10 and is literally playing in their first college symphony tonight, I can definitely say you didn't miss the beat on how difficult it is.
I started at six and gleefully quit when I was a legal adult and gave my legal guardians their violin back. I bought a 35 dollar let go violin in 2017 almost 20 years later and finally learned what music really was. For all you retarded people who think you can buy a kid and overwrite the kids personality and remake the kid into something else just for the purposes of you looking good know this. I will never go to Juliard. I will never play in the symphony. My brain is not physically wired to read music. I was the only who could not do so in the jacksonville youth orchestra when I was there and I still know st Paul's suite and play my own arrangement of it while street performing. I play from my heart and I reach people who will never see a violin in real life otherwise. What I do would embarrasse the crud out of the people who bought me as a baby. To that I say Good!
I can 2nd that I'm not a violinist whatsoever but when I was in 3rd grade I played violin.when I took it home I destroyed it trying to play it like a guitar so now I'm a proficient guitarist
If you are new to playing an instrument, please disregard everything you saw in this video. Nearly all instruments are equally difficult. You'll spend a lifetime mastering any of them and never reach the limit. The skill required on any popular instrument to become "a professional" is immense. From this list, I've played piano, violin, french horn, viola, cello, flute, and guitar. I don't find any of them "easier" or "harder" than any other. They are all different and have their unique challenges and measures of excellence. But most importantly, you don't have to be amazing on _any_ of these instruments for them to be fun. So do not be discouraged from playing an instrument because someone says it is a "hard" instrument.
@@Holden1025 piano and organ are entirely different. My mother is a pro, plays both and would say the same thing as I did. The point is every instrument is hard at a high level.
As a man from Sweden 🇸🇪 I feel honored that you not only chose to include our Nyckelharpa in your list but to also have it as your thumbnail for your video.
I started with violin in 4th grade (continued strings through 12th grade), which apparently the hardest. I would respectfully disagree with that! My daughter plays the flute...she tried teaching me, and I'm sorry, it's a lot harder than the violin!
Yah but what other instrument leaves you with a useless Clef after? Haha at least most standard instrunts use bass or treble . Starting with alto just makes learning something new harder
I played that damn thing for two and a half years in high school because my instructor made me switch to it and cursed it every day that I did. I started on clarinet, then learned saxophone to join jazz band and learned flute to double in jazz. Of all the instruments I used to play, I have come to find I miss the bassoon the most.
Even those like Eric Clapton or Jimi Hendrix had to practice to get where they were. It just takes time, practice and patience. You don’t have to be a special person because I know I’m not and I play guitar lol
Surprisingly the list is of the hardest western Musical instruments. Please check Asian Instruments and then compile the list. I'm sure Asian Instruments will top the list
Sitar, tabla, sarangi...the list goes on, but this is a Eurocentric video, and pushes the idea that only special people can learn these things. Yeah, that mindset.
@@EmilyHannah1995 Not a problem. Yes, I was basically referring to instruments that didn't originate in traditional "Euro/American" countries, and by extension their colonies (like Australia). So we can add the Philippines and other pacific island countries too.
You wanna talk about lung capacity? Try playing the tuba. Not only does the mouthpiece cover your entire mouth, but the notes are so close together you can sometimes play two notes at once.
No Indian classical instruments ? I think its beyond learning. Tabla, Dholak, Mridanga, Pakhawaj, Shehnai, Sitar, Veena, Sarod, Sarangi, Santoor, Jaltarang to name a few
I am very disappointed that the double bass wasn’t included on this list. It’s definitely harder to learn than viola and is comparable to cello. Forgotten like always 😔
I like how most of the instruments are from Europe. Some Honorable mentions that aren’t European: - Koto (which can be also played by 2 people or 1 person) - Sarangi
there should be another list, called "easy to learn, but hard to master". like with a piano, it's easy to learn basic melodies and once you get into the groove, adding the more complicated chords and foot-pedal action might catch on quickly at first, but learning music theory and playing something on the level of Mozart can get very tough to master. it's the same story for the guitar, once you get passed the pain and co-ordination of the first few months' practice, learning the picking-rhythms and more complex chords can be a bit of a challenge, especially given the huge variety of styles a guitar can play
I started piano quite late, after I had played the mandolin quite seriously for eight years, and my teacher used to tell ne that she loved teaching someone the "easy" pieces who already knew how to perform music. I actually think that is why this list is kind of dumb, because playing it well is hard for any instrument.
Piano should be much lower on this list. It's not tricky at all. Just learn "Do, RE, ME" and ake up your own music as you go. Speaking from a person who has played Piano in this past. The Pipe Organ? YES! Put it higher.
I believe that the trombone should have gotten an honorable mention. The complication of just being able to make a sound through the mouth piece, but then the muscle memory of where to place the slide to make sure you are on key.
Piano, guitar, and drums are not as difficult as people think. If you have any sense of rhythm at all, you can play all three of those instruments 👍🏽👍🏽
Piano isn't way too hard. As someone who's been playing his whole life, don't let it put you off playing it. Actually people keep saying that you should play the piano first before anything else. it's that basic of an instrument. Cuz you have to know the basic of chords and scales and all that stuff before you really get into the real music. And yes I know about the pedals. I would just start with some simple songs. I actually have this gift of perfect pitch which kind of aids me. Give me any song and I can tell you what key it is in. I've actually made quite a bit of use of it when I'm making a playlist on Spotify cuz I look for songs that transition well with the keys they're in. And I always go with the last key that the song ended in so if it's a hip-hop song that changes key somewhere down the middle that's the key I used to transition to the next song which has the same key or similar. It's absolutely genius use of the talent. Could be a DJ if I wanted to try
@@adminashighaswego4826 thats what I thought too. if anything its harder to play guitar than Piano. Like I said in another comment I tried with the guitar and I gave up on it cuz it's too difficult
It sounds cliche, but its really about the amount of time you're willing to put in. So many people pick up an instrument, play it for an hour every two weeks, and wonder why they aren't getting anywhere in learning it.
