Statistics · Updated November 2, 2026
Musical Instrument Statistics 2026
Includes NAMM's 2025 U.S. sales data and the EU's 2025 Eurobarometer culture survey
- 85statistics
- 36sources from 20 publishers
- Checkedevery figure against its original source
- FreeCSV download and ready-made citations
Compiled by the House of Octave research desk from the National Endowment for the Arts, YouGov, Fender, NAMM, ABRSM and the European Commission data.
In 2022, 11.4% of U.S. adults played a musical instrument in the past year, about 28 million people, according to the National Endowment for the Arts. Far more learned one at some point: 66% in a 2022 YouGov poll. Piano is the instrument most people learn, and guitar is second.
Key findings
- 11.4%
In 2022, 11.4% of U.S. adults played a musical instrument at least once in the past 12 months, according to the National Endowment for the Arts' Survey of Public Participation in the Arts, run with the U.S. Census Bureau.
National Endowment for the Arts, Arts Participation Patterns in 2022: Highlights from the Survey of Public Participation in the Arts · 2022 (12 months ending July 2022) data
- 66%
In a 2022 YouGov survey of 3,000 U.S. adult citizens, 66% said they had learned to play a musical instrument at some point in their lives, whether or not they still play.
YouGov, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music and a wider range of instruments · 2022 data
- 29%
In 2022, 29% of U.S. adults said they had learned to play the piano at some point in their lives, more than any other instrument, according to YouGov.
- 12%
In November 2024, 12% of British adults said they could play the piano or keyboard and 8% said they could play the guitar, the two most common instruments, according to YouGov.
YouGov, How many Britons can play a musical instrument? (survey of 2,203 GB adults, November 2024) · 2024 data
- 16 million
Fender's 2021 study with YouGov found that 7% of the U.S. population aged 13 to 64, about 16 million people, started to learn guitar in the previous two years.
Fender, New Guitar Player Landscape Analysis with YouGov (press release, October 2021) · 2021 data
- 90%
Fender's research found that more than 90% of first-time guitar players abandoned the instrument within 12 months, if not within the first 90 days, according to Fender CEO Andy Mooney in a 2018 Fender release citing the company's 2015 research.
- 24%
In 2022, Utah had the highest share of adults who played a musical instrument (24%), followed by Washington (23%) and Montana (21%), each significantly above the national rate, according to the National Endowment for the Arts.
- 24%
24% of the U.S. high school class of 2013 enrolled in at least one year of band, choir or orchestra during high school, according to Elpus and Abril's 2019 study of federal High School Longitudinal Study data.
Elpus and Abril, Who enrolls in high school music? A national profile of U.S. students, 2009-2013, Journal of Research in Music Education 67(3) (abstract) · 2013 (class of 2013) data
- 11%
In 2025, 11% of people aged 15 and over in the EU said they had played a musical instrument in the last 12 months, up 3 percentage points on the previous survey, according to the European Commission's Special Eurobarometer 562.
- $17.8 billion
The global music products industry was worth roughly $17.8 billion in 2024, down from a record $19.5 billion in 2021, according to NAMM's 20-Year Global Music Products Summary.
How many Americans play a musical instrument?
About one U.S. adult in nine played a musical instrument in the past year, according to the federal arts survey. Far more have learned one at some point: two in three, by YouGov's count.
Source: National Endowment for the Arts, Survey of Public Participation in the Arts (2012 highlights, 2017 full report, 2022 highlights) and Arts Basic Survey (2020). Chart: House of Octave, free to reuse with a link to this page.
Show chart data
| 2012 | 12.1% |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 10.9% |
| 2020 | 9.6% |
| 2022 | 11.4% |
- 11.4%
In 2022, 11.4% of U.S. adults played a musical instrument at least once in the past 12 months, according to the National Endowment for the Arts' Survey of Public Participation in the Arts, run with the U.S. Census Bureau.
National Endowment for the Arts, Arts Participation Patterns in 2022: Highlights from the Survey of Public Participation in the Arts · 2022 (12 months ending July 2022) data [1]
- 28 million
About 28 million U.S. adults played a musical instrument in the 12 months ending July 2022 (House of Octave calculation from National Endowment for the Arts figures: 11.4% of an adult population of roughly 248 million).
National Endowment for the Arts, Arts Participation Patterns in 2022: Highlights from the Survey of Public Participation in the Arts; House of Octave calculation · 2022 data [1]
- 66%
In a 2022 YouGov survey of 3,000 U.S. adult citizens, 66% said they had learned to play a musical instrument at some point in their lives, whether or not they still play.
YouGov, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music and a wider range of instruments · 2022 data [2]
- 17%
In YouGov's 2022 survey, 34% of U.S. adults had never learned to play an instrument, and about half of them wished they had, which YouGov says equals 17% of all Americans.
YouGov, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music and a wider range of instruments · 2022 data [2]
- 24%
In a June 2022 OnePoll survey commissioned by Guitar Center, 24% (one in four) of a general-population sample of 1,000 Americans said they can play an instrument.
Guitar Center, press release on its 2022 music education survey (conducted by OnePoll) · 2022 data [3]
- 54%
In 2003, 54% of U.S. households had at least one member who played a musical instrument, according to a Gallup survey commissioned by NAMM. This is an older household measure, not a share of people.
NAMM, press release: Gallup Organization Reveals Findings of American Attitudes Toward Making Music Survey · 2003 data [4]
- 3.0%
In 2022, 3.0% of U.S. adults played a musical instrument with one or more partners, a band, an orchestra or another music group, down from 3.9% in 2017 (a change the National Endowment for the Arts says is not statistically significant).
National Endowment for the Arts, Arts Participation Patterns in 2022: Highlights from the Survey of Public Participation in the Arts · 2022 data [1]
- 10.9%
In 2017, 10.9% of U.S. adults played a musical instrument in the past 12 months, according to the National Endowment for the Arts' Survey of Public Participation in the Arts.
National Endowment for the Arts, Arts Participation Patterns in 2022: Highlights from the Survey of Public Participation in the Arts · 2017 data [1]
- 23.7 million
In the 12 months ending February 2020, nearly 10% of U.S. adults (9.6%, or 23.7 million people) played a musical instrument, according to the National Endowment for the Arts' 2020 Arts Basic Survey.
