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.