I taught piano for 16 years, and I and my colleagues had many parents and students over the years always ask why the students weren’t progressing very well but were only “practicing” once a week for about 20 minutes 🤨 And when I say “practicing,” I mean sitting at the piano, playing a piece once from start to finish and that’s it. I always taught my students that it‘s not about how much you practice but how you practice. A student can “practice” for 2 hours every day, but for them, “practicing” is playing from start to finish a few times and that’s it. I always tried teaching my students how to practice, and I did this by practicing sections, practicing “backwards” (this is practicing a few bars at the end of the section or piece first and then adding more bars as the practicing goes on - I taught students to practice this way because when one is newer to an instrument and learning how to play, one usually always practicing by starting from the beginning, so students always know the start of the piece by not really other parts beyond the first few bars), by practicing the left hand more often than the right hand, and many other techniques, and for many students, they succeeded well, but for many,it didn’t. It’s just common sense - to get better at an instrument, one needs to put in the time and effort. Even people who are naturals and prodigy musicians need to practice.
Started on clarinet, moved up to oboe, later picked up flute, bassoon, English horn, touched on soprano sax, and finished in violin. I was the poor kid in music class, so I was constantly kicked around to different instruments as the one I was borrowing was lent out to students who actually paid for their instruments and needed to send theirs out for repair. The only instrument I ever actually owned was my violin, which I worked all summer and the first half of my senior year to purchase.
I play the flute and I did learn to play the violin, I also play the saxophone. My grandfather who was totally blind played organ, piano and accordion.
“The French Horn requires a lot of lung capacity and a strong Ego” That’s it…..? So we just gon skip over French Horns having to play in 2 keys (F & Bb) with a trigger that YOU WILL use, you play it backwards while intentionally muffling the sound with your free hand, and the partials are much closer than other brass instruments making it hard to play the right notes especially for beginners. What about it requiring a different style mouthpiece and embouchure than other brass instruments? No? Ok……
I can definitely acknowledge y'all French horn players bc that stuff rly is difficult. in my university symphony orchestra we have French horn soloists who've mastered the instrument and still struggle sometimes
@@ImmortalninjaGames Really? In your University? They" mastered" the French Horn . Maybe 1 or 2 graduates of the Best music schools in the country" master" any instrument.
@@theimp5901 you do realize that virtuosos can come from anywhere right? You can graduate from any college in the world and be a MENSA level genius or not go to college at all! You don't have to go to a music school in order to master an instrument.
its like watch mojo googled instrements and picked the ones that looked hard most of these are actualy pretty easy to pick up if you have little to no experience
I started guitar when I was young but when I was in school I took drums/percussion more seriously. What a blessing in disguise because since I learned keyboard instruments helped me learn piano easier and develop limb independence and rhythm which made learning guitar more in high school a whole lot easier. Also picked up random horns because of my love for ska 😁
I really wish I would have been able to start on drums because it can be difficult trying to figure out the rhythm in your head sometimes, let alone then trying to play the correct notes at the correct time. Percussionists have the beat mastered and don’t have to worry about rhythm if they go on to play other instruments.
MAXIMUM instruments were western but we're are instruments from other side of the world, just search what is "Santoor", it has 100 strings and two stick to play
The Theremin would probably show up on a list of the easiest musical instruments not the hardest, since it could be learned almost purely with logical steps.
@@TheEternalPheonix Have you tried to play a theremin? I play piano, guitar, harp and violin (not to mention a few things not on this list) and found the theremin surprisingly difficult,
@@robinbaylor2672 That's probably because you are used to playing standard musical instruments. The theremin is definitely not standard but that's what would make it easier for a novice to play, it is simply a matter of learning how to position and move your hands, no keys, strings or breath control required.
Having played the flute for over 30 years now, I can easily agree that it is rather difficult to start with. I, unfortunately, had to teach myself and I'm not exaggerating when I say that there were a lot of hours put into that (talking 2-4 hours each day, at least 5 days a week). While I'm not a professional in any capacity, I still play for my church and special occasions. I've even had the chance to teach a few others. The best part about teaching another person to play is when they make that first recognizable sound and are so elated (especially younger children; it's the "A ha!" moment). I also play the piccolo and I have to say the hardest part about that (for most people) is avoiding "Piccolo Face" - where you look like you just took the sourest lemon you could find and put all the juice in your mouth. I play the piano and the clarinet as well, but am not as proficient at either as I am with the flute. The only thing I would disagree with was your statement regarding price in the bassoon part. While it is true that some instruments cost more than others, there are quite a few that are still in the thousands of dollars range for even just a "decent" one. My concert flute was well over $1000, and I have an alto flute that costs a pretty penny as well (understandably so - it's larger, so there's more material involved). Newer players starting out (depending on the instrument) can probably get "pawn-shop specials," but will want to upgrade eventually if they plan to stick with it.
I disagree with your bassoon disagree statement. It is very rare to find even a student bassoon that is decent under a few thousand dollars. Most of them are old and have cracks that are in various states of repair from quality to shoddy. This is a very expensive instrument to just begin playing for that reason alone. Plus reeds can cost anywhere from $11-$70 for beginners before you become a good enough player that you have to start making your own. And professional bassoons can cost anywhere from $15,000-$18,000 for a Fox to $30,000-$40,000 for a Moosman. They can be one of the most expensive instruments to buy brand new and waiting lists for popular manufacturers can be 5-10 years from the time of order to the time of delivery.
tbh i think it's just what you like, i play bassoon but can't even get a good sound on trumpet. And i literally fear playing ukelele but i have played piano for years and don't find if very challenging
Started off with recorder (I think all kids do). Then Clarinet (normal, alto, bass, e), Flute, Bassoon (dbl reeds are EXPENSIVE over 12. A reed in 1987!!!!) Piccolo, Oboe (pretty much flute fingering but downwards lol), Mallets (bells, aux), Sax (alto, soprano), piano, and a mean ass kazoo lol. The one instrument I could never get was violin (or guitar). I had a violin but could never learn that or guitar because I am a lefty and could only work upsidedown. So violin was donated to the local high school. I played in bands and orchestras and theater productions and wanted to teach music, but I don't have the patience needed to go at a beginners pace. Playing some instruments for many years will make one thumb look a little different (left is curvy, right is thick lol).
