Compendium category · 20 activities
Music Playing
All 20 music playing activities in the Compendium, ranked by energy cost. The hardest is drumming at 610 kcal an hour; the middle of the pack sits near 169.
| # | Activity | MET | 30 min | 1 hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drumming | 8.3 | 305 | 610 |
| 2 | Marching band | 4 | 147 | 294 |
| 3 | Drums | 3.8 | 140 | 279 |
| 4 | Trombone | 3.5 | 129 | 257 |
| 5 | Drumming | 3 | 110 | 221 |
| 6 | Active workstation | 2.8 | 103 | 206 |
| 7 | Double bass | 2.5 | 92 | 184 |
| 8 | Guitar | 2.5 | 92 | 184 |
| 9 | Trumpet | 2.5 | 92 | 184 |
| 10 | Violin | 2.5 | 92 | 184 |
| 11 | Cello | 2.3 | 85 | 169 |
| 12 | Conducting orchestra | 2.3 | 85 | 169 |
| 13 | Piano | 2.3 | 85 | 169 |
| 14 | Flute | 2 | 74 | 147 |
| 15 | Organ | 2 | 74 | 147 |
| 16 | Playing musical instruments | 2 | 74 | 147 |
| 17 | Accordion | 1.8 | 66 | 132 |
| 18 | Brass instruments | 1.8 | 66 | 132 |
| 19 | Horn | 1.8 | 66 | 132 |
| 20 | Woodwind instruments | 1.8 | 66 | 132 |
Kilocalories for a 70 kg adult. Click any activity for the full weight and intensity breakdown.
SOURCE·2024 Adult Compendium of Physical Activities·REVIEWED JUL 2026
Other categories
Bicycling 5Conditioning Exercise 53Dancing 19Fishing & Hunting 10Home Activities 58Home Repair 26Inactivity 27Lawn & Garden 34Miscellaneous 26Occupation 72Religious Activities 19Running 11Self Care 5Sports 91Transportation 11Video Games 4Volunteer Activities 12Walking 28Water Activities 29Winter Activities 14
