There are a number of different personality types that can be associated with different musical instruments. Although not everyone will want to make these links, you may discover that you’re more suited towards a particular instrument if you want to learn, or you might discover that some of your personality traits are shared with others that play the same instrument. At the very least, it’s worth thinking about some of the general traits that people have picked up on in terms of string, woodwind, brass, and percussive instruments.

String Players

If you’re a violin player, you may either be the more introverted member of an orchestra who’s happy to contribute playing in the background, and doesn’t want the spotlight, or you may be the extroverted soloist. A solo violinist represents one example of the soloist as one of the more dynamic figures in an orchestra, although this doesn’t always mean that you’re going to be a larger than life personality. However, viola players tend to have gentler personality types than violinists, while double bass players may be more invested in personal improvisation within a group. Cello players, by comparison, can have calming personalities, and can be more introspective than other woodwind musicians.

Woodwind Players

For woodwind players, your personality type may include shyer personalities for flautists, who tend to be more introverted, and don’t mind practicing alone. Alternatively, you might be more extroverted, a trait that is more often associated with clarinet players. Oboe players are closer to flautists, although perhaps not quite as introverted. By comparison, oboe players can be quite dramatic, while bassoon players tend to be focused people.

Brass Players

There’s always a lot of personality to brass players, which is fitting given the energy that usually has to go into playing the instrument; tenor horn players tend to take a lot of satisfaction in their playing and getting their performance right, while saxophones generally attract more extroverted people that enjoy being part of a group, and like to improvise. By contrast, tuba players can be responsive and organised people that are happy to play a background role within an orchestra or a band.

Percussion Players

Although there’s a lot of myths associated with drummers, those that get drawn to playing percussive instruments tend to have a lot of energy, and want to use instruments as a way of expressing themselves. Even if you’re a maracas player or a xylophone player, percussion tends to generate emotion from people that like the excitement and the opportunity to show their personality through their instrument.

However, as previously noted, no one instrument has strict rules when it comes to personality traits; these are, after all, generalisations, and you can probably have some highly extroverted flautists, as well as saxophonists or drummers that consider themselves to be shy and retiring types. The important thing to remember is that musical instruments can be tailored to your own individual personality, and that your playing or practicing might take on a lot of different forms over time.

About Mann’s Music  

Mann’s Music have over 150 year experience in providing quality musical instruments. They stock a huge range of guitars and digital pianos, and their knowledge is second to none! They also stock a variety of other string, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.