I don't think people understand how complicated bass guitar is. People think it's easy because you can play the root note in the chord and follow the other instruments but once you get past the basics it's just as complicated as lead guitar.
Omg! I didn’t think the french horn was on the list. I played in middle school. It was by chance but i loved it. The sound is what got me hooked. Im so happy it was high on this list. 🥰
The piano is actually one of the *easiest* musical instruments - yes, you have to coordinate the hands and the sheet music, but you press a key and it makes a sound, there is no issue with learning to just make a sound, and the keys are always in the same place, unlike a violin on which the notes are in a different place depending on tuning. The keys are even all the same size, they don't get smaller as they go up the scale. However, the Theremin blows them all out of the water. The notes are just out there invisibly in the air, and they're in a different place every time you play it - note placement changes based on tuning, the phase of the moon, the placement of the elevator in the building next door, what lights are turned on in the room, where you are in breathing (I have to hold my breath during notes while playing or you'll hear me breathe), whether there's an audience in the room, and many other things. The scale is also nonlinear - it's not even a smooth curve. Most Theremins are designed to provide a part in the middle of the range you have tuned in which the notes are less uneven, but at the top and bottom of the range the notes get exceedingly uneven. Also you have one hand that goes up and down for volume and articulating notes, and the other hand moves in and out and vibrates to form the notes - it's like rubbing your belly and patting your head at the same time. Yes, it's the closest thing in the world to actual magic - you put your hands in the air and music comes out - but it's nearly impossible: a really good student may learn to play a sorta wobbly scale in a month, practicing 8 times a day. (Not kidding, 8 practice sessions a day.) Oh, and, forget about sheet music, you can't put a music stand within about 6 feet of the instrument, it'll mess it up, so you have to memorize all your music if you're going to play it.
Great video! I’ve been playing the violin since 4th grade (I’m in college now) and would’ve been mad if the violin wasn’t on your list of most difficult instruments. Haha, especially since I saw viola and cello lower on your list. A lot of people might not realize it, but the violin is very difficult and therefore is deserving of the number one spot that you gave it on this list! I’ve never actually played any other instruments, so I don’t have other experience to compare to, but from my experience with the violin, it has always been quite challenging. Good job WatchMojo! 🙃❤️🤪
Same with double bass except it wasn’t on the list… I used to play violin and when I switched to bass. It was a lot different than what I thought and really difficult. When I tried to play a violin again though, it was terrible😂
A few years ago I had a heart attack and 6 strokes. When I came home, I said "well, I will have some time on my hands, maybe I should learn guitar now that I have the time for it." So I bought a book on learning guitar, figuring I should read a bit about what I would need to do before I buy an instrument, and I immediately learned I'll never be able to do it: I have nerve damage in one hand, I wouldn't be able to feel the strings or the frets to make notes. I could strum, but that's about it.
As someone who has play both piano and violin, I can tell you they are not as hard as they seem; reading the notes on paper on the other hand can get confusing especially when you don't know what scores are and such. But then again I'm probably one of those people who can pick up most instruments and make it look like I know what I'm doing when in reality, I'm damn clueless >.
*It's funny how Bagpipes was 8 & Drums was 7.* Meaning drums are considered more difficult than bagpipes... I play drums,...but bagpipes..I don't know, whether I can play a single note on que.
Having learned to somewhat play at least 3 instruments on this list, I can somewhat agree with the list. But regardless of what instrument a person plays, I have mad respect for anybody that can play with proficiency. Anybody can pick up an instrument, but any instrument takes years upon years of practice to master. One thing I think they forgot to mention on two of the instruments that make them more difficult to play are the bassoon and the oboe and having to make your own reeds. When you begin playing the instrument you buy manufactured reeds, but if you begin to play with even slight seriousness you will learn that manufactured reeds are crap, or at least always need adjusted, by knifing, or opening, or closing, or trimming, or were poorly wrapped, or about a hundred different things that can affect your sound quality. You eventually get so sick of having to do all that, that you begin making your own reeds, which can be an art unto itself.
I play Drums and it is easier than many of the instruments in that list. I do not play more instruments than the Drums, but I can assure that it is easy.
I would say drums are more simple than easy. You still have to have great internal rhythm to be a good drummer, and thats something that most people have to work at. You're one of the lucky ones!
You know I never actually seen someone play a French horn so I didn't know it was held like that where the horn is pointing behind you. I always thought it was pointed up
My nephew played the trumpet and the French horn. He was in jazz band in HS and he played both well but the French horn was absolutely hypnotic when he played. To bad he stopped playing once he was out of HS. Such a waste .
I'm surprised that they didn't mention that they payer keeps a fist in the bell. Leading to the joke that French horn players are good kissers but they hold you funny.
One of my friends mom actually does play the flute occasionally at our church. She does it pretty well too. The only woodwind instrument I have ever Learned is a recorder. To this day I still remember how to play the notes
All your descriptions are actually the main reason why half of the instruments mentioned here are easier than you think! And this is coming from a jazz bassoonist!
It’s not the most easiest instrument to play but it’s not the most hardest either. Just like any other instrument you have to put in the time and effort into practicing.
What about a DJ studio? Believe me. There's way more to it than just scratching the turntables. You also have the multitudes of buttons, switches, dials, and sliders to control the tracks and sound frequencies playing, and it can be as hectic as flying an airplane.
The Nickleharpa was replaced by the gurdy, which in turn was replaced by the accordion. Personally, I love the sound of the older instruments, maybe because I keep hearing accordion being badly played by beggars...
There are some really good and expensive Ocarina... I admit, I struggle with higher tunes and complex Ocarinas (e.g. the tripple) are beyond my skills...
