There are several guitar-like musical instruments out there that are fairly popular and share many similar characteristics to that of a regular guitar.
That is, they’re fretted-stringed instruments that require fairly the same level of techniques to be played.
In this blog post, we’ll be taking a look at some instruments that are easy to learn and very fun to try out as a guitar player.
Although the term “easy to play” is very relative to each individual person, most experienced guitarists have a better time transitioning or at the very least trying most of them.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced guitar player, you’re sure to find something here that’ll raise your interest or is an opportunity for you to try something new.
Table of Contents
Guitar-Like Musical Instruments
1. Ukulele
The ukulele is a small, four-stringed instrument that originates from Hawaii.
It’s similar to the guitar in terms of its construction, but it has a much more cheerful and jaunty sound.
Though it is often associated with Hawaiian music, the ukulele can be used to play a wide variety of musical styles.
It’s relatively easy to learn, and its small size makes it portable and convenient to take with you wherever you go.
Whether you’re playing on the beach or in your living room, the ukulele is the perfect way to add a touch of paradise to any setting.
For beginners who want to try something different from the guitar, the ukulele is an excellent choice.
2. Mandolin
The mandolin is a fretted stringed instrument that originated in Italy that is similar in appearance to the guitar.
However, the mandolin has eight strings arranged in pairs, and it produces a sharp, piercing sound.
The mandolin family includes a variety of instruments, including the mandolin, mandola, mandocello, and mandobass.
Each instrument has a different size and tuning, which allows for a wide range of musical possibilities.
Mandolins are commonly used in folk music, but they can also be found in jazz, country, rock, and classical settings.
Thanks to their versatility and unique sound, mandolins continue to be popular instruments all over the world.
3. Banjo
The banjo is a stringed instrument with a long neck and round body.
It has five strings, which are most commonly plucked with the fingers.
Although most commonly associated with American folk music, it has also been used in a variety of other genres, including blues, jazz, and country.
The modern banjo derives from instruments that are thought to have been in use in the Caribbean since the 17th century by enslaved people taken from West Africa.
Today, the banjo is enjoyed by musicians all over the world and its distinctive sound can add a touch of whimsy or nostalgia to any song.
4. Sitar
The sitar is also a stringed instrument but this one originates from India.
It is typically made of teak wood and has a large, gourd-shaped resonating chamber.
When you look at it, you’ll instantly notice its long neck, with anywhere from 18 to 21 strings.
The sitar produces a distinctive sound that is often used in classical and popular Indian music.
Also, it has been around for centuries, and it remains one of the most popular instruments in India today.
5. Bouzouki
The bouzouki is a traditional Greek string instrument with a long history.
It was brought to Greece in the early 1900s by Greek refugees from Anatolia and it rapidly became the central instrument of the rebetiko genre and its music branches.
Originally, the bouzouki was a type of lute, with a round back and fretted neck.
Today, bouzoukis come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but all have a distinctive “teardrop” shape.
The bouzouki is most commonly played with a pick and is used to provide rhythm in folk music.
It also has a bright, resonant sound that can fill a room and is often used in traditional Greek dances, such as the Sirtaki.
6. Balalaika
The balalaika is a traditional Russian musical instrument with a distinctive triangular shape.
It is typically tuned to an open chord and has three strings, which are plucked with the thumb and forefinger.
The balalaika has a long history, and there are many different regional varieties.
The instrument is often used in folk music, and it has been featured in classical works by multiple composers.
It’s also a popular choice for solo performers, and its unique sound can add richness and depth to any piece of music.
Whether you’re a seasoned musician or a curious newcomer, the balalaika is an instrument worth exploring.
7. Charango
The charango is a small, five-stringed musical instrument from South America with a distinctive pear-shaped body.
It is most commonly associated with the folk music of Bolivia and Peru, but it is also played in Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
The charango is believed to have originated in the 16th century when Spanish missionaries brought guitars to the Andean region.
Indigenous people quickly began to adapt the instrument to their own musical traditions, using local materials such as armadillo shell for the body and llama or sheep intestine for the strings.
Today, the charango is an iconic symbol of Latin American culture, and its unique sound can be heard in a wide range of music genres, from traditional folk songs to modern pop.
8. Cavaquinho
The cavaquinho is a small Portuguese string instrument in the European guitar family, with four wires or gut strings.
It has a distinctive square shape, and its strings are tuned to a melodic scale.
This instrument is believed to have originated in Portugal, and it was brought to Brazil by Portuguese settlers in the 16th century.
Today, the cavaquinho is an essential part of Brazilian music, and it can be found in both samba and bossa nova songs.
It’s usually played with a pick, it provides a lively rhythm for dancers, and is also a popular choice for solo performances.
9. Cigar Box Guitar
A cigar box guitar is a type of stringed instrument that is typically made out of, well, a cigar box.
It has a long history, dating back to the early 1800s when poor settlers in the United States would use whatever materials they had on hand to fashion crude guitars.
In recent years, the cigar box guitar has experienced a resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to its unique sound and DIY appeal.
These days, you can find cigar box guitars for sale online and in music stores, and many people enjoy building their own instruments from scratch.
Whether you’re a musician looking for a new challenge or simply a hobbyist with an interest in carpentry, constructing a cigar box guitar can be a fun and rewarding experience.
10. Guitarrón
The guitarrón is a type of Mexican guitar that is distinguished by its large size and deep, resonant sound.
