82 Percent of Parents Want Their Kids to Learn to Play a Musical Instrument, According to New Survey Spearheaded by Guitar Center

Guitar Center has shared the results of a survey on music education conducted in coordination with World Music Day. The survey found that 82% of current and would-be parents think it’s important that their child learn to play an instrument, with the most popular preferences being piano (18%), drums (17%) and violin (16%). But the top instrument kids actually want to learn is the electric guitar, according to their parents (22%).

The study, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Guitar Center, also showed that 29% of respondents think music education should be required or prioritized in schools, and another 26% believe that music education should be encouraged, for a total of 55% showing support for an increase in music education as part of school curriculum.

“Music education creates lifelong benefits that can enrich a child’s life, including increased social skills to higher levels of confidence and self-esteem,” said Donny Gruendler, VP of Education at Guitar Center. “From the guitar to the drums, it doesn’t matter what instrument a child learns to play— the experience will allow them to cultivate their identity and kindle a life-long passion for learning.”

The survey also suggests that only one out of every four Americans (24%) can play an instrument — although 17% have picked one back up during the pandemic, and 13% would be interested in learning piano. Out of those surveyed with prior music experience, 37% said they don’t currently play anything, implying that they may have given up on their instrument of choice.

Compared to their adult counterparts, children today seem even more agreeable to the idea of learning instruments; according to parents polled, only 9% haven’t yet expressed any interest. “The survey further substantiates that people have a desire to learn music, and this desire is so powerful that they even want their child to learn,” said Gruendler. Learning to play an instrument doesn’t have to be boring or intimidating, especially if you’re learning your favorite songs at your own pace with instructors who are personalizing each of your lessons.”

For information on Guitar Center’s Lessons program and the benefits of learning to play an instrument, visit Guitarcenter.com/Services/Lessons.

This random double-opt-in survey of 1,000 general population Americans and 1,000 who’ve played instruments was commissioned by Guitar Center between June 6 and June 8, 2022. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).