@@arminxvs3372 I struggle with 12 hole Ocarinas and my pinkies are pretty useless. I got an 8 hole Max Range Ocarina from STL. It's a bit harder to memorise the finger patterns, but you can play it faster and make some sounds that are near impossible with conventional Ocarina and it's easier for me to hold and more comfortable. That said, I don't consider myself a musician, but if I ever find the time and motivation, I'd probably start learning the big brother of it: the double.
@@edi9892 So you would recommand a 10-hole Oc for beginners? Btwvhowbare the STLs? They look and sound great in their vids but how are they when bought privately?
@@arminxvs3372 it's the 8 hole. You don't need your pinkies and you typically got a more secure grip during playing. As said, I do struggle with the highest notes and I'd like to point out that the holes can't be covered with small hands. I won't recommend it for you to buy it, but if you can try it out, do it! There's also a plastic version which is cheaper.
I know a thereminist who also plays a number of other instruments - actually, if he saw this video, he'd probably take it as a challenge and try to buy all the instruments shown that he doesn't have yet. Among other things he already plays the pedal steel, the piano, the guitar, the harmonica, and the sitar. He says the piano is one of the easiest instruments (along with the hammered dulcimer), and he thinks the two hardest are (#2) the pedal steel and (#1) the Theremin.
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Can you play any of these instruments? Let us know in the comments
Why do you include viola? You know it's just another word for "Fire wood"
Basically what I thought lol. How did they include viola and not double bass. I don’t care that double bass wasn’t included, but the fact that viola is in there????
I used to play some musical instruments before college. I'd not had any total mastery.
she says 6 string instruments are hard 😆has she learned violin, cello, or double bass, Viola those have 4 string are very hard 2 play one wrong placement on the stings you play the wrong note.
Bro said guitar and i don’t believe anything she says anymore.
'Drumming requires all four limbs...'
Meanwhile, over in Def Leppard...
Reporter - You need both hands and feet to play drums.
Rick - Hold my beer.
@@argonwheatbelly637
Yes
as a violinist who has played since I was 10 and is literally playing in their first college symphony tonight, I can definitely say you didn't miss the beat on how difficult it is.
Congrats! You'll be awesome!
I started at six and gleefully quit when I was a legal adult and gave my legal guardians their violin back. I bought a 35 dollar let go violin in 2017 almost 20 years later and finally learned what music really was. For all you retarded people who think you can buy a kid and overwrite the kids personality and remake the kid into something else just for the purposes of you looking good know this. I will never go to Juliard. I will never play in the symphony. My brain is not physically wired to read music. I was the only who could not do so in the jacksonville youth orchestra when I was there and I still know st Paul's suite and play my own arrangement of it while street performing. I play from my heart and I reach people who will never see a violin in real life otherwise. What I do would embarrasse the crud out of the people who bought me as a baby. To that I say Good!
I can 2nd that I'm not a violinist whatsoever but when I was in 3rd grade I played violin.when I took it home I destroyed it trying to play it like a guitar so now I'm a proficient guitarist
If you are new to playing an instrument, please disregard everything you saw in this video. Nearly all instruments are equally difficult. You'll spend a lifetime mastering any of them and never reach the limit. The skill required on any popular instrument to become "a professional" is immense. From this list, I've played piano, violin, french horn, viola, cello, flute, and guitar. I don't find any of them "easier" or "harder" than any other. They are all different and have their unique challenges and measures of excellence. But most importantly, you don't have to be amazing on _any_ of these instruments for them to be fun. So do not be discouraged from playing an instrument because someone says it is a "hard" instrument.
"Best Comment"
Hats off to anyone who has the patience, drive, and passion to master an instrument (or really anything challenging). 👍
Every instrument has a different learning curve, but they're all as hard to play at high level.
Shut up,pls
You’re right bongos are as hard as drum kit and piano is as hard as the organ 😂🤣
@@Holden1025 piano and organ are entirely different. My mother is a pro, plays both and would say the same thing as I did.
The point is every instrument is hard at a high level.
@@Benjilabu ok fair point but still
@@Benjilabu but only to a certain extent
As a man from Sweden 🇸🇪 I feel honored that you not only chose to include our Nyckelharpa in your list but to also have it as your thumbnail for your video.
Isn't it basically a bowed hurdy gurdy though?
Ace of base
“We wouldn’t recommend starting with a viola”
Me, a person who started with a viola 😶😶
Me too! I've recently started learning again after I stopped as a kid. It's been tougher than I thought
I started with violin in 4th grade (continued strings through 12th grade), which apparently the hardest. I would respectfully disagree with that! My daughter plays the flute...she tried teaching me, and I'm sorry, it's a lot harder than the violin!
My Polish side of my family tree is famous for making violas and violins. But I am not talented in playing it. I'm. Not gentle.
@@amymurray We have different skills and talents your daughter has a passion playing flute and you're strings
Yah but what other instrument leaves you with a useless Clef after? Haha at least most standard instrunts use bass or treble . Starting with alto just makes learning something new harder
Bassoon: "A saxophone crossed with a bazooka"
haha Sign me up!! 😆😅
00:47 just described every woodwind
I played bassoon for 4 years in high school. Someday, I would love to get one and learn to play it again.
I played that damn thing for two and a half years in high school because my instructor made me switch to it and cursed it every day that I did. I started on clarinet, then learned saxophone to join jazz band and learned flute to double in jazz. Of all the instruments I used to play, I have come to find I miss the bassoon the most.
mood, but those prices are 💀💀💀
I am jealous of those who can pick up playing ANY KIND of instruments, meaning that they can easily play them with no difficulty.
Tash Sultana
Maybe I just have a natural ability to play, I guess.
Even those like Eric Clapton or Jimi Hendrix had to practice to get where they were. It just takes time, practice and patience. You don’t have to be a special person because I know I’m not and I play guitar lol
Check out Flavor Flav and his 15 instruments that he knows how to play? Guy is a music savant.
