Instrument anyone can play

As a detective trying to solve the mystery behind the crossword clue “Instrument anyone can play,” my initial thoughts were that the instrument had to be simple enough for anyone to play, and popular enough that people would be familiar with it. I immediately thought of instruments like the recorder or the kazoo, but they both had more than four letters, ruling them out as possible solutions.

I then considered non-traditional instruments that people might play, like spoons or the washboard, however, they were too specific and too unconventional to fit this clue. I tinkered with the idea of a harmonica or a triangle, but they didn’t match the number of letters either.

Finally, I considered the word instrument as a metaphor for something that could be used to create sound. That’s when it struck me – what about playing an “air guitar,” like an air instrument? It’s a playful and fun way for people of all ages to mimic playing a guitar. I quickly counted the letters, and sure enough, air guitar fit the crossword clue!

In conclusion, after exploring several options and using creative insight in interpreting the clue, the answer “air guitar” became increasingly clear. This process reminded me that sometimes the solutions to seemingly complex problems can be hiding in plain sight, waiting for us to identify them with insight and creativity.