National Endowment for the Arts, The Demographics of Arts Participation in a Pre-Pandemic Year (2020 Arts Basic Survey) · 2019-20 (12 months ending February 2020) data [5]
- 12.1%
In 2012, 12.1% of U.S. adults played a musical instrument alone or with others in the past 12 months, according to the National Endowment for the Arts' Survey of Public Participation in the Arts.
National Endowment for the Arts, How a Nation Engages with Art: Highlights from the 2012 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts · 2012 data [6]
Which number to use: for adults who currently play (past 12 months), use the NEA's 11.4% for 2022. For anyone who ever learned an instrument, use YouGov's 66%. The 54% NAMM/Gallup figure counts households with at least one player, dates from 2003, and is not a share of people. Guitar Center's 24% is a self-rated 'can play' measure from an online poll.
What are the most popular musical instruments?
Piano is the most popular instrument in every large survey we found, with guitar second. The surveys measure different things: the U.S. YouGov poll counts adults who ever learned an instrument, while the British YouGov poll counts adults who say they can play one today.
Source: YouGov chart data, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music (survey of 3,000 U.S. adult citizens, June to July 2022). Chart: House of Octave, free to reuse with a link to this page.
Show chart data
| Piano | 29% |
|---|---|
| Guitar | 18% |
| Drums | 10% |
| Recorder | 10% |
| Electric piano | 9% |
| Flute | 9% |
| Clarinet | 9% |
| Electric guitar | 8% |
| Violin | 8% |
| Trumpet | 7% |
- 29%
In 2022, 29% of U.S. adults said they had learned to play the piano at some point in their lives, more than any other instrument, according to YouGov.
YouGov chart data, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music (survey of 3,000 U.S. adult citizens, June to July 2022) · 2022 data [7]
- 18%
In 2022, 18% of U.S. adults said they had learned to play the guitar at some point, the second most common instrument after piano, according to YouGov; a separate 8% had learned electric guitar.
YouGov chart data, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music (survey of 3,000 U.S. adult citizens, June to July 2022) · 2022 data [7]
- 47%
In 2022, among U.S. adults who never learned an instrument but wish they had, 47% named piano as the instrument they most wish they could play, 22% guitar and 8% drums, according to YouGov.
YouGov, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music and a wider range of instruments (survey of 3,000 U.S. adult citizens, June to July 2022) · 2022 data [2]
- 12%
In November 2024, 12% of British adults said they could play the piano or keyboard and 8% said they could play the guitar, the two most common instruments, according to YouGov.
YouGov, How many Britons can play a musical instrument? (survey of 2,203 GB adults, November 2024) · 2024 data [8]
- 3%
In November 2024, 3% of British adults said they could play the recorder, while the clarinet, drums, flute and violin were each played by 2%, according to YouGov.
YouGov, How many Britons can play a musical instrument? (survey of 2,203 GB adults, November 2024) · 2024 data [8]
- 35%
In ABRSM's 2024 UK survey, 35% of people who had ever played an instrument currently played the piano and 27% the keyboard, more than any other instrument.
ABRSM, Making Music 2025: Extending Our Ambition for Music Education in the UK (survey of 2,032 UK children and adults, 2024) · 2024 data [9]
- 19%
In ABRSM's 2024 UK survey, 19% of people who had ever played an instrument currently played electric guitar, 18% classical guitar and 15% bass guitar.
ABRSM, Making Music 2025: Extending Our Ambition for Music Education in the UK (survey of 2,032 UK children and adults, 2024) · 2024 data [9]
| Instrument | All adults | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piano | 12% | 8% | 16% |
| Guitar | 8% | 10% | 5% |
| Recorder | 3% | 0% | 4% |
| Drums | 2% | 3% | 1% |
| Violin | 2% | 2% | 3% |
| Flute | 2% | 1% | 3% |
| Clarinet | 2% | 1% | 3% |
Use 29% (U.S., ever learned piano) or 12% (Great Britain, can play piano now). They are different measures and should not be compared directly.
How many people play guitar?
No census counts guitarists, in the U.S. or worldwide. The best figures are survey shares: how many adults ever learned guitar, how many can play it now, and how many started recently.
- 16 million
Fender's 2021 study with YouGov found that 7% of the U.S. population aged 13 to 64, about 16 million people, started to learn guitar in the previous two years.
Fender, New Guitar Player Landscape Analysis with YouGov (press release, October 2021) · 2021 data [11]
- 62%
In Fender's 2021 study with YouGov, 62% of U.S. beginner guitarists said the COVID-19 pandemic was an important driving factor in starting to play.
Fender, New Guitar Player Landscape Analysis with YouGov (press release, October 2021) · 2021 data [11]
- 72%
Fender's 2021 study with YouGov found that 72% of new U.S. guitar players were aged 13 to 34.
Fender, New Guitar Player Landscape Analysis with YouGov (press release, October 2021) · 2021 data [11]
- 50%
Fender's 2018 research with Egg Strategy found that women accounted for 50% of beginner and aspiring guitar players in the U.S. and U.K., based on a survey of 500 players.
Fender, Illuminating the State of Today's Guitar Players research with Egg Strategy (press release, October 2018) · 2018 data [12]
- 23%
In 2022, 23% of U.S. adults aged 18 to 29 had learned to play the guitar, more than any other age group, according to YouGov.
YouGov, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music and a wider range of instruments (survey of 3,000 U.S. adult citizens, June to July 2022) · 2022 data [2]
- 10%
In November 2024, 10% of British men said they could play the guitar, compared with 5% of women, according to YouGov.
YouGov, How many Britons can play a musical instrument? (survey of 2,203 GB adults, November 2024) · 2024 data [8]
- 1 million
Fender's offer of three free months of its Fender Play lessons app in spring 2020 brought one million new signups, Fender reported in 2021.
Fender, New Guitar Player Landscape Analysis with YouGov (press release, October 2021) · 2020 data [11]
The 16 million figure counts Americans aged 13 to 64 who started learning in 2019 to 2021, not all guitar players.
How many people quit guitar?
Fender says about 90% of first-time guitar players abandon the instrument within a year. That figure comes from Fender's 2015 research on new guitar buyers; a 2022 YouGov poll of all adults who ever played guitar found about two in five still play.
Source: YouGov chart data, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music (survey of 3,000 U.S. adult citizens, June to July 2022). Chart: House of Octave, free to reuse with a link to this page.
