Have you ever wondered what are the hardest instruments to play? While many people adore making music and enjoy playing an instrument, not all such tools are created equal, and some are more difficult to master than others. If you are ready for a real challenge, take a look at this list of instruments that are truly tough to learn.
- The French horn
The intricate design of the French horn might be enough to send you running, but as tricky as this instrument is, it is also rewarding once you start mastering your skill. The length of the pipe is second longest in the brass family – tuba has the longest pipe – and that means that the air that is blown through it has many obstacles to overcome.
Something as little as placing your lips the incorrect way can make you sing out of tune, which is why it is considered a tough to learn and master musical instrument.
- The oboe
You will not have a fun time trying to get it right when playing the oboe, but the rewards are sweet. With a sound that qualifies for the soprano range, the oboe is created to shine. However, you won’t be able to achieve the desired results quickly. You need to focus on sustaining your breathing while positioning your fingers is another challenge.
- The violin
A string instrument with a reputation for being difficult to play, the violin is considered by many to be the most challenging to master instrument. The beginnings are just as hard as there are no guides for where you must keep your fingers, so you will have to be corrected every time. However, with all the benefits that derive from learning a musical instrument, the effort is all worth it.
- The bagpipe
It is no wonder that bagpipe players look so strong. It takes a lot of effort to play this instrument correctly because you will have to blow constantly to obtain sound. Novices often become frustrated with not being able to play for more than several minutes at a time. In any top of instruments that are hard to play, the bagpipe should have a place.
- The accordion
Playing the accordion may look like a lot of fun – and it is, once you master this instrument – but learning how to do it right takes quite a while. You will have to coordinate the movement of your fingers on the keys while you must also control the bellows that are responsible for producing sound.
- The harp
Another instrument that looks daunting the first glance you throw at it, the harp is a string instrument with plenty of challenges. First of all, positioning your fingers to strike the correct notes is challenging to master, but, while taken with this part of playing the harp, you might ignore the use of pedals completely. That would be a mistake, and also part of what makes the harp such a tough instrument to play.
- The organ
You may think that the organ can’t be more complicated than the piano – which is not exactly an easy instrument to play, either. However, while it has keys, the way they are displayed may appear confusing from the first time you get in front of this instrument.
Besides keys, the organ has drawbars and switches, and how you work with them will influence the sound you will obtain. While you don’t have to fiddle with them constantly, they do bring a level of difficulty you don’t find in other instruments.



