Choosing an Instrument that Inspires You

Paula Taylor
Apr 4
4 min read

Article 2 of an 8-part series: Meadowood's Musician Pathway

Choosing an instrument is one of the most personal decisions a musician makes. It's not only a purchase. It's the beginning of a relationship.

Meadowood’s focus is on stringed instruments, but these ideas apply just as much to other families of instruments. The right instrument doesn’t simply meet technical requirements. It invites you to pick it up. It makes you curious. It draws you back into music, even on days when motivation is low.

This article explores how to choose an instrument that inspires you—whether you are just beginning, returning to music after time away, or looking for the next instrument that fits your growth.

Inspiration Matters More Than Perfection

Musicians want the “best” instrument, but “best” depends on many things, and inspiration is often more important than perfection.

For players at any level, an instrument that inspires you is one that:

feels comfortable in your hands
responds easily when you play
produces a sound you enjoy
makes you want to play more

Fortunately, you don’t need the most expensive instrument to achieve this.

The Right Instrument Depends on Many Things

Players’ experience and goals, their physical attributes, the type of music, and whether the music is played solo, in a small group, or a large ensemble all help determine the right instrument.

Budget is also a consideration (we recommend choosing an instrument over which you'll neither feel buyer’s remorse nor wish you'd spent just a little more). Spend some time learning about the price ranges for different construction levels and thinking about what you can afford.Part of the choice depends on where you are in your musical journey.For beginners, inspiration often comes from:

ease of play/credible construction/good setup
fit to the player’s hands/body
similarity to a musical hero’s instrument (valid if the other things are there)

For advancing players, inspiration may come from:

richer tone
greater responsiveness
ability to support new repertoire or styles

For returning adult musicians, still other things provide inspiration:

reconnecting with an instrument with nostalgic connections
finding something that feels fresh and unlike previous experience
choosing an instrument for themselves

For advanced musicians, inspiration is all about:

tone
feel
responsiveness
ability to get that “extra little bit”

There’s no single “best” instrument -- only the instrument that fits you right now.

Sound Is Personal

Two instruments of the same model can feel completely different. Sound is not only a specification—it is an experience.

When you try an instrument, listen for:

clarity
warmth
resonance
how the instrument responds to your touch

The best instrument is the one that speaks to you.

When different players of about the same caliber play the same instrument in our store, we see the instrument respond differently to each player. After years of seeing this, we believe that some wonderful coincidence of the instrument’s attributes and the player’s approach occurs. THAT is what you’re seeking.

Comfort and Playability Are Essential

Inspiration disappears quickly if an instrument is difficult to play. For string instruments, neck shape, setup, and body size matter a lot.

Differences in the length and width of the neck, and in the way the neck is shaped along its back, determine if the instrument will ever fit your left hand.

The height of the strings above the fingerboard, which is usually adjustable, determines how hard it is to press the strings down, or if the strings buzz.

The size of the instrument’s body determines how comfortable the instrument is to hold, and whether your arms are in positions that enable correct technique.

More experienced players are more able to assess these attributes on their own. Less experienced players typically must rely on a more experienced friend, a teacher or a credible music store staff member to help evaluate the fit.

New, Used, and Rental Instruments Can All Inspire

We can draw inspiration from a rental instrument when it gives us an opportunity to try something with relatively low risk. If you like playing a good quality rental, you can invest in a purchase with much more confidence.

Used instruments in good condition that are playable sometimes have character and “cool factor.” However, we caution against thinking of used instruments as a way to save money. Sometimes, instead of saving money, players inherit problems that cost more in the long run.

Good quality new instruments offer reliability and excitement, but “new” does not mean “good.” Don’t waste your money on an instrument that looks pretty but is—or quickly becomes—unplayable.

As retailers, we admittedly have an agenda to sell instruments to people who want them, but we are careful to make sure the instrument will serve the player. Make sure the person who gives you advice about an instrument, new or used, knows what they're talking about and has no hidden agenda beyond helping you choose well.

What matters most once you find an instrument that's well-made, set up properly, and enjoyable to play is whether it inspires you because choosing your instrument is just the beginning.

Instruments Are Part of a Larger Pathway

Choosing an inspiring instrument is not the end of the journey. It's the beginning of a pathway.

A good instrument supports: