Instruments

Overview

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 Senior, with a maximum level of 10. Playing physical instruments levels the skill faster than composing on a computer, but composing is where the money is. The Instrument skill interacts closely with the Performance skill for busking and public performance.

Instruments fall under the Hobby category in Build Mode and can be placed in any room of a home lot. Unlike some other skills that require specific venues, the Instrument skill can be leveled entirely at home with a purchased instrument or a computer. For players who want to maximize long-term progression, developing the child Creativity skill to Level 5 before aging up to Teenager provides a massive head start, automatically setting the Instrument skill to Level 5 at the teen stage.

Instrument Preferences

During the Zoi Creation process, players can assign up to 10 Preferences from seven categories. Three instrument-related preferences are available: Piano, Guitar, and Drums. Setting a preference as a "like" means the Zoi will enjoy activities involving that instrument, receiving small mood boosts when playing it. Setting it as a "dislike" has the opposite effect. Preferences can be changed at any time from the Zoi Card, so players are free to experiment.

If you plan for your Zoi to pursue the Idol Trainee career or the Pro Musician ambition, consider setting instrument and singing preferences early. A liked preference adds a positive moodlet during practice, which indirectly speeds up skill gains by keeping the Zoi in a good emotional state.

Available Instruments

Five instruments can be purchased through Build Mode under the Hobby category of the Furniture tab:

Children can access drum kits and keyboards (Synthesizer, Grand Piano) but not guitars. Practicing on any instrument improves the Instrument skill, though each instrument has its own feel and animation set. All five instruments share the same single Instrument skill; there are no separate sub-skills for each instrument type.

Noise from instruments, particularly drums, can disturb Zois in adjacent rooms. If your household has multiple Zois with different schedules or needs (for example, one sleeping while another practices), place the instrument in a room with a closed door or on a different floor to minimize disruption.

Leveling the Skill

Strategy: Focus on playing instruments to reach approximately Level 7 or 8 (since instrument practice levels the skill faster). Then switch to composing on the computer, which provides both higher XP and better income per composition. The recommended switch point is around Level 7-8 because this is where composition prices start to become worthwhile.

Leveling Speed

Each instrument practice session lasts roughly 15 to 16 in-game minutes. On average, expect about 3 in-game hours per skill level when playing instruments consistently. The full progression from Level 0 to Level 10 takes approximately 3 in-game days with normal play patterns. The initial jump from Level 0 to Level 1 is the fastest, taking only around 10 in-game minutes of playing.

Music Composition

Starting at Instrument Level 1, a Zoi can sit at a computer and compose original music. Practice songwriting is available immediately, but sellable compositions require Level 2. Higher skill levels unlock more genres:

Each composition takes time to complete and produces a unique track. Higher-tier genres (Jazz, Movie Score) sell for significantly more than basic genres (Folk Song, Jingle). Additional genres above Level 8 may be added in future updates as the game continues to develop through Early Access.

Composing Workflow

To compose, direct your Zoi to interact with a computer or laptop and select the composition option. The Zoi will spend time testing out beats and compiling them into a single track. The process runs autonomously once started, though the Zoi's emotional state and needs satisfaction during composition directly affect the quality of the finished piece. A Zoi who composes while in a positive mood (Amused, Concentrated, or especially Sentimental) is more likely to produce higher-quality tracks.

Naming and Customizing Compositions

Finished compositions can be given a custom name and description. This personalization step is optional but adds flavor to the track. Named compositions appear in the Zoi's inventory with their custom title, making it easier to track which pieces to sell and which to keep.

Selling Music

Completed compositions can be sold through the Pocket Market on the Zoi's Smartphone, similar to how paintings, videos, and manuscripts are monetized. Sale prices scale with the Zoi's Instrument level and the genre. A Level 10 composer's Jazz piece sells for significantly more than a Level 3 beginner's Folk Song. Compositions do not expire and can be sold at any time, so there is no rush to list them immediately.

To sell a composition, open the Smartphone, navigate to the Pocket Market app, and list the track. The sale processes instantly once listed. The price displayed when you hover over a track in your inventory reflects its current market value based on your skill level and the track's quality rating.

Composition Times

Composition completion time decreases as the Instrument skill increases:

The time reduction at higher levels is substantial. A Level 10 composer finishes a track in roughly one quarter of the time a Level 2 beginner needs, making high-level composition one of the most time-efficient creative income sources.

