New analysis of online search data shows more of Rutland's population are looking to learn a musical instrument than any other county in the UK.

The UK has produced some of the biggest names in music over the decades, with big stars and amazing musical talent coming from all over the country. Now, a new analysis of Google search data, by online music education platform Musiversity, has revealed that a higher percentage of people in the county of Rutland are searching online for information relating to learning music than in any other in the UK, earning the East Midlands county the title of the most musically inclined in the country.

According to the study, people in Rutland made almost 60 times more searches per-capita than the national average for things to do with learning to play a musical instrument during the past year, indicating a high interest amongst its population for taking up music.

Here are the top 10 most musical counties according to the data:

1. Rutland

2. West Lothian

3. Herefordshire

4. Cambridgeshire

5. Fife

6. Oxfordshire

7. Shropshire

8. East Sussex

9. Cornwall

10. Dorset

And amongst the people of Rutland, the most popular musical instruments that people were showing interest in were the piano, guitar, and the ukulele.

This is made evident by the prolific local group, D'Ukes of Rutland, an Oakham based Ukulele group who recently raised over £750 for Ukraine.

The Musiversity study also looked at the most popular instruments across the whole of the UK, as well as which of the four UK nations showed the most musical interest, and which UK cities had the highest and lowest percentage of their populations searching online to learn a musical instrument.

Whilst there wasn't much difference overall between England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, the data does reveal some interesting, and fairly large regional and local differences, both in overall musical interest, and in the specific musical instruments people wanted to learn.

Local residents don't only play instruments, but enjoy regular music in Cutts Close, organised and hosted by Oakham Town Council.

On top of this, Rutland Showground just hosted the first ever Rutland Music Festival, which was met with much enthusiasm. Local bands and music enthusiasts came together to enjoy a range of music during the 3 day event, which looks set to go ahead in 2023.

Read the full Musiversity study online.

Alternatively, find out more about Musiversity online music courses here.