Instrument Skill
Complete guide to the Instrument skill in inZOI: how to level it by playing piano, guitar, and drums, the full music composition genre unlock table (Level 2: Folk Song and Jingle through Level 6: Jazz and Movie Score), busking for tips, selling compositions on the Pocket Market, and the optimal strategy for maximizing income from the skill.
The Instrument skill represents musical ability in inZOI, covering both performance (playing instruments live) and composition (creating original music on a computer). It is available from the Teenager Life Stage through Elder. At higher levels, Zois can busk on city streets for tips, compose and sell original music through the Pocket Market, and unlock increasingly prestigious composition genres. The Instrument skill interacts closely with the Performing Arts skill for busking and public performance purposes.
Playable Instruments
Three instruments are currently available for live performance in inZOI:
Instrument | Notes |
|---|---|
Piano / Grand Piano | Can be placed in the home through Build Mode. The Grand Piano and Synthesizer variants are also the fastest method for leveling the child-stage Creativity skill. |
Guitar | A more portable instrument option, suitable for home practice and busking. |
Drum Set | Home performance instrument. Louder than piano or guitar; may affect nearby Zois' moods differently. |
How to Level Up the Instrument Skill
Activity | Notes |
|---|---|
Playing instruments at home | The primary early-game method. Each performance session contributes XP. Consistent daily practice is efficient. |
Composing music on a computer | Available from Level 1 onward. Becomes the preferred income and XP source at higher skill levels (around Level 7–8). |
Busking on city streets | Once skill is high enough to perform in public, busking on designated street spots earns both XP and tip Mew from passerby Zois. |
Strategy: Focus on playing instruments to reach approximately Level 7 or 8. At that point, switch to composing on the computer as the primary activity, which provides both higher XP and better income per composition compared to instrument practice.
Music Composition Genres by Level
Composing music on a computer unlocks different genres at specific skill levels. Higher-tier genres sell for more Mew on the Pocket Market:
Skill Level Required | Composition Genres Unlocked |
|---|---|
Level 1 | Basic composition available (genre not specified in current early access documentation) |
Level 2 | Folk Song, Jingle |
Level 4 | Classical Music, Hip-Hop Beats |
Level 6 | Jazz Music, Movie Score |
Additional composition genres above Level 6 may be added in future updates. Completed compositions can be sold through the Pocket Market on the Zoi's Smartphone, similar to how paintings, videos, and manuscripts are monetized.
Busking
At sufficient Instrument skill, Zois can busk on the street at designated busking spots in each city. Busking earns tips from passing NPC Zois and contributes to both Instrument and Performing Arts skill XP simultaneously. The quality of the performance and the number of tips received scales with the Instrument skill level; a high-skill busker draws larger crowds and earns more per session than a beginner.
Busking is also a social activity. It draws nearby Zois to stop and watch, creating organic opportunities for social interactions and relationship development.
Selling Compositions
Completed music compositions are sold through the Pocket Market on the Zoi's Smartphone. The sale price of a composition depends on its genre and the Zoi's skill level at the time of composition. Higher-tier genres (Jazz, Movie Score) command significantly more Mew than basic genres (Folk Song, Jingle). Compositions do not expire and can be sold at any time.
Instrument Skill and Furniture Unlocks
As the Instrument skill rises, music-related furniture items become available in Build Mode. Specific unlock levels for furniture items are not fully documented in current early access guides, but leveling up has been confirmed to occasionally unlock new music equipment and room decoration items.
Instrument Skill and Traits
Trait | Music Affinity |
|---|---|
Visionary | Artistically driven and emotionally expressive; music composition is a natural creative outlet. |
Individualist | Values creative expression and solitary work; instrument practice aligns with their introspective nature. |
Entertainer | Naturally social and performance-oriented; busking and live performance fit their personality perfectly. |
Adventurer | Free-spirited and energetic; exploring different music styles and genres comes naturally. |
Child Creativity Skill Connection
For children, the Creativity Skill is the precursor to the Instrument skill. When a child Zoi maxes out their Creativity skill (Level 5), they receive the 'Creativity Aptitude' bonus upon aging to a Teenager. This automatically sets their Instrument skill (along with Art, Performance, and Media Production) to Level 5, giving a massive head start for players who invest in Creativity during childhood.
Tips
Practice instrument for the first few levels at home to build the foundation quickly. The cost of a piano or guitar is modest and pays for itself rapidly through busking and composition sales.
Once you reach Level 7–8, switch from instrument practice to computer composition. Movie Score and Jazz compositions at Level 6 sell for substantially more per piece than basic genres.
Busking during peak NPC activity times (afternoons on weekdays) maximizes tip income and draws the largest crowds.
Instrument leveling in a positive emotional state (Amused, Focused, or Concentrated) accelerates XP gain. Playing after a fun activity or fulfilled Urge often yields the best results.
If you plan to raise children in-game, investing in the child's Creativity skill is one of the most powerful investments: maxing it to Level 5 gives the child a Level 5 Instrument skill immediately at the teen life stage.