Yes, but it took them years and years of hard work and practice
Surprisingly the list is of the hardest western Musical instruments. Please check Asian Instruments and then compile the list. I'm sure Asian Instruments will top the list
Honourable Mentions:
- Guzheng (eastern piano)
- Dizi (eastern flute)
- Xiao (eastern recorder)
- Erhu (eastern violin)
- Pipa (eastern guitar)
I thought of Erhu and Shamisen.
Shakuhachi as well
@@rachelgohlman3582 yep. That instrument was allegedly used to expose shinobi who acted as travelling monks...
They are all fantastic instruments, though not as difficult as violin.
Sitar, tabla, sarangi...the list goes on, but this is a Eurocentric video, and pushes the idea that only special people can learn these things. Yeah, that mindset.
The wheel harp made me shudder it looks so insanely complicated. It’s a harp multiplied by ten!
Great list of WESTERN musical instruments.
Now about about including the rest of the world?
There's instruments from Australia and Sweden and I think even a German instrument so what do you mean?
@@EmilyHannah1995 How are those not Western music?
Ohhhhhhhh do you mean like where are the Brazilian, African, Indian, Chinese instruments?
My geography skills are severely lacking 😳
@@EmilyHannah1995 Not a problem. Yes, I was basically referring to instruments that didn't originate in traditional "Euro/American" countries, and by extension their colonies (like Australia). So we can add the Philippines and other pacific island countries too.
You wanna talk about lung capacity? Try playing the tuba. Not only does the mouthpiece cover your entire mouth, but the notes are so close together you can sometimes play two notes at once.
I took three years of Tambourine and I still can't play it.
Fun fact about the bagpipes. They were originally used as a Scottish breathalyzer test. If it sounds good, you know you've had enough.
No Indian classical instruments ? I think its beyond learning. Tabla, Dholak, Mridanga, Pakhawaj, Shehnai, Sitar, Veena, Sarod, Sarangi, Santoor, Jaltarang to name a few
I agree! I'd also loved to have seen instruments from Arab cultures. They are NOT easy to play!
Glad my viola made the list. Growing up I played the viola, my mom and sister played the piano and my dad played the radio (his joke).
Aww
I am very disappointed that the double bass wasn’t included on this list. It’s definitely harder to learn than viola and is comparable to cello. Forgotten like always 😔
I like how most of the instruments are from Europe.
Some Honorable mentions that aren’t European:
- Koto (which can be also played by 2 people or 1 person)
- Sarangi
how is double bass not on here
there should be another list, called "easy to learn, but hard to master". like with a piano, it's easy to learn basic melodies and once you get into the groove, adding the more complicated chords and foot-pedal action might catch on quickly at first, but learning music theory and playing something on the level of Mozart can get very tough to master. it's the same story for the guitar, once you get passed the pain and co-ordination of the first few months' practice, learning the picking-rhythms and more complex chords can be a bit of a challenge, especially given the huge variety of styles a guitar can play
Yup
I started piano quite late, after I had played the mandolin quite seriously for eight years, and my teacher used to tell ne that she loved teaching someone the "easy" pieces who already knew how to perform music. I actually think that is why this list is kind of dumb, because playing it well is hard for any instrument.
Piano should be much lower on this list. It's not tricky at all. Just learn "Do, RE, ME" and ake up your own music as you go. Speaking from a person who has played Piano in this past.
The Pipe Organ? YES! Put it higher.
Mi
As a Swede, I can confirm that nyckelharpa is HARD and absolutely astonishing.
I love its sound. I'm also into medieval folk and rock.
I’m wondering how many days it took to make one.
Top 20 Hardest Instruments To Learn
20. Flute
19. Piccolo
18. Wheelharp
17. Hardingfele
16. Didgeridoo
15. Guitar
14. Viola
13. Nyckelharpa
12. Cello
11. Bassoon
10. Pedal Steel Guitar
9. Oboe
8. Bagpipes
7. Drums
6. Accordion
5. Harp
4. Piano
3. Pipe Organ
2. French Horn
1. Violin
I believe that the trombone should have gotten an honorable mention. The complication of just being able to make a sound through the mouth piece, but then the muscle memory of where to place the slide to make sure you are on key.
Piano, guitar, and drums are not as difficult as people think. If you have any sense of rhythm at all, you can play all three of those instruments 👍🏽👍🏽
Piano and guitar have notes too but okay
Drum kit is hard if your not very coordinated
They are hard to fully master as watch mojo said
That may be true, but, like all instruments, they’re hard to fully master.
@@JZJ7777 true, but with practice and passion, you can master all three
Flute takes the second most amount of air of all instruments too
Watch mojo: The oboe is a instrument that is soli dependent on your mouth.
Me: "Cringes so hard that dies inside".
Piano isn't way too hard. As someone who's been playing his whole life, don't let it put you off playing it. Actually people keep saying that you should play the piano first before anything else. it's that basic of an instrument. Cuz you have to know the basic of chords and scales and all that stuff before you really get into the real music. And yes I know about the pedals. I would just start with some simple songs. I actually have this gift of perfect pitch which kind of aids me. Give me any song and I can tell you what key it is in. I've actually made quite a bit of use of it when I'm making a playlist on Spotify cuz I look for songs that transition well with the keys they're in. And I always go with the last key that the song ended in so if it's a hip-hop song that changes key somewhere down the middle that's the key I used to transition to the next song which has the same key or similar. It's absolutely genius use of the talent. Could be a DJ if I wanted to try
I wouldn’t mind learning how to read music and how to play a few bars and notes.
Switch piano with guitar and I think this list is pretty on point 👌
@@adminashighaswego4826 thats what I thought too. if anything its harder to play guitar than Piano. Like I said in another comment I tried with the guitar and I gave up on it cuz it's too difficult
I used to take violin lessons as a child, but found them extremely hard. I still play the piano to this very day, though! 😍🎶🎹🎻
I got the violin a month ago 🤣
Ok quitter
It sounds cliche, but its really about the amount of time you're willing to put in. So many people pick up an instrument, play it for an hour every two weeks, and wonder why they aren't getting anywhere in learning it.
Exactly
Yes and you have good instruction . Some are impossible for me such as. Flute.
I taught piano for 16 years, and I and my colleagues had many parents and students over the years always ask why the students weren’t progressing very well but were only “practicing” once a week for about 20 minutes 🤨 And when I say “practicing,” I mean sitting at the piano, playing a piece once from start to finish and that’s it. I always taught my students that it‘s not about how much you practice but how you practice. A student can “practice” for 2 hours every day, but for them, “practicing” is playing from start to finish a few times and that’s it. I always tried teaching my students how to practice, and I did this by practicing sections, practicing “backwards” (this is practicing a few bars at the end of the section or piece first and then adding more bars as the practicing goes on - I taught students to practice this way because when one is newer to an instrument and learning how to play, one usually always practicing by starting from the beginning, so students always know the start of the piece by not really other parts beyond the first few bars), by practicing the left hand more often than the right hand, and many other techniques, and for many students, they succeeded well, but for many,it didn’t.
It’s just common sense - to get better at an instrument, one needs to put in the time and effort. Even people who are naturals and prodigy musicians need to practice.
Started on clarinet, moved up to oboe, later picked up flute, bassoon, English horn, touched on soprano sax, and finished in violin. I was the poor kid in music class, so I was constantly kicked around to different instruments as the one I was borrowing was lent out to students who actually paid for their instruments and needed to send theirs out for repair. The only instrument I ever actually owned was my violin, which I worked all summer and the first half of my senior year to purchase.
I play the flute and I did learn to play the violin, I also play the saxophone. My grandfather who was totally blind played organ, piano and accordion.
this should be retitled to be "How to destroy some ones dream by telling them that the instrument they want to play and learn is hard"
As a violist…. I love that the viola is part of this.
Don't forget, as a violist, you have to be able to read alto clef.
“The French Horn requires a lot of lung capacity and a strong Ego”
That’s it…..?
So we just gon skip over French Horns having to play in 2 keys (F & Bb) with a trigger that YOU WILL use, you play it backwards while intentionally muffling the sound with your free hand, and the partials are much closer than other brass instruments making it hard to play the right notes especially for beginners. What about it requiring a different style mouthpiece and embouchure than other brass instruments? No? Ok……
High school was years ago let the bullying go
I play trumpet. Was pretty good. French Horns even to us egomaniac trumpet players are Gods.
I can definitely acknowledge y'all French horn players bc that stuff rly is difficult. in my university symphony orchestra we have French horn soloists who've mastered the instrument and still struggle sometimes
@@ImmortalninjaGames Really? In your University? They" mastered" the French Horn . Maybe 1 or 2 graduates of the Best music schools in the country" master" any instrument.
@@theimp5901 you do realize that virtuosos can come from anywhere right? You can graduate from any college in the world and be a MENSA level genius or not go to college at all! You don't have to go to a music school in order to master an instrument.
its like watch mojo googled instrements and picked the ones that looked hard most of these are actualy pretty easy to pick up if you have little to no experience
Played the violin for 10 years, even taught myself how to read sheet music. Sadly, once I got to college I didn't continue and now I can't play.
How in the hell is the theremin not on this list?
Played violin during 4 years of high school orchestra... Never practiced, yet still got a 'B' in the class for the entire 4 years.😁
Fun fact: An electric guitar is easier to play than an acoustic one because you don’t have to press so hard on the strings
I started guitar when I was young but when I was in school I took drums/percussion more seriously. What a blessing in disguise because since I learned keyboard instruments helped me learn piano easier and develop limb independence and rhythm which made learning guitar more in high school a whole lot easier. Also picked up random horns because of my love for ska 😁
I really wish I would have been able to start on drums because it can be difficult trying to figure out the rhythm in your head sometimes, let alone then trying to play the correct notes at the correct time. Percussionists have the beat mastered and don’t have to worry about rhythm if they go on to play other instruments.
DumbMojo be like " pianists have to sight read" seriously who do you pay to write these scripts.
WatchMojo users.
“Proper mouth placement and blowing technique” … that’s what she said…. Sorry Rebecca.
Bruh 🤣🤣🤣
MAXIMUM instruments were western but we're are instruments from other side of the world, just search what is "Santoor", it has 100 strings and two stick to play
My uncle use to play the accordion as a kid. Also, where’s the theremin?
Baboon from I Am Weasal played a theremin
The Theremin would probably show up on a list of the easiest musical instruments not the hardest, since it could be learned almost purely with logical steps.
@@TheEternalPheonix Have you tried to play a theremin? I play piano, guitar, harp and violin (not to mention a few things not on this list) and found the theremin surprisingly difficult,
Also the musical saw. Acoustically similar to a theremin, but requiring a lot more muscle strength and control.
@@robinbaylor2672 That's probably because you are used to playing standard musical instruments. The theremin is definitely not standard but that's what would make it easier for a novice to play, it is simply a matter of learning how to position and move your hands, no keys, strings or breath control required.
Having played the flute for over 30 years now, I can easily agree that it is rather difficult to start with. I, unfortunately, had to teach myself and I'm not exaggerating when I say that there were a lot of hours put into that (talking 2-4 hours each day, at least 5 days a week). While I'm not a professional in any capacity, I still play for my church and special occasions. I've even had the chance to teach a few others. The best part about teaching another person to play is when they make that first recognizable sound and are so elated (especially younger children; it's the "A ha!" moment). I also play the piccolo and I have to say the hardest part about that (for most people) is avoiding "Piccolo Face" - where you look like you just took the sourest lemon you could find and put all the juice in your mouth. I play the piano and the clarinet as well, but am not as proficient at either as I am with the flute.
The only thing I would disagree with was your statement regarding price in the bassoon part. While it is true that some instruments cost more than others, there are quite a few that are still in the thousands of dollars range for even just a "decent" one. My concert flute was well over $1000, and I have an alto flute that costs a pretty penny as well (understandably so - it's larger, so there's more material involved). Newer players starting out (depending on the instrument) can probably get "pawn-shop specials," but will want to upgrade eventually if they plan to stick with it.
