Buy a Musical Instrument Day 🎵

Overview

Buy a Musical Instrument Day, observed annually on May 22nd, encourages individuals of all ages to explore the world of music by purchasing an instrument. This day highlights the joy, creativity, and numerous cognitive benefits associated with learning and playing music, inviting people to embark on a new sonic journey or rekindle a past passion.

Origin and story

The oldest known musical instruments are flutes made from bird bone and mammoth ivory, discovered in Germany and dating back approximately 42,000 to 43,000 years.

Learning to play a musical instrument has been shown to improve memory, coordination, and problem-solving skills, and can even reduce stress.

Quick facts

• DateMay 22
• TypeCultural / community observance
• Great forFriends, Families, Classrooms, Teams

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Ways to celebrate

Buy a Musical Instrument Day celebrates a tradition older than almost anything else humans make — the oldest known instruments predate written history by tens of thousands of years.

Actually get one

Celebrate by:

• Buying (or finally picking back up) an instrument you've been meaning to learn.
• Trying a cheap, beginner-friendly instrument like a ukulele or harmonica if a big purchase feels like too much.
• Booking a single lesson instead of committing to a full course right away.

Learn about the oldest instruments

Helpful resources:

• Bone Flute Is Oldest Instrument, Study Says (National Geographic)

Did you know?

The oldest known musical instruments — flutes made from bird bone and mammoth ivory found in a German cave — date back 42,000 to 43,000 years, predating most other evidence of human artistic culture.

Fun facts

• The oldest known musical instruments are flutes made from bird bone and mammoth ivory, discovered in Germany and dating back approximately 42,000 to 43,000 years.
• Learning to play a musical instrument has been shown to improve memory, coordination, and problem-solving skills, and can even reduce stress.
• Globally, the guitar is often cited as one of the most popular musical instruments, with an estimated tens of millions of players worldwide.

Sources and attribution

Bone Flute Is Oldest Instrument, Study Says (National Geographic)

External links may lead to third-party websites.

Continue your streak

Open one more holiday before you go to build daily momentum.

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FAQ

When is Buy a Musical Instrument Day?

It is observed on May 22 each year.

What is Buy a Musical Instrument Day?

Buy a Musical Instrument Day, observed annually on May 22nd, encourages individuals of all ages to explore the world of music by purchasing an instrument. This day highlights the joy, creativity, and numerous cognitive benefits associated with learning and playing music, inviting people to embark on a new sonic journey or rekindle a past passion.

How do people celebrate Buy a Musical Instrument Day?

Buy (or finally pick back up) an instrument — learning one is linked to better memory, coordination, and lower stress, and humans have been making them for over 40,000 years.

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