- Categories:
- Arts & Entertainment
- Tags:
- HobbyMusicShopping
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every May 22
- Holiday emoji:
- 🎸
Buy A Musical Instrument Day inspires aspiring musicians and seasoned pros alike every May 22. This day encourages you to explore new sounds, learn a new skill, or rekindle an old passion. Visit a local music store, browse online, or sign up for lessons to celebrate!
Want to sponsor Buy A Musical Instrument Day? Learn how
Expected Buy A Musical Instrument Day Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that music retailers often offer significant discounts on instruments and accessories for Buy A Musical Instrument Day. Look for deals from major players like Guitar Center, Sweetwater, and Sam Ash on guitars, keyboards, drums, and recording gear. Specialty brands such as Fender and Yamaha may also run direct promotions. Independent music shops, like Chicago Music Exchange, often join in with sales on unique or vintage instruments. Expect online marketplaces like Reverb to see increased activity and special listings. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as May 22 approaches.
Platform Guide for Buy A Musical Instrument Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #BuyAMusicalInstrumentDay. Share photos or short videos of your new instrument or your musical journey.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #BuyAMusicalInstrumentDay. Film a ‘first notes’ video with your new instrument or a quick tutorial.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #BuyAMusicalInstrumentDay. Share your favorite instrument or a story about learning to play.
Buy A Musical Instrument Day Hero
Adolphe Sax
History of Buy A Musical Instrument Day
Music has been a crucial part of human society throughout history, with musical instruments occupying a special space in culture. People who created such instruments were revered by society. It is believed that the first such instruments were used for religious ceremonies or while hunting and were made of bones, shells, and wood. Over time, these instruments began to be used to create melodies, and musical entertainment was born.
Archaeological studies and remains show that musical instruments have evolved over time. Each generation improved the designs and creations that came before it until we arrived at the instruments of today.
The oldest musical instrument in the world is also the only one associated with Neanderthal culture. However, some instruments found, dating back to the Upper Paleolithic age, are disputed as the oldest ones in the world. The Renaissance period is widely believed to be the best time in the history of musical instruments. It was responsible for giving shape to many of the modern classical instruments. In the past century, musical instruments have been introduced to electronics, and now we also have electronic instruments!
While we could not find the origin story of Buy A Musical Instrument Day, we did learn that this day was initially held on May 18 each year in honor of writer and composer Meredith Willson (1902–1984). Willson was famous for writing the music and lyrics for the musical “The Music Man”. Why this date was changed remains a mystery.
Buy A Musical Instrument Day timeline
Flutes made from bones of mammoths and swans are used in the Upper Paleolithic age — these are widely accepted as being some of the oldest musical instruments.
North African instruments find their way to Europe, and instruments from Mesopotamia appear in maritime Southeast Asia.
There isn't much in the way of the development or innovation of musical instruments, and the Western World dominates any change in this landscape.
In the Classical and Romantic periods, composers and musicians start using musical instruments in new and revolutionary ways, changing how we hear music forever.
Slovenian archaeologist Ivan Turk discovers a 43,000-year-old bone carving named the Divje Babe Flute, which is likely the oldest musical instrument in the world, although this flute's status as a musical instrument is disputed.
Many new electronic musical instruments are developed like electric guitars, synthesizers, and the theremin.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Buy A Musical Instrument Day
Local music stores, pawn shops, and online retailers can make Buy A Musical Instrument Day a special event. Offer beginner bundles, free introductory lessons with a purchase, or host open mic nights to inspire new musicians. Promote financing options for larger purchases and highlight used instruments as an affordable entry point. Consider partnering with local music schools for cross-promotion to reach aspiring students. Guitar Center and Sam Ash often run nationwide sales.
Buy A Musical Instrument Day FAQs
When is Buy A Musical Instrument Day?
In 2027, Buy A Musical Instrument Day will be celebrated on Saturday, May 22. Get ready to explore new sounds and begin your musical adventure this weekend.
How many people play a musical instrument?
While exact numbers fluctuate, recent surveys suggest that over half of American households include a musician. The desire to create music remains a strong cultural force, inspiring new learners each year.
What is the most popular musical instrument to learn?
The piano and guitar continue to dominate lists of most-learned instruments, offering a wide range of styles and learning resources. However, interest in digital instruments and music production software is also rapidly growing.
Is it ever too late to learn a musical instrument?
Research consistently demonstrates the benefits of musical engagement for adults, including improved memory and coordination. With numerous online resources and adult-friendly lessons available, any age is the right age to start.
How To Celebrate Buy A Musical Instrument Day
Buy a musical instrument
What’s in a name? Just an idea on how to celebrate this particular day, apparently. Add playing a musical instrument to your skills and buy the one instrument you have always wanted. Don’t want to buy an instrument? Simply make your own DIY one from common household materials. For instance, you can upturn a bucket to create a drum or fill the inside of an unused cardboard roll with beans to create a rainmaker.
Take music lessons
Now that you've got your hands on a musical instrument, how about learning to play it? You can even take music lessons to familiarize yourself with different instruments and then pick which one is your favorite.
Make music
What do you do with your new skill of playing a musical instrument? You play it, of course! You can make it a group affair by inviting friends and family to play with you. When you start making terrific music, you can even set up impromptu concerts for local communities!
5 Fun Facts About Musical Instruments
There are six main instrument categories
There are six main musical instrument categories: percussion, woodwind, brass, strings, keyboard, and electronic.
The piano is the most played
The piano is the most widely played musical instrument across the world — this is followed by the guitar, and then by drums.
Guess how many Americans play the piano?
21 million Americans play the piano, more than all other musical instruments combined.
Playing music helps children
Research shows children who play musical instruments read at more advanced levels, exhibit larger vocabularies, and are good at teamwork.
A field of study on its history
Called organology, this academic field studies the history of musical instruments.
Why We Love Buy A Musical Instrument Day
Learn about music
The history of the world has always been intertwined with music. Each culture has its own importance and history of various musical instruments like drums played during a war, trumpets to announce something of importance, and more. Buy A Musical Instrument Day brings music and its history to the forefront of our minds, allowing us to reflect on the impact music has on the world.
Music creates a community
Playing, learning, or even talking about it — music gives us a lot to share with like-minded people. How else can you explain the energy of the crowd at concerts? Bonding over this art form encourages people to learn and carry the music-making tradition on to future generations.
It encourages positive habits
Studies correlate playing a musical instrument with a better quality of life. People perform better in school and work, experience less stress, and are generally more happy and productive. We certainly think learning to play musical instruments is a sight better than giving in to harmful habits or boredom. If you knew of a hobby that could enrich your life, wouldn’t you pick it up?
Social Media Tips for Buy A Musical Instrument Day
Individuals
Creators
Brands