Selling Prices at Level 10

At maximum Instrument skill, composition prices vary by quality:

Quality depends on the Zoi's skill level, emotional state, and needs satisfaction during composition. A Perfect composition at Level 10 earns 750 Meow per track with only 1 hour 15 minutes of work, making it one of the most efficient creative income sources in the game. At lower skill levels, selling prices are reduced proportionally. For reference, a Level 3 Medium-quality track sells for around 37 Meow, and a Level 6 Good-quality track sells for around 100 Meow.

Music Competition

At Instrument Level 10, Zois gain access to a Music Competition available on Sundays. The competition is a luck-based event where the Zoi either wins 1,000 Meow or receives nothing. It functions similarly to other skill-based competitions in the game. The competition is a "rabbit hole" event: the Zoi leaves via taxi and returns with results. Even though the outcome is luck-based, entering every Sunday is worthwhile since the potential 1,000 Meow reward for zero material cost is excellent value.

Busking

At sufficient Instrument skill, Zois can busk on designated street spots in each city. Busking earns tips from passing NPC Zois and contributes to both Instrument and Performance skill XP simultaneously. The quality of the performance and the tips received scale with skill level. High-skill buskers draw larger crowds and earn more per session.

Busking is also a social activity. It draws nearby Zois to stop and watch, creating organic opportunities for social interactions and relationship development. Crowded spots and afternoon weekday hours tend to maximize tip income.

Wants to Go Busking Urge

Zois with the Entertainer trait or the Singing preference may develop a "Wants to Go Busking" urge. Fulfilling this urge grants both Meow and a temporary mood boost. To fulfill the urge, travel to a public lot (park, beach, cafe, or plaza) and start performing. The urge completes once the Zoi has performed for a sufficient duration, and the Meow reward is given on completion.

Busking Locations

Good busking spots include any public lot with foot traffic. Some specific locations that work well:

For maximum tips, visit crowded public areas during peak NPC activity times. Afternoons on weekdays tend to produce the best results, as more NPC Zois are out and about during these hours.

Karaoke

Karaoke venues let Zois sing solo or share duets with other Zois. It costs 5 Meow per session. Singing at karaoke levels the Performance skill, not the Instrument skill. This distinction is important: karaoke is a Performance activity, so players seeking to level Instrument should use instruments instead. However, karaoke is a fun social activity and useful for Zois who want to develop both skills in parallel through different methods.

Known karaoke locations include:

Duets are a social interaction that can build friendship between Zois. Singing together at karaoke contributes positive relationship points in addition to Performance XP.

Performance Skill Synergy

The Instrument skill and the Performance skill overlap in several areas. While they are separate skills with their own level progression, many musical activities contribute to both. Understanding the distinction helps players plan their skill development efficiently.

For players who want to level both skills, busking is the only activity that contributes to both simultaneously. Otherwise, alternate between instrument practice (for Instrument XP) and singing with a microphone (for Performance XP). The microphone can be purchased through Build Mode under the Hobby category, similar to instruments.

Performance Skill Milestones

At maximum Performance skill, Zois unlock two additional activities accessible through any computer:

Both of these activities reward Meow on success and serve as endgame goals for Zois who have maxed their Performance skill alongside their Instrument skill.

Group Instrument Activities

The March 2026 update added six instrument-related group activities to the game. These activities allow multiple Zois to engage in collaborative musical experiences together, expanding the social dimension of instrument play beyond solo practice and busking.

Group instrument activities are found under the group interactions menu when selecting actions for a group of Zois. The specific activities were added alongside other group interactions including fitness activities and critical thinking activities. These collaborative music activities build relationships between participating Zois while also contributing to Instrument skill XP.

Music-Related Venues

Emotion and Trait Connections

The Sentimental emotion specifically boosts Instrument skill gain, while the Annoyed emotion hinders it. Playing while in a positive emotional state (Amused, Concentrated, or especially Sentimental) accelerates XP gain. Negative moods slow progress and reduce the quality of compositions.

Certain traits have natural affinity with music:

Pro Musician Ambition

The Pro Musician ambition is one of three Creative Expression ambitions, alongside Great Painter and Voice of Heaven. It is available to Young Adults and older Zois. The ambition has three progression levels, each with escalating requirements:

Level 1:

• Buy an instrument.

• Play an instrument 3 times.

Level 2:

• Play a drum 10 times.

• Play an instrument 10 times while feeling Sentimental.

