Now imagine doing that while carrying an acoustic guitar.
Maybe, like me, your main instruments are bass or piano. Or, maybe the thought of even letting the airlines look at your guitar gives you nightmares.
If you choose to leave your primary instrument at home, you will need to learn a new, smaller instrument for travel. Choosing a new instrument to learn is not a choice to be made lightly.
To become even mediocre will take hours and hours of practice, but this time investment will pay great dividends when you find that perfect spot for an impromptu concert.
Plus, learning to play well is a matter of common courtesy. Have you ever heard a poorly played violin? Did it remind you of a dying marmot?
In the following list, I’ve tried to avoid miniature travel versions of real instruments. With the exception of the Martin Backpacker, these are all ‘real’ instruments. For those who can sing, the first seven instruments on the list are good for accompaniment. All others are solo instruments.
Finally, in an effort to improve the quality of sleep for hostel guests around the world, I have omitted djembes and other hand drums.
If you really have to take a guitar, the Martin Backpacker has a decent sound, a low price, and plays well. If you’re really brave, you could always take your chances with hostel guitars.
Mandolins require a little more care than some of the others, especially to maintain decent tuning, but give you a good range and the ability to make chords. Not the best choice if you have large fingers.
Photo: Petr Jilek/Shutterstock
These come in several shapes and sizes, and it’s possible to find small models of reasonable quality.
A unique, folksy instrument, the autoharp allows you to play a melody over chords while singing. Like a zither but easier to play because of the chord buttons.
Another good accompaniment instrument. Cheap and versatile, but can’t match the mandolin in terms of sound quality and resonance.
Possibly the most difficult and expressive instrument on the list. If you can play violin well, you already know how awesome your instrument is.
The Erhu is a two string Chinese violin. This delicate instrument requires a hell of an ear but wins hand down for uniqueness. With the right case (think hard foam padding), this could be a remarkable travel instrument.
You probably learned to play one of these in school. What this instrument lacks in range it makes up for in low-weight quirkiness.
Photo: Dusan Petrovic/Shutterstock
Not the lightest or easiest instrument on the list, but definitely the dorkiest. Conveniently breaks down into a small package. Pads and reeds could pose a problem, especially in subtropical zones.
A pretty instrument, difficult to play well, but a little easier to play than the clarinet. Like the clarinet, pads will require extra care. As a bonus you can play along with Jethro Tull covers.
The harmonica is almost a travel cliché. Lightweight, cheap, durable, and reasonably easy to play. Unfortunately, anyone you play with is limited to whatever key your harp happens to be in.
An instrument so light and smooth it can be worn as a necklace. Against all conventions of fashion, people do just this. Cheap and easy to play, but limited in range.
You’re already carrying your own mouth with you, why not use it? The most lightweight instrument of all, you can both whistle and sing.
If this is going to be your main instrument, learn some songs. Pop songs, folk songs, and Irish airs are a good place to start.
Over to you. What kind of instruments have you seen or taken on your travels?
For more on traveling as a musician, check out Essential Gear for the Traveling Musician and 5 Things You Should Know When Traveling With Musical Instruments.