It is most commonly used in Mariachi music and has become one of the most iconic symbols of Mexican culture.
Typically, it has six strings, which are tuned to a lower range than traditional guitars.
What this does is that it gives the instrument its deep, mellow sound!
Today, the guitarrón is still an iconic part of Mexican culture, so if you ever feel like exploring this type of music, then this is a great option to consider.
11. Lyre-guitar
The lyre guitar is a stringed instrument that has a pear-shaped body and a neck with eight strings.
It is played with a pick or the fingers and has a range of about two and a half octaves.
This instrument is used in many different genres of music, including folk, country, rock, and pop.
At the same time, it is also a popular choice for beginners, as it is relatively easy to learn how to play.
Lastly, it’s an extremely versatile instrument that can be used for strumming chords or playing melodies.
12. Bordonua
The Bordonua is a traditional percussion instrument that’s made from a hollowed-out log and has a unique, resonant sound.
Is often used in folk music and is an essential part of many countries’ musical heritage, including and most notably Puerto Rico.
The instrument is also popular in other parts of Latin America and has been featured in many international music festivals.
It’s a beautiful and versatile instrument, and its distinctive sound is sure to bring a touch of culture to any musical performance.
13. Cuban Tres
The Cuban tres is a plucked string instrument of the guitar family.
It is the national instrument of Cuba, where it originated in the eastern region known as Oriente.
It is played with the thumb and first two fingers, plucking the strings in an alternating fashion, and it can also be played with a pick as well.
The Cuban tres is an important part of Cuban music, particularly in the genres of son montuno, nengon, and guajira.
It also typically accompanies other instruments such as bongos, maracas, and claves.
14. Dutar
Dutar is a two-stringed instrument and it is believed that the instrument was first used in Turkey and then later spread to Iran and Central Asia.
The dutar has a long neck and a small body and is usually made of wood, though some modern instruments may be made of other materials such as metal or plastic.
It’s commonly used in folk music, and it has a distinctive, plaintive sound that can be both beautiful and heartbreaking.
While the dutar may not be as well-known as other stringed instruments, it remains an important part of the musical traditions of many cultures
15. Kobza
A kobza is a traditional Ukrainian string instrument that is similar to a lute.
It has a pear-shaped body and typically has between six and twelve strings.
The kobza is played with the left hand, while the right hand plucks the strings.
Kobzars were traditionally itinerant folk musicians who played in exchange for food or money.
In addition to their musical skills, kobzars were also known for their storytelling ability.
Many of their songs were about historical events or famous people, and they often incorporated elements of humor and satire.
Today, the kobza is enjoying a resurgence in popularity, due in part to its use in contemporary folk and rock bands.
What is the easiest stringed fretted instrument to learn?
The easiest stringed instrument to learn is the ukulele.
Although this is a very opinionated topic, the vast majority of people would say that the ukulele is the easiest stringed instrument to learn.
It has only four strings, compared to six for the guitar, and it is tuned to an open C chord, which is one of the simplest chords to learn.
The ukulele is also relatively small and portable, making it a great choice for those who want to be able to take their instrument with them wherever they go.
In addition, the ukulele has a warm, pleasant sound that can be enjoyed by both beginners and experienced musicians alike.
Also, most importantly, is a great stepping stone instrument to those interested in learning other instruments.
Many people use the ukulele to learn the basics before moving on to a more difficult instrument, such as the guitar.
Is playing the ukulele similar to a guitar?
Although the ukulele and the guitar are both stringed instruments, they differ in a number of ways.
The ukulele is smaller than the guitar and has only four strings, while the guitar has six.
Also, the ukulele is tuned differently, with the pitch of the strings ranging in the order of G-C-E-A (from 4th to 1st).
This tuning is different from that of a guitar, which is usually E-A-D-G-B-E.
If you barre a guitar on the 5th fret in standard tuning, you’d have the ukelele notes in the lower 4 strings of your guitar.
Now, despite these differences, playing the ukulele does share some similarities with playing the guitar.
Both instruments are held horizontally, and both are plucked with the right hand while the left-hand forms chords.
I encourage you to watch this video by Uke Like The Pros on YouTube:
He goes over 5 differences that you need to know about these instruments.
Although some of them aligned with what we mentioned before, he also talks about the strings of the instruments, their difficulty to learn, and their unique scale length.
Should you learn to play another instrument?
Playing a musical instrument can be a great way to relieve stress, express yourself, and connect with others.
If you already know how to play one instrument, you might be wondering if it’s worth your time to learn another, the answer is that it depends on your goals and interests.
There are many benefits to learning a second musical instrument.
For one, it can help you to become a more well-rounded musician.
A strong understanding of music theory and history is crucial for any musician, but knowing how to play multiple instruments can give you a more intimate knowledge of the music itself.
In addition, learning a new instrument can also help you to improve your skills on your primary instrument, after all, the more muscles you use, the stronger they become.
Playing a second instrument can also be a great way to meet new people and expand your social circle.
Whether you join a band or simply start taking lessons, you’ll quickly find that there’s a whole community of people out there who share your passion for music.
Lastly, it’s simply an amazing way of disconnecting and preventing burnout, specially when it comes to any musician who plays professionally or practices all the time.
Born and raised in Florida! I’ve been playing guitars for the past 5 years. Love to learn, and I’m always striving to achieve greater heights in music. Currently have a Fender Stratocaster as my main guitar.
