Most research analysts predict the global musical instruments market to grow steadily during the next few years, one of the reasons being the growing popularity of concerts and live performances that will positively impact the sales of musical instruments in the coming years.
Social media and music-related platforms (Facebook, SoundCloud) have encouraged more musicians to become independent, resulting in formation of several musical bands, which has increased the number of concerts.
The increasing number of music reality shows, live music bands, and concerts will drive the demand for modern, high-tech and highly-priced musical equipment from performers and organizers.
The most sought-after instruments include digital keyboards, pianos, guitar, wind instruments, and PA equipment, which are available at local retailers, superstores, and chain stores.
Another profitable area is music education, especially in the school curriculum. Several countries across the globe have already started introducing initiatives to include music in their educational curriculum.
US, the largest market for music, has engaged the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) to promote national arts/music via education, which is expected to increase the number of musicians in the country.
Key Market Trends
- High quality, and low operating and maintenance costs significantly influences consumers’ buying decision.
- Electronic organs and pianos are expected to take over traditional instruments.
- Traditional pianos will face strong competition by self-playing pianos.
3D Printed Musical Instruments: Ready to take off?
This non-traditional process (3D Printing) can make unique and creative instruments, but there’s a reason that 3d printed musical instruments are not dominating the market.
3D printing i making its presence felt in several industries – automotive, aviation, gaming, etc., but the story with the music industry seems to be a bit different.
Although companies and artists have been 3D-printing instruments layer by layer, its more of a way to create attention than music.
Even though 3D printing can produce stunning instruments, and also keep the costs down, it is no where close to dominating this industry.
Here are few reasons for that:
- Traditionalists are not taking artistic 3D-printed plastic instruments seriously. Also, The plastic and automated machinery greatly affect a musician’s buying decision.
- Cost of 3D printing has dramatically reduced, it can produce recorders, much like those some of us would play in elementary school, but most people are not looking for such instruments.
- Making instruments such as guitars is a laborious process, and is one of the reasons a 3D-printed guitar can run over $1,300. However, it is important to remember that much of the cost will be wrapped up in the electronics you decide to use, which can exceed $500.
- Plastic is not the best acoustic material to create an instrument. Plastic doesn’t resonate. This is another important reason why we don’t see more printed instruments. There are other materials, but metal turns out expensive and the harder plastics need printers with higher thermal capabilities.
- Another constraint is that the build spaces of most 3D printers are only about one cubic foot (for metal printers as well as for extruded plastic printers). Instruments can be built in pieces, but adding joints could worsen the sound, or create air leaks.
- Finally, it takes time to learn where and how to use 3D printing in an application. One particular application is the electric guitar, in which the acoustics of the plastic generally don’t matter.
Some people have a lot of experience printing guitars. Check out this video on making a 3D-printed guitar:
Watch: Making a 3D Printed GuitarAs you can see, 3D-printed designs would print almost any type of body desired. The neck and core assembly then slide into the 3D-printed body. The core and neck maintain the acoustic properties, and the body is more or less for looks.
I guess, most 3D printing will be done for printing complex, small parts. Musical instruments however are made effectively with traditional processes, and they aren’t small in size. Though 3D-printed instruments are cool, they may remain a niche product that will likely not disrupt the instrument market in the near future.
Source: machinedesign
COVID-19 Impact on Musical Instrument Market
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted a lot of industries, including the music and music instrument and equipment manufacturing industry.
But the good thing was that lot of people were also buying music instrument as they had some free time now to learn to play an instrument.
People were buying a lot of lower-priced music instrument and equipment indicating that there are a lot of beginners out there that are trying to learn to play an instrument.
Sale of guitars, keyboards, ukuleles, harmonicas picked up as these musical instruments are easy to play.
There were two kinds of people wanting to learn an instrument during the pandemic:
- While some were beginners, there were some who had left midway years back due to various reasons and took the opportunity to start again from where they had left.
- Then there were others who already could play one instrument and used the time to learn another instrument. “I know how to play a mouth organ. But recently, during the lockdown, I decided to learn guitar. I want to try playing ukulele too,” says a software developer.
Related: Music instrument buying guide
Related: school band orchestra instruments
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
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