UK’s best and least loved musical instruments of 2024 revealed – with Netflix shows Stranger Things and Addams Family boosting most wanted, while school orchestra mainstays plus a Scottish favourite face the squeeze

By Pune Media On Jan 1, 2025

The UK’s most and least loved musical instruments of 2024 have been revealed – with hit Netflix shows thought to have impacted popularity.

Sales of instruments featured on Stranger Things and Addams Family spin-off, Wednesday, sky-rocketed following their appearance on screen while purchases of a Scottish favorite plummeted.

The electric guitar triumphed as the best selling instrument, closely by followed by the keyboard, acoustic guitar, classical guitar, and ukulele.

Metal-loving Stranger Things character Eddie Munson is thought to be partly to blame for a surge in electric guitar sales after he inspired others to follow in his footsteps with a head-banging solo.

Munson (played by Joseph Quinn) caused a stir when he performed Metallica’s ‘Master of Puppets’ in the the 4th season of the show.

There were also increased sales of black cellos of the type played by the protagonist of Netflix’s Tim Burton-directed, Addams Family spin-off Wednesday in several episodes.

These sales contributed to an ongoing overall resurgence in popularity of the cello and in 2024, cello sales increased by 1.4% compared to 2023.

The UK’s most and least loved musical instruments of 2024 have been revealed – with hit Netflix shows thought to have impacted popularity. Pictured: Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams pictured playing the cello

Metal-loving Stranger Things character Eddie Munson is thought to be partly to blame for a surge in electric guitar sales after he inspired others to follow in his footsteps with a head-banging solo (pictured)

Pictured: Jimi Hendrix who is widely regarded as the greatest guitarist in the history

Pictured: Famous cello player Yo-Yo Ma rehearses Leonard Bernstein’s Three Meditations from Mass

The data – from Moombix and Gear4Music – also revealed instruments which Britons are falling out of love with.

These included orchestra mainstays like the bassoon, oboe and flugel horn as well as Scotland’s beloved bagpipes.

But, the prize for the least purchased instrument belongs to the kazoo which was once commonly used in jazz and comedy music.

Despite their dwindling sales many of these instruments play a vital part in famous tunes such as the oboe in ‘I Got You Babe’, Sonny & Cher, the bassoon in ‘Tears Of A Clown’, The Miracles, the flugel horn in ‘Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey’, Paul McCartney, and the kazoo in ‘Crosstown Traffic’, Jimi Hendrix.

Moombix is an Icelandic startup helping adults rediscover a love for music through live online music lessons with expert teachers.

The data – from Moombix and Gear4Music – also revealed instruments which Britons are falling out of love with. These included orchestra mainstays like the bassoon, oboe and flugel horn as well as Scotland’s beloved bagpipes (stock image)

But, the prize for the least purchased instrument belongs to the kazoo (picturedwhich was once commonly used in jazz and comedy music

Ms Sigurdardottir expressed concern over that fact that the overall resurgence in music learning is ‘not transferring to a number of instruments’ which were first identified as ‘endangered’ nearly a decade ago (stock image)

The company’s founder, Margret Juliana Sigurdardottir believes Britons ‘fell back in love with learning an instrument during lockdown’.

She said: ‘Pop culture is inspiring Britons of all ages to rediscover the joy of music learning, with TV shows, movies, as well as a burgeoning electronic music scene driving the popularity of certain instruments.’

But, Ms Sigurdardottir expressed concern over that fact that the overall resurgence in music learning is ‘not transferring to a number of instruments’ which were first identified as ‘endangered’ nearly a decade ago.

She said: ‘The disappearance of the bassoon, tenor horn, oboe, and flugelhorn risks a hollowing-out of British orchestras and bands in the decades to come.’

Gear4Music – who partnered with Moombix to reveal the data – is the UK’s largest online retailer of musical instruments and equipment, offering a wide range of products for musicians of all skill levels.

Top five most and least popular musical instruments in 2024