Show chart data
| Electric guitar | 55% |
|---|---|
| Guitar | 51% |
| Piano | 48% |
| Drums | 43% |
| Electric piano | 40% |
| Saxophone | 38% |
| Violin | 37% |
| Flute | 29% |
| Harmonica | 21% |
| Recorder | 9% |
- 90%
Fender's research found that more than 90% of first-time guitar players abandoned the instrument within 12 months, if not within the first 90 days, according to Fender CEO Andy Mooney in a 2018 Fender release citing the company's 2015 research.
Fender, Illuminating the State of Today's Guitar Players research with Egg Strategy (press release, October 2018) · 2015 data [12]
- 100,000
Fender CEO Andy Mooney said in 2019 that of about a million new guitar players a year in English-speaking countries, only 100,000 commit to the instrument.
Fender CEO Andy Mooney, interview with MusicRadar (November 2019) · 2019 data [13]
- 45%
Fender CEO Andy Mooney said in 2019, citing Fender's research, that 45% of the guitars Fender sells each year go to first-time players.
Fender CEO Andy Mooney, interview with MusicRadar (November 2019) · 2019 data [13]
- 1 in 4
Fender's 2021 study with YouGov found that one in four of the 16 million Americans who started guitar in the previous two years had stagnated in their progress.
Fender, New Guitar Player Landscape Analysis with YouGov (press release, October 2021) · 2021 data [11]
- 39%
In 2022, 39% of U.S. adults who had ever played the guitar said they still play it, and 42% of those who had played electric guitar, according to YouGov.
YouGov chart data, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music (survey of 3,000 U.S. adult citizens, June to July 2022) · 2022 data [14]
- 51%
In 2022, 51% of U.S. adults who played and then quit the guitar said they regret quitting, as did 55% of those who quit electric guitar and 48% who quit piano, according to YouGov.
YouGov, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music and a wider range of instruments (survey of 3,000 U.S. adult citizens, June to July 2022) · 2022 data [2]
- 88%
In 2022, 88% of U.S. adults who played the recorder said they have no regret about quitting it, the lowest regret of any instrument measured, according to YouGov.
YouGov, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music and a wider range of instruments (survey of 3,000 U.S. adult citizens, June to July 2022) · 2022 data [2]
The 90% figure is Fender's measure of first-time buyers quitting within 12 months. The YouGov 39% is the share of everyone who ever played guitar, at any point in life, who still plays. They answer different questions.
How many people play piano?
Piano is the instrument most people learn and the one most non-players wish they could play. Older Americans are the most likely to have learned it, and most learned through lessons.
- 37%
In 2022, 37% of U.S. adults aged 65 and older had learned to play the piano, more than younger age groups, according to YouGov.
YouGov, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music and a wider range of instruments (survey of 3,000 U.S. adult citizens, June to July 2022) · 2022 data [2]
- 32%
In 2022, 32% of U.S. adults who had ever played the piano said they still play it, according to YouGov.
YouGov chart data, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music (survey of 3,000 U.S. adult citizens, June to July 2022) · 2022 data [14]
- 16%
In November 2024, 16% of British women said they could play the piano, compared with 8% of men, according to YouGov.
YouGov, How many Britons can play a musical instrument? (survey of 2,203 GB adults, November 2024) · 2024 data [8]
- 51%
In ABRSM's 2024 UK survey, 51% of music teachers used piano as their main instrument, down from 60% in 2020.
ABRSM, Making Music 2025: Extending Our Ambition for Music Education in the UK (survey of 1,958 UK music teachers, 2024) · 2024 data [9]
Who plays an instrument: age, gender, education and race
Men, younger adults and college graduates are the most likely to play. The newest published breakdown by group comes from the NEA's 2020 Arts Basic Survey; the 2022 survey reports have not published instrument rates by age, gender or education.
- 11.7%
In the 12 months ending February 2020, 11.7% of U.S. men played a musical instrument, compared with 7.6% of women, according to the National Endowment for the Arts' Arts Basic Survey.
National Endowment for the Arts, The Demographics of Arts Participation in a Pre-Pandemic Year (2020 Arts Basic Survey) · 2019-20 (12 months ending February 2020) data [5]
- 13.9%
In the 12 months ending February 2020, 13.9% of U.S. adults aged 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or graduate training played a musical instrument, against 3.4% of those without a high school diploma, according to the National Endowment for the Arts.
National Endowment for the Arts, The Demographics of Arts Participation in a Pre-Pandemic Year (2020 Arts Basic Survey) · 2019-20 data [5]
- 6%
In the year ending February 2020, about 10% to 11% of white, Asian and 'other race' adults played a musical instrument, compared with about 6% of Black and Hispanic adults, according to the National Endowment for the Arts.
National Endowment for the Arts, The Demographics of Arts Participation in a Pre-Pandemic Year (2020 Arts Basic Survey) · 2019-20 data [5]
- nearly 12%
In 2020, nearly 12% of U.S. adults aged 25 to 34 played a musical instrument, significantly more than adults 45 and older, according to the National Endowment for the Arts' Arts Basic Survey.
National Endowment for the Arts, The Demographics of Arts Participation in a Pre-Pandemic Year (2020 Arts Basic Survey) · 2019-20 data [5]
- 17%
In 2017, 17% of U.S. adults aged 18 to 24 played a musical instrument, compared with 11% of all adults, according to the National Endowment for the Arts' Survey of Public Participation in the Arts.
National Endowment for the Arts, U.S. Patterns of Arts Participation: A Full Report from the 2017 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts · 2017 data [16]
| Group | Played an instrument |
|---|---|
| All adults | 9.6% |
| Men | 11.7% |
| Women | 7.6% |
| Ages 25 to 34 | nearly 12% |
| White, Asian, other race | 10% to 11% |
| Black | about 6% |
| Hispanic | about 6% |
| Urban (metro) | about 9% |
| Rural (non-metro) | about 9% |
| Less than high school | 3.4% |
| High school diploma | 5.3% |
| Some college | 9.1% |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.9% |
These rates come from the 2020 Arts Basic Survey (9.6% overall), which is a shorter survey than the 2022 SPPA (11.4% overall). Compare groups within the table, not against the 2022 headline rate. The 18 to 24 figure (17%) is from 2017.
Which states play the most music?
Adults in Utah, Washington and Montana were the most likely to play an instrument in 2022, at roughly double the national rate. Delaware, Hawaii, Georgia and Florida were among the lowest.
- 24%
In 2022, Utah had the highest share of adults who played a musical instrument (24%), followed by Washington (23%) and Montana (21%), each significantly above the national rate, according to the National Endowment for the Arts.