I disagree with your bassoon disagree statement. It is very rare to find even a student bassoon that is decent under a few thousand dollars. Most of them are old and have cracks that are in various states of repair from quality to shoddy. This is a very expensive instrument to just begin playing for that reason alone. Plus reeds can cost anywhere from $11-$70 for beginners before you become a good enough player that you have to start making your own. And professional bassoons can cost anywhere from $15,000-$18,000 for a Fox to $30,000-$40,000 for a Moosman. They can be one of the most expensive instruments to buy brand new and waiting lists for popular manufacturers can be 5-10 years from the time of order to the time of delivery.
tbh i think it's just what you like, i play bassoon but can't even get a good sound on trumpet. And i literally fear playing ukelele but i have played piano for years and don't find if very challenging
there is no way that flute is easyer than guitar
Didgeridoo - "over 1000 years old..."
That number is missing another 0.
If it's over 10000 it's also over 1000
@@Valihir Well you're not wrong
When my grandma died she left behind her flute. Maybe I should take flute lessons so I can play it
"Can you play any of these instruments"
Me who sadly sticked to video games 12 years ago not learning shit:
*No*
It's never too late!
@@neighborbruce well its too late to impress the kids at school, but I'm restarting all over again with Guitar, which I'm really proud of doing so
@@Josh__777 that's great to hear!!
*This one time at Band camp...* (Sorry, couldn't resist!) 😏
Great quote!
Started off with recorder (I think all kids do). Then Clarinet (normal, alto, bass, e), Flute, Bassoon (dbl reeds are EXPENSIVE over 12. A reed in 1987!!!!) Piccolo, Oboe (pretty much flute fingering but downwards lol), Mallets (bells, aux), Sax (alto, soprano), piano, and a mean ass kazoo lol. The one instrument I could never get was violin (or guitar). I had a violin but could never learn that or guitar because I am a lefty and could only work upsidedown. So violin was donated to the local high school. I played in bands and orchestras and theater productions and wanted to teach music, but I don't have the patience needed to go at a beginners pace. Playing some instruments for many years will make one thumb look a little different (left is curvy, right is thick lol).
This is why I chose my ukulele
I love being able to play by ear! I think my music teacher hated me for it!
😅👍
I don't think people understand how complicated bass guitar is. People think it's easy because you can play the root note in the chord and follow the other instruments but once you get past the basics it's just as complicated as lead guitar.
True. Even playing the root more of a chord can be a difficult task depending on the song.
Omg! I didn’t think the french horn was on the list. I played in middle school. It was by chance but i loved it. The sound is what got me hooked. Im so happy it was high on this list. 🥰
Horn is tough because you have to hear the partials. They're WAY closer together than a trumpet or trombone partials.
@@paulwagner688 Yeah. Its can be extremely hard
Sitar? Kora? Pipa? Piri? Nagaswsram? As another post mentions, it is a good western instrument list. Ever give some thought to the rest of the world?
I was really hoping they'd give the qanun some love.
2:37 that harp is wheely cool
Wait a moment, where is the Chromatic Jarkov Bandura?
Oddly enough, the viola was my first instrument back when I took orchestra classes in middle school.
The piano is actually one of the *easiest* musical instruments - yes, you have to coordinate the hands and the sheet music, but you press a key and it makes a sound, there is no issue with learning to just make a sound, and the keys are always in the same place, unlike a violin on which the notes are in a different place depending on tuning. The keys are even all the same size, they don't get smaller as they go up the scale.
However, the Theremin blows them all out of the water. The notes are just out there invisibly in the air, and they're in a different place every time you play it - note placement changes based on tuning, the phase of the moon, the placement of the elevator in the building next door, what lights are turned on in the room, where you are in breathing (I have to hold my breath during notes while playing or you'll hear me breathe), whether there's an audience in the room, and many other things. The scale is also nonlinear - it's not even a smooth curve. Most Theremins are designed to provide a part in the middle of the range you have tuned in which the notes are less uneven, but at the top and bottom of the range the notes get exceedingly uneven. Also you have one hand that goes up and down for volume and articulating notes, and the other hand moves in and out and vibrates to form the notes - it's like rubbing your belly and patting your head at the same time. Yes, it's the closest thing in the world to actual magic - you put your hands in the air and music comes out - but it's nearly impossible: a really good student may learn to play a sorta wobbly scale in a month, practicing 8 times a day. (Not kidding, 8 practice sessions a day.) Oh, and, forget about sheet music, you can't put a music stand within about 6 feet of the instrument, it'll mess it up, so you have to memorize all your music if you're going to play it.
I missed Shamisen, or Erhu. They got no frets either...
Also, where's panflute?
Great video! I’ve been playing the violin since 4th grade (I’m in college now) and would’ve been mad if the violin wasn’t on your list of most difficult instruments. Haha, especially since I saw viola and cello lower on your list. A lot of people might not realize it, but the violin is very difficult and therefore is deserving of the number one spot that you gave it on this list! I’ve never actually played any other instruments, so I don’t have other experience to compare to, but from my experience with the violin, it has always been quite challenging. Good job WatchMojo! 🙃❤️🤪
Same with double bass except it wasn’t on the list…
I used to play violin and when I switched to bass. It was a lot different than what I thought and really difficult. When I tried to play a violin again though, it was terrible😂
Can’t wait to see two sets reaction video about this
Finally I found it!
I used to struggle learning to use a guitar.
A few years ago I had a heart attack and 6 strokes. When I came home, I said "well, I will have some time on my hands, maybe I should learn guitar now that I have the time for it." So I bought a book on learning guitar, figuring I should read a bit about what I would need to do before I buy an instrument, and I immediately learned I'll never be able to do it: I have nerve damage in one hand, I wouldn't be able to feel the strings or the frets to make notes. I could strum, but that's about it.
@@tmf866 Sorry that happen. maybe if i ever a play guitar i maybe need to watch a video to learn how to play it.