Level 3:

• Achieve Instrument Level 10 (max).

• Play a guitar 20 times.

Completing each level awards NyanCoins, with each successive level giving more than the previous one. NyanCoins can be spent in the Meow Store on donuts and other items. Completing this ambition requires mastery across multiple instruments and reaching the right emotional states. Players can track progress through their Zoi's profile and switch between ambitions while maintaining prior progress.

The Level 2 requirement to play while Sentimental can be tricky if the emotion does not trigger naturally. Use a Sentiment Donut from the Meow Store (costs 30 NyanCoins) to force the Sentimental mood, then immediately start playing an instrument to fulfill the requirement.

Voice of Heaven Ambition

Voice of Heaven is another Creative Expression ambition that focuses on singing and performance rather than instruments. While it primarily requires the Performance skill, it shares the Creative Expression category with Pro Musician. Players pursuing a music-focused lifestyle may want to consider which ambition better fits their goals: Pro Musician rewards instrumental mastery, while Voice of Heaven rewards vocal talent and stage presence.

It is possible to switch between ambitions at any time without losing progress. A Zoi who completes Pro Musician can then switch to Voice of Heaven and work toward singing goals, or vice versa.

Idol Trainee Career

The music skills tie into the Idol Trainee career at Adam Entertainment in Dowon. This career involves singing, dancing, and performing, drawing on both the Instrument and Performance skills. There is also an Entertainment Planning Team track for Zois who prefer the business side of the industry.

Career Ranks

The Idol Trainee career has three ranks:

The Idol Trainee career is an active job, meaning you have tasks to complete each shift and can leave early once all tasks are finished. Related skills to develop include Instrument, Performance, Charm, and Media Production. The Entertainer and Go-Getter traits are especially well-suited for this career.

Age Restriction

The Idol Trainee career is limited to the Young Adult life stage only. Once a Zoi ages into an Adult, they are removed from the career. This gives a limited window to progress through the ranks, so players should begin the career as early as possible after reaching Young Adult status.

Location

Adam Entertainment operates exclusively on the east side of Dowon. The career is not available in Bliss Bay or other cities. Zois must live in Dowon to commute to the agency.

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 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.

The fastest way to level Creativity for children is to use the Grand Piano or Synthesizer. Each practice session on these instruments fills the Creativity meter significantly, and the action can be repeated until the skill levels up. Drums are also available to children, though the piano and synthesizer are generally faster. Activities like gaming, doodling, and painting also contribute to Creativity but at a slower rate compared to instrument play.

This childhood investment is one of the most powerful long-term strategies in the game. A child who maxes Creativity to Level 5 effectively skips half the grind for four separate adult skills, including Instrument. Starting the teen stage at Instrument Level 5 means the Zoi can immediately begin composing sellable music (since Level 2 is the threshold for selling compositions) and quickly progress to higher-tier genres.

Tips

• The acoustic guitar (549 Meow) is the cheapest instrument and pays for itself quickly through busking and composition sales.

• Focus on playing instruments until Level 7-8, then switch to computer composition for both XP and income. This is the optimal transition point.

• Movie Score and Jazz at Level 8 sell for substantially more per piece than Folk Song or Jingle. Prioritize unlocking these genres.

• Busking during peak NPC activity times (afternoons on weekdays) maximizes tip income and draws the largest crowds.

• Playing while in a positive emotional state (Amused, Concentrated, or especially Sentimental) accelerates XP gain and improves composition quality.

• Investing in a child's Creativity skill is one of the most powerful long-term investments: maxing it to Level 5 gives the child Level 5 Instrument skill automatically at the teen stage.

• The Pro Musician ambition requires playing while Sentimental. Use a Sentiment Donut from the Meow Store (30 NyanCoins) if the emotion does not trigger naturally.

• Enter the Music Competition every Sunday at Level 10. The 1,000 Meow prize has no material cost to enter, making it free money when you win.

• Place drums in a separate room with a closed door to prevent disturbing other household members who may be sleeping or studying.

• Compositions do not expire. If you are not satisfied with the price a track would sell for, hold onto it and sell later when your skill level is higher.

• For dual-skill development, alternate between instrument practice (Instrument XP) and microphone singing (Performance XP), or busk to level both at once.

• The Grand Piano at 3,200 Meow is the most expensive instrument, but it doubles as the fastest Creativity leveling tool for children. If you plan to raise a musical family, it is a worthwhile investment.