National Endowment for the Arts, 50 States of Arts Participation: 2022 (Survey of Public Participation in the Arts) · 2022 data [17]
- 4%
In 2022, Delaware (4%), Hawaii (5%), Georgia (5%), Florida (5%), New York (6%), Mississippi (6%) and Arkansas (6%) had adult instrument-playing rates below the national rate, according to the National Endowment for the Arts.
National Endowment for the Arts, 50 States of Arts Participation: 2022 (Survey of Public Participation in the Arts) · 2022 data [17]
- 38%
In 2022, 38% of U.S. adults said they had taken music lessons at some point in their lives, more than for any other art form, according to the National Endowment for the Arts.
National Endowment for the Arts, 50 States of Arts Participation: 2022 (Survey of Public Participation in the Arts) · 2022 data [17]
- 61%
In 2022, the District of Columbia (61%), Maine (59%), Wyoming (55%), Wisconsin (52%), Utah (51%) and Ohio (48%) had shares of adults who ever took music lessons above the 38% national rate, according to the National Endowment for the Arts.
National Endowment for the Arts, 50 States of Arts Participation: 2022 (Survey of Public Participation in the Arts) · 2022 data [17]
| State | Played an instrument | Ever took music lessons | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 11.4% | 38.5% | |
| Utah | 23.7% | 51.3% | |
| Washington | 22.8% | 41.8% | |
| Montana | 21.4% | 43.0% | |
| Colorado | 19.6% | 47.5% | |
| Massachusetts | 18.1% | 45.2% | |
| Nebraska | 17.9% | 51.9% | Caution |
| Wisconsin | 17.3% | 51.8% | |
| Kansas | 16.4% | 50.1% | Caution |
| Ohio | 16.2% | 47.6% | |
| Oregon | 15.8% | 48.5% | |
| New Mexico | 15.3% | 42.9% | |
| Wyoming | 15.2% | 55.2% | Caution |
| Arizona | 15.1% | 40.1% | Caution |
| Idaho | 14.9% | 50.6% | |
| Rhode Island | 14.9% | 46.1% | Caution |
| Illinois | 13.9% | 37.2% | |
| Alaska | 13.8% | 47.6% | |
| Tennessee | 13.6% | 30.3% | |
| North Carolina | 13.5% | 45.9% | Caution |
| Indiana | 13.3% | 43.2% | |
| North Dakota | 13.2% | 48.8% | Caution |
| Oklahoma | 13.1% | 38.9% | Caution |
| California | 12.5% | 34.6% | |
| Vermont | 12.4% | 46.0% | Caution |
| West Virginia | 11.8% | 42.5% | Caution |
| Minnesota | 11.7% | 50.3% | |
| Virginia | 11.5% | 49.8% | |
| Nevada | 11.1% | 39.0% | Caution |
| Maryland | 10.9% | 44.9% | Caution |
| New Hampshire | 10.9% | 46.4% | Caution |
| New Jersey | 10.7% | 25.8% | Caution |
| Pennsylvania | 10.4% | 39.3% | Caution |
| Michigan | 10.2% | 43.1% | |
| Texas | 10.0% | 32.4% | |
| South Carolina | 9.5% | 32.9% | |
| Iowa | 9.2% | 29.2% | Caution |
| Missouri | 8.6% | 49.3% | Caution |
| District of Columbia | 8.2% | 61.0% | |
| Kentucky | 7.8% | 29.6% | Caution |
| South Dakota | 7.7% | 37.9% | Caution |
| Maine | 7.3% | 59.3% | Caution |
| Louisiana | 6.9% | 28.8% | Caution |
| Arkansas | 6.0% | 43.6% | Caution |
| Mississippi | 5.6% | 25.1% | |
| New York | 5.5% | 35.8% | Caution |
| Florida | 5.3% | 27.6% | |
| Georgia | 4.8% | 31.8% | Caution |
| Hawaii | 4.5% | 34.9% | Caution |
| Delaware | 3.6% | 42.1% | Caution |
| Alabama | Not reported | 25.3% | |
| Connecticut | Not reported | 46.8% |
The measure is the share of adults who played a musical instrument at least once in the 12 months ending July 2022. State samples are small, so many estimates carry wide margins; only the states named in the stats differ significantly from the national rate. The NEA report text gives the national rate as 13 percent in this passage, but its own statistical table and the national highlights report both give 11.4%; use 11.4%.
How do people learn to play an instrument?
How people learn depends on the instrument. Harmonica, ukulele and electric guitar players mostly teach themselves, while most clarinet, trumpet, piano and violin players learned through lessons or a class.
Source: YouGov, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music and a wider range of instruments. Chart: House of Octave, free to reuse with a link to this page.
Show chart data
| 5 or younger | 9% |
|---|---|
| 6 to 10 | 48% |
| 11 to 17 | 33% |
| 18 or older | 9% |
- 48%
Among U.S. adults who have played an instrument, 48% started between ages 6 and 10, 33% between 11 and 17, 9% at age 5 or younger and 9% at 18 or older, according to YouGov's 2022 survey.
YouGov, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music and a wider range of instruments · 2022 data [2]
- 50%
Among U.S. adults who have played an instrument, 50% were encouraged and 14% were required by their parents to play, according to YouGov's 2022 survey.
YouGov, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music and a wider range of instruments · 2022 data [2]
- 65%
In 2022, 65% of U.S. adults who play the harmonica and 62% who play the ukulele said they were self-taught, according to YouGov.
YouGov, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music and a wider range of instruments (survey of 3,000 U.S. adult citizens, June to July 2022) · 2022 data [2]
- 39%
In 2022, 39% of U.S. adults who play guitar said they learned through lessons or a class and 36% were self-taught, with 25% taught informally, according to YouGov.
YouGov, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music and a wider range of instruments (survey of 3,000 U.S. adult citizens, June to July 2022) · 2022 data [2]
- 73%
In 2022, 73% of U.S. adults who play the clarinet learned through lessons or a class, as did 60% of piano players and 59% of violin players, according to YouGov.
YouGov, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music and a wider range of instruments (survey of 3,000 U.S. adult citizens, June to July 2022) · 2022 data [2]
- 38%
In November 2024, only 38% of British adults who had instrument lessons as a child said they can still play, according to YouGov.
YouGov, How many Britons can play a musical instrument? (survey of 2,203 GB adults, November 2024) · 2024 data [8]
- 3.8%
In 2022, 3.8% of U.S. adults took music classes or lessons in the past 12 months, up from 1.4% in 2002, according to the National Endowment for the Arts.
National Endowment for the Arts, By All Means, the Arts: A Full Report of the 2022 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts (Arts Participation in 2022: A Technical Summary Report) · 2022 data [19]
| Instrument | Lessons or class | Self-taught |
|---|---|---|
| Harmonica | 9% | 65% |
| Ukulele | 18% | 62% |
| Electric guitar | 19% | 52% |
| Drums | 27% | 47% |
| Guitar | 39% | 36% |
| Piano | 60% | 19% |
| Violin | 59% | 17% |
| Flute | 62% | 14% |
| Trumpet | 66% | 9% |
| Clarinet | 73% | 12% |
How many kids learn an instrument and take school music?
Most Americans who play started as children: nearly half between ages 6 and 10. About one in four U.S. high school students takes band, choir or orchestra, and most public schools offer music classes.
- 24%
24% of the U.S. high school class of 2013 enrolled in at least one year of band, choir or orchestra during high school, according to Elpus and Abril's 2019 study of federal High School Longitudinal Study data.
Elpus and Abril, Who enrolls in high school music? A national profile of U.S. students, 2009-2013, Journal of Research in Music Education 67(3) (abstract) · 2013 (class of 2013) data [21]
- 21%
21% of U.S. high school seniors in the class of 2004 took part in school music ensembles, according to Elpus and Abril's 2011 study of the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002.
Elpus and Abril, High school music ensemble students in the United States: A demographic profile, Journal of Research in Music Education 59(2) (abstract) · 2004 (class of 2004) data [22]
- 84%
In November 2024, 84% of U.S. public K-12 schools offered standalone music classes during the regular school day, according to an NEA analysis of the NCES School Pulse Panel.
National Endowment for the Arts, Arts Education in U.S. Public Schools: Insights from the November 2024 School Pulse Panel Survey (NCES School Pulse Panel) · 2024 (November 2024) data [23]
- 45%
In November 2024, 45% of U.S. public schools offered choir, band or marching band practice as an extracurricular arts activity, and 32% offered individual or small-group music lessons, according to the NEA and NCES.
National Endowment for the Arts, Arts Education in U.S. Public Schools: Insights from the November 2024 School Pulse Panel Survey (NCES School Pulse Panel) · 2024 data [23]
- 92%
92% of U.S. public school students had access to music education during the school day in 2019, and 48% took part in it, according to the Arts Education Data Project.
Arts Education Data Project (Quadrant Research and State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education), National Arts Education Status Report 2019, Analysis Metrics · 2019 data [24]
- 3,609,698
3,609,698 U.S. students in 8,486 public schools had no access to music education in 2019, according to the Arts Education Data Project's national estimate.
Arts Education Data Project (Quadrant Research and State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education), National Arts Education Status Report 2019, Analysis Metrics · 2019 data [24]
- 94%
In the 2009-10 school year, 94% of U.S. public elementary schools offered instruction designated specifically for music, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
National Center for Education Statistics, Arts Education in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools: 1999-2000 and 2009-10 (NCES 2012-014) · 2009-10 data [25]
- 91%
In the 2008-09 school year, 91% of U.S. public secondary schools offered music, but only 81% of the highest-poverty secondary schools did, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
National Center for Education Statistics, Arts Education in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools: 1999-2000 and 2009-10 (NCES 2012-014) · 2008-09 data [25]
| Measure | Figure | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schools with standalone music classes | 84% | Nov 2024 | NCES School Pulse Panel |
| Students with access to music in school | 92% | 2019 | Arts Education Data Project |
| Students taking a music course | 48% | 2019 | Arts Education Data Project |
| Elementary schools teaching music | 94% | 2009-10 | NCES FRSS |
| Secondary schools offering music | 91% | 2008-09 | NCES FRSS |
| Class of 2013 in band, choir or orchestra | 24% | 2009-2013 | Elpus and Abril |
School measures are not interchangeable. 'Schools offering music' (84% in 2024) counts schools; 'students with access' (92% in 2019) counts students in schools with any music course; 'students participating' (48% in 2019) counts students actually enrolled. The 24% high school figure covers band, choir and orchestra, so it includes singers.
How many people play a musical instrument around the world?
No global count exists. National and EU surveys put the share of people who play at roughly 1 in 10 adults in most of Europe and Japan, rising to about 1 in 5 in Sweden, the Netherlands and Finland.
Source: European Commission, Special Eurobarometer 562: Europeans' attitudes towards culture (fieldwork February to March 2025). Chart: House of Octave, free to reuse with a link to this page.
Show chart data
| 15-24 | 21% |
|---|---|
| 25-39 | 13% |
| 40-54 | 11% |
| 55+ | 6% |
- 11%
In 2025, 11% of people aged 15 and over in the EU said they had played a musical instrument in the last 12 months, up 3 percentage points on the previous survey, according to the European Commission's Special Eurobarometer 562.
European Commission, Special Eurobarometer 562: Europeans' attitudes towards culture (fieldwork February to March 2025) · 2025 data [26]
- 23%
Sweden had the highest share of people who played a musical instrument in the last 12 months in 2025 (23%), followed by the Netherlands (20%), Finland (19%) and Luxembourg (19%), according to Special Eurobarometer 562.
European Commission, Special Eurobarometer 562: Europeans' attitudes towards culture (fieldwork February to March 2025) · 2025 data [26]
- 1%
In 2025, only 1% of people in Romania and 4% in Poland and Portugal said they had played a musical instrument in the last 12 months, the lowest shares in the EU, according to Special Eurobarometer 562.
European Commission, Special Eurobarometer 562: Europeans' attitudes towards culture (fieldwork February to March 2025) · 2025 data [26]
- 21%
In 2025, 21% of EU residents aged 15 to 24 had played a musical instrument in the last 12 months, against 6% of those aged 55 and over, according to Special Eurobarometer 562.
European Commission, Special Eurobarometer 562: Europeans' attitudes towards culture (fieldwork February to March 2025) · 2025 data [26]
- 23%
In 2024, 23% of UK adults said they currently play a musical instrument and another 41% said they used to play, according to ABRSM's Making Music survey.
ABRSM, Making Music 2025: Extending our Ambition for Music Education in the UK (survey by Critical Research, 2024) · 2024 data [9]
- 41%
In 2024, 41% of UK children aged 5 to 17 said they currently play a musical instrument and 28% said they used to play, according to ABRSM's Making Music survey.
ABRSM, Making Music 2025: Extending our Ambition for Music Education in the UK (survey by Critical Research, 2024) · 2024 data [9]
- 68%
In 2024, 68% of UK children and adults either currently played or had previously played a musical instrument, according to ABRSM's Making Music survey.
ABRSM, Making Music 2025: Extending our Ambition for Music Education in the UK (survey by Critical Research, 2024) · 2024 data [9]
- 11%
In April 2024 to March 2025, 11% of adults in England had written, practised or performed music in the last 12 months, according to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's Participation Survey. This measure can include singing and writing music, so it is not an instrument-only figure.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Participation Survey 2024 to 2025 annual data tables, Table A1 · 2024-25 data [27]
- 10.2%
In 2021, 10.2% of people in Japan aged 10 and over played a musical instrument at least once in the past year, down from 10.9% in 2016, according to the Statistics Bureau of Japan's Survey on Time Use and Leisure Activities.
Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2021 Survey on Time Use and Leisure Activities, Summary of Results (Leisure Activities), Table 4-3 · 2021 data [28]
- 17%
In 2025, 3.6 million Australians aged 15 and over, or 17%, created music by playing an instrument, singing, composing or producing music, according to Creative Australia's National Arts Participation Survey.
Creative Australia, National Arts Participation Survey Results 2025 · 2025 data [29]
| Country or area | Share | Year | What was measured |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU (27 countries) | 11% | 2025 | Played in last 12 months, age 15+ |
| Sweden | 23% | 2025 | Played in last 12 months, age 15+ |
| Netherlands | 20% | 2025 | Played in last 12 months, age 15+ |
| Finland | 19% | 2025 | Played in last 12 months, age 15+ |
| Luxembourg | 19% | 2025 | Played in last 12 months, age 15+ |
| Denmark | 16% | 2025 | Played in last 12 months, age 15+ |
| Austria | 16% | 2025 | Played in last 12 months, age 15+ |
| Germany | 13% | 2025 | Played in last 12 months, age 15+ |
| France | 12% | 2025 | Played in last 12 months, age 15+ |
| Italy | 10% | 2025 | Played in last 12 months, age 15+ |
| Spain | 10% | 2025 | Played in last 12 months, age 15+ |
| Poland | 4% | 2025 | Played in last 12 months, age 15+ |
| Portugal | 4% | 2025 | Played in last 12 months, age 15+ |
| Romania | 1% | 2025 | Played in last 12 months, age 15+ |
| UK (ABRSM) | 23% | 2024 | Currently play, adults 18+ |
| England (DCMS) | 11% | 2024-25 | Wrote, practised or performed music |
| Japan | 10.2% | 2021 | Played in past year, age 10+ |
| Australia | 17% | 2025 | Created music incl. singing, age 15+ |
These surveys ask different questions (played in the last 12 months, currently play, or made music including singing) and cover different ages, so compare rows with care. For the EU, use the Eurobarometer instrument-only figure, not Eurostat's EU-SILC 'artistic activities' rate, which lumps instruments with singing, dancing and photography.
Was there really a pandemic guitar boom?
Yes. Lockdowns sent beginners to guitars and lesson apps in 2020 and 2021, and U.S. music products sales hit a record in 2021. Since then acoustic guitar and ukulele sales have fallen back sharply as many new players stopped.
Source: NAMM, 20-Year Global Music Products Summary (2026), citing NAMM/Music Trades U.S. Industry Summary data. Chart: House of Octave, free to reuse with a link to this page.
Show chart data
| 2019 | 862.4M |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 957.4M |
| 2021 | 1,092M |
| 2022 | 1,042M |
| 2023 | 976M |
| 2024 | 835M |
| 2025 | 768M |
- $700 million
Fender CEO Andy Mooney estimated the company's 2020 sales would top $700 million, a record and nearly 17% more than the over $600 million of 2019, as guitar playing surged during the pandemic.
CNBC, Fender sales boom as guitar playing surges during the pandemic (Andy Mooney, Fender CEO, on record), November 21, 2020 · 2020 data [31]
- 930,000
After Fender made its Fender Play lesson app free for three months in March 2020, its user base grew nearly 500% within a month to about 930,000 learners, according to Fender.
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, press release, October 20, 2020 · 2020 data [32]
- 45%
Women made up 45% of the people who signed up for free Fender Play lessons in 2020, compared with 30% before the pandemic, Fender reported.
CNBC, Fender sales boom as guitar playing surges during the pandemic (figures reported by Fender), November 21, 2020 · 2020 data [31]
- $7.3 billion
In 2020, U.S. music products sales dropped 10% to $7.3 billion as schools, churches and venues closed, even while home-use categories like fretted instruments and keyboards saw surging demand, according to NAMM.
NAMM, Sound Check: A 20-Year Look at the Global Music Products Industry (20-Year Global Music Products Summary, 2026) · 2020 data [33]
- 22%
U.S. music products shipments rose 22% in 2021 to a record $8.9 billion, the largest one-year gain since NAMM began tracking the U.S. market in 1992.
NAMM, Sound Check: A 20-Year Look at the Global Music Products Industry (20-Year Global Music Products Summary, 2026) · 2021 data [33]
- $768 million
U.S. acoustic guitar sales fell to $768 million in 2025, nearly 30% below their all-time high of $1,092 million in 2021, as many pandemic-era first-time buyers did not stick with the hobby, according to NAMM.
NAMM, 20-Year Global Music Products Summary (2026), citing NAMM/Music Trades U.S. Industry Summary data · 2021-2025 data [33]
- $62 million
U.S. ukulele sales peaked at $142 million in 2021 and fell by more than half to $62 million by 2025, according to NAMM.
NAMM, 20-Year Global Music Products Summary (2026), citing NAMM/Music Trades U.S. Industry Summary data · 2021-2025 data [33]
The 16 million figure counts Americans who started learning guitar in a two-year window, not people who currently play.
How big is the musical instrument market?
NAMM puts global music products sales at about $17.8 billion in 2024, and the U.S. is close to half of it. U.S. sales have fallen four years running since the 2021 peak but remain above 2019.
Source: NAMM, 20-Year Global Music Products Summary (2026), citing NAMM/Music Trades U.S. Industry Summary data. Chart: House of Octave, free to reuse with a link to this page.
