Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Instruments on a Budget, Great Gear Without the Hefty Price
25
items Want to start playing music without spending a fortune?
This list is for beginners, casual players, or anyone who wants great sound on a budget. These are quality instruments and essential gear that won’t empty your wallet — and yes, I’ve picked the...
Sections
7
🎸 Guitars & Ukuleles
🎹 Keyboards & Digital Pianos
🥁 Drums & Percussion
🎺 Brass & Woodwinds (Budget Picks)
🎧 Accessories: Stands, Tuners, Cases
📚 Beginner Bundles & Starter Kits
🎸 Guitars & Ukuleles
Starting with a ukulele is such a fun way to get into music. They’re small, easy to handle, and have a cheerful sound. My cousin picked one up and was strumming along in no time. For guitars, there are great beginner options that won’t break the bank...
This is a solid choice for beginners. The FA-115 offers a full-bodied sound and is comfortable to play. It’s well-built and comes with everything you need to start playing right away.
FA-115 Dreadnought Pack
The FG800 is known for its excellent build quality and rich sound. It’s a bit more expensive but offers great value for the price. Ideal for those who are serious about learning guitar.
FG/FS800 Series - Overview - Yamaha USA
This ukulele bundle is perfect for beginners. It includes everything you need to get started and offers a warm, pleasant sound. The build quality is impressive for the price.
Donner 23" Mahogany Concert Ukulele Kit
The KA-15S is a well-crafted ukulele with a bright, clear tone. It’s comfortable to play and has a classic look. A great option for those new to the instrument.
KA-15S Satin Mahogany Soprano Ukulele
🎹 Keyboards & Digital Pianos
Digital pianos are amazing for beginners. They often have weighted keys that mimic the feel of an acoustic piano, which is great for building proper technique. Plus, you can plug in headphones—perfect for late-night practice without waking the whole ...
The Yamaha P-45 is a reliable choice for beginners seeking a realistic piano feel. It features 88 fully weighted keys and delivers a rich sound quality. While it offers a straightforward design, it’s a solid foundation for anyone starting their piano...
Yamaha 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano with Sustain Pedal and Power ...
The Alesis Recital offers 88 semi-weighted keys and five built-in voices, including acoustic piano and organ. It’s equipped with educational features like Lesson Mode, making it ideal for beginners. The built-in speakers provide decent sound quality ...
Recital
The DDP-100 is perfect for those who prefer a more traditional look and feel. It comes with a wooden stand and three pedals, mimicking an upright piano setup. The fully weighted keys and realistic sound make it suitable for beginners and intermediate...
Donner DEP-20 Beginner Digital Piano 88 Key Full Size Weighted Keyboard ...
🥁 Drums & Percussion
If your child loves rhythm, a beginner drum set could be the perfect outlet. There are kid-sized kits that are just right for small hands. I had a neighbor whose son got one, and he was drumming away happily for hours. It’s a great way to channel ene...
The BDK-1 is a comprehensive starter kit that includes everything a beginner needs: drums, cymbals, hardware, stool, and sticks. It’s designed for easy setup and durability, making it an excellent choice for those new to drumming.
BDK-1 Full Size Starter Drum Kit by Gear4music, Black
This electronic kit offers mesh drum pads for a more realistic feel and quieter practice sessions. It includes a range of sounds and features, making it suitable for beginners who want versatility and convenience.
Digital Drums 200X Mesh Electronic Drum Kit by Gear4music
For those interested in hand percussion, this cajon offers a rich, resonant sound in a compact form. It’s lightweight and comes with a seat pad and gig bag, making it perfect for busking or acoustic sessions.
Compact Cajon and Gigbag by Gear4music, Teak
🎺 Brass & Woodwinds (Budget Picks)
Instruments like the trumpet or clarinet are excellent for school bands. They’re a bit more challenging at first, but with practice, they can be very rewarding. I remember my friend in school who picked up the saxophone and quickly became one of the ...
Looking to start your trumpet journey without breaking the bank? This beginner pack includes a gold-finished trumpet, a sturdy case, and essential accessories. It’s designed for students and hobbyists aiming to reach up to Grade 6. The adjustable thi...
Student Trumpet, Gold by Gear4music + Beginner Pack
Want a lightweight and colorful option? This blue playLITE Hybrid Trumpet is made from durable ABS plastic with aluminum valves, making it easy to handle for beginners. It comes with a plastic mouthpiece and a fabric drawstring carry bag, perfect for...
playLITE Hybrid Trumpet by Gear4music, Blue
Thinking about diving into the world of French horns? This beginner pack offers a full double F/Bb French horn with a light gold lacquered finish. It includes a stand, care kit, and instrument stand, ensuring you have everything needed to start playi...
Student French Horn Beginner Pack by Gear4music
Interested in the clarinet? This complete beginner pack provides a reliable student clarinet, a protective case, and all the accessories you need to get started. It’s perfect for newcomers eager to explore the clarinet’s rich tones.
Student Clarinet Complete Beginner Pack by Gear4music
🎧 Accessories: Stands, Tuners, Cases
Don’t overlook the importance of good accessories. A sturdy stand keeps the instrument safe, a tuner ensures it sounds right, and a proper case makes transportation easy. I once neglected to get a case and ended up with a scratched guitar.. lesson le...
Need a music stand that’s easy to carry and won’t tip over? This folding stand is lightweight, sturdy, and perfect for kids practicing anywhere , plus it folds up nice and small.
Collapsible Music Stands
I use this tuner myself. It’s simple and works great for all kinds of instruments. Plus, the metronome keeps the timing right.
TM-60 - COMBO TUNER METRONOME
My kid’s guitar fits perfectly in this Fender gig bag. It’s light and keeps the guitar safe when we go to lessons.
Fender Urban Gig Bag for Strat & Tele
I found this on Etsy and it’s adorable. So comfy and my friend loves how unique it looks. Great for adding a bit of style.
Custom Leather Guitar Strap
📚 Beginner Bundles & Starter Kits
These bundles are lifesavers. They usually include everything needed to start playing; the instrument, accessories, and sometimes even instructional materials. It’s how I got started, and it took the guesswork out of what to buy.
If your kid’s just starting out, this bundle is perfect. Comes with a guitar, case, tuner, and picks. My niece started with this and still loves it.
Electric Guitar Starter Kits
This Fender pack is so popular for beginners. It sounds great and comes with everything—strap, tuner, and picks. My cousin got one and plays all the time now.
FA-115 Dreadnought Pack
Ukuleles are super fun and easy. This bundle has a uke, tuner, and gig bag. My friend’s kid uses it for music class and it’s such a hit.
Ukulele Pack by Gear4music
Looking for something a bit different? Etsy has cool starter kits that include handcrafted instruments and accessories. So unique, my cousin gifted one last year and it was a big hit.
Custom Starter Kit
🎻 String Instruments on a Budget
Is your child expressing an interest in learning the violin? This 3/4 size violin is perfect for young beginners. It comes with everything they need to start: a hardwood bow, case, rosin, music stand, spare strings, and a shoulder rest. The violin is...
Student 3/4 Violin + Accessory Pack by Gear4music
Got a teen interested in viola? This 15” size is perfect. It’s sturdy, has a lovely warm tone, and comes with a case and bow—all set to go.
Student Viola by Gear4music, 15 Inch
This little purple cello? So cute and just right for younger kids. It’s a smaller size, super fun to play, and comes with all the basics.
Student 1/4 Size Cello + Beginner Pack, Purple