what instruments does taylor swift play

Taylor Swift plays several instruments, though guitar and piano are the ones she uses most often in songwriting and on stage.

Main instruments she plays

• Acoustic and electric guitar – Guitar is her primary instrument; she has played acoustic and electric models (including Taylor Baby Taylor, Taylor GS6, and Fender‑style electrics) since childhood and regularly uses them to write and perform.

• Piano – She began learning piano at a young age and now plays it on many pop‑era tracks and during live shows, such as on the Reputation and Eras tours.

• Banjo – During her country‑focused years, she often played six‑string banjo live and on songs like “Mean.”

• Ukulele – She incorporates ukulele into some recordings and performances for a lighter, folk‑leaning texture.

Quick overview table

Instrument| Role in her music
---|---
Guitar (acoustic/electric)| Core songwriting tool; used in almost every era and on all major tours. 17
Piano| Key for many pop and indie‑leaning tracks; frequently featured in live shows. 27
Banjo| Strongly tied to her country phase (e.g., “Mean,” Speak Now ‑era tours). 57
Ukulele| Adds playful, acoustic color to select songs and stripped‑down performances. 29

Taylor has said she thinks of herself first as a songwriter, but her ability to play multiple instruments shapes how her songs sound from the very first demo.