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5 uncommon instruments for music lovers

Anyone can play the guitar (with lots of practice, sure). But if you’re looking to apply your skills to new sounds, you might want to try something a little unorthodox. After all, playing beautiful music requires a certain amount of improvisation and ingenuity, and having an uncommon instrument in your hands might be the way to unlock a reserve of creativity you didn’t even know was there. From electric strings to a classic Mandolin-style instrument to the cheerfully petite Ukelele, here are five uncommon musical instruments to inspire any music lover.

The world of music invites innovation and experimentation. And the beauty of these instruments is they’re good for a beginner or someone looking to branch out from a traditional sound. Most of them are also decent values, with a couple investment pieces for extra-serious players. Whether you’re looking for a different, charged tone in your violin or want to try an entirely new kind of stringed instrument altogether, there are uncommon instruments out there certain to fit the bill. As usual, all you have to do is learn to play them.

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