Show chart data
| 2016 | 7.3B |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 7.6B |
| 2018 | 7.8B |
| 2019 | 8.1B |
| 2020 | 7.3B |
| 2021 | 8.9B |
| 2022 | 8.7B |
| 2023 | 8.5B |
| 2024 | 8.3B |
| 2025 | 8.2B |
- $17.8 billion
The global music products industry was worth roughly $17.8 billion in 2024, down from a record $19.5 billion in 2021, according to NAMM's 20-Year Global Music Products Summary.
NAMM, Sound Check: A 20-Year Look at the Global Music Products Industry (20-Year Global Music Products Summary, 2026) · 2024 data [33]
- $19.5 billion
2021 was the biggest year on record for musical instrument and music product sales worldwide, at an estimated $19.5 billion, above the 2006 to 2007 peak of $18.2 billion, according to NAMM.
NAMM, Sound Check: A 20-Year Look at the Global Music Products Industry (20-Year Global Music Products Summary, 2026) · 2021 data [33]
- $8.2 billion
U.S. music products shipments fell to $8.2 billion in 2025, the fourth straight yearly decline, according to NAMM, which measures the retail value of wholesale shipments to U.S. music retailers.
NAMM, Sound Check: A 20-Year Look at the Global Music Products Industry (20-Year Global Music Products Summary, 2026) · 2025 data [33]
- $857 million
In 2025, U.S. retailers took in an estimated $857 million of electric guitars and $768 million of acoustic guitars, measured as the retail value of wholesale shipments, according to NAMM and Music Trades.
NAMM, 20-Year Global Music Products Summary (2026), citing NAMM/Music Trades U.S. Industry Summary data · 2025 data [33]
- $297 million
U.S. acoustic piano sales fell to $297 million in 2025, down from a pandemic-era spike of $478 million in 2022 and $582 million in 2006, according to NAMM.
NAMM, 20-Year Global Music Products Summary (2026), citing NAMM/Music Trades U.S. Industry Summary data · 2025 data [33]
- $2.3 billion
In 2022, 595 U.S. musical instrument manufacturing establishments employing 11,833 people shipped goods worth $2.3 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2022 Economic Census (House of Octave conversion from thousands of dollars).
U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census, Manufacturing basic statistics (EC2231BASIC), NAICS 339992; House of Octave calculation · 2022 data [35]
- 3,230
The U.S. had 3,230 musical instrument and supplies stores with paid employees in 2023, down from 3,811 in 2013, a fall of 581 stores or 15% (House of Octave calculation from Census Bureau County Business Patterns).
U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 and 2013, national file, NAICS 451140 (musical instrument and supplies stores); House of Octave calculation · 2023 data [36]
| Country | 2024 ($M) | 2021 ($M) | Share of world, 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 8,260 | 8,906 | 46.5% |
| Japan | 1,400 | 1,480 | 7.9% |
| Germany | 1,010 | 1,100 | 5.7% |
| China | 990 | 1,710 | 5.6% |
| Canada | 775 | 800 | 4.4% |
| France | 610 | 600 | 3.4% |
| United Kingdom | 600 | 645 | 3.4% |
| Italy | 385 | 399 | 2.2% |
| Australia | 320 | 390 | 1.8% |
| South Korea | 295 | 300 | 1.7% |
NAMM's U.S. figures are the estimated retail value of wholesale shipments, not checkout sales. NAMM's press boilerplate quotes other totals ($18.1 billion, $19.5 billion) for the global industry; use the dated figures from the 20-Year Summary. Census store counts from the Economic Census (2022) and County Business Patterns (2023) are counted differently and should not be compared with each other. The country table's U.S. figure for 2024 ($8,260 million) is NAMM's estimated domestic market size, a slightly different series from the shipments chart ($8,274 million).
Methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the organisation that ran the survey or published the data: the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), YouGov, Fender, NAMM, ABRSM, the European Commission, national statistics offices in Japan and England, Creative Australia, the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Center for Education Statistics. We quote each source's own words in our records and link the exact report, table or chart. Where we worked a figure out ourselves, such as the NEA rate turned into a head count, the stat says it is a House of Octave calculation.
The phrase 'how many people play an instrument' hides several different questions, and they give very different answers. The NEA's Survey of Public Participation in the Arts, run with the Census Bureau, asks U.S. adults whether they played an instrument in the past 12 months (11.4% in 2022). YouGov asked whether people had ever learned one (66%). Guitar Center's OnePoll survey asked whether people can play (24%). The 2003 NAMM and Gallup survey counted households with at least one player (54%). We keep these apart and label each one, because most compilations mix them.
The NEA's 2022 reports do not publish instrument-playing rates by age, sex or education, so the 'who plays' breakdown uses the NEA's 2020 Arts Basic Survey, a shorter survey with a lower overall rate (9.6%). State rates come from the NEA's 2022 state data; small state samples give wide margins, and the NEA's caution flags are kept in the table. Surveys from other countries ask different questions and cover different ages, which the country table states row by row.
Fender's figures come from company research and press releases, and the 90% quit rate is Fender's own measure of first-time buyers rather than an independent study. Market figures come from NAMM's 20-Year Global Music Products Summary (2026), which measures the retail value of wholesale shipments, and from Yamaha's financial reports and the Census Bureau's Economic Census and County Business Patterns. We will update the page when the next NEA survey, NAMM's yearly figures and the next ABRSM and Eurobarometer releases come out.
Spot an error or a newer figure? Tell us and we will correct the page and note the change.
Cite this page
Free to quote, chart or link in articles, reports and coursework. Please credit the original source for each figure and link to this page as the compilation.
House of Octave. (2026, November 2). Musical Instrument Statistics 2026. https://houseofoctave.com/musical-instrument-statistics/
"Musical Instrument Statistics 2026." House of Octave, 2 Nov. 2026, houseofoctave.com/musical-instrument-statistics.
House of Octave. "Musical Instrument Statistics 2026." Last modified November 2, 2026. https://houseofoctave.com/musical-instrument-statistics/
<a href="https://houseofoctave.com/musical-instrument-statistics/">Musical Instrument Statistics 2026</a> (House of Octave)
Frequently asked questions
How many people can play a musical instrument?
It depends on the measure. In the U.S., 11.4% of adults played an instrument in the past year (National Endowment for the Arts, 2022), about 28 million people. 24% say they can play one (Guitar Center and OnePoll, 2022), and 66% have learned one at some point in their lives (YouGov, 2022).
What is the most popular musical instrument?
The piano. In YouGov's 2022 U.S. poll, 29% of adults had learned piano at some point, ahead of guitar at 18%. In YouGov's November 2024 British poll, 12% of adults said they can play the piano or keyboard and 8% the guitar.
How many people play guitar?
No census counts guitar players. YouGov found in 2022 that 18% of U.S. adults had learned guitar at some point (23% of those aged 18 to 29), and in 2024 that 8% of British adults can play it now. Fender's 2021 study with YouGov estimated that about 16 million Americans aged 13 to 64 started learning guitar in the previous two years.
How many people in the world play guitar?
No published survey counts guitar players worldwide, so figures such as 700 million that circulate online have no primary source. The nearest primary estimate is Fender's: about a million new guitar players a year in English-speaking countries alone, of whom only 100,000 commit to the instrument (CEO Andy Mooney, 2019).
What percentage of people quit guitar?
Fender says more than 90% of first-time guitar players abandon the instrument within 12 months, often within 90 days, based on its own research. Among all U.S. adults who ever played guitar, YouGov found in 2022 that 39% still play, and 51% of those who quit regret it.
How many people play piano?
In 2022, 29% of U.S. adults said they had learned piano at some point, rising to 37% of those 65 and older, and 32% of those who ever played still do (YouGov). In Britain in 2024, 12% of adults said they can play the piano now, including 16% of women and 8% of men (YouGov).
Which state has the most musicians?
In the National Endowment for the Arts' 2022 survey, Utah had the highest share of adults who played an instrument (24%), followed by Washington (23%) and Montana (21%). Delaware (4%), Hawaii, Georgia and Florida (5% each) were among the lowest.
How many people in the world play a musical instrument?
No survey counts players worldwide. In the EU, 11% of people aged 15 and over played an instrument in the last 12 months in 2025 (Special Eurobarometer 562). In Japan the figure was 10.2% of people aged 10 and over in 2021 (Statistics Bureau of Japan). In the UK, 23% of adults said they currently play (ABRSM, 2024).
Sources
- National Endowment for the Arts, Arts Participation Patterns in 2022: Highlights from the Survey of Public Participation in the Arts arts.gov
- YouGov, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music and a wider range of instruments yougov.com
- Guitar Center, press release on its 2022 music education survey (conducted by OnePoll) static.guitarcenter.com
- NAMM, press release: Gallup Organization Reveals Findings of American Attitudes Toward Making Music Survey namm.org
- National Endowment for the Arts, The Demographics of Arts Participation in a Pre-Pandemic Year (2020 Arts Basic Survey) arts.gov
- National Endowment for the Arts, How a Nation Engages with Art: Highlights from the 2012 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts arts.gov
- YouGov chart data, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music (survey of 3,000 U.S. adult citizens, June to July 2022) datawrapper.dwcdn.net
- YouGov, How many Britons can play a musical instrument? (survey of 2,203 GB adults, November 2024) yougov.com
- ABRSM, Making Music 2025: Extending Our Ambition for Music Education in the UK (survey of 2,032 UK children and adults, 2024) abrsm.org
- YouGov survey results tables, musical instruments (2,203 GB adults, fieldwork 26 to 27 November 2024) ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net
- Fender, New Guitar Player Landscape Analysis with YouGov (press release, October 2021) fender.com
- Fender, Illuminating the State of Today's Guitar Players research with Egg Strategy (press release, October 2018) fender.com
- Fender CEO Andy Mooney, interview with MusicRadar (November 2019) musicradar.com
- YouGov chart data, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music (survey of 3,000 U.S. adult citizens, June to July 2022) datawrapper.dwcdn.net
- YouGov chart data, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music (survey of 3,000 U.S. adult citizens, June to July 2022) datawrapper.dwcdn.net
- National Endowment for the Arts, U.S. Patterns of Arts Participation: A Full Report from the 2017 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts arts.gov
- National Endowment for the Arts, 50 States of Arts Participation: 2022 (Survey of Public Participation in the Arts) arts.gov
- National Endowment for the Arts, 50 States of Arts Participation: 2022, statistical tables 2 and 6 (2022 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts) arts.gov
- National Endowment for the Arts, By All Means, the Arts: A Full Report of the 2022 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts (Arts Participation in 2022: A Technical Summary Report) arts.gov
- YouGov chart data, Younger Americans are increasingly exposed to playing music (survey of 3,000 U.S. adult citizens, June to July 2022) datawrapper.dwcdn.net
- Elpus and Abril, Who enrolls in high school music? A national profile of U.S. students, 2009-2013, Journal of Research in Music Education 67(3) (abstract) ken.elpus.org
- Elpus and Abril, High school music ensemble students in the United States: A demographic profile, Journal of Research in Music Education 59(2) (abstract) ken.elpus.org
- National Endowment for the Arts, Arts Education in U.S. Public Schools: Insights from the November 2024 School Pulse Panel Survey (NCES School Pulse Panel) arts.gov
- Arts Education Data Project (Quadrant Research and State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education), National Arts Education Status Report 2019, Analysis Metrics artseddata.org
- National Center for Education Statistics, Arts Education in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools: 1999-2000 and 2009-10 (NCES 2012-014) nces.ed.gov
- European Commission, Special Eurobarometer 562: Europeans' attitudes towards culture (fieldwork February to March 2025) europa.eu
- Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Participation Survey 2024 to 2025 annual data tables, Table A1 assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
- Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2021 Survey on Time Use and Leisure Activities, Summary of Results (Leisure Activities), Table 4-3 stat.go.jp
- Creative Australia, National Arts Participation Survey Results 2025 creative.gov.au
- EU rows: Special Eurobarometer 562, Volume A, table QA3 (European Commission, 2025). Other rows: ABRSM Making Music 2025; DCMS Participation Survey 2024/25; Statistics Bureau of Japan 2021; Creative Australia NAPS 2025 webgate.ec.europa.eu
- CNBC, Fender sales boom as guitar playing surges during the pandemic (Andy Mooney, Fender CEO, on record), November 21, 2020 cnbc.com
- Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, press release, October 20, 2020 fender.com
- NAMM, Sound Check: A 20-Year Look at the Global Music Products Industry (20-Year Global Music Products Summary, 2026) namm.org
- Yamaha Corporation, About Us: Yamaha in Figures yamaha.com
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census, Manufacturing basic statistics (EC2231BASIC), NAICS 339992; House of Octave calculation www2.census.gov
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 and 2013, national file, NAICS 451140 (musical instrument and supplies stores); House of Octave calculation www2.census.gov