As someone who has play both piano and violin, I can tell you they are not as hard as they seem; reading the notes on paper on the other hand can get confusing especially when you don't know what scores are and such. But then again I'm probably one of those people who can pick up most instruments and make it look like I know what I'm doing when in reality, I'm damn clueless >.
Reading sheet music is easy for me, so I can pick up just about anything play around with it and find all the notes and then play it lol.
Where's the saxophone? The trumpet? Major oversights, I think.
5:56 You forgot to mention that there is also a 12 string guitar.
how the hell anyone supposed to breathe IN through the nose and OUT through the mouth at the same time
Circular Breathing.... once you understand the concept, it is fairly simple.
*It's funny how Bagpipes was 8 & Drums was 7.*
Meaning drums are considered more difficult than bagpipes...
I play drums,...but bagpipes..I don't know, whether I can play a single note on que.
No mention of the theremin or the oud?
Having learned to somewhat play at least 3 instruments on this list, I can somewhat agree with the list. But regardless of what instrument a person plays, I have mad respect for anybody that can play with proficiency. Anybody can pick up an instrument, but any instrument takes years upon years of practice to master.
One thing I think they forgot to mention on two of the instruments that make them more difficult to play are the bassoon and the oboe and having to make your own reeds. When you begin playing the instrument you buy manufactured reeds, but if you begin to play with even slight seriousness you will learn that manufactured reeds are crap, or at least always need adjusted, by knifing, or opening, or closing, or trimming, or were poorly wrapped, or about a hundred different things that can affect your sound quality. You eventually get so sick of having to do all that, that you begin making your own reeds, which can be an art unto itself.
I play Drums and it is easier than many of the instruments in that list. I do not play more instruments than the Drums, but I can assure that it is easy.
I would say drums are more simple than easy. You still have to have great internal rhythm to be a good drummer, and thats something that most people have to work at. You're one of the lucky ones!
its either your coordination and rhythm is flawless or you have not tried what's really behind professional level
You know I never actually seen someone play a French horn so I didn't know it was held like that where the horn is pointing behind you. I always thought it was pointed up
My nephew played the trumpet and the French horn. He was in jazz band in HS and he played both well but the French horn was absolutely hypnotic when he played. To bad he stopped playing once he was out of HS. Such a waste .
I'm surprised that they didn't mention that they payer keeps a fist in the bell. Leading to the joke that French horn players are good kissers but they hold you funny.
'The viola is heavier than a violin'
By like 1 1/2 ounces!!
And I play viola, usually teacher put finger tapes on the instrument!!!!
Thankfully, Chromatic Harmonica is not on your list. It's easy, minimalist and you can sing any classical song on it
The fact that he uploads every few hours and makes us happy is truly heart warming
Who is "he"? This is a channel with multiple hosts.
One of my friends mom actually does play the flute occasionally at our church. She does it pretty well too. The only woodwind instrument I have ever Learned is a recorder. To this day I still remember how to play the notes
I gotta believe the sitar should be on this list.....
All your descriptions are actually the main reason why half of the instruments mentioned here are easier than you think! And this is coming from a jazz bassoonist!
15 years and I still haven't mastered guitar, until I considered that I was surprised to see it on this list
It's more of a "Top 20 rarest instruments."
Guitar feels impossible. I played trombone at a high level and it is fun and fairly simple for those with an excellent ear.
It’s not the most easiest instrument to play but it’s not the most hardest either. Just like any other instrument you have to put in the time and effort into practicing.
Did they repeat some of the words and images from the top 10 hardest instruments?
What about a DJ studio?
Believe me. There's way more to it than just scratching the turntables. You also have the multitudes of buttons, switches, dials, and sliders to control the tracks and sound frequencies playing, and it can be as hectic as flying an airplane.
The Chinese Sheng woodwind should have been on this list
@1:30 I thought I was playing Peggle for a minute 🤣🤣🤣
Trivia fact: French horns originated in England
The Nickleharpa was replaced by the gurdy, which in turn was replaced by the accordion. Personally, I love the sound of the older instruments, maybe because I keep hearing accordion being badly played by beggars...
Honorable mention: the freaking Zelda Ocarina you got for 20 bucks at a GamesCon in hopes of playing some songs from Zelda: OoT.
There are some really good and expensive Ocarina...
I admit, I struggle with higher tunes and complex Ocarinas (e.g. the tripple) are beyond my skills...
@@edi9892 I love the sound and it ain't too difficult to learn the tabs but hell is it hard to match the breath and pitch of the notes.
@@arminxvs3372 I struggle with 12 hole Ocarinas and my pinkies are pretty useless. I got an 8 hole Max Range Ocarina from STL. It's a bit harder to memorise the finger patterns, but you can play it faster and make some sounds that are near impossible with conventional Ocarina and it's easier for me to hold and more comfortable. That said, I don't consider myself a musician, but if I ever find the time and motivation, I'd probably start learning the big brother of it: the double.
@@edi9892 So you would recommand a 10-hole Oc for beginners?
Btwvhowbare the STLs? They look and sound great in their vids but how are they when bought privately?
@@arminxvs3372 it's the 8 hole. You don't need your pinkies and you typically got a more secure grip during playing. As said, I do struggle with the highest notes and I'd like to point out that the holes can't be covered with small hands.
I won't recommend it for you to buy it, but if you can try it out, do it! There's also a plastic version which is cheaper.
Didgeridoos are dope. My teacher taught me to play songs about the native animals of Australia.
As a former oboe player, oboe sounds like a. Duck.
Which is why it was picked for the duck on Peter and the Wolf, I imagine.
This list was missing Theramin, Harmonica, and Dulcimer
I know a thereminist who also plays a number of other instruments - actually, if he saw this video, he'd probably take it as a challenge and try to buy all the instruments shown that he doesn't have yet. Among other things he already plays the pedal steel, the piano, the guitar, the harmonica, and the sitar. He says the piano is one of the easiest instruments (along with the hammered dulcimer), and he thinks the two hardest are (#2) the pedal steel and (#1) the Theremin.
Aren't those all considered incredibly